Dangerous Abduction (O'Connor Brothers Book 2) (34 page)

“Mommy, don’t be sad. This is a happy day.” Mason seemed so concerned.

“I’m not sad, Mason. These are happy tears,” Marina said.

“Girls don’t make sense.” Danny shook his head.

“Sweetheart, you haven’t answered the boys’ question.” James reminded her and she turned back to the boys.

“I would love nothing more than to marry Daddy.” Marina kissed them on the cheeks.

“Daddy, give her the ring,” Mason ordered.

“Marina, I love you so much.” James took her hand and slipped the ring onto her finger.

“I love you, too.” Marina sobbed and cupped his face in her hands. “And I love that you included the boys in all this.” She brushed her lips against his.

“Ewww, no kissing.” The boys stepped in between them.

“I guess that will have to wait until later.” James winked and held her hands in his.

“Can we eat now?” Danny said as he and Mason climbed up into their seats.

“Yes, we can.” James turned Marina’s chair into the table and with a flourish he removed the dome from her plate.

“The boys’ gourmet cheeseburgers and salad.” James chuckled and Marina smiled at the simple meal in front of her. She had no doubt the boys had chosen the meal.

“Well this looks so delicious.” Marina smiled.

The four of them sat at the table. A real family and Marina couldn’t be happier. The boys were chattering on about shopping for the ring and cooking supper, but Marina barely heard them because her eyes hadn’t left James. They were going to be married, and she couldn’t be happier.

“What took you so long in the bathroom, Mommy?” Mason asked and like someone poured a jug of cold water over her, she froze.

“Marina, are you okay?” James must have seen something on her face because he jumped up from the chair.

“I’m fine.” Marina lied as she glanced at the boys.

“Boys, if you’re finished you can go play in your room before bath time.” James said but his eyes never moved from her and she could see the concern on his face. The boys jumped down off their chairs and ran out of the kitchen.

“I’ll clean all this up.” Marina was suddenly very nervous to be alone with James.

“No, you don’t. Now what’s wrong? Your face turned completely white.” James pulled her towards him.

“I’m fine,” Marina said but she couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Marina, look at me.” James put his finger under her chin and tipped her head up so she had to meet his gaze. “Talk to me.”

“I’ve got something I need to tell you, but I don’t want to ruin the night.” Marina hated the way her voice trembled.

“Marina, you’re scaring me. Are you sick?” Now she felt terrible, he didn’t need to worry about her being sick. It was probably his biggest fear of someone he loved getting sick again.

“No. No, I’m not sick but I am...” She stopped and closed her eyes.

“You’re what?” James asked.

“Pregnant,” she whispered and at first she didn’t think he heard her but she was afraid to open her eyes. Then she was spinning through the air and she opened her eyes and looked down at his grinning face.

“Shit. I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?” James put her back on her feet and held her by the shoulders.

“I’m fine, James.” Marina smiled. “So you’re okay with this?”

“Okay? I’m thrilled, sweetheart.” James took her hands. “We’re gonna have a baby.”

“Steph and I are going to be pregnant together. Are you sure the O’Connor clan can handle two pregnant women?” Marina laughed.

“I know I can and I’ll keep the rest in line.” James pulled her into his arms and stared into her eyes. “I love you so much, baby.”

“I love you, too.” Marina whispered as his lips brushed against hers.

“Can we keep this between us for tonight?” James smiled. “I want you all to myself once the boys go to bed, and if we tell the family, it’ll be like a swarm of bees.” James laughed.

“I’m fine with just us for tonight.” Marina smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Tonight would just be for them to celebrate their engagement and a new life growing inside her. She was in heaven.

T
hey wanted to be married before the baby came and before Marina and Stephanie started to show too much, they’d planned the wedding for New Year’s Day. The families were ecstatic. Mike had also pushed the papers through for her to adopt Mason and James to adopt Danny.

Since Tom had become so close to them, he insisted on holding the ceremony at his home. He’d gone all out with decorating the place and had heated tents erected in his garden. The whole place was decorated with thousands of twinkle lights and flowers everywhere. The way the lights glowed off the snow was so beautiful.

The boys loved Tom and called him Granddad Tom. Nanny Betty had also become a constant in Tom’s life. It made Marina chuckle every time the older woman got flustered if someone asked her about Tom. She’d tell people the they were just friends and immediately change the subject.

Marina stood in one of the largest bedrooms she’d ever seen waiting for the cue for her to descend the stairs and marry the man of her dreams. They’d still not told anyone in the family that she was expecting, because she didn’t want to steal Stephanie and John’s thunder with their news. They’d decided to announce it during the reception as well as let the boys know the adoption news.

“Come on, Marina. Time to get hung.” Marina turned to see her sister and James’ cousin Kristy standing in the doorway to the bedroom.

“You look so beautiful,” Stephanie covered her mouth with her hand and Marina giggled. Pregnancy was making her sister an emotional wreck.

“Oh dry up the tears, Stephanie.” Jess entered the room behind them followed by the rest of her bridesmaids Sandy and Isabelle.

“She’s been a waterfall all day.” Sandy laughed.

“Leave me alone.” Stephanie pouted. “I’m allowed to be emotional.”

“I don’t know about these O’Connor boys. They keep taking my little girls.” Marina’s gaze moved back to the doorway. Her father stood there in his tuxedo and her mother linked into his arm.

“Oh stop it, Doug. Those boys are like sons to you.” Janet scurried into the room and kissed Marina’s cheek. “It’s time, honey.”

********************

T
he ceremony was a blur to him except for the beautiful woman sat next to him at the head table. The only thing he would remember about it was how beautiful she looked walking towards him, and to top it off they were going to bring another child into their family.

“Before we start the party can I have everyone’s attention.” John held the microphone. “The bride and groom have a few things they want to say before we get to the dancing.” John handed him the microphone and James squeezed Marina’s hand.

“First of all, thank you Tom for everything you’ve done for us. You are a tremendous person and we’re so happy to have you as part of our family. Secondly, thanks to our families for being there when we needed you because without you guys, we wouldn’t be here. Finally, I want to thank my beautiful bride for coming into my life. I love you, Marina.” James kissed Marina’s hand.

“We do have a couple of other things we need to say but before we do we need Danny and Mason to join us up here.” The sound of running feet could be heard all over the tent as the two little boys made their way up next to him and Marina.

“We’d like everyone to know that as of one week ago Marina has legally adopted Mason, and I’ve adopted Danny.”

Marina crouched down in front of the boys. “That means I’m Mommy to both of you and James is Daddy to both of you, and both of you are brothers now.” Marina took each of their hands. Danny looked around and seemed confused by everyone clapping. He started to speak but nobody could hear him because of the clapping. James motioned for everyone to be quiet and held the microphone in front of him.

“Is this why you had this big party?” Danny asked looking up at James.

“That’s part of it, yes.” James chuckled.

“Well gee, Mommy, all you had to do was ask me and Mason. We figured we were already brothers. I told Mason he was my brother and he told me I was his brother,” Danny said, and the whole tent erupted in laughter and applause.

“Well I guess we don’t have any more questions about that, but we do have one more thing to announce.” James held Marina’s hand as she stood back up.

“Are you gonna tell them about the baby now?” Mason yelled. Marina burst out laughing.

“How did you know about the baby?” James asked.

“Uncle John said Aunt Stephanie was havin’ a baby,” Mason said.

“Yes, she is but the other news is we’re expecting a baby in July,” James said. The next thing he knew they were surrounded by family and being hugged more often than he thought possible. Once he was able to slip out of the crowd he made his way outside and stared up at the sky.

“Thanks, Sarah, for bringing love into my life again.” James blew a kiss towards the sky.

“Thank you, Sarah, for showing me the way to James.” He turned around to see his bride watching him. It was embarrassing being caught talking to his late wife but Marina smiled and walked up to him and he pulled her into his arms. “I’ll be forever grateful to her.”

“I’m sorry to disappear like that.” James touched her cheek.

“I understand.” She smiled.

“I love you so much.” He pulled her into his arms and stared into her eyes. “You came into my life when I thought it had ended and you helped me feel again. I need to thank you for that.”

“You showed me how to love and trust again and you gave my son the father he never had.” A tear ran down her cheek. “I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone. You, Danny, Mason and this new little one are my life and my heart,” she said as if she had read his mind because he felt the same way and he looked forward to the rest of their lives together.

********************

H
e watched her from the entrance of the tent. He’d fucked up so badly with her and he didn’t know if they’d ever get back to where they were. He’d hurt Sandy when he stood her up to meet with Colleen and ended up spending the night with her. How she managed to seduce him after the way she left him he’d never know but the next day she was gone again leaving him with a note saying she’d made a mistake and she was sorry. Sorry didn’t cut it for him because everything with Sandy was screwed now.

“Standing here staring at her isn’t going to get her to talk to you.” James stood behind him his arm wrapped around his new bride.

“I’m not staring.” Ian grumbled because he didn’t mean to get caught.

“I know she still cares about you, Ian.” Marina smiled at him. Care and trust were two different things, and he could tell by the way she acted when they danced during the bridal party dance, that it was uncomfortable for her to be in his arms and when he asked her if they could talk, she declined. Well she didn’t exactly say no but the glare was enough to tell him no.

“You guys leaving soon.” He said changing the subject and when James and Marina laughed he realized, they got the point.

“We’re just going to say our goodbyes and then we’re heading to the hotel. Thanks again for watching the boys while we take a short honeymoon.” Marina reached out and touched his cheek. “They love spending time with you.”

“I love spending time with them, too.” Ian leaned in and kissed her cheek.

“Hey just because you can’t get your own woman don’t be trying to take the groom’s.” This was just what he wanted right now. Aaron poking fun at him because of Sandy. He was ready to punch his youngest brother as it was with the way he was flirting with Sandy. Not that she seemed to mind, but it made him want to kill the youngest O’Connor.

“Fuck off, A.J. Don’t you have a date to irritate?” Ian snapped.

“She’s in the lady’s room, so I came over here to keep you company.” Aaron slapped him on the back.

“Well we’re going to make our rounds,” James said as he and Marina walked away.

“Sandy looks hot tonight.” Aaron wiggled his eyebrows.

“I know what you’re trying to do, A.J., and it’s not going to work.” Ian pushed by his brother and headed towards his two nephews. It was time to get the hell out of Dodge before he really did punch his brother.

********************

S
he watched him out of the corner of her eye and sighed. He looked so sad, and something told her it was her fault. She just couldn’t get over him standing her up to meet with his ex. Not because he went to see her, but because he’d never had the courtesy to call her and let her know they’d have to put off their date. Well she wasn’t even sure if it was supposed to be a date, because all he had said was let’s go out to dinner. Maybe she’d read too much into it but he still could have called.

Actually if she was being honest with herself, she wasn’t angry until she knew he’d spent the night out. She knew what must have happened, and it broke her heart. She’d been in love with him for so long and things between them were just starting to move in the right direction.

“You should see if he needs help with the boys while James and Marina are gone away,” Kristy whispered into her ear. Ian’s cousin had become like a sister to her and she knew almost as much as Stephanie knew about her feelings for Ian.

“I’m sure he’ll have all the help he needs. Maybe he’ll call his ex.” Sandy tried not to gag on that comment.

“I doubt he’ll call her because he’s crazy about you and she’s been out of the picture for a long time. I don’t know what happened between them and neither do you for sure but I do know Ian hasn’t been able to take his eyes off of you all night,” Kristy said.

“You know that guy Bull he’s been eyeing you all night too.” Sandy chuckled at the crimson colour her friend’s cheeks turned.

“Whatever, besides he thinks he’s too old for me. I mean he’s only six years older than me.” Kristy sighed. “I hate when you do that.”

Sandy always had a knack for changing the subject when she didn’t want to talk about herself. It came from lots of practice when she was supposed to keep her employment under wraps but with Kristy it was easy. All she had to do was bring up the big, muscular Dean Nash otherwise known as Bull.