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Her father leaned in close. “So tell me again about this resort Luke bought you?”
“What’s a resort?” Amy asked.
Just then, Hannah and her assistant approached. Hannah was dressed in a lovely form-fitting, Kelly-green lace, off-the-shoulder, tea-length cocktail dress. Hannah had not only helped to organize Abbey and Luke’s wedding, but she was also attending as Rocco’s date. Abbey had high hopes for the Marine and event planner.
“We’ll be starting in just a few minutes. Rocco mentioned something about a swanky resort Luke bought you,” Hannah added.
Abbey’s cheeks heated. Luke had taken being let loose to a new level. “Actually Stryker Real Estate Holdings bought it. It’s called Providence St. Lucia. It’s an exclusive, private, luxury boutique resort. It’s so expensive to stay there that only celebrities, professional athletes, and the rich and famous can afford it. Five of its VIP suites have been permanently reserved for our families’ use only. Our family and any guests we bring will get their entire stay comped, including food, alcohol, spa treatments, and excursions.”
“Holy shit. Sorry, Amy. I said a bad word. Don’t repeat that, all right?” Leah said, shaking her head at Amy.
“I won’t, but Daddy says it sometimes,” Amy said and shrugged.
Abbey’s father looked at her, uncertain. “So after you and Luke return from your two-week honeymoon, would it be all right if I brought your mother there? A second honeymoon for us?”
“There are five luxury suites. You can go whenever you want. But yes, I think it would be great if you and Mom went. Any of you. That’s why Luke had the holding company buy it. We just finalized the reservation process that our family will need to use. I’ll forward it to everyone when we get back.” Abbey was delighted by everyone’s happy expressions.
Yes, purchasing the resort had been way over the top, but it was an opportunity Abbey and her family would have never had otherwise. It would also bring in a substantial income.
Pachabel’s Canon in D began to play and Hannah and her assistant opened the vestibule doors. Karla started down the aisle and Abbey felt a sense of peace and calm wash over her. There was nothing to be nervous about. She’d been waiting for this day for what felt like her entire life.
Before she knew it, the bridal march began to play and everyone inside the church stood. Her father, beaming with pride, led her slowly down the aisle to the man her heart and soul knew to be hers.
In addition to family and friends, those in attendance included Cobras team members, other professional athletes, A-list celebrities—including Brenna Sinclair—and even the handsome big bad southern Dom Kyle Asher. Abbey tried not to be intimidated by their extraordinary guest list.
Abbey’s attention was fully on her big, sexy Viking groom dressed to the nines in his charcoal gray tails. She noticed joyous tears streaming down Luke’s cheeks. She laughed when she saw Jake’s top hat had made an encore and was currently on Rocco’s head.
A teary, speechless Luke shook her father’s hand and hooked their arms, leading her to Pastor Jenkins. “The men in this family sure are emotional, aren’t they?” Pastor Jenkins chuckled along with the ceremony attendees. “Who gives this sparkling young women to this emotional young man?”
“My wife and I do,” Abbey’s father proudly called out behind her.
Abbey smiled at her emotional hunk of a Viking groom. Her heart swelled with love and joy. She took Luke’s hand, lacing their fingers together, and placed their joined hands on her stomach. Luke’s eye grew wide with acknowledgement.
In front of God and Luke, Abbey could now rejoice in the fact that a little life was growing inside of her. A piece of each of them, only but a tiny speck at the moment, would grow to become what Abbey knew would be an amazing person. She didn’t know if Luke’s conversation with their baby makers would end up making any difference as to the gender of their first child, but to her, that didn’t matter.
The beginning of their family and their lives together started today.Abbey wasn’t sure what to expect, but she couldn’t wait to see what their future held. Knowing Luke, it would be one hell of an adventure.
****
Five years later—Darren’s Dugout Bar and Grille ribbon cutting ceremony
Luke and Abbey’s one-year-old, Evan, held on to him for dear life, facing away from the photographers trying to get that elusive shot of the youngest Stryker boy. From the start, Evan had not been a fan of getting his picture taken unless it was taken by a family member. Their youngest was shy, like Abbey had been in the beginning.
Ethan, their four-year-old, was standing a few feet away next to his Grandpa Phil hamming it up for the crowd. He happily waved and flashed the famous dimpled Stryker smile much to the delight of the press. Rocco and Hannah’s dark-haired three-year-old, Rocco Junior, or RJ as the family called him, waved and smiled along with Ethan. It was cute as shit.
They couldn’t have asked for a nicer day in Chicago in early September. It was an unseasonably warm eighty-two degrees and mostly sunny. The perfect day for the ribbon cutting of Darren’s Dugout Bar and Grille.
Everyone around him was in a festive mood, but Luke’s heart ached. Having his Uncle Darren by his side during the ribbon cutting ceremony would have made the day truly perfect. Unfortunately it wasn’t mean to be.
Darren had passed away six month ago. His cancer had returned and spread quickly, ultimately taking his life. He’d survived four and a half years after his initial cancer diagnosis. At least he’d had the chance to be a grandfather to Ethan and Evan for a little while. Luke had plenty of pictures to look back on.
Sadly, Darren would never have the chance to meet his third grandchild. Abbey was due any minute from a rescheduled OB/GYN appointment. They would find out the sex of their third child today. Luke already knew it would be a girl. His little Shieldmaiden. Two boys then a girl. That had been the plan. They had their two little Vikings already. They were two thirds of the way there. Luke had asked Rocco to take Abbey to her appointment as a precaution.
Luke was comforted by the family, friends, and Cobras colleagues who surrounded him as they waited to begin. Darren’s Dugout Bar and Grille was a tribute to its namesake, Darren Stryker. A friendly and inviting sports bar and grill where people could come and shoot the shit about sports, preferably baseball, enjoy a drink or five, and eat delicious food from standards like burgers, wings, sandwiches, and wraps, to comfort food favorites like baked potato soup, meatloaf, and macaroni and cheese. Luke’s stomach growled.
What was taking Abbey so long? What ifsomething happened to her? Or the baby? Did Rocco get into a car accident? Luke’s stomach roiled, and he shook. If something happened to Abbey or their little girl, he’d fucking lose it. His baby boy seemed to sense his unease and whimpered in his arms. He held him tighter.
Luke was about to hand Evan over to Jake, who was standing next him with Cassie, when he saw his princess’s golden mane in the crowd, along with Rocco making room for her to pass. Thank God. She’s all right, calm down.
