Sin City Wedding

"I don't think so."

She raised herself on tiptoe so they were almost eye-to-eye. "Well, I do. I think you should do it. And I'm not going to stop bringing the subject up until you do."

"We've only been married two days and already you're nagging me."

For the first time since they arrived at the hospital she felt like smiling. "Start out as you mean to go on, I always say."

"Good thing I know how to keep you quiet."

"How?" she asked, smiling teasingly up at him.

"Like this," he said, lowering his head and taking her mouth in a kiss that said things he'd never say with words. That embrace said thank-you and I'll be there for you. She clung to his broad shoulders and kissed him with the same intensity.

* * *

When his parents returned to the room, he reluctantly let Larissa go. A storm raged inside him. He'd never felt so helpless as he had on the drive to the hospital. He was used to focusing on a goal and achieving it. And tonight had shown him that life with Larissa and Peter was going to be anything but predictable.

Since they'd landed back in Savannah, he'd realized that the only thing he wanted was some peace and quiet with his small family. He wanted what his folks had always had, but he didn't know that he was worthy of that kind of bond. He'd played around with women for so long that, even though Larissa made him feel things that he'd never experienced before, he wasn't sure he could be the kind of man she needed.

She moved across the room toward his mother and Jake wondered how Larissa felt about suddenly having an extended family. He wouldn't give up being a Danforth for anything, he realized.

"How's Peter doing?" his mom asked.

"Better. He's finally sleeping," Larissa said.

"I hope this attack wasn't brought on by anything at our house."

"I'm sure it wasn't, Miranda. He had a great time visiting with you."

"We enjoyed having him there. God, I miss having a little boy in the house."

Jake loved his parents, but he wanted them to go so he could hold Larissa in his lap again and keep an eye on both her and Peter. "It's been a long night."

"Yes, it has," his dad said.

"I'm thirsty, I think I'll go down to the vending machine and get a Diet Coke. Want to go with me, Miranda?" Larissa asked.

"Sure, dear. Do you want anything, Jake?"

"Coke would be great, Mom."

Larissa followed Miranda toward the door. At the entrance, she paused and looked at Jake. Talk to your dad, she mouthed. Bossy woman, he thought as she disappeared.

His father leaned over Peter, brushing back his hair. "He looks so much like you."

Jake crossed to the other side of the bed and leaned down over his son. "Yeah, he does."

"This takes me back. Remember that summer you broke your arm?"

"Do I. I couldn't play soccer for six weeks."

"That's right. You missed out on winning that MVP trophy you'd had your eye on."

"I got it the next year."

"You were always good at winning."

"Yes, I was."

"You okay, son?"

Jake shrugged. It didn't matter that he was over thirty and owned a successful business. He still felt like a boy in his dad's presence. His father was a man who had it all and made it look easy. Not even the disappearance of his youngest sister, Victoria, had phased Harold. He'd still held the family together and kept everyone focused on finding her. Jake didn't think he'd ever be the man his father was.

"Having a kid is a double-edged sword," his dad said suddenly.

"What do you mean?"

"Just that you do your damnedest to protect them and then out of the blue something you can't control happens." His dad reached out and touched Peter's forehead. In that moment he saw on his father's face the same vulnerability that Jake felt toward his son.

"Like with Victoria," Jake said. He'd never really gotten over the guilt he'd felt at her disappearance. And he'd never shared with his dad the responsibility he bore toward the incident.

"Yes," his dad said, running his hands through his hair. "Good news on that front. The body in the attic at Crofthaven isn't hers."

Jake felt a sense of relief at the news. No one in the family had given any credence to the theory that the body had been Victoria's. They all knew she'd disappeared in Atlanta, not in Savannah. "I never believed it was."

"Me either. God, I wish I knew where she was," Harold said. Another crack appeared in Jake's image of his dad. His old man had always appeared so capable and confident. Jake hadn't realized that underneath was a man who had as many vulnerabilities as Jake had.

"Me too. You know I've never forgiven myself for not attending the concert with her. I shouldn't have bought her those tickets."