Second Chance at Love(75)
Chapter 33
Later that evening
The reception had been a lively occasion, full of joy and happiness. As promised to herself, Karen made a beeline to Henry Stiles. He wasn’t the least taken aback when she gave him a huge hug and kiss on the cheek for the part he played in dealing with the Johnstons. Returning the affectionate gesture, he boasted with pride as if she were his own daughter, “You’re a good mother and that young man of yours is going to make one hell of father to your children. I couldn’t just sit back and let those scoundrels railroad you.” Winking at Karen, he leaned in and whispered, “I promised my golf buddy I’d hook him up with a babe. Since you’re all taken, I guess I’ll push him in Beatrice’s direction.”
Throwing back her head, she laughed, then gave the judge another squeeze before joining Dom in greeting the rest of their guests. No way was she commenting on that last remark.
The bride and groom, along with well wishers, danced to the grooving sounds of the live band. The buffet spread spilled over with delectable American and Italian cuisine fit for kings and queens. The three tier chocolate banana cream frosting cake was to die for. Feeding each other the decadent dessert, the happy couple kissed in between nibbling on cake.
Ashley, Kyle and Zoe sat off huddled in a corner from the adults, praising themselves for their well executed scheme.
“I told you we could do it,” Kyle boasted, grinning and sticking out his puny chest.
Ashley and Zoe nodded their heads like bobble dolls in agreement.
Zoe, on a mission for another adventure, waved her hands in the ‘come here’ gesture to her cousins. When they leaned in, she whispered loudly over the music, “Now it’s time for you to help me make my Mommy and Daddy have a baby.” She so desperately wanted a little brother or sister.
Ashley and Kyle looked at each other as if to say, how are we going to do that? Neither one of them wanted to bust her bubble. Zoe’s eager puppy dog look wouldn’t allow them. Putting her arm around Zoe’s tiny shoulder, Ashley promised, “We’ll do what we can.”
Ava and Langston stopped dead in their tracks as they approached the three little bodies hunched over. Ava shook her head. Her poor child couldn’t whisper to save her life. Looking up at Langston, she lifted an amused brow. “Do you think we should tell her?”
Langston kissed her left temple. “Nah, let’s wait until you get through your first trimester like we agreed.”
“Okay.” Chuckling she added, “I sure can’t wait to see what these three are going to cook up this time.”
Backing away they decided to give Zoe a few more minutes with her cousins before heading out. This pregnancy was draining every ounce of Ava’s energy. Her body was so craving a nice comfortable bed.
The evening was brought to an end with the throwing of the bouquet and garter belt. Karen’s coworker, Patty, dived through the air, knocking any and every potential wannabe bride out the way as she snatched the tumbling flowers out of midair.
However, with the throwing of the garter belt the single men had to be dragged, pushed and shoved to the center of the floor. Dom’s roar of laughter vibrated off the walls. The garter belt landed smack dab in the middle of the head of one of the guys who worked with him on his latest construction project.
Making their final rounds around the room, they thanked, hugged and kissed the remaining guests. “Now you two be good for your grandparents,” Karen lovingly, yet firmly, warned the kids. Donna and Patrick had volunteered to stay at Karen’s place so the kids’ daily routine of school and afterschool activities weren’t interrupted while she and Dom were on their honeymoon.
Karen snuggled up next to Dom in the back of the limo, blindfolded. Her hand was gently smacked as she reached again for the hundredth time to sneak a peek.
“Stop that,” Dom chided just before leaning in to kiss the protest off her lips.
“No fair,” Karen pouted when he finally let her up for air.
“I told you our honeymoon was a surprise. Now just sit here and be a good little wife.”
Karen giggled, feeling giddy all over. “Okay husband, whatever you say.”
She could feel the warmth of his mouth as he leaned in closer to hers. “It is what I say.” He swallowed her groan as he took her mouth in another passionate kiss. Karen squirmed as deft fingers unhooked the wool cape she wore to stave off the March night air. Her heartbeat pounded triple time as he released her mouth to place tiny kisses down the column of her neck and across her delicate collarbone. She couldn’t help the escaping moans as those same fingers were now easing up her stocking clad leg.