As Luck Would Have It (11 page)

Sydney’s phone chimed back with a text from Marcus.
Good Morning, hope you slept well. Good luck, and if you need me call me. I love you too! Xoxoxo Marcus (your husband).
Once the coffee was brewing, she started to make breakfast. All of her kids were in the kitchen by the time breakfast finished and on the table.

Sydney watched them scarf down their food and wondered if they had eaten all week. “Hey, didn’t anyone eat this week?” They looked at her like she was crazy. “Before anyone leaves the table, I have a few things I want to talk about.”

Sam asked, “Is it about your trip?”

Sal wanted to know if they were in trouble.

“Yes, it’s about my trip, and no one is in trouble. Unless there’s something someone isn’t telling me about,” Sydney looked around for any replies, and the kids just shoveled more food in their mouths.

Sydney drank her coffee, hoping her sister would come down to back her up when she told them the news... Everyone was just about done eating when Natalie came down. She grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen counter.

“I know we don’t usually do these family meetings, but I want to make sure everyone hears exactly the same thing. A lot has changed since I left for Vegas. Aside from the fact that the trip was already paid for, I went to get myself back together. You all know how much I loved your father. He was everything to me, besides you kids, and without him I wouldn’t have any of you. I am so thankful to him for giving me all of you. You may or may not understand what I’m about to tell you, but I need you to give it a chance. “

“Mom, just tell us,” Michaela blurted out.

“A man sat next to me on the plane-well, not next to me, but in the same aisle. Sydney still wasn’t sure just how to word what had happened.

“We get it, Mom,” Micky rolled her hand impatiently for her mother to continue.

“Well, when I got to the second hotel, because I couldn’t stay at the first, he was there. He asked me to dinner, and I went.”

“Like a date?” Dom asked.

“Yeah, a date.” She remembered the date in her head. “We had a lot of fun, and it made me feel alive again. I really liked him, so I saw him again the next day.” She waited for a reaction, but their faces were blank. She looked over at Nat, who was shaking her head from side to side and had a huge grin on her face.

She gave her a quick smile and continued, “I really like him. In fact, I fell in love with him.” That got a reaction.

“You fell in love with someone in a week?” Sal blurted out.

“What does that mean?” Samantha wanted an explanation

Michaela still didn’t look like she cared or was paying any real attention to the conversation, and poor Dom just looked confused.

“Listen, I haven’t felt this happy since I met your father. That’s how I know this is real. I thought about your dad a lot while I was there. Some really strange things happened, too, and I’m pretty sure he’d be okay with this,” Sydney said, as she began to clean the table to calm her nerves.

“So that’s it. You fell in love with this guy. Now what?  Sal asked.

“Well, before we left Las Vegas, we got married,” Sydney put away the milk, hoping the refrigerator would hide her.

“Wait a minute. You got married, and we weren’t there?” Michaela finally joined the conversation.

“Yeah, and you weren’t at my first wedding, either.” Sydney replied.

“Well, I was, and I wasn’t invited to this one,” Natalie said, raising her hand, trying to lighten the mood.

Sydney shot her a dirty look. “You’re not helping.”

Dom panicked, “Do we have to move away? I don’t want to leave my school and friends.”

Michaela agreed with Dom. “Yeah, I don’t want to have to leave my friends, either.”

“Marcus only lives five miles from here, so no one has to change schools and you can keep your friends.”

“Good, then I don’t have to leave my room,” Michaela continued to play with her phone.

“His name is Marcus?” Sam asked.

“Yes, his name is Marcus Matthews, and he lives in Rockford Park, over in Wilmington.”

“There are some really big houses over there.” Salvatore commented.

“I’m not sure just how big the house is, but I’m sure there are plenty of bedrooms for each of you.”

“That means I won’t have to share a room with Sal anymore?” Dom asked happily.

“Yup, everyone will have their own rooms.” Sydney waited. She knew someone would object to the move.

“What if we don’t want to move?” Micky snarled.

“I know it seems odd. It just makes more sense for us to move into Marcus’ house,” Sydney said. “You’ll be going off to college in two years anyway. It will fly by.”

“How am I gonna get to go to college when those two are still here?” Michaela pointed to the twins.

“I’m going to sell this house, and there will be plenty for everyone to go to college.” She smiled at both Sal and Sam. “Hopefully, if the house sells quickly, you two will be able to go next semester. There will still be a room for each of you at the new house.”

“Mom, this all sounds great, but when do we get to meet him?” Sam asked.

“Yeah, when do we get to see Mr. Hotness?” Natalie chimed in.

Sydney shot Natalie another dirty look.

“Who’s Mr. Hotness?” Dom asked.

“That’s what your Aunt Natalie calls Marcus. Don’t pay any attention to her. I’m going to have lunch with him this afternoon, and then I’ll bring him back here to meet everyone. Including you, Nat.” Natalie’s huge grin returned.

“I guess we don’t have a choice,” Michaela said, under her breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear. She pushed her chair back and left the room.

“That went well,” Natalie commented.

“Yeah, but I didn’t tell them that Marcus would be staying here until we move everything to his house. Actually, Marcus doesn‘t even know he‘ll be staying here,” Sydney declared, pouring herself another cup of coffee.

“What do you mean, he doesn’t know?” Natalie asked.

“We never discussed it, and I can’t go another night without him,” Sydney confessed.

“Damn, Sista, did you run out of batteries?” Natalie laughed.

“Shut up! And I don’t need batteries. He’s the whole package and then some.”

CHAPTER
fifteen

Sydney made certain that the shirt she was wearing totally covered her belly. She hadn’t told anyone about her piercing wasn’t going to. Even though it was October with a slight chill in the air, Sydney couldn’t resist wearing her flip flops. She wasn’t ready to start wearing her sneakers, and they made her feel like she was still in Vegas.

Reaching for the garage door, she yelled out to anyone who was listening, “I’m heading out now. I’ll be back later with Marcus.” Stepping into the garage and seeing her Yukon XL, she realized just how big her family was.
How can I expect Marcus to handle all of this? I should just go back in the house and deal with the hand life has dealt me.

As she was standing there staring at the truck, her cell phone chimed.
Hey, I’ll see you in ten. Can’t wait, I’ve missed you. Xoxoxo Marcus (your husband)
Shit, he’s not even here and he’s reading my mind.
She got into the truck and headed to the restaurant.

She met Marcus at a restaurant in downtown Wilmington. Marcus waited outside for her. Just seeing him standing there in his jeans, his leather jacket, and his black boots, sent tingles through her body.

Sydney parked the truck and got out, immediately feeling like she wanted to run to him, wrap her legs around his waist, and kiss the shit out of him. She remembered what Marcus had said about controlling themselves in public. When she got close enough to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “Well, hello to you,” Marcus said. “Babe, are you alright?”

She finally released her hug and kissed him. “I’m great now. Being with you for the past seven days, I feel like I’ve known you forever. Last night was horrible. I don’t want to spend another night without you.” She put her arms around his neck again and kissed him more passionately.

“Let’s have some lunch, and we can figure out what our next move will be.” Marcus led Sydney into the restaurant. “Should we get a table or sit at the bar?” Marcus asked.

“Definitely a table. I’m not sure I’ll be able to control my hands, and we’ll be more concealed at a table,” Sydney answered with a slight smirk.

As soon as they were seated at a booth in the far corner of the restaurant, Sydney scooted closer to Marcus. “I was thinking last night as I was relaxing on the couch. I can’t stay at your house until the kids are all settled, so I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind spending the nights at my house until then.” Sydney made a point of looking at the menu to make the topic seem more nonchalant than it actually was.
What she hadn’t figured out was where exactly they would sleep. She couldn’t even bring herself to sleep in her own bed. She shared that bed for twenty years with Philippe. It was too weird to think of sharing it with Marcus. Whatever the sleeping arrangements would be, she couldn’t go another night without having Marcus there.

“Syd, I hardly slept a wink last night myself, but I’m not sure about living at your house. Your kids haven’t even met me yet. I would feel awkward spending the nights there.” He reached for her hand. “We need to come up with a solution because I don’t want to go another night without you next to me.”

“I mentioned to them this morning that I would bring you back home to meet everyone, including Natalie after lunch.” She rolled her eyes in disgust.

“Do you not want me to meet your sister?”

“Not that I don’t want you to meet her. I would have just preferred it happen after we were a little more settled.”

Marcus wrapped his arms around Sydney and snuggled her closer to him. “I couldn’t be more settled with my feelings for you. As you once told me, ‘I’m all yours and only yours.’ There’s nothing your sister could do or say that would change my feelings for you,” He leaned into her and kissed her senseless.

When the waitress came to take their order, Marcus and Sydney grinned at each other, “We’re actually gonna skip lunch,” Sydney advised her. Marcus grabbed Sydney’s hand and led her out of the restaurant. Once outside, Marcus headed toward the motorcycle parked on the side of the building. “What are we gonna do on that thing?” Sydney asked, cocking her head.

“I’ll take you back to my house. Get on.” Marcus motioned with his head.

“As hot as that bike is, I can’t wait until we get home. I want you now. All the seats go down in the Yukon. Let’s go,” she said, walking towards her truck. “Don’t worry. My windows are tinted.” She looked back to make sure he was following her.

Of course he followed her, watching her ass the entire time.
Shit, that ass looks so good in those jeans. I know it looks even better out of them. I’m going to get that ass soon.

Sydney used her remote to unlock the doors. She opened the passenger door, tossed her keys on the front seat, and proceeded to fold down the middle seat. The back bench was already down, so she started to climb in. As soon as she lifted her foot from the ground, she felt a hand on her ass. Marcus was behind her, pushing her into the back of the truck.

“I’m going, babe. Don’t worry,” Sydney said.

“I know you are, but people are coming out of the restaurant. We don’t need an audience.”

“That might be fun to have people watch us have sex,” she said jokingly.

“Yeah, but not now.” He closed the door behind him and crawled over to where Sydney was propped up on her elbows with her legs extended and her ankles crossed.

“You look so fucking hot crawling to me,” she said, quickly shrugging off her jacket and reaching to remove Marcus’. Marcus hastily tore off his own jacket while Sydney grab the hem of her shirt and pull it over her head. She wore a pretty lace bra.

“Hey, that’s not one of the bras we bought in Vegas.” Marcus noted.

“No, I have nice bras, too-not that I wore them often-and I have the matching thong on.”

Marcus couldn’t control himself any longer. He lunged at her and tried to remove her jeans. “Babe, a little help here,” he said, tugging at the waistband of her jeans.

Sydney lifted her hips, and Marcus pulled off her jeans. He stared at the matching thong and moved his eyes upward. “Wow, you look so sexy in that.” He fumbled to unfasten his own jeans.

“Need some help there, big boy?” Sydney reached out and assisted him with the button fly, “Hey, where are your underwear?”

“I decided to go commando today, and now I’m glad I did. It’s always an adventure with you. I thought you might have left your adventurous side in Vegas, but after last night on the phone and now in the car, I’m certain that’s not the case.”

Reaching for her and pressing his chest against hers, he laid her down on her back and ran his tongue along her lips. “Oh, I missed those lips,” he said, taking her bottom lip between his teeth and lightly biting it.

“Fuck. Take me now before I lose it.” Sydney squeezed Marcus’ ass and pressed his body against her pelvis.

Marcus pushed back and released his dick from his pants. He tugged her thong over to the side and glided his shaft slowly into her wet and warm sex trap. “Oh, baby, you feel so good,” he said, nuzzling her neck.

“It does feel good.” She placed her hands on his rump and pulled him deeper into her. “Fuck me, Marcus. I need to come. Please, harder,” she demanded.

Marcus banged his hips against hers again and again. She felt his balls hit her ass with every stroke. “Yeah, babe, like that. Aw, here it comes.” Her body went stiff, then limp. She closed her eyes and dug her finger nails into his biceps.

The pulsating of her orgasm on his dick stopped him immediately. He threw his head back and enjoyed the feeling. When the rush subsided, he regained his momentum, and by the third thrust, he threw his head back to enjoy his own happy ending.

Marcus lay on top of Sydney for a short while, waiting for his heart to stop beating so fast. She had her legs wrapped around his waist and was completely content just lying in the back of her Yukon.

“Babe, at some point, you’re going to have to let me go. We can’t stay parked here forever.”

Sydney released the death grip her legs had around Marcus’ waist. “I just wanted to savor the moment. I’ve had this truck for nearly thirteen years, and I’m pretty sure nothing this magical has ever happened in it.”

Marcus kissed her and promised, “We’ll make sure every car we own gets a magical moment.”

With a smile and a slight nod of her head, she began to redress. She crawled over to Marcus and planted a kiss on his cheek. “There are so many things I love about you. Thanks.”

“Thanks for what?”

“You’ll do anything to make me happy, and that’s one of the many reasons I love you.”

“Will you do something for me?” he asked.

“Absolutely, anything. What?”

“Will you take me to the drive thru? I was really looking forward to lunch, and I’m starving.”

“I could eat, too. Then I’ll bring you back to get your bike, and you can follow me to my house. I’m sure my sister is going out of her mind about now.” Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face. She loved to make Natalie crazy, and the longer she kept Marcus out, the longer Natalie would have to wait to see what he looked like.

“Can I ask one more favor?” He reached for the keys in the front seat. “Can I drive?”

Sydney was a little surprised by the request, but she really didn’t mind being driven around. “Yeah, sure.” She situated herself in the passenger seat and waited for Marcus to get out and get into the driver’s seat.

He could see her watching him. “There’s no way I could crawl over the seats like that. One of the many things I love about you is that you’re so flexible.” Getting into the driver’s seat, he leaned over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Let’s eat.” He started the truck and left the parking lot.

After they went through the drive thru, they parked and ate their lunch. It was getting late in the afternoon, and Sydney knew the kids had been waiting all day to meet Marcus. “Maybe we should head back to get your motorcycle,” Sydney suggested.

“Sounds good to me. I can’t wait to meet your kids.”

They drove back to the restaurant. Marcus got out and waited for Sydney to come around. “I’ll follow you,” he told her. Then he kissed her and got on his bike.

The entire way to her house, she kept checking her rear view mirror. He looked so hot on his motorcycle. She had just passed the intersection of Centre Road and Lancaster Pike when she looked back and saw a tiny red sports car T-Bone Marcus. She watched in disbelief as he skidded across the road like a rag doll.

The doorbell rang, and the trooper was standing in the foyer. She was slouched on the floor with her hands over her face crying. She was reliving her loss all over again. This time it was Marcus. She’d be alone again.

Sydney immediately pulled the truck over and got out, screaming, “Call 911! Call 911! Someone please call 911.” She ran across the road to where Marcus had finally come to a halt. His helmet had been thrown off, his head was bleeding, and his face was covered in cuts and scrapes from the road. She could see by the way his leg was bent that it was broken.

She couldn’t even touch him. She stood there with her hands covering her mouth. A gentleman stopped to help. “Lady, are you alright?” the driver asked. Sydney dropped to her knees next to Marcus. “I can’t lose you already. No God, please, not again.”

“Lady, I called 911. Do you know this man?”

“Yes, he’s my husband. Please help him.” Sydney began crying hysterically. “Someone help him!” she yelled.

It wasn’t long before the police arrived and then the ambulance. When the cop got to Sydney, she was almost incoherent. She heard him talking but couldn’t make out what he was saying. The gentleman who had stopped began to tell the police officer what happened.

Sydney looked around for the little red sports car. It was stopped on the side of the road, and a young guy was standing next to it. Sydney started to get up and go to him. She wanted to beat the living shit out of this guy for hitting Marcus. The police officer saw the rage in her eyes and grabbed her before she could take her first step towards him.

“Lady, calm down. We’ll handle this.” Holding Sydney by her shoulders, he asked, “Do you remember what happened?”

“Marcus was following me home, and that S.O. B.,” she said, pointing to the guy standing next to the red car, “just fucking hit him.” Sydney dropped to the ground again and began sobbing.

The paramedics were diligently working on Marcus. One of them walked over to Sydney. “Is that your husband?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

“We’re going to take him to St. Francis Hospital. You can come in the ambulance or follow us there.”

The police officer could see she was in no shape to drive. “Lady, go in the ambulance. We’ll get your truck to the hospital.”

Sydney got up, thanked the police officer, and followed the paramedic into the ambulance with Marcus. The entire ride to the hospital, she mumbled, “Baby, please don’t die on me. I can’t go through this again.”

“Has your husband been in an accident like this before?” the paramedic asked.

Sydney tried to regain her composure, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “My first husband was killed in a car accident almost seven months ago. Marcus and I just got married. I can’t lose him too.”