Amplify (30 page)

"I’m all in for life," I sing and I’ve never meant anything more in my life. Before long I realize Xander is drumming on the chair in front of him. I shake my head, trying not to laugh when Sera starts snickering.

And when the last chord is strummed, Sera sets her guitar aside and picks up her bouquet of daisies then slowly makes her way to the altar.

"Button," my daddy says, "I am so happy you found such a good man who loves you so deeply. I know without a doubt he will take care of you and those little ones in there." He places his palm on my tummy. This dress is cut in just a way you wouldn’t know I was pregnant unless you were looking, but I don’t care if everyone sees or not. I’m proud.

I put my arm through my dad’s and we get set to walk down the aisle.

J
esse

HERE COMES THE BRIDE
starts playing and I stand up straighter. My heart is beating a mile a minute. Not because I’m nervous, because I’m not. It’s because this woman is going to marry me. Granted we’re married, but both of us only remember bits and pieces of that ceremony and she deserves the fairytale. I’m not sure how I ended up being her Prince Charming, but I thank fuck every day that I am.

A collective gasp goes out when Lucy steps out with her father. Slowly they make their way down the aisle of daisy and rose petals, her smile so bright, her happiness shines through. I am so fucking lucky. I know it. I try hard every day to let her know that I know it.

God she’s beautiful. Watching her walk toward me, knowing she’s going to be vowing to be my wife while her body is round with our babies, that caveman is beating the fuck out of his chest right now and yelling like Tarzan.

She reaches me and I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" the officiant asks.

"Her mother and I do," Anthony says. He hugs Lucy and kisses her on the cheek before placing her hand into mine. He meets my gaze, squeezes my hand and nods. Approval. All this time I didn’t know I wanted it but now that I have it, I feel relief. Lucy hands her bouquet to Sera and I lace my fingers with hers.

"And me," Xander announces.

"Me too!" Jace jumps in.

"Me three!" Ethan says with a grin.

"Me four!" Kennedy smirks.

"Me five!" Ben says quickly.

"Me six," Trace chuckles.

"Me first, always first," Giovanni says and she blows him a kiss.

I really like this family stuff.

"Friends and family, we are here today to celebrate the love of Jesse James Kingston and Luciana Antonia Kingston." Xander starts chuckling and mutters, "Yeehaw" under his breath. I flip him off behind my back.

"Jesse Kingston," mama scolds and everyone laughs.

"Sorry mama." Damn. She catches me every time. I look to Lucy and whisper, "How does she always
know
?"

"Mojo," she whispers back. Ahh, yes, the mojo. I nod. I need to talk to Nana Russo about learning how to work up some mojo.

"Rather than traditional vows, Luciana and Jesse have opted to sing a song to one another."

"Aww," Sera coos.

"Jesse, if you’d go first."

I nod and Ben picks up his guitar.

"I know most people expect soft, sappy music at weddings, and that’s great, but it’s just not me. Lucy, Cupcake, these words say it all," I tell her before launching into Safetysuit’s
Never Stop.

She squeezes my hand when I get to the part about never stopping choosing her. The words hold so true. She
is
my life and I
don’t
deserve her. But she’s mine and I’m hers and she’ll never go a day without knowing just how much she means to me.

"You still get my heart racing, for you," Ben harmonizes and Lucy’s wiping tears with the handkerchief she swiped from me earlier as her something borrowed. She was already a crier, but those pregnancy hormones have her going wild.

"Baby, don’t cry," I whisper and wipe her cheeks dry.

"It’s not like I can help it. And I agree with Sera. I should have gone first too," she sniffles and I grin at her.

Ben passes Sera his guitar, but holds on to it for a second and Sera rolls her eyes and gives it a tug.

"Be nice to her," Ben tells Sera.

"I’ll be extra gentle knowing she’s the only girl who’ll let you stroke, strum, or finger her," Sera teases with a laugh.

I scowl. "How come mama didn’t scold you?"

Sera tilts her head and I see mama too busy crying to scold. Alright then. That makes it okay. I was getting a complex.

Lucy wipes her tears again then stands up straight. "I’m ready."

L
ucy

"WE’VE BROKEN SO MANY TRADITIONS
, Jesse, but I wouldn’t change a single second of it. There is no other song that fits more perfectly than this one," I tell him. I nod to Sera who starts strumming
I Knew I Loved You
by Savage Garden and Jesse’s smile is so big and wide, my heart fills with love and warmth.

When the last chord is strummed, Jesse pulls me into his arms. "I love you so much, Cupcake."

"Do you have the rings?" the officiant asks, and Ben hands Jesse the one for me, and Sera hands me the one for Jesse.

"Jesse, if you’d repeat after me."

I nod.

"With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring, I thee wed," he repeats, slipping a thin diamond platinum band onto my finger.

"Wow, how many rings do you have now?" Sera asks and I snicker.

"Luciana, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."

My breath hitches. "With this ring, I thee wed," I tell Jesse, slipping the matching wedding band on his finger. I meet his gaze and I can’t stop smiling.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may... kiss your bride," the officiant breaks off with a laugh when Jesse pounces and kisses me before the sentence is completed.

"I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Kingston!"

"Again!" Xander shouts.

"Only this time they’ll remember it all," Jace teases.

"Asshole," Jesse chides and everyone laughs louder.

I pull him in for another hug and kiss.

"Jesse." He looks at me. I pull his face down for a kiss then whisper against his lips, "I absolutely love you."

"That’s a good thing because I’m so fucking gone over you there’s no coming back," he says with a chuckle.

"Jucy forever!" Spenser shouts.

––––––––

T
his Means War by Avenged Sevenfold

Head Games by Foreigner

––––––––

I
FORGOT MY GUITAR IN
the hall. Cursing, I head back to the ceremony venue and grab it. I quickly head back to the bungalow where we’re going to be changing into our casual wear and I, for one, can’t wait to get out of these long dresses. It’s too damn hot, thin material or not. I can only imagine how Lucy feels.

I walk into the bungalow and stop in my tracks. I tilt my head to the side and study the situation before me, and all I can think is: "Stupid fucking bitch." Yeah, I said it aloud too because really, that’s exactly what Carina is right now.

"You better watch yourself, Serafina," she threatens and I snort. I see the fear in Lucy’s eyes as Carina holds the knife to my sister’s belly containing three innocent lives. She was going to suffer before, but now? She will experience excruciating pain.

"Or what? You’re going to hurt Lucy and her babies? Just how long do you think you’ll live if you manage to do that? You’ll be dead before you even leave this island."

"There’s where you’re wrong. I’ve got it all worked out," she tells me with a smirk.

I nod. "Do you now? That’s good, that’s good. Everyone needs a plan, right?"

"What are you doing?" she asks.

I shrug. "Nothing. Cooperating." I lean back against the vanity casually, resting my hands on the edge. My fingertip touches the gun resting underneath, on a small shelf.

She narrows her eyes. "Take your dress off."

"I didn’t know you were into girl on girl. I thought you only whored for cock," I tell her, knowing it’s going to piss her off. "I know you want my clothes off so you can see if I’ve got a gun on me, but look at me. Where the hell would I put it?"

She shrugs.

"You really are a fucking idiot," I mutter and Lucy smirks at me when she sees my finger pointing to the gun. I stand up and pull the dress over my head, standing there in my bra and panties. I wink at her. "Like what you see?"

"Please," Carina scoffs. "Your body is nothing to call home about. Your tits are too small and you’re too fucking skinny."

I shrug again. "Normally, when I’m not being emotionally tortured, I’m not this skinny and when I’m my normal weight, trust me," I say, cupping my breasts, "these babies are more than enough."

She scoffs again.

I lift a brow. "Why don’t you ask my husband? You know him, right? The one you thought you could manipulate." I laugh.

"Shut up! Shut the fuck up now or I’ll cut her!" she threatens, dragging the blade along the fabric of Lucy’s dress and a piece falls to the floor.

"Where’s Spenser?" I ask.

"Oh your little gay friend?" Carina mocks.

"That’d be the one."

"He’s out back. He had a little accident," she tells me with one of those evil grins.

"What did you do?"

She shrugs.

I sigh. "Really, you’re better off just telling me. That way I won’t have to hurt you more later."

She laughs. Actually throws her head back and laughs. The woman is delusional if she thinks she’s going to get away with this. She has no idea who I am, who Lucy is, or what we’re capable of.

"Stupid fucking bitch," I sneer, then lean back against the vanity.

"Aww, poor little princess. You all sad now that your friend is out there hurt?" she asks.

I sigh and shake my head again. "You’ve got it wrong. Do you know anything? Christ, Luce, she’s stupid."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" she asks.

"Tell me what you did to Spenser and I’ll tell you."

"You have no room to bargain," Carina reminds me, moving the knife around to the front of Lucy’s baby belly. Lucy’s not scared anymore. Oh no, now Lucy’s pissed.

I shrug but don’t answer.

"What’s she talking about?" she shouts, jerking Lucy for an answer.

"I have no idea," Lucy tells her. "There’s only one way to find out."

"How’s that?" Carina asks.

"Tell her what you did to Spenser. She won’t tell you anything otherwise," Lucy says, her voice shaky. Damn good actress.

"How about I cut little miss Lucy. I bet you’ll tell me then."

"Nope," I say, crossing my arms. She’s watching me too closely to go for the gun and I can’t risk her hurting Lucy or the babies.

"Tell me!" she shouts, her frustration coming through.

I smile. "No thanks."

She growls out a scream and Lucy flinches from the loudness.

"Fine! Your little friend hit his head and then tripped onto my knife. Oops," she tells me with a smirk.

I nod, my face impassive.

"That really sucks for you," Lucy tells her, distracting her.

"What are you talking about?" she snarls, and when she looks down at Lucy, I make my move. I slide my hand onto the shelf and pick up my trusty Beretta. When she hears the click, Carina looks up to find herself face to face with the barrel of my gun.