The next day . . . True to her word, Caitlin made an awesome lunch for them. For starters, she made a seafood salad. She grilled cod on the outdoor grill on the yacht for the main course. For dessert she made brownies from scratch. A.J. had directed the boat far out to sea. He wanted to be away from all the swimmers, supper yachts, snorkelers, jet skiers, etc. He wanted a quiet romantic afternoon with his duchess. Plus, he wanted to teach her how to drive the yacht. A first-time driver of a yacht shouldn’t practice where there were a lot of people in the water. “I think you got it,” A.J. said as he stood behind her at the wheel. “Ugh,” she stammered nervously. “Really?” “Yeah, just keep it steady. And relax. This is supposed to be fun.” “Right. Fun,” she repeated as she let her smooth, lovely shoulders slump a little. The duchess was wearing a white bikini top that showed quite a bit of her D-cup cleav
“Keep kicking!” A.J. shouted over whirling winds. He hadn’t gotten the chance to go to the engine room. The yacht had taken on so much water it was seeping under the door of the captain’s room. Before he could think, a wave hit the yacht so hard it had broken the glass window in the door. Water had been coming in and fast. They had no choice but to grab the life preserver in the quarters. When they went out to the deck they were practically thrown overboard by another huge wave. Luckily, they weren’t separated that far from each other. They had come together in the ocean. The duchess had grabbed onto the other side of life preserver. It appeared she was a pretty strong swimmer. The rain was merciless. It was dark, making visibility low. A.J. was ninety percent positive they were heading in the right direction. “I think I see a light!” the duchess yelled. I hope to God you do. A.J. wasn’t sure how much he had left
Caitlin let go, doing what she had fantasized about doing while lying in her bed alone at night. He watched as she slowly unbuttoned the long white shirt she had on, exposing her body to him.Rain pummeled against the windows. The candlelight and fire illuminated the den, showing flickering shadows.A.J. whipped his T-shirt over his head, exposing his muscled pecs and six pack. He was crawling her way, making her lay on her back on the white fur rug.They came together in a sultry kiss. A.J. began kissing down her chin. Caitlin looked up, stretching her neck to him. He kissed down her column and then her chest. He was taking his time. After laying long lingering kisses on her chest, he finally reached the curve of her breast. The tip of his tongue glided to her pink nipple and slowly swirled around it. When he finally took it in his mouth, she gasped as her back arched. Slowly and carefully, he suckled her. His hand moved over to her other breast. He cupped it, letting his fingers tap
Three days later . . . If there wasn’t light wind damage on people’s homes, you wouldn’t have known the outer walls of a hurricane had brushed the Florida Keys three days before. The debris and brush had been piled up and picked up by sanitation yesterday. The stores, no longer sporting boards and shutters on the windows, were opened and full of inventory once again. Those who had lost power had it restored yesterday morning. Caitlin had gotten a new phone the day before yesterday. She had called her family just in case they had heard about the storm and got worried. The Van Dyke clan had heard about the storm and had tried to call her, but couldn’t get through. They had assumed it was the wind and the rain messing up cell reception. But all in all they had a feeling she was fine in her newly bought house. They didn’t know the wiser and Caitlin wanted it to stay that way. The last thing she needed was her father up in arms and her mother
Two weeks later . . . It was time for the perfect day Caitlin had planned with A.J. It took longer to plan than she had thought. Apparently, there was a waitlist for some of the activities she had wanted them to do together before her time came to a close in the Florida Keys. By this time, A.J. had moved a few of his clothes and personal items to the house. He mostly spent the night there now. His yacht was at the marina. He checked on it every two days or so. During the past two weeks, they had worked on the landscaping for the front and backyard together. Caitlin never thought she would be digging around in the dirt as an adult. That’s what landscapers were for. But she had fun planting bushes, trees, and flowers with A.J. Also during the past two weeks, Caitlin had tea with Mrs. Potts a few times. Caitlin got a hoot out of the old woman. Now, Caitlin was off with her secret lover to spend one last perfect day
A.J. arrived back to Key West the next morning. He hadn’t been entirely honest with his duchess, but that was going to change today. He had taken his Harley back to his house in Orlando and dealt with the business crises that had come up. It took way longer than he had hoped it would, but he had to handle it personally. It wasn’t until nine o’clock at night until he was free. So, he had returned to his place in Orlando. As he had lied in bed last night, he had thought about the duchess. It was time to come clean with her and it was time for her to reveal who she was. It was the step forward they had to take. It was time. So, that morning he had showered, shaved, parted his hair on the side, and slicked it down on the sides, leaving his longer strands to fold over. He put on a heathered, light blue Armani suit. Before he went back to the house, he stopped by a floral shop to buy a huge bouquet of roses and a wine shop to get a bottle of Dom Perignon.
Three days later . . .Hector had just arrived at the Van Dyke Estate for a special Sunday lunch Caitlin’s mother had planned for them. Her mother had also invited Hector’s children, Cassandra and Julian. Alexander lived in California, and he couldn’t make it on such short notice. Apparently, he was a very busy man. They couldn’t even get Alexander on the phone to tell him about the engagement. Cassandra had offered to text him, but Hector had said no. That he didn’t want his son to learn about such a big change in the family by text.“I know it’s the thing now, Cassandra, but I find it rude to tell my own son that he’ll have a step-mother by text. We’ll try to reach him later,” Hector had said.They were having the customary Van Dyke luncheon when one of their own was planning to get married.Cassandra, who had long brown hair that swung behind her back, wore a fashionable peach-colored Gucci dress. Julian, the youngest and the heir apparent to Hector’s company, had sun blond hair. H
One month later . . . A.J. had waited for the duchess to return to Key West for four weeks. Nothing. Not a phone call or a letter. A.J. had hired an artist to sketch her likeness. The nose wasn’t quite right but it was close enough. He had taken two pictures of her but they were on his old phone – the one that got washed out to sea. He hadn’t even considered uploading them onto a cloud at the time. And he hadn’t thought about taking any more pictures of her with his new phone. He wasn’t big on taking pictures whether it was by cell or a digital camera. He had sent a copy of the duchess’s sketch to a P.I. in New York three weeks ago. He had spoken to him three days ago. The man didn’t have any leads but A.J. figured it would take time. New York had millions of people just in the city limits. That wasn’t counting outside of the city limits. He had thought having her initials, C.E.V., would have helped to slim down the search but it hadn’t – not yet.
Three months later . . . Hector, Cassandra, and Julian showed up at Lenox Hill Hospital. As of five a.m. that morning, there was a new addition to the Beaumont Dynasty. Hector wanted to be at the hospital soon as visiting hours started before the Van Dykes bombarded the place with their presence. There were so many of them who lived in New York or within a thirty-mile radius of it.The three walked down the hall to the maternity ward. Cassandra carried a life size teddy bear in one hand and five baby blue balloons in the other. Alexander turned a corner in the hallway, meeting them. “Hey, there’s the proud papa,” Hector said with a big smile. He was officially a grandfather and he couldn’t wait to meet the little nipper. Alexander smiled. They hugged. “How’s Caitlin?” Cassandra asked. “She’s better now than she was a few hours ago,” Alexander said with a croaked smile. “I’ve never been call
The reception was an informal affair. Two buffet tables were set up. Several people were in line getting food, others were chatting in little huddles including the Beaumonts. Hector laughed hysterically as Alexander told him how Julian had lost the rings and how Chastity had found them. “I did not loose the rings. I just hid them in a safe place,” Julian said snottily. “Well, I can’t imagine any place safer than Davidson Dawson’s toy truck,” Hector said and laughed again. “I can see you running around like a fool now.” “Hardy har har har,” Julian mimicked as his head went to the side a few ticks. Then he walked away without saying a word. “It all worked out in the end,” Agatha said with a smile. “Thankfully,” Alexander said. “I would have rung Julian’s neck if the rings hadn’t been found. So, Dad, will you and your guests be staying on the island tonight? The guest cottage is free so -” “Oh
It was everything Hector could do to keep from bursting out laughing. Everyone looked so mortified and frightened. He stole a glance at his daughter. Cassandra kept her serious composure, so he did, too. They walked arm in arm to the altar. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. They had left a little late for Florida. Then it took at least forty-five minutes to charter a boat. It was a Saturday so every marina was busy. Hector had feared they were going to miss the ceremony. It appeared they had arrived just in time and at the right moment. They stopped right in front of the bride, groom, the wedding party, including his great nephew which was a surprise – and a cardinal. Hector was impressed that Alexander was able to reserve a cardinal to marry them. He wondered if he was the same cardinal that Alexander had befriended while he was attending college. Caitlin and Alexander looked rather petrified and bewildered. Hector had h
The ceremony finally begins . . .The garden was full of wild flowers and bushes including but not limited to frangipani, butterfly weed, Cherokee bean, and lancleleaf tickseed. The leaves on the coconut palm trees swayed as the light breeze ruffled through the garden. It was seventy-five degrees and the sun was in the middle of setting. A perfect day for marrying the love of Alexander’s life.Alexander stood counter cornerwise from the large square wooden archway. Square wooden boards crossed at the top provide semi-shade. The other boards crossed each other on the sides. Cardinal Stefan Marino was standing under the archway. Once Caitlin made it down the aisle, they – and her father would be standing under it with him. Alexander had met the cardinal in California while he was attending Berkley years ago. Back then, the cardinal was Father Stefan. After Alexander had graduated, his home away from home priest had quickly moved up the ranks. He hadn’t conducted the marriage ceremony b
Meanwhile in the groomsmen’s quarters . . .Julian was fluttering about like a serial killer was lurking outside. Alexander was coolly tying his tie as he faced the mirror on the wall in the living room. Derek and Cameron were in the other rooms changing into their groomsmen wear. Marcus, a Beaumont cousin from Canada, was already dressed and ready when they had arrived. He just sat on the couch watching TV. The nanny had left little Davidson, Derek’s son, with them a few minutes ago. He was the ring barrier. Chelsea had thought Davidson was too young to do it.“He’s only ten months old and he just learned to walk,” Chelsea had said with deep concern.Derek had disagreed and was happy his son was going to be in the ceremony, too. “He’ll be fine. He’s a Dawson. We Dawsons always rise to the occasion with style and grace.”Davidson sat next to Marcus, watching TV. Alexander wasn’t sure what they were watching but they both seemed enamored with it.Derek and Cameron emerged from the bedr
It was a quarter till five as Caitlin watched her groom and part of the wedding party arrive from the upstairs’ window. They were heading to the back of the house. They were going to get dressed in the separate guest’s quarters. “Four o’clock at the latest,” she said sarcastically. That’s what Alexander had told her when they had spoken on the phone while he was on the plane. “At least he got here before six,” Chastity said over Caitlin’s shoulder. The ceremony was starting at six. “Hmm. Thank, God, for small favors,” Caitlin said over her shoulder to her sister. “We should get you in your gown, darling,” their mother chirped happily. “Show time is almost an hour away.” “It’s a wedding not opening night on Broadway, Mother,” Chastity said as she walked to the other side of the room. “I know that,” their mother snapped. The Van Dyke sisters giggled. You had to love Chastity’s wit sometimes.
Meanwhile . . . Hector Beaumont had left Agatha’s this afternoon and returned home again – temporarily, since he knew Alexander was probably on his way to Key West by now. He walked into the study and fixed himself a scotch. He wore a black dress shirt, a pair of black boots, and jeans. He exhaled as he plopped down on the sofa. He had been thinking about the wedding, Caitlin, Alexander, and the new baby for the past twenty-four hours. The truth is as much as he cared for his new friends from the community center and loved the peacefulness of his alternative life, he missed his home and family – including Alexander. Before everything went awry, he spoke to his eldest son over the phone at least once or twice a week. Despite what Alexander had done, Hector was still proud of the man he had become. It actually began to pain his heart that the little nipper he had held against his palm and forearm at the hospital was no longer in his life.
Julian escorted the two ladies, who had given him much pleasure last night, to the living room. He had picked them up at the last bar they had stopped at in the East Village. For the life of him, he couldn’t remember their names but he had remembered what they had done last night – thankfully. Cameron and Derek were getting themselves sorted out when they entered the living room. “Derek,” the girls cooed in unison. Derek’s dark brows rose. He looked rather shocked. “Candy . . . Sandy . . . what are you -?” He was cut off by the girls rushing to him and kissing him on both cheeks. That’s it. Candy is the small chested one and Sandy is the big breasted one. “Uh . . .” Derek stuttered. “We haven’t seen you at The Fox Hole is ages,” Sandy said with a smile. “Where?” Cameron asked as he put his cell in his pocket. Julian knew what The Fox Hole was. It was a swingers’ club
After a few lap dances, including one Alexander shouldn’t have had by the busty brunette, the strippers left and they did, too. Julian had rented a limo since Cassandra had the family limo. They went bar hopping. Alexander had tried to refuse but half-drunk men and peer pressure was a hell of a drug. “Two hours. That’s it,” Alexander said adamantly. So, they bar hopped around Soho. At the second bar they hit, the guys decided they wanted Alexander to play a game. It was a bachelor’s game Derek knew of. It didn’t really have a name but the rules were simple enough. Alexander had to go around the room chatting up various women, trying to get there phone number. At each one he failed at, he had to take a shot. Alexander was reluctant at first but Derek clarified something for him. “You don’t have to call them the next day. You are getting married. It’s just for fun. And girls know it’s a long shot for a man to call t