A DEADLY NUPTIAL

36

"I knew it!" I exclaimed getting up to give her a hug.

"Is this a group hug?" Came a voice from my bedroom.

"Alex! Why didn't you tell me!"

My brother walked in blushing.

"Aw! You're blushing!"

"Josephine ! Stop!" He covered his face truly embarrassed.

I gave him a hug, so happy for this moment.

"I gave her mom's ring."

"I noticed, and I think it's great." I sad my eyes starting to cloud, "Ok, no tears I do not want to cry and ruin my make-up."

Alex rolled his eyes, "Come on then it's time to leave."

I grabbed my clutch giving Lucy a kiss. Although I wanted to take her I knew paparazzi would be there, so I left Lily in charge.

Casper met us at the foot of the stairs.

"Ready?"

"Yup. I was meaning to ask you if a friend from Harvard could stay. She's going to be at the wedding, and I thought she could stay with us."

"Sure, why not. We have plenty of room."

We stepped out of the limo onto the Evan's estate. The wedding would be located in their massive back yard.

We were led inside by a butler. With 30 minutes to spare I decided to search for Alexa. I walked up the stairs while Casper, Lorenz, and Alexander went to take their seats outside. Before I could reach Alexa's room I heard a baby's cry come from the door I had just passed. Not resisting the urge to soothe the baby I returned to the door opening it to a light blue room. The cries came from the white crib in the corner. I reached him immediately noticing the resemblance with Dark. I lifted him up into my arms his cries dying down as he opened his eyes to see who was carrying him. They were chocolate eyes staring back at me. It confused me. Why weren't they gray or blue like Shine's or Dark's?

Dark's POV

As I heard the baby's cries on the baby monitor I looked at Shine who was still applying make-up.

"Dark could you please turn that off and go see what your son is crying about this time?"

I sighed not wanting to start another argument. She had been like this ever since we had returned home with Neil. She refused to feed him, bathe him, or change his diapers. Neil was perfectly fine when I was with him, but as soon as I left the maids said he wouldn't stop crying. It was as if he needed a parental connection. Shine definitely didn't do anything to help. She acted as if he wasn't her son.

I walked to Neil's nursery hearing a voice from the other side. There was a melodious laugh. It sounded like Josephine's. I opened the door and there she was rocking him in her arms as she cooed, "Who's a cute baby?" Neil in return smiled grabbing her finger with his tiny little hands. As the door closed behind me she looked up freezing. Neil looked in my direction smiling. Both their eyes were the same chocolate brown almost identical. That was strange. He was so calm in her arms.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I shouldn't have come in without permission. He was crying and I-"

"It's fine you don't have to explain yourself. He seems to like you."

She smiled at him adoringly stroking his hair, "He looks just like you."

He began to fuss again grabbing one of her breasts and beginning to suck through her dress.

"It seems he's hungry. Shine should probably feed him."

"She doesn't. We feed him bottled milk." I explained.

She hesitated before asking, "Do you mind if I feed him? This is usually the time I would feed Lucy."

"Would you really?"

"Why not? It's not his fault his mother neglects him."

She took a seat in the rocking chair in the corner I used daily. She pulled down her one strap from her dress letting Neil begin to hungrily feed.

She acted as if Neil was her baby. This was such a perfect moment. If only this was her baby and mine. As he finished she burped him, then rocked back and forth until he fell asleep in her arms. She placed him in his crib fixing her dress.

"Thank you."

She blushed, "Not a problem." She then let out a laugh covering her mouth as she shook her head.

"What?"

"It's nothing, just something ridiculous."

"Tell me," I prodded.

"I think I've fallen in love with your baby." She blushed before a hint of agony flashed through her eyes, "I'm crazy. It's probably the thought that I could have had a baby boy."

"I'm truly sorry Josephine," I hugged her. At first she was tense, but loosened in my arms. She wrapped her arms around my neck her face buried into my collar bone. The feeling of having her in my arms again was priceless. I inhaled her pomegranate scent running my hands through her curled hair. I retrieved a strand and placed it in my pocket.

The door flung open, "Dark! Josephine!"

We immediately pulled apart finding my beautiful sister looking at us surprised.

"Keep it down squirt. You'll wake up Neil."

"Don't you dare 'squirt' me mister. I'm going to talk to you both later, but my wedding is about to commence and I need the best man and maid of honor downstairs now."

I chuckled. My little sister could be demanding. As we walked out of the nursery I kissed her on the cheek, "You look beautiful squirt."

She swatted my arm, "Of course I do, so get your ass downstairs. I want to get this over with."

Josephine giggled walking down the stairs. She took her small bouquet of blue hydrangeas and white of roses taking my boutonnière and clipping it into my pocket.

"Thanks."

She smiled looping her arm through mine as the doors opened and we walked out down the path of rose petals where the guests stared open eyed. I'm guessing they were shocked to see us together. Their shocked lasted little as the wedding march began and all eyes were on my sister.

Josephine had done a terrific job with her dress. It was a trumpet silohuette with lace gown features, a tulle underlay, and self-tied horsehair bow at natural waist. I could practically see the awe and happiness in Aron's eyes. His gaze never left hers even throughout the whole ceremony. Alexa being the sentimental one almost cried at nearly everything. Her eyes gleamed as she said her vows. Before I knew it the ceremony was over. Everyon1

e clapped as pictures were taken and more petals were thrown in the air. We headed to the reception area where there were rows of tables elegantly decorated with Darkdles, giant bouquets of white roses, and other items. Overhead there were strings of lights that made it seem like we were under millions of stars. I sat beside Aron while Josephine sat on the other side of Alexa with Casper. As we finished dinner Elsa announced Aron and Alexa's first dance. I caught Josephine's eye which see quickly looked away. She must have been thinking th same thing. Our first dance. Then came the father daughter dance which made Josephine grasp Casper's hand. I could tell she was trying to be strong.

"Now if we could get the maid of honor and best man to dance with the newly weds."

I danced with Alexa as she almost cried again.

"Hey don't cry squirt. You're going to make me cry."

"You cry?! Ha! I would to see that happen one day!"

"Oh believe me, I have." I said grimly watching Josephine laugh with Aron.

"You have to win her back."

"What?"

"You heard me. I know you still love her, and she still loves you."

"When did you get so smart about love?"

"Watching you and Josephine then discovering love with Aron."

"Well I can't promise you anything, but I promise I'll try."

"That's all I ask of you big brother," she said kissing my cheek.

Josephine's POV

As we stepped off the stage I caught sight of my other best friend, Lily. I hadn't seen her since prom. I did not want to remember that night.

"Josephine!" She exclaimed hugging me tightly. "I'm sorry about everything. Lorenz told me your crappy months you've passed, but I'm excited to meet Lucy, and this new fiancée of yours!"

"Haven't you seen my face on like every magazine cover?"

She laughed, "Believe it or not I haven't. I haven't watched or read anything that wasn't school related.

I laughed in return, "You're still the same book worm aren't you? But look at yourself! I hardly recognized you! You're not wearing your glasses! Are you wearing make-up?"

She blushed, "Perhaps."

"Girl, look at those curves!"

"Josephine, stop you're making guys stare at us!" She hissed.

"Good!"

"Josephine !"

Casper's POV

"Josephine !" I called once I spotted her with a petite brunette. In a way she was like Josephine, but was shorter, around 5' 2, with porcelain skin compared to Josephine's tan skin, and a rounder face compared to Josephine's oval face.

Once she turned around we both exclaimed, "You?!"

"You both know each other?" Josephine asked.

"I've seen her around Harvard a couple times."

"That's great! I'm glad y'all are friends!"

The nerd (what I always called her in my mind) scoffed, "Me friends with that?" She said pointing to me.

"Hey, anyone would be glad to be associated with me."

"Casper!" Josephine exclaimed.

"Josephine, please tell me he is not your fiancée!" The nerd pleaded.

"I am for your information!"

"Guys! Can we please calm down!?"

"Josephine, I think I'm going to go reserve a hotel room."

She said pulling out her phone.

"What am I too good for you?" I snapped.

She shut her phone. "It's not that you're too good for me. I don't think I could stand being in the same house as someone so conceded as yourself."

She walked away leaving me with my mouth gaping.

Josephine stared at me with a look telling me I better start talking with her arms crossed.

"What?"

"What did you do to her?"

"What did I do to her? I haven't done anything!"

"Well you must have done something. She's usually reserved and doesn't talk back to people."

"Beats me," I said chugging a glass of champagne.

"I'm going to go find her. She will be staying with us."

"But-"

"No buts." She sounded like my mother.

It was the end of the reception when they returned. The nerd was obviously not content with Josephine's idea either.

"You can both wait in the limo. Lorenz and Alexander have already left, and I have a quick meeting. It'll only be a while."

Great. I had to deal with the nerd.

Josephine's POV

I headed upstairs to the gallery where all the heads of the mafia families waited. I walked in, all heads turning my way. They stood up in my presence as a sign of respect.

"You can all sit gentlemen."

They all sat around the round table. Right across from me sat Brown Evan smoking a Cuban cigar. Before I could stare any longer at it I began, "As you all know with the death of my father there is only Alexander and I left. We have both decided to leave the Mafia families and remove ourselves."

They all began to murmur. Dark stared at me wide eyed when Brown did not look a bit moved.

"We wish to no longer pertain to tradition and secede our company to the Evan's as part of what Dark receives from our divorce as I have nothing else to give. As you understand we only have our home left with the memory of our parents."

Some of the elders nodded understandingly.

"Lastly, if there is any uncertainty with this situation. Alexander and I are willing to sign a contract where we vow never to release any information over any of the family companies."

There were more murmurs when a las Brown spoke.

"We'll expect your contract Monday, Josephine."

"Alright, I wish all of you the best of luck. Goodnight gentlemen."

I left before anyone could say anything. I was at the top of the stairs when Dark caught up to me.

"Josephine wait!"

"What is it Dark ?"

"We need to talk."

"I believe there's nothing we have to talk about. Everything's been said."

"No it hasn't."

"If it's about the divorce don't worry about it. I don't want or need anything from you."

"There's no need for you to give me your company."

"Dark, this is what our marriage was about. The company. So the right thing to do is end our marriage with the company."

"Do you really think so? Are you ready for our marriage to be over?"

"Yes." I lied and walked quickly away not wanting him to look me in the eyes and the I was lying.

Before I could even reach the bottom of the stairs he was there waiting for me. Damn him and his speed.

"You're a terrible liar Josephine."

Before I could say anything he pulled me against his chest kissing me. My body quickly reacted opening my mouth and allowing him access. Oh how I missed his kisses that set my body on fire. They reignited the sparks that Casper's could never light. Casper. Crap. I unwillingly pushed myself away tryin to catch my breath.

"This isn't right."

"It is. You're still my wife, and I still love you."

My heart pounded in my chest when he said those words.

"Don't even try and deny you don't love me because otherwise you wouldn't have kissed me like you just did."

Damn he had a point.

"Maybe I do still love you. I just don't think I could ever forgive you."

Casper's POV

I sat in the limo next to the nerd. After sitting in an awkward silence I decided to talk.

"So did you lose your glasses?"

"What? Of course not, I'm wearing contacts," she said rolling her eyes.

"Wow, so the nerd is finally learning about the 21st century!"

She gave me a death glare.

"I have a name for your information."

"Really? Don't tell me, is it something nerdy too?" I said sarcastically.

"It's Lily," she said looking out the tinted window.

"Seems too pretty for a girl like you."

She turned around to face me again, " You better watch your mouth."

"Why should I?"

"Because otherwise I'm going to tell Josephine the real story about how we met, and I doubt she'll still want to get married to someone like you."

"So you're still holding the grudge against me aren't you?"

"I don't hold grudges, just memories."

"So what story did you tell her?"

The nerd, or Lily, poured herself a glass of whiskey, "So the nerd drinks?"

She gave me a pleasant or so I thought was a pleasant smile.

"I told her you had spilt coffee on me at one of the Starbucks on campus, and that's why we had gotten off to a bad start."

"If I don't recall, you were the one that ran into me with a giant stack of books and spilt coffee on me."

"Well, she doesn't need to know that."

"I think she does."

"I think she doesn't. Unless if you want her to know all the names you called me."

Damn it.

"Fine, she can believe the story you told her."

"That's what I thought."

"Don't be so smug sweetheart," I whispered huskily into her ear. She shivered making me smirk. She gave me a sexy pout. Wait did I just think she was sexy? She proceeded to straddle me in her little black dress.

"I don't think you should be so smug. You might wet your pants," as she finished whispering that in my ear I felt her cold drink spill onto my lap. She immediately got off of me putting the glass down while laughing hysterically. This was time for revenge.