Love Found in California (The Washington Triplets) (15 page)

RYAN PULLS UP TO THE
valet and gets all of our luggage out of the trunk. The hotel is a bit old-style with a castle like feel to it. I have heard of it, but of course have never been here. We have a few hours until the ceremony and then the reception follows immediately afterward.

Once in the room, I analyze my hair situation. Since I had showered and fixed myself before meeting Mya and Marisa, I look decent. Actually, I look and feel great. My hair is smooth and my make-up is subtle, but intact. I’ll just need to add my favorite pink lipstick that I only wear out at night with Ryan.

The conversation I had with Marisa and Mya earlier at coffee runs through my mind. Especially at the end …
“Let’s make sure we are there for each other going forward,” I whispered as I hugged them.
I know as I said those words that I need them more than they probably need me. Selfishly, I’m actually okay with it. Telling them about Dad and Janet’s relationship and what I had learned while staying there the past couple days was not an easy confession for me. I think Mya took it the hardest, but I could tell she was starting the process of … healing, accepting, I can’t be sure, but something along those lines.

Feeling good about yourself comes with all new kinds of territory. It’s been too long since I felt this way. Years had gone by and I know I can never get them back, but I want to start moving forward and build new happy memories. Ultimately, I feel worthy and deserving about having the love of the most important people in my life … Ryan, Marisa, Mya and Dad.

“I’m hoping I get to meet both of your sisters tonight,” Ryan says from the small sofa in our room, as if reading through my thoughts.

“Me too. I think you’ll find it funny how different we all are,” I reply while still examining myself.

“Well, I already know I landed the best triplet,” he teases, while winking at me through the mirror. I giggle and watch Ryan go back to flipping through channels on the television. His constant reassurance and love is what keeps me moving forward, making it easier to conquer all the challenges in my life.

“I didn’t tell them though about the rape or that I’m married.” I stop to see Ryan’s face stare at me through the mirror. “But I decided on something and I feel good about it. One, I’ll introduce you tonight as my husband, of course.” He smiles that perfect smile that always stands out and then I continue. “Two, I’m not going to tell them about the rape, well, for now at least, but probably ever.”

“Why’s that, love?” His eyes pierce me, holding me accountable, telling me to explain my thought process.

“I just, mmmm, I don’t know how to explain it but I think I’m putting that to rest. It’s already controlled enough areas of my life, but I can’t let it control my future anymore.” Slipping some of my hair behind my ear, I give him a more direct, meaningful look through the mirror, hoping he knows how much he’s helped me get to this point.

“Wow, I like that, Mik. I’m proud of you,” he says tenderly, standing to come up behind me. “God, I love you.”

“I love you too, Ry. Thank you for …” I start to choke up, but swallow the lump. His strong arms wrap around my waist and his chin rests on my shoulder as we stare into each other’s eyes lovingly. “For fighting my demon for me. I clammed up and lost my voice to speak up. I wish I had said more, but it was harder than I imagined when thrown in my face. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there.”

“Mik, you don’t need to thank me, and I’d fight any demon just to protect you. Please don’t beat yourself up over how you reacted because that guy does not deserve one word, gesture or look from you. You’ve fought more than any person should have over the last several years. That’s enough.”

I know everything Ryan has said is true and for the first time, I feel it too. “I agree. Thank you,” I whisper and turn in his arms to face him.

Ryan’s lips meet mine with soft, tender attention. When our tongues slide along each other, I push myself into him more aggressively, urging him to deepen our connection. The kiss quickly escalates into licking, sucking and exploring with our hands. Ryan’s hands move to my thighs and begin to pull up my dress. I suck along his jaw to his ear and whisper, “Please, I need my husband.” My fingers trace the top of his shorts and then undo his belt. Soon I have his shorts undone and my hands are maneuvering through his boxers.

Ryan’s own fingers slip easily under my panties and are planted deep inside me. I moan out in satisfaction when his palm presses against my sweet spot, causing him to groan into my ear and ask, “Do you trust me, Mik?”

“Yes,” I answer without hesitation.

With that simple reply, Ryan drags my panties down, allowing me to step out of them. Then he pulls my dress up and over my head. As he unclasps my bra, I help him out of his own restraints. I watch his chest rise and fall rapidly, defining his abs and chest even more. Naked in front of each other, we admire our views. Ryan’s masculine, strong lines and structured body have always captivated me.

He moves us closer together, raking his hands through my long dark hair, and angling my head back. Our lips lock again, this time moving frantically along one another. Ryan guides us to the king-sized bed, running his hands over my behind one minute and then caressing my breasts the next.

We fall to the bed with Ryan atop, and normally I would try to squirm out of this position, but everything feels safe, torturous and good,
really good
. His teeth skim my exposed nipple and I arch my back, reveling in the sensation. Stroking Ryan’s length in between us I push myself up, letting the dampness between my legs slicken him.

“Mik, love, I need all of my wife,” Ryan whispers somewhere between my neck and breasts.

“Yes,” I rasp out.

My hands fly up above my head and Ryan’s finger’s lock around my wrists, pinning me to the bed. He stops for only a brief second to study my expression and then plunges into me. I know he could see the desire, excitement and thrill in my eyes. Panic and fear has no place to harbor anymore.

We made love with Ryan dominating every direction, position and orgasm on that bed. Now, as we lay naked in each other’s arms feeling satisfied, I realize that I still have so many new experiences ahead of me with my husband.

Giggling I turn to him and say, “Looks like we’ll need showers after all.”

“Mmm, guess you’re right,” Ryan says while giving my behind a squeeze.

We both get up from the bed to head into the bathroom. Just as Ryan turns on the shower I ask, “Hey, wait, I have to ask you something.”

“What?” he asks glancing at me quizzically.

“Do you like dogs?”

His head cocks to the side, eyebrows raised up and he replies, “Yeah, I do, why?” The questioningly look of where I’m going with this has me giggling.

“I want to get a dog with you and I realized the other day that I didn’t know if you liked dogs,” I explain simply. “Now I know though.”

Ryan chuckles and shakes his head and then pulls me into the hot shower stream with him. “I guess we’re always learning new things about each other. I hope that never changes. I never knew you liked dogs either. We’ll get one when we are back home in California.” Then he turns me around and begins to lather me from head to toe in soap, taking his sweet time. Making the wedding on time easily begins to slip my mind as I take my sweet time cleaning Ryan.

***

Ryan and I walk hand in hand into the reception room. We had managed to clean ourselves up in the nick of time, and if I say so myself, we look damn good. The ceremony had been short and sweet, or to the point. I felt at ease with Ryan at my side, and when Dad waved us up to sit in the front row, my nerves settled even more. The biggest relief was that Eric Black was not here. His parents were here and that made me feel a little awkward, but it was tolerable.

I couldn’t stop looking at the way my dad smiled, put his arm around or kissed Janet. They look truly happy. It’s hard not to feel the same, even though Mom constantly stays on my mind. “Hey, have I told you how beautiful you look?” Ryan asks teasingly.

“No, you haven’t actually,” I reply sassily.

He moves his mouth to my ear, his hot breath tingling my skin, and whispers, “It must have been all that hot sex that has my brain in a fog. You look beautiful and … happy.”

I smile at him, feeling a giddiness come over me. We walk over to my dad and Janet, grabbing a drink along the way and wait to talk to them. It isn’t a huge reception, but there are still a decent amount of people here. After all, this is Janet’s first marriage.

“Congrats, Mr. Washington,” Ryan says first.

“Yeah, Dad, congrats,” I say softly.

“Thank you, we are just so happy you are here,” Dad beams. “And Ryan, call me Dad now.” Ryan’s eyes bulge out and he looks at me in surprise, but I know Dad is kidding. “Okay, how about Brian?”

“Alright, congrats Brian.” He holds his hand out to shake my dad’s firmly. “And Janet.” Janet smiles sweetly and lets Ryan give her a quick hug. I move myself in front of Janet offering some more niceties and hug her, too.

More people crowd around to get their chance to talk to the bride and groom, giving Ryan and I our cue to join some of the others at the bar area. Tall white tables with flowers and low candles fill the space. It’s decorated simply and elegantly making me think of how different our wedding was from this. There was nothing traditional about my day. We move to one of the tables and Ryan heads to the bar to order us more drinks.

I swept my hair back and then pulled it to one side, leaving some strays to frame my face. The dainty hair clip I had found fit perfectly on the side; the few sparkling flowers in it shined back me through the mirror.

Ryan had given me the privacy I needed to get ready and was probably already down below just outside his sliding doors on the beach waiting for me. Soon, in less than an hour, this would be my home, too.

My head began to swim with strong emotions as I slipped on my simple, strapless, long wedding dress, thinking of my sisters, my dad, but mostly of my mom. I wish she was here to see me take this next step. Even if it was rushed and fast and crazy, it felt all kinds of right. I knew without I doubt I loved Ryan.

For this brief moment I didn’t feel the familiarity of reds, blues and purples boiling and freezing my insides. I felt warm and the colors that resided in me let me know that I was making the best decision of my life.

The feeling continued as I walked out onto the beach barefoot. Luckily, the weather was prefect, like most days since I had moved here, the sun was shining brightly. Everything was ready. We had obtained the marriage license a week ago and Ryan pretty much took care of everything else.

Ryan stood in the distance with the minister and the photographer, who also was a friend of Ryan’s from high school and was also our witness, off to the side, looking stunning in a cream colored suit. His bare feet hopped slightly once he saw me and the nervousness I had initially seen on his face faded. His smile stretched his mouth perfectly, making his eyes wrinkle on the sides. It was genuine happiness that filled the space between us. The closer I got, the less nervous I felt and the more I felt at ease.

Once I reached him and the minister, Ryan’s hands reached out to hold mine. “Mik, love, amazing,” he whispered out on a breath. I shyly looked down and then back up adoringly at my future husband.

After the ceremony and pictures along the beach, we came back up to
our
home. I was surprise beyond words when we came up to the patio. It was decorated in flowers and candles, all the way into the main level of
our
home.
Our
kitchen had two chefs in it preparing us a meal.

We sat outside at a small decorated table for the two of us, drinking delicious wine and then ate a meal of surf ‘n turf. Ryan had even arranged for a small, just-for-two, wedding cake. We didn’t bother to cut our cake; we ate right from it, together, as husband and wife.

Pulling me from my memory, I hear Marisa’s sweet voice. “There she is, Mya.” When I turn around, her and Mya are headed my way. They surround the small table I’m at by embracing me in a hug. Their arms feel so comforting around me, just like it should be.

Mya comments, “Wow, this is really nice actually.”

“I know, I was surprised too,” I admit. “They seem … happy.”

“Yeah, they do,” Marisa agrees, while Mya takes a sip of her drink avoiding any contribution on that topic.

Our eyes wander the room and then we all come back to look at each other. Each of us a bit teary-eyed as we smile warmly at each other. Mya rolls her eyes and we start cracking up with knowing laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Ryan asks as he squeezes in between Marisa and me, setting our drinks on the table. His arm naturally comes around my shoulders and my sisters stare wide-eyed, waiting for an introduction.

“Ryan, these are … my sisters, Marisa and Mya,” I offer, in between a deep breath.
Now for the hard part
.

“I can see that. Nice to meet you both,” Ryan says happily with a hand extended out over my shoulder to shake Marisa’s hand first.

Without any more breaths or hesitation I say, “Marisa, Mya, this is my husband, Ryan.” Ryan’s arms tighten around me and I smile, exhaling loud enough for him to hear.

I look to Marisa, then to Mya and then back to Marisa. The shock, yes, that must be what they’re feeling, splayed across their faces. Marisa starts to talk and then closes her mouth back up again.

Mya’s eyes widen as she screeches, “You’re what?! What is with this family and dropping bombshells?” Wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a fierce hug, she whispers, “I’m so happy for you. Congratulations.” Then she turns to Ryan, who honestly looks a little unsure after her screeching. Mya cocks her head to the side and says, “He’s hot, Mikaela. Good work.”

My cheeks begin to burn and I bring my cold hands to my face to cool them down a little. “She right, love,” Ryan boasts shamelessly.

Marisa and Mya both laugh while their eyes roam over my husband, probably noticing a bit of the age difference. Neither of us mind though. We give them a second to absorb the news.