Broken Together (42 page)

I
shook my head. “No. The ceremony we’ve planned is perfect. I don’t want to
cancel those plans.”

Rafael
frowned. “Until we’re married, you’re considered a single mother. I really wish
I’d considered that before. I just… I thought it would take us longer to become
pregnant.” He sighed. “I was so afraid the hospital would force me from your bedside,
that they wouldn’t honor my wishes. If I were your husband, they couldn’t deny
me the right to care for you and to advocate on your behalf.”

His
fears shredded my heart. “I can sign a durable health care power of attorney. That
would give you all the same rights.”

Rafael
turned the thought in his head. He shoved his chair aside, eased onto his knee,
and clasped my hands in his. “I want our wedding to be special, but I want to
be married now. I want our family to be complete. I want to be your husband and
this child’s father in every possible way. Please, baby. Honor me with a civil
ceremony now. We’ll keep that ceremony secret and proceed with the formal
wedding in May. We can do both. Lots of couples do both in Portugal.”

Tears
streamed down my face. “I didn’t think it was possible to love you any more than
I did two seconds ago, but I do. God help me, I love you more than is humanly
possible. Yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you any time and any place your heart
desires.”

He
burrowed his head against my tummy as he hugged me. “Then stay another day so
we can be married.”

My
hand slid lovingly through his tousled hair. I hadn’t a clue how Rafael would
arrange for a civil ceremony in a single day, but I didn’t doubt that he could
pull it off. The more pressing concern was how I’d walk away from him when it was
all said and done.

*
* * * *

Rafael
arranged for the jet to fly Kadyn and Shae back to Virginia when the hospital
confirmed we weren’t exposed to the Ebola virus. I lingered three additional
days while waiting for my stomach to settle. After the OB appointment on
Thursday, I agreed to stay three additional days so Rafael and I could be
married. Jase remained with me.

Eva
helped me shop for a dress, matching heels, lingerie, boutonnieres, and two
small bouquets while Rafael made the necessary arrangements. Eva and Benjamim
were privy to our secret since they were serving as our witnesses. Thankfully,
Chief D’Souza possessed the necessary credentials to preside over the ceremony.

I
spent the night with Eva, so Rafael and I wouldn’t see each other before the
ceremony. There were certain traditions neither of us were willing to
relinquish, despite the fact this was a civil ceremony. Eva and I spent the
morning at the spa, where my entire body was massaged, my nails painted, and
hair elaborately coiffed.

Eva
wore a taupe cocktail dress with embroidered sleeves. I chose an ivory lace dress
that fell below my knees. Subtle glittering strands of gold were woven into the
Bardot bodice and the A-line skirt. Lace scallops framed my collarbone,
shoulders, and legs. Ivory heels and a pearl headpiece completed the ensemble.

Rafael
chose a small, intimate courtyard tucked between white washed buildings
dripping with wisteria for our ceremony. He was standing in front of the
fountain with Benjamim and Chief D’Souza.

I
asked Jase to escort me into the courtyard. He looked stunning and surprisingly
at ease in a suit and tie. I wasn’t sure if it was his knowledge of the baby or
his refusal to leave my side during the Cholera scare, but something had shifted
in our relationship. My hard headed, formerly Special Ops bodyguard became
teary eyed when I pinned his boutonniere. Rafael, Benjamim, and Chief D’Souza
already had theirs.

Jase
and I remained hidden against the building when Eva entered the courtyard. Someone
began strumming a Portuguese guitar.

My
stomach fluttered nervously. I couldn’t believe we were getting married. I
forced myself to breathe before kissing Jase on the cheek. “Thanks for
escorting me.”

He
folded me in his arms. “Thanks for making my friend so happy.” We entered the
courtyard arm in arm.

Rafael’s
breath caught. He took a step forward, but Chief D’Souza stayed him with a
gentle touch on his arm. Rafael looked devastating in a black suit that
showcased his broad shoulders, trim waist, and muscular legs. He wore an ivory
shirt and an ivory and gold tie. I tried not to cry when I saw the love and
adoration reflected in his eyes.

Chief
D’Souza’s wife, Mariana, a small contingent of officers, and their wives formed
a small, private audience. Chief D’Souza’s service pin with the Order of Christ
Cross glinted in the sunlight.

Jase
pressed a kiss to my cheek. He offered Chief D’Souza a polite nod before
transferring my hand to Rafael’s arm. He joined Benjamim as we faced Chief
D’Souza.

“You
look lovely,” Chief D’Souza whispered while the guitarist finished his piece. He
peered over our shoulders and cleared his throat while Rafael beamed proudly at
me. “I welcome my brethren to bear witness and share in the celebration as I
legally unite Rafael Tiago Garcia to his betrothed, Kristine Annabelle Stone.”

The
courtyard grew quiet.

Chief
D’Souza continued. “I will conduct this ceremony in English, as requested by
the bride and groom.” He paused briefly. “Rafael and Kristine appeared before
the Central Registry to complete the preliminary process of marriage on the 26
^th
day of March. The registrar has confirmed that Rafael and Kristine intend to
marry in this the
Santa Maria
de
Belém Parish in the municipality of
Lisbon
on this 27
^th
day of March. She has authenticated the
necessary publications.” Thankfully, we had the required documents on hand after
presenting them to Father Ramires.

Rafael
smiled when he caught me peeking up at him.

“The
registrar has further declared that in accordance with our national laws, there
is no impediment which would prevent this marriage. She has therefore authorized
this marriage.” Chief D’Souza read a number of articles from their civil code relevant
to the contract of marriage, the equality of spouses, and the duties of respect,
fidelity, cooperation, and assistance before the guitarist poured himself into
a song.

My
pulse quickened. The courtyard fell silent once again.

“You
may face one another and join hands,” Chief D’Souza whispered.

Eva
held my bouquet.

Chief
D’Souza smiled encouragingly. “Rafael Tiago Garcia, will you take Kristine
Annabelle Stone to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and
cherish her through sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as
you both shall live?”

Rafael’s
eyes captured and held mine. “I will.” His voice rang strong and true.

My
heart thundered in my ears.

Chief
D’Souza’s voice dimmed. “Kristine Annabelle Stone, will you take Rafael Tiago
Garcia to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and cherish
him through sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both
shall live?”

“I
will,” I answered breathlessly.

He
nodded his approval. “May I have the bride’s ring?”

Benjamim
handed him the beautifully braided band.

Chief
D’Souza pressed the ring to the Order of Christ Cross. He whispered a silent
prayer before handing it to Rafael. “Rafael, as you place this ring on
Kristine’s finger, please repeat after me. ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”

Rafael
eased the glittering band over my left ring finger. “With this ring, I thee
wed.”

“May
I have the groom’s ring?” Our pilot retrieved Rafael’s wedding band from Brady
before returning to Portugal late last night.

Benjamim
handed Chief D’Souza the ring.

Chief
D’Souza pressed the platinum band to the Order of Christ Cross. He repeated his
silent prayer before handing it to me. “Kristine, as you place this ring on
Rafael’s finger, please repeat after me. ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”

I
slid the ring over the tip of his finger before gazing up at him. “With this
ring, I thee wed.”

His
eyes glistened with unshed tears.

A
single tear escaped my lashes. I grew dizzy with disbelief.

“Rafael
Tiago Garcia and Kristine Annabelle Stone, through your vows and the exchange
of rings you have declared your love and commitment to one another. It is with
immeasurable pleasure that I pronounce you husband and wife. Rafael, you may
kiss your beautiful bride.”

Rafael
captured my tear with his thumb as he grasped my cheek. My eyes closed while I
savored the feel of his hand. Somewhere in the darkness our lips met in a
feather soft kiss. We lingered there breathlessly until he coaxed me into a
gentle kiss.

I
whimpered softly. My hands traveled his shoulders… grasped the nape of his
neck. Rafael groaned. He crushed me against his chest as he claimed what was
rightfully his. I melted into his arms while the universe simply ceased to
exist.

Eva
was fanning herself by the time he ended the kiss.

Cheers
erupted all around.

Chief
D’Souza grinned. “We will now sign the marriage certificate. Benjamim and Eva will
join us as witnesses.” He retrieved a pen and the certificate from a pocket
inside his suit jacket. The marriage certificate had been rolled into a tight
scroll. My heart raced while we signed the document. I couldn’t believe we were
officially husband and wife.

Rafael
pulled me in for another passionate kiss.

“You
are allotted one kiss,” Chief D’Souza ribbed. “I’d like to present Mr. and Mrs.
Garcia!”

Cheers
erupted once more.

Rafael
kept a firm grip on my waist while everyone congratulated us. He proved
unwilling to release me for anyone, Chief D’Souza included. We followed our
guests into the restaurant next door. How Rafael had finagled an early dinner
was beyond me. Early dinners were virtually unheard of in Portugal. Minutes
whittled into hours while we dined on steamed clams, lobster, and steak. Rafael
surprised me with a wedding cake before whisking me away.

I
felt giddy, and I hadn’t indulged in a single drop of wine.

Rafael
eased his Porsche through a private gate when we arrived in Cascais. He’d
secured some elaborate fortress for the night. He scooped me out of the car and
strode toward the door.

“What
are you doing?” I squealed.

He
strode through the house like he knew where he was going. “I’m consummating our
marriage.”

I
gaped at the glass wall overlooking the ocean. “I’m pretty sure we’ve already
done that.”

He
stopped abruptly. “Will that hurt the baby?”

Laughter
exploded from my lungs. “Your child is perfectly safe. I’m sure he’ll enjoy the
exercise.”

Rafael
grinned as he resumed walking. “Are you up for this?”

My
heart beat a thunderous score. “I want you to make love to me until I no longer
know where my body ends and yours begins.”

His
eyes heated as he lowered me onto the bed. I eased the jacket over his shoulders
while he loosened his tie. He kicked his shoes and socks aside.

He
knelt on the bed. “How long has it been?” His hand slid longingly up my leg.
The ivory heels remained in place.

“I
don’t know,” I admitted breathlessly. “Four maybe five weeks?” We hadn’t made
love since he was in Virginia, when he was helping me with the invitations.

His
eyes widened when he discovered the old fashioned garter holding the silk
stockings in place. I unbuttoned his shirt while his fingers dipped beneath the
fragile strip of lace wedged between my legs. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. With a
sharp tug, he tore the thong.

I
arched into his hand while his fingers danced between my legs. “I’ve never
wanted you more than I do in this moment. Please, I need to feel you inside of
me.”

Rafael
removed my dress while I forced the shirt down his arms. His trousers quickly
followed. He was gloriously naked while I remained in my heels, silk stockings,
ivory garter, and demi lace bra. He forced the bra beneath my breasts before
circling the nipples with his tongue. “How have I failed to notice this?”

My
breasts had doubled in size, a change I failed to notice until purchasing
lingerie yesterday. I moaned wantonly as he thoroughly consumed each breast.
Pleasure pulsed between my legs. My fingers clenched the duvet. “Rafael,” I
panted. I reached for his hips so I could position him between my legs.

Rafael
lifted my knees until they were well above his waist. I writhed in the most
exquisite pain while he thoroughly ravished my neck. His hands kneaded my
breasts. “I’m sorry,” he murmured before plunging deep inside my mouth. The
world tilted as Rafael buried himself to the hilt.

We
lost ourselves in another intoxicating kiss while he waited for my body to
adjust. Slowly, he began to thrust.

“Husband,”
I whispered.