Chapter 51
Iris
Sometime after dinner, when we were back at Bellatio, we were all sitting in the living room, relaxed by what the day had given us. Our friends were chatting about all kinds us things, but Drake and I were occupied, living in a bubble. We were sitting on the floor, in front of the fire. His back against the couch, and I was sitting between his legs, leaning against his chest. His arms were wrapped around me, Pilou was on my lap, and I hadn't felt safe like that in weeks. He was stroking my arm while reading a book. He was reading it to me softly, and I was listening contentedly. I grew calmer by the second… hearing his low voice and feeling his slow and steady heartbeat.
I was dozing off, and when my eyes had closed fully, I noticed the conversation changing to the events that happened last week. 'Is she asleep?' Hana whispered. I felt Drake move slightly, and then he nodded. 'What happened this morning?' Jimmy asked, and Maxwell sighed. 'I ran into her in the hallway, she was crying. We didn't speak about it, but she was quite upset.' I kept pretending to be asleep, but I felt a lump forming in my throat. My friends were very worried, I knew that… but I wasn't ready to talk to anyone but Drake. He knew the story, and he was more than welcome to tell it, but I didn't want to. Yet.
And I wasn't ready to listen to it either.
I pretended to stir awake, and Drake tightened his arms around me. 'Do I need to take you to bed, or are you still comfortable?' He asked softly. I shook my head, 'I'm good,' I whispered, and nuzzled deeper into his chest. I really was, I had no intention of getting up… but I needed them to discuss something else.
Drake continued reading to me, until this time, I really did fall asleep, and felt him carry me up to our room later that night.
We spent our days like that, just trying to get back to "normal". Taking time together after the past few weeks, and of course, getting to know each other even better. We'd already gotten married after having known each other for seven months. It was crazy, but I couldn't imagine it any other way.
Finally, I woke up next to Drake on our actual wedding day, the 14th of July. 'Morning, future husband,' I joked. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him. 'Mornin', Walker.' My stomach tingled as I looked at him. 'You're ready to marry me again?' He looked amused. 'Well I have to admit I'm a lot less nervous this time.' I let out a laugh. 'You up for this?' He asked, while he let his hand stroke my back softly, giving me goosebumps all over.
'I'm ready,' I said, and smiled. 'After everything that's happened, I wasn't sure whether I'd make it to the aisle to be honest.' I looked into his eyes, which grew honey coloured. 'Me neither, Valentine,' he admitted. I smiled bigger, 'and now I'll make it to the aisle two times in a row!' His eyes widened. 'Don't jinx it!' He gasped. I raised my eyebrows amused, as I knocked on our headboard three times. 'Consider it unjinxed. Don't tell me you've gone all superstitious, right? Because you've been taunting Jimmy for that.' He frowned at first, then grinned. 'Jimmy is incredibly superstitious about everything. I'm just trying to keep you safe for once.'
I chuckled and thought back of the first time I'd seen Jimmy's behaviour. Back when he and Emma were planning their first wedding, and Emma had accidentally dropped a mirror…
'Hey babe, I dropped a mirror. You've got a broom somewhere?' Emma asked, as she walked into the living room, after we'd heard glass scattering. Jimmy's eyes had widened, and he rubbed his arms. 'You broke a mirror?' Emma frowned, 'yes, why?' Drake grinned at me as Jimmy's entire composure crumbled. 'He's superstitious,' he whispered into my ear. 'I'm not superstitious, Drake,' Jimmy snapped, and stood up, walking over to the bathroom where Emma had broken the mirror. Emma looked at Drake, being very surprised. Drake chuckled and bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself in check. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and stuck his index finger in the air, indicating Jimmy was about to flip.
'I just need to head to the kitchen for a second, that's where the broom is,' Jimmy said quickly, and walked out of the bathroom, his face pale as he almost ran over to the kitchen. 'He's getting salt,' Drake hissed. I pressed my lips together to keep myself from laughing, and the expression on Emma's face was still completely incredulous. We heard him rummage through the kitchen cabinets, and finally, we heard footsteps. 'He's turning around three times, and throwing salt over his left shoulder,' Drake whispered. I burst into laughter, and accidentally snorted. Jimmy appeared in the doorway, staring at Drake, his arms folded. 'We weren't speaking of this ever again, remember?' I laughed even harder, and Drake's laugh broke through too.
'Jimmy…' Emma chuckled, and walked up to him, stroking his shoulder. 'You have a bit of salt… on your shoulder.' Jimmy glared at her, causing her to laugh too. 'Here I was, thinking you were this statue of composure and stability.' She paused and tried her best to take a deep breath, yet she kept laughing in between words. 'BUT YOU'RE A TOTAL NUTJOB!' Jimmy's face grew red. Emma giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. 'Don't worry, you're my nutjob.'
I giggled. 'God, Jimmy really is something else, indeed.' Drake chuckled, and stretched his arms while yawning. 'Is there a reason you set your alarm this early? It's half past seven, Valentine.' At first I was a bit mesmerised by his gorgeous abs during his stretch, but then I quickly nodded. 'Final dress fitting,' I said, and was about to get up when he pulled me back. 'Don't make me cry,' he warned, a coy smile playing on his lips. I let my hand go through his hair, and he grabbed his softly, kissing my wrist. 'Totally planning on it,' I said, and kissed his cheek lovingly. He chuckled and shook his head. 'Could've known.'
I grinned, and got up, walking over to my closet while naked. I had hardly crossed the doorstep, when I felt Drake's body heat behind me. I felt his hands on my hips, and I felt myself spin around, and I was pressed against the door. The coldness of the door made me shriek, but it didn't take long for me to feel like a was on fire, as Drake's lips trailed kisses down my neck to my collarbone. He raised my right leg, letting his hand glide all over it. I moaned softly, and he rolled his hips against mine, pressing his hardness against me. My hands slid up his abs, towards his hair, tugging it softly. He groaned as he saw me bite my lip seductively. He grabbed my hips and lifted me, wrapping my legs around his waist and continued kissing my neck.
'Drake,' I moaned, and tugged his hair somewhat harder. He grinned coyly as he pulled away, letting his hands trail down my body. 'Just giving you a heads up for what's about to go down tonight,' he whispered in my ear. I bit my lip and felt multiple sparks between my legs as he put me down slowly. 'You won't be getting any tonight,' I whispered back. He raised his eyebrows, 'how can you be so sure?' I grinned, 'because I'll be stuffing my face with the apple-shaped wedding cake until I can hardly walk anymore!' He let out a laugh and pressed a kiss onto my lips. 'You're weird.' I smiled and pressed one more kiss onto his lips before walking off to get some clothes. 'And you love it.'
We got dressed, brushed our teeth and walked downstairs, still completely giddy about getting married. Again. We found my parents in the living room, and they were watching old home movies with Tim and Hana. 'Iris, leave when you still can,' Tim gasped. 'Oh, not a chance,' Drake chuckled as he sat down next to Hana. Tim and my eyes met, and his were widened. 'Don't tell me…' I started, when I heard the tones.
"I'm your basic average boy, and I'm here to save the world, you can't stop me 'cause I'm TIM VA-LEN-TINE," I heard eight year old Tim sing. "There's nothing I can't do, and when danger calls just know that I'm on my way. Doesn't matter where or when there's trouble… if you just call my name IRIS VA-LEN-TINE!" 'Fuck,' I whispered, and frowned while folding my arms. "Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me, when you want to page me it's okay. Whenever you need me baby… call me, beep me, if you want to reach me!" Eight year old Tim and I were dancing and singing on stage, during a third grade performance.
'This is so cute!' Hana called. 'Best rendition of Kim Possible ever.' She kissed Tim's cheek. Drake grinned at me, and my cheeks grew red. 'Seriously, on my wedding day?' I grumbled at my parents. Mom chuckled, 'of course. Hana's right, the two of you were so cute!' Dad grinned, 'and totally cool, or that's what you claimed to be.' Tim and I blushed and folded our arms at the same time. 'Our Valentwins!' 'Mooooom!' We whined in unison. 'I thought you had a dress fitting to go to, Valentine,' Drake said amused, as he made himself comfortable on the couch, leaning onto a pillow. I glared at him. 'Right, I have to go to!' Hana said as she jumped up and wrapped her arm around my shoulders.
'Let's go, bride!' I smiled, shrugging off the performance. Today was my day, damn it. I leaned towards Drake, and kissed his lips. 'Behave, Walker,' I said, and smiled cheekily. He smiled and folded his arms, 'do I ever?' I chuckled and held up my hand. He sighed and grabbed the keys to his car out of his pocket. 'I feel like I should tell you to behave. The tickets you get will reflect on me, you know?' I grinned as he put the keys in my hand. 'Challenge accepted.' 'Iris!' Mom gasped, but dad chuckled. 'Bree, come on. The fact that she has never had a ticket yet is an accomplishment.' He looked at Tim and frowned. 'Tim, however.' Tim sighed. 'You shouldn't have raised me with Need For Speed on the PlayStation, dad.' I grinned, and Drake shook his head. 'Same goes for the other twin.' I raised my hands in the air, and waved quickly while letting Hana drag me towards the kitchen.
We found Emma, Jimmy and Maxwell there… still discussing the fucking cake. 'LET IT GO, WE'RE LATE!' Hana said, her voice almost bossy, causing Emma to look up, impressed. 'Damn, Lee, well done.' Hana smiled big, and pulled Emma with us as well. I was about to grab a banana, when Hana continued. 'IT'S IN MY PURSE, LET'S GO!' I giggled and waved at Jimmy and Maxwell.
Hana and Savannah were my bridesmaids, and Emma's sisters, Marie and Lauren were hers. We'd be meeting the other three down at the boutique. I stepped behind the wheel of Drake's car, and just knew he was watching. 'I have to pull a stunt, my apologies in advance,' I told the girls. 'Couldn't imagine it any other way,' Emma grinned.
Jimmy
We were standing in front of the window, waving at the girls. It was a Valentine usual, everyone who would leave deserved a proper send off. The girls stepped into Drake's car, and he folded his arms. 'She's pulling a stunt, I just know it,' he grumbled. Iris started the car, and drove off performing a donut before disappearing out of sight.
Maxwell, Tim, Mark and I laughed, and Bree shook her head. 'You ruined her,' she told Mark, who only chuckled. 'That's my daughter,' he said proudly, causing Drake to glare at him too. 'That's my car.' I grinned at him. 'Like you care about your car. You've never cared about cars.' He feigned hurt by putting his hand on his heart. 'The moment my fiancée is able to do a fucking donut, yeah well then I'm going to care about my car.' Maxwell grinned even bigger. 'You're just jealous.' Drake raised his eyebrows. 'That obvious, heh?' We chuckled and Mark raised his hands at Bree, who was still glaring at him. 'So, breakfast?' Tim suggested.
About fifteen minutes later, we were all sitting at the table. Tim, Maxwell, Drake, Mark, Bree and I. 'So this is what it's like, having boys,' Bree joked, as we'd been discussing the Fast and the Furious movies, and which cars are best to race in. 'Sorry, mom,' Tim chuckled. 'How are you doing, Bree?' Drake asked, while buttering his toast, a frown on his face. 'It's been one hell of a week.' She sighed as she put her hand onto Drake's, letting out a half-heartedly smile. 'I'm okay, thank you darling. Glad everyone's okay, then we can start looking forward.' He shook his head slightly, a little smile on his face. 'You're just like your daughter, you know that?'
Bree smiled somewhat more genuinely now. 'I do.' She took in a deep breath. 'Letting out emotions, means acknowledging all that's happened. I think she's not ready to. Yet.' 'And neither are you?' Tim asked. She nodded. 'The fact that I had a sister… and a nephew I didn't know existed…' she paused and frowned. 'Let's just say things could've gone differently.' She looked at Drake and smiled. For real this time. 'But Drake, I am fine. Really. You're marrying my daughter today, and you make her so happy. You have no idea what that does to a mother's heart.' Drake's cheeks grew rosy. 'Thank you, Bree. You won't have to worry about her anymore.'
Bree snorted. 'Did you see her drive away? I don't think I'll ever stop worrying.' Drake chuckled. 'Okay, you won't have to worry about her heart, then.' She smiled. 'That I haven't in a while.' She then looked at me. 'And Jimmy… It's incredible to see Emma with someone like you. She's been part of our family for her entire life, and it makes me so happy to see how much you care for her.' She took my hand in hers. 'You are part of our family too, you know.' I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks as well. Before I could even reply, Maxwell shrieked. 'What about me?!' Bree chuckled. 'You are a part of our family too, Maxwell.' He cheered, and high fived Tim. 'Ever wanted a brother?' He asked. Tim chuckled, 'sometimes I definitely did, when Iris made me play with dolls again.' We all chuckled.
After breakfast, we had a schedule to follow. It wasn't as tight as the schedule the girls were on, but we had some things to do. Maxwell, as my best man, and Tim as Drake's best man, had arranged everything to be ready for us. At first, we helped the staff set up for the wedding, making sure everything looked perfect. The wedding would be at sunset, and I could hardly wait to see Emma ride up to me on the horse. Secondly, Drake and I had to practise the song we'd sing to Emma and Iris one more time, because due to all the happenings, we hadn't done that in a while. Then, we would have to get ready, and finally, I'd have to recite my vows, to make sure I wouldn't blank on them during moment supreme. I was a King… but I was still a man in love, nervous about everything going well during the wedding.
Drake was surprisingly calm throughout the day, and it was confusing. 'How are you not nervous?' Maxwell asked surprised, after a while, and I couldn't help but nod agreeingly. Drake shook his head, leaning against the doorframe and shrugged. 'Common sense. We've been through so much already, she could've made up her mind about ten times before… but she hasn't, so I'm guessing it's really happening.' I shook my head and sighed, 'always he realist.' He chuckled and put his hand on my shoulder. 'Come on, Jim. Emma's crazy about you, what could go wrong?' 'So many things,' Tim said, as he was ticking some "to do" boxes on his iPad.
'Tim!' Drake shot him a glare, and Tim flashed a cheeky grin, the same I'd seen on his sister so many times before when she was joking. 'Jimmy. I know Emma. She'll be there.' He stood up, and showed me the iPad. 'Not to dismiss the subject or anything, but you and Drake should go recite your vows now.' I took a deep breath and nodded. 'It's going to be great,' Drake said, reassuringly. 'Of course. And if it's not perfect, just think of the honeymoon, you'll be fine,' Maxwell joked. I let out a laugh and raised my eyebrows at him. 'Maxwell!' His eyes widened, 'please tell me this isn't about the cake again?' I chuckled and shook my head. 'How did you leave things with Isabelle?'
Tim gasped, 'yeah, how did that go?' Maxwell's cheeks grew red. 'I, ehh…' He blushed even more. 'Didn't I tell you I asked Iris and Emma to arrange one more seat?' Drake grinned, 'so you have a date to our wedding?' Maxwell walked over to the door. 'Yeah, I, well, so yeah, I just…' And before he finished, or… made sense… he was gone. Tim, Drake and I chuckled, and Drake shook his head. 'Hopefully, this one doesn't turn into an assassination. Might kill the first date vibe,' he said. I folded my arms. 'Just saying, but if anyone withholds Emma from walking down that aisle, again, I will go on a killing spree myself.' Tim nodded impressed, and Drake's eyebrows shot up, looking amused. 'Damn, King Jimmy.' I rubbed my neck and smiled sheepishly. 'I just want to get married.'
When Tim walked out of the room, a few minutes later, I asked Drake if I could hear his vows. 'I'm worried mine aren't good enough,' I said, a bit shy. His expression turned surprised. 'Of course they're good enough, as long as they come from the heart, Emma's going to love it,' he said, but then smiled. 'I'm not going to say something heart wrenchingly beautiful or anything.' I chuckled. 'Those words are just for her ears?' He nodded, 'yeah, something like that.' I sighed. 'Tell me. Takes my mind off mine, even if it's just a few minutes.'
Drake smiled. 'Man, you're going to be riled up until she walks down that aisle, aren't you?' I frowned slightly. 'Probably. Same goes for Iris. I want them both up front with us, no drama this time. No shot wounds, no ruined wedding dresses, no first aid kits…' He cut me off with a cough. 'I need to stop you right there. Bree, Iris and Tim are there. First aid kits are probably needed.' I let out a genuine laugh, 'oh right, and any other Carmichael, right?'
We suddenly fell silent. Bree didn't have any other family, because her father had been an only child as well… The only other Carmichael had passed away in Australia. Our eyes met, and we had the same look on our faces. It's over. We got through it. No one could hurt us anymore.
Or so we thought, for a while.
