Home of David and Fran Rossi –
"They look so happy."
Fran had never seen her son this way; she had always wondered if he would ever truly be happy. His past had convinced him that he was unworthy of anything that resembled happiness. Fran exhaled a breath of relief as Dave wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tightly against him.
"Yes, they do."
Things had worked out better than any of them had hoped and not only did Derek and Penelope deserve this day, they all did. It was a day of hope and in their line of work they needed a reminder every now and then that there was some good in the world.
"You and the girls did an amazing job pulling this together, Bella."
"Thank you, Dave. I just hope it's everything they wanted."
"Look at them, they have never been so happy."
Everything had gone off without a hitch even the weather had been the best it had been in weeks. Everyone that was important to the newlyweds were in attendance and the food and music were amazing. Fran couldn't help but have visions of grandbabies in her future.
The dancing and music and never-ending food continued well into the night and it seemed as if no one was in a hurry to leave. Derek and Penelope strode hand in hand making sure to thank everyone individually for coming and sharing their wedding day with them.
Raphael made sure to stay out of sight he wasn't ready to be seen quite yet. He'd enjoyed the day as he fumbled with the small black device in his pocket. He watched as Derek and Penelope waved goodbye to their guests and pulled away from the mansion in a large black limousine. Without being noticed he followed the couple careful not to lose them in traffic.
Four Seasons Resort – Evening –
Derek and Penelope could hardly wait to get to their room. It had been a long day, but they were determined to spend the night showing each other just how much in love they were. Derek waited impatiently for the elevator to crawl down to the lobby from the twenty-fifth floor.
"What is up with this elevator?"
"Patience, my love; patience."
"How can I be patient when all I want to do is get you out of that wedding dress and …
Ping…
"Finally!"
Derek pulled his bride into the elevator and before she could respond he kissed her passionately on the lips. Penelope returned the kiss as she felt her husband's hands roaming up and down her body.
"Derek…"
"I want you so bad, Baby Girl."
"Not as bad as I want you, Handsome."
She kissed him again to prove her point.
Just as the door was about to close an arm forced its way in causing the door to spring open. Derek and Penelope exchanged eye rolls and giggles as the stranger stepped inside. Raphael made it a point not to stare as he held his head down and took his place behind the newlyweds. Lightly, he tapped the device in his pocket and watched the man react against the sensation shooting through his body. Then in an instant, he was back to himself with the bride being none the wiser. He pushed it again.
"Derek?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you have the key?"
Ping…
"Here's our floor and yes, Baby Girl I have the key."
The happy couple stepped off the elevator and so did Raphael pretending to go in the opposite direction; pushing the device again…just a light tap for good measure. The gold-plated sign at their room read, "P-H" and both bride and groom could hardly wait to open the door.
"Oh Derek, this room is amazing!"
"Wow, the Penthouse; David really out did himself this time!"
The room was beautifully decorated with red, purple and white roses and a tray filled with decadent snacks and bottles of champagne on ice that sat near the large sliding glass door. The cityscape illuminated the sky and everything looked and felt like a fairytale. The two who never expected true love had finally found it in each other.
"This looks amazing but all I want to do is make love to my wife." Derek began.
"Well as good as all this looks there's nothing here that can't wait."
Derek loved her in the antique-white lace dress; it hugged her magnificent curves perfectly, but all he could think about was how amazing she would look out of the dress. Penelope loved Derek in a tuxedo but right now it was blocking her view of his amazing body. Piece by piece their clothes littered the floor and the couple lost themselves in each other.
"You're real."
Derek began peppering her neck with light feather kisses taking care to not miss any spot as he trailed down to her collarbone and neck and back to her lips.
"Of course."
"And it's true; I am a lucky guy."
Penelope was finding it hard to concentrate as Derek's hands slowly began to move over her body.
"Oh…the song…I re-remember…"
"I love you Mrs. Morgan."
"I love you too Mr. Morgan; now make love to me."
"Is this how it's going to be; you bossing me around?"
"Yes, so you better get used to it, mister!" She joked pulling him down on the bed.
"I think I'm going to like being married to you, Baby Girl."
There was a knock at the door. The newlyweds tried to ignore it, but the knock came again and again.
"Didn't you put the, Do-Not-Disturb sign on the door, Hot Stuff?"
"Of course."
The knock came again this time with more force.
"Hotel Security! I hate to disturb you but it's an emergency!"
"Damn!"
Derek grabbed his pants and pulled them on and headed toward the door; Penelope moved toward the bathroom out of sight. Just before Derek reached the doorknob, the knock came again. Derek angrily jerked the door open.
Raphael smiled at the man; obviously, he had interrupted something. He glanced past Derek to see that the bed was empty. He pushed the button; holding it down until he saw Derek's face relax and the anger in his eyes was replaced with a glassy blank stare.
"Now, that's better. Hello Derek, remember me?"
"No, please…"
"Did you think we were through with you, Derek?"
Raphael pressed the button again and his prey grimaced in pain.
"Stop, please!" He pleaded.
"Your government has a special job for you, agent Morgan."
Derek didn't respond he just stood in place as Raphael paced a small circle around him. Then stopping he leaned in and whispered in Derek's ear.
"Do you understand?"
Derek nodded his head.
"Good, very good, agent."
"Why are you making me do this?"
Raphael frowned and pressed the button again sending Derek to his knees.
"No questions. Do you understand your orders?"
"Yes, I understand." He moaned struggling to his feet.
"Good very good. Now enjoy your wedding night and I'll see you tomorrow. Don't disappoint me."
"I won't disappoint you."
Penelope heard the door close and she assumed that it was safe to come out. She sauntered over to her husband letting the robe lazily fall from her shoulders to the floor. Derek stood unmoving staring toward the door.
"I didn't think he'd ever leave! What was the emergency?"
"Each day through my window I watch her as she passes by. I say to myself you're such a lucky guy, to have a girl like her is truly a dream come true. Out of all the fellows in the world she belongs to me." He sang as if in a trance.
Derek slowly turned to face his bride; his eyes brimming with tears. She was touched and she thought back to the night that he had sung that same song to her just before he asked her to marry him' she had no idea that he could sing.
"You're a man of many talents Derek. I had no idea until that night that you had such a beautiful voice."
Derek took her hand and led her back to the bed. One by one the tears dropped and rolled down his face. Gently he pushed her down on the bed and then climbed in next to her. The room was filled with the sounds of their kisses that led to moans as his hands occupied themselves with her body.
"I love you Penelope, do you believe me?"
She saw something in his eyes, just past the tears something that she'd never seen before. He locked his eyes on her as he climbed between her legs and entered her. She wanted him more than anything but there was something different and she didn't know what it was.
"Yes, of course I believe you."
He made love to her with a passion that seemed almost other worldly as if he were making love to her for the first and last time all at once.
"I'm sorry." He whispered in her ear.
She was getting closer to her release and so was he, but he wasn't ready for it end; not yet and so he slowed his pace making her wait just a while longer.
"Derek?"
"I'll always love you, Baby Girl."
She was so close, so close, and so was he; his body began to tremble slow at first then faster as he picked up his pace. He kissed her hard over and over as he moaned out her name. She couldn't hold it any longer, digging her nails into his back sending him over the edge. The two found their release in each other's arms and their moans of pleasure sounded like a dark symphony.
Derek collapsed next to her, his face still stained with his tears and wrapped her in his arms tightly as if afraid to let her go. She laid her head on him and listened as his heartbeat loudly in his chest. She never felt so fulfilled and so loved but she couldn't get the look in his eyes out her mind. She'd never seen that look before and just as his heartbeat was slowing and he began to fall asleep she realized what the look was…it was fear.
###
"Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them," I said."Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway."― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
THE END
(Stay tuned for the sequel…)