A/N: Hello? Anybody still out there?
*Sigh*
Despite any rumours you may have heard, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I was not eaten by the Loch Ness Monster. I have not entered the Witness Protection Program. Unfortunately, having a social life and finding other outlets for my creativity leads to having little to no time for writing. Add to that the fact that I've had bronchitis 4 times over the past six months, while my computer decided to crap out on me and it all adds up to an absentee rhymes.
I can't believe I've let it go this long without updating this story. I'm so sorry to have left you all in the lurch – both in HSD and in Something Wicked. However, rest assured that while I may not have been posting, I certainly haven't forgotten about my stories and I have continued to write. I just had to find some time to bring all of my ideas for the next chapter together and put in the finishing touches. Please keep your eyes pealed for an update of Something Wicked soon!
Now, I'll leave you to pick up where we left off – with our favourite couple (and Lucy!) heading downstairs to meet the family. Enjoy!
By the time Danny, Lindsay and Lucy made it down to the private dining room reserved for guests of Dario and Julie's wedding, dinner was already in fully swing. They stood in the doorway for a moment, their eyes scanning the crowded and noisy room. At a small table near the back, Danny saw his parents sitting with another older couple he didn't recognize. There were two empty seats at the table, so he gently placed his hand in the small of Lindsay's back, guiding her across the room.
He nodded at vaguely familiar faces smiling up at him from other tables. One pair of green eyes caught his attention and he smiled when Jamie winked at him from her seat with several other younger people. He felt Lindsay tense against his hand and he turned his head to see her narrowing her eyes in Jamie's direction. Apparently she still wasn't completely sold on the idea that he and Jamie were simply old friends and nothing more.
"Yo! Danny!"
He turned to see Dario approaching from across the room, a pretty petite woman with raven black hair at his side.
"Hey, Dario," Danny said, shaking hands with his cousin. He smiled at Julie before leaning in to press a quick kiss to her cheek. "Hey Jules. Good to see ya."
"We were wondering when you guys were gonna grace us with your presence," Julie quipped. "Dario said he'd seen you earlier, but I was beginning to have my doubts."
"Sorry," Lindsay said, accepting a hug from Julie. "We went swimming this afternoon and it tuckered out Lucy here. We didn't want to wake her from her nap too soon."
Dario glanced back and forth between husband and wife, a knowing grin on his face. "Sure. Blame the innocent kid," he said. He leaned in so he could whisper in Danny's ear. "By the way, Danno… you got lipstick on your neck."
"What?" Danny's hand instantly flew to his neck, causing Dario to chuckle. "Shut up, you prick," he muttered.
"I'm only teasing ya, Dan," Dario laughed. "It's fine. Glad you two are still finding time to have a little fun. Gives me hope for Jules and me. I mean if an old married couple like you two can still get it on…" Dario broke off, laughing when Danny aimed a playful punch in his direction.
"Old married couple?" Danny growled. "May I remind you that you're almost a year older than me?"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," Dario snickered. "Anyway, you guys had better head for the buffet before all the food is gone. Uncle Marco is almost done his first plate and you know he'll be going back for seconds."
"And thirds. And maybe fourths," Danny acknowledged, glancing across the room at their Uncle Marco – a large and formidable man with an appetite that was practically legendary. "Alright, we'll go get our food and catch up with you guys later, yeah?"
Before Danny could lead his small family toward the long buffet table set up on the far side of the room, he saw Julie grab Dario's arm and whisper urgently in his ear.
"Aren't you going to ask them?" she hissed.
Dario shrugged. "Let them get some food first, honey. We'll ask them later."
Julie frowned, her mouth turned down into a pretty pout. "But I need to know now. If they say no, then I have to make other arrangements!"
Dario rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Sorry, guys. Do you have a few minutes?" he asked, looking sheepish at keeping them from their dinner. "It's just… Jules and me have a favour to ask."
"Um…" Danny glanced questioningly at Lindsay who inclined her head in the affirmative. "…Sure. What can we do for you?"
"Well, it's about the wedding party," Julie rushed to explain. "You see, I had everyone set, but then my Flower Girl came down with the Chicken Pox, so…"
"We were hoping you guys would consider letting Lucy fill in as our Flower Girl," Dario finished for her. "I know it's really last minute, but…"
"I don't know," Lindsay began. "Don't you think she might be a little young? I mean she's never had to do anything like this before. And she's pretty shy when it comes to big groups of people. I don't know if she'd make it down the aisle all by herself."
"Please?" Julie begged, her hands clasped together and her expression pleading. "Just think about it over dinner and let me know, okay? Please?"
"Yeah, Jules. We'll think about it," Danny assured her with a smile. "Come on, babe. Let's go get you some food."
"Fooooooood!" Lucy chirped happily as Lindsay carried her toward the table where Danny's parents were sitting. "Hungwee!"
"I know you're hungry, sweetie," Lindsay said, jiggling Lucy in her arms before bestowing a smile upon her in-laws. "Hi, Mom. Hi Dad. Oh, please don't get up!"
Joe Messer smiled and stood despite Lindsay's protest, leaning in to kiss her cheek affectionately. "Nonsense, Lindsay. I was raised to stand and show respect whenever a lady comes to my table," he said before he took Lucy from her and blew a loud, wet raspberry against the little girl's cheek, earning himself a delighted giggle.
"Papa!" Lucy cried before she began to squirm in Joe's arms, turning to bestow an elated smile on her grandmother and reaching out her pudgy arms. "Nona!"
"Oh, mia bambina!" Maria Messer exclaimed, rising from her seat and accepting Lucy with outstretched arms. She peppered the little girl's cheeks with kisses, and Lucy practically glowed at the attention from her doting grandmother. With a broad smile across his handsome face, Joe Messer turned to greet the new arrivals.
"There you are, son," he said, gripping Danny's hand tightly and clapping him affectionately on the shoulder. "We were wondering when you guys would show up. Maria's been dying to show off her grandbaby." He winked at Danny before he bestowed a smile upon Lindsay. "How ya doing, kiddo?" he asked Lindsay, pulling her in for a one armed hug.
"I'm good, Dad. How are you?" Lindsay asked.
Joe shrugged his shoulders and gave Lindsay the charming Messer grin that he had passed on to his son. "Ah, not so bad," he replied. "Had a good trip up here. We got sand. We got sun... Maria's got her little princess to spoil. Life is good."
Lindsay glanced over to where Maria had already whisked Lucy off to a nearby table where a group of silver-haired ladies were gathered, the lot of them cooing and fawning over the little girl who was clearly in her element.
"It's like we don't even exist," Danny muttered, although there was a hint of a smile on his face. "Hey, Ma! It's good to see you too!"
Joe shook his head, laughing as he retook his seat at the table. "You two want to join us? Or does Julie have other plans for you tonight?" he asked.
"Um… I don't really know," Danny admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. "I don't see a seating chart anywhere, so I guess we just sit wherever."
"Well if you don't mind sitting with us old farts, you're more than welcome at our table," Joe offered, pulling out the chair beside him and offering it to Lindsay. "Why don't you take a load of, kiddo? Danny said you weren't feeling too hot the other day." He glanced up at Danny. "Where's your manners, son? Go get your wife a drink."
Danny rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'm going." He winked at Lindsay before turning and heading for the bar set up at the far end of the room.
"So," Joe said, leaning back in his chair and looking appraisingly at Lindsay. "Feeling better? What was it – a stomach bug?"
"Um… yeah. Something like that," Lindsay replied, lowering her eyes to the table, toying with the cutlery at her place setting. "But, yes. I am feeling better, thank you."
"Good to know," Joe said. He took a sip of his beer and chuckled. "Maria will be disappointed though. As soon as she heard you had an upset stomach… well, you can guess where her mind went right off the bat," he laughed. "Practically had to wrestle her to the ground to keep her from calling everyone she knows to tell them you were pregnant again."
Lindsay laughed nervously. She knew that – like her own parents – Joe and Maria were eager to welcome another grandchild into the fold. But she and Danny had decided to keep the news to themselves at least until they could confirm it officially with her doctor. And although there was no doubt in her mind – nor in Danny's – that she was pregnant, there was no sense in getting everyone else's hopes up if it was a false alarm.
"So… how've you been?" Lindsay asked, trying to sidestep the subject. "I know it's only been like a week, but it feels like forever since we last saw you guys."
"Oh, you know," Joe said with an amiable wave of his hand. "Same old, same old. Maria's got a thousand chores for me to do around the house and I keep coming up with creative ways to get out of doing them."
Lindsay grinned knowingly at her father-in-law. "So that's where Danny gets it from," she said, earning a hoot of laughter from Joe.
"Yeah, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess," he conceded. "Now, if you'll excuse me for a bit, I'm going to go and see if there's any food left at the buffet. And if you plan on eating tonight, you might want to think about doing the same."
"We will. Thanks, Dad."
Joe smiled as he sauntered toward the long table at the far end of the room.
"There you go, Linds," Danny said, placing a wineglass brimming with sparkling amber liquid down in front of Lindsay before taking a seat beside her. She turned to him with wide eyes.
"Danny!" she hissed, leaning in so only he could hear. "I can't drink that! I'm not supposed to…"
Danny cut her off by placing a firm kiss to her lips. "Relax, Linds," he soothed. "I'm not an idiot. I know wine is off the menu for you." He smiled and stroked her cheek. "But I also know my mother. And if you don't have a glass of something in your hand, she'll know something's up." He clinked his glass against hers before raising it to his lips. "Bottoms up."
"So… I'm just supposed to wave this glass around and pretend to drink from it?" Lindsay grumbled mulishly, glaring at him as he sipped at his own beverage. "Gee, thanks Dan. Sounds like fun."
Danny rolled his eyes. "It's sparkling apple juice, ya goof."
Lindsay lowered her gaze to the glass on the table before her, picking it up and tentatively sniffing the contents. She took a cautious sip of the fizzling liquid. It was sweet and tangy and bubbly. A smile lit Lindsay's face and she shook her head. "Smarter than you look, Messer," she teased before cupping his face in her hands and pressing a lingering kiss to his lips. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," he replied. "Now, I don't know about you, but I'm about ready to eat my own arm. I'm gonna go get some dinner. You want me to get you a plate too?"
Lindsay shook her head. "Thanks, Dan. But I'll do it myself. I won't know what I want until I see what's there."
Danny smiled. "Well I had a peek while I was waiting at the bar and they've got lots of pickles…" He laughed and nimbly got to his feet, ducking away from the playful smack Lindsay aimed in his direction.
"What?" Lindsay asked, feeling Danny's eyes on her. She covered her mouth with her hand, chewing and swallowing before she glanced up at him. "Why are you staring at me?"
Danny shook his head. "I just… I was wondering where you put it all," he said, his voice laced with incredulity. "I mean you just ate twice as much as me. You got a hollow leg I don't know about?"
Lindsay frowned. "I was hungry," she explained simply.
"Apparently," Danny said, his eyes twinkling. "You done? Or do you want me to get you some more?"
"Well not if you're going to make fun of me," Lindsay shot back, setting down her fork and glaring at her husband out of the corner of her eye.
Danny's expression softened and he leaned in to press an apologetic kiss to her cheek. "I'm sorry, babe," he said contritely. "It's just… I don't think I've ever seen you eat so much in one sitting before. I'm kind of impressed, actually."
Lindsay snorted before begrudgingly admitting that she was full. She delicately wiped her mouth with her napkin before setting it aside and turning to Danny. "You should be impressed," she replied, gazing up at him through coyly lowered lashes. "I figured I'd need to keep my strength up seeing as you promised me a night of passion," she said, reaching out one hand and placing it on his leg, skimming her palm lightly up and down his thigh. "You said you'd spend all night showing me how much you love me if I wanted it."
Danny's eyes darkened and she heard him growl softly in the back of his throat. When he spoke, his voice was low and gruff. "Yeah. I did."
Lindsay leaned in, pressing her lips to his ear. "I want it," she purred.
"And you say that I'm insatiable," Danny replied in a low, husky drawl.
Lindsay smiled, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before turning her attention back to the other occupants of their table. Lucy had finished her dinner and was once again holding court with her grandparents and a small crowd of admiring relatives.
"Oh, Maria," cooed one woman while gently pinching Lucy's rosy cheek, "She's just beautiful."
"Isn't she?" Maria replied with more than a hint of pride in her voice as she bounced a giggling Lucy on her lap.
"She looks just like Danny did when he was her age," said another white-haired woman.
Maria nodded her head. "Yes… except for the nose. I think she's definitely got her mother's nose." With her free hand, Maria gestured across the table to where Danny and Lindsay were sitting. "Annette, Flo; this is my daughter-in-law, Lindsay. Lindsay dear, these are Danny's aunts, Annette and Flora."
"Hi," Lindsay said, raising one hand to wave in greeting. The aunts nodded their heads and smiled, each giving Lindsay a quick, appraising once-over before turning their attention back to a very receptive Lucy.
"I see what you mean about the nose," Flo said. "Definitely not the Messer nose."
Lindsay furrowed her brow. "What's wrong with her nose?" she whispered in Danny's ear.
Chuckling, Danny shook his head. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with it," he replied. "It's perfect. Just like yours."
"Hmph," Lindsay huffed, feeling slightly put out. "They don't seem to think so."
Danny slid his arm around Lindsay's shoulders, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her temple. "Who cares what they think?" he asked. "Besides, I'd much rather have Lucy with a cute little button nose like yours than the Messer beak they all seem so fond of."
Lindsay turned to smile at Danny. She gently poked the tip of his nose. "I like your beak."
"Gee, thanks babe," Danny laughed, leaning in to steal another kiss from his wife. "So," he asked, "You feeling brave? I think it's time I took you around to meet the family."
"I guess so," Lindsay said, feeling more than a little nervous.
"Come on. You'll be fine," Danny encouraged, getting to his feet and offering his hand to help her up.
"I guess so," Lindsay sighed, pushing her chair back from the table and hesitantly taking Danny's hand. He smiled and raised their joined hands, brushing his lips against her knuckles.
"I promise they're gonna love you," he vowed.
"How can you be so sure?" Lindsay asked.
"Because I love you," he replied simply.
"Where are you kids off to?" Joe Messer asked, noticing the couple getting up from the table.
Danny grinned at his father. "I'm gonna show of my beautiful girl, here," he said, shooting a wink in Lindsay's direction. "You guys okay with Luce for a bit?"
"We'll be fine, son. Don't you worry," Joe assured them. "Besides, I don't think you could pry Lucy from her Nona's arms right now if you tried," he chuckled, casting an indulgent glance at his wife and granddaughter. "You two have fun."
Lindsay breathed in a deep lungful of cool, crisp night air as she stepped out onto the balcony outside the private dining hall reserved for the guests of Julie and Dario's wedding.
Her own family gatherings tended to be small, quiet affairs. Danny's family, on the other hand, were noisy and gregarious. Of course she'd been to smaller events at Danny's parents' home before – Nonie's birthday party, for example – and had found them a lot of fun. Not that she wasn't enjoying herself tonight. She just needed a few moments of quiet before she returned to the loud, boisterous crowd inside.
She heard the sound of the door opening behind her and soon a pair of strong arms encircled her waist, lips pressing gentle kisses to the column of her neck.
"Hey, baby," she said, smiling as Danny paused to nibble on the tender skin behind her ear.
"Well, it's official," Danny murmured, nuzzling his cheek against hers. "You're a huge hit with my family. Not that I ever thought you wouldn't be. How could they not love you?"
Lindsay smiled, closing her eyes and leaning contentedly back into Danny's warm embrace. From the moment Danny had begun to whisk her around the dining room after finishing their meal, she had been the object of more than a few curious glances. Danny proudly led her around the room introducing her to members of his family she hadn't had a chance to meet before, and by the time they'd made their rounds, he'd been practically bursting with pride, causing Lindsay's cheeks to flush with colour.
"Mmm… actually I think that Lucy was the bigger hit," she replied demurely. "She's got every single person in that room wrapped around her little finger already."
"Well, that goes without saying," Danny chuckled. "But to hear my mom tell it, Lucy is more her accomplishment than yours and mine."
"Can you blame her? And just think," Lindsay mused, "In a few months, she'll have another grandbaby to show off at these big family things."
She turned her head, glancing up at Danny who was smiling tenderly down at her. He lowered his face, pressing his lips to hers in a delicate kiss as his hands gently caressed her belly through the fabric of her dress. "I love you," he said softly.
"I know you do, Danny," Lindsay replied. "And I love you too. So much." She leaned back against him once more, signing in contentment as she looked up at him over her shoulder. "I am so happy right now. I'm happy to be here in this beautiful place. I'm happy to just be… with you."
Danny's lips curled into a lopsided grin. "Wow," he said. "Those pregnancy hormones really do make you go all sappy, don't they?"
Lindsay sighed and rolled her eyes. "You are such a jerk," she moaned. "Way to ruin the moment, Romeo."
"I'm only kidding, babe," Danny replied, his grin broadening into a full-fledged smile. "You know I'm crazy about you."
"Well, I know you're crazy," Lindsay quipped, laughing when Danny narrowed his eyes at her. She could see the muscles in his jaw working hard to maintain the illusion of seriousness, but soon the corners of his lips began to twitch and his eyes crinkled in a smile. "Come here, baby," Lindsay said, her fingers grasping the collar of Danny's shirt, pulling him closer and she raised herself up onto her tiptoes, eager to feel his lips on hers.
He drew his tongue along the seam of her lips and she willingly parted them, allowing him entrance to explore her mouth, which he did readily. His arms tightened around her and in turn, Lindsay's fingers slid up into his hair, tugging the short, fine strands and causing Danny to moan into her open mouth.
Both were so involved in one another, that neither heard the sound of the balcony doors opening.
"Danny?" A female voice asked. "Danny, are you… Oops. Sorry."
Unwillingly parting from his wife's lips, Danny turned and grinned at Jamie, who stood awkwardly in the doorway, clearly embarrassed at having interrupted their intimate moment. "Hey, Jamie."
"I'm so sorry," she repeated. "I didn't mean to…" Jamie broke off and smiled apologetically at Lindsay. "Hi Lindsay. Again."
"Hi Jamie," Lindsay replied, sliding her arm possessively around Danny's waist. "What can we do for you?"
"Um… actually, I was hoping that I could borrow Danny for a few minutes," Jamie said, her eyes flicking between husband and wife. "I promise I'll bring him back in once piece."
"You better," Lindsay muttered under her breath. Plastering a smile on her face, she spoke aloud. "Of course," she replied before turning to Danny. "I'll just go check on Lucy."
"Thanks, babe," Danny smiled, lowering his face to place a quick kiss to his wife's lips. "I'll just be a few… mmph!" His sentence was cut off as Lindsay took a firm hold of the front of his shirt with one hand as the other wound its way around to the back of his head, pulling his face down to hers and sealing her mouth over his. Danny moaned softly as Lindsay's tongue flicked teasingly against his. And as quickly as it had begun, it was over. Lindsay pulled back, delicately licking her lips before giving him a self-satisfied smile.
"I'll see you inside," she said, straightening his collar and combing her fingers through his hair which stood askew atop his head. "Don't keep me waiting too long, cowboy." With that she shot him a wink before turning and gliding toward the door, her hips swaying seductively as she walked. Danny watched her go, staring dumbfoundedly at the closed door for a few seconds longer, his brain still lingering on her unexpected and heated kiss.
"So… cowboy, huh?" Jamie asked, her tone teasing and an amused expression on her face as she took in her friend's lust-addled appearance.
Danny gave his head a shake before grinning somewhat shyly at Jamie. "It's a Montana thing," he explained, earning a knowing smile from his friend. "Shut up," he said, blushing. "What do you want?"
Still smiling, Jamie took a step toward him, one hand moving to her purse. "I wanted to give this to you before I lost it," she said, pulling a long, slender velvet box from her handbag.
Taking the box from her, Danny cracked it open and snuck a peek at the contents. He let out a low, appreciative whistle. "Wow. That's… holy shit. Thank you, Jamie. It's beautiful."
"I told you," she replied with a grin.
"Yeah, but you could have just been blowing your own horn," Danny teased. Turning serious, he carefully lifted the delicate silver necklace from the box and held it up so he could examine the elegant craftsmanship. Several months earlier he had gone to Jamie with an idea for a gift for Lindsay. Jamie had always had an eye for art and fashion and after high school, she had gone on to pursue a career in graphic design, before she had finally found herself working as a jewelry designer. She had taken his idea and not only brought it to life, but made if far more beautiful than Danny had dared to hope.
Lindsay wasn't one for flashy jewelry. In fact, other than her wedding and engagement ring, she rarely wore any jewelry unless they were going out for a special event of some kind. But he hoped that the pendant Jamie had designed - two fine strands of silver forming a pair of hearts intricately woven together with a trail of tiny diamonds embedded around the edge – was something he would see her wear more often.
"Wow," Danny repeated, placing the necklace back into the box. He looked up at his friend and smiled. "Thank you so much, Jamie. It's just… it's exactly what I wanted for her."
"You are so welcome my friend," Jamie replied, obviously pleased with his response. "I'm just happy that I could do this for you. I mean, when you get married without telling anyone, you make it kind of hard for your friends to get you a wedding present."
Danny's head shot up. "What? No. Jamie…"
But Jamie held up a silencing hand and shook her head. "It's no good to argue with me Danny Messer. You're money is no good to me," she insisted. "I wanted to do something for you two, and when you asked me to do this…" she trailed off and shrugged her shoulders.
Danny smiled, tucking the box containing the necklace into his pocket. He reached out and pulled Jamie into a tight hug. "Thank you."
Jamie pulled back, giving Danny's cheek an affectionate pinch. "No problem, Danny. What are friends for? Now," she said, stepping back and gesturing to the door leading into the room where the party was still in full swing, "I believe I promised your wife I'd have you back to her in a few minutes and we're out of time. Besides," she continued, heading for the door, "You still haven't introduced me to the other lady in your life. I hear Lucy looks just like you."
"Nah. She's got her mom's nose," Danny quipped as he followed Jamie through the door in search of his family.
Thanks for hanging in there! I hope you enjoyed this update. Keep checking back for more!
As always, your comments are always welcome, so please feel free to leave a review!
*rhymes*
