Page 25
Story: The Brat and the Bodyguard
I shrug, shooting a playful smile at the gorgeous redhead.
“Let them twist ... in the wind, that is. You’re not antisemitic, Ainsley. Everyone who matters knows that, and by marrying a Jewish man, you’re not just talking the talk. You’re walking the walk. You’re a woman of integrity, and incredible intelligence and compassion. I adore you, Ainsley. I love how you feel everything with every cell of your heart, and put 100% effort into everything you do, sweetheart. Marry me,” I say in a rough tone, the joking over. “Be my wife. Forever.”
With those words, the beautiful redhead throws her arms around my neck, peppering my face with kisses.
“Yes, oh yes, Karl. I do.”
Then, our lips join passionately, as I savor every curve of the beautiful woman’s body. But it’s not just the plus-size model’s curves that I’m after. It’s her sass, her pizzazz, her determination to succeed, her drive, her ambition, and her intelligence. I’m in love with Ainsley O’Lachlan ... and now it’s time for the world to know.
EPILOGUE
Ainsley
“So he didn’t ask you to convert?” Kristie whispers as we stand inside Castle Droghaire, looking out into the garden. It’s a gorgeous lawn, with landscaped hedges, sculpted topiaries, and best of all, a beautifulchuppaherected before fifty or so guests. The canopy is made of delicate white fabric, with trellised roses woven around the four poles holding it aloft. It’s a symbol of God’s presence at our wedding, and according to Jewish belief, the divine Name hovers above the canopy, sanctifying the space. We have a special surprise too. After our ceremony’s over, Karl and I are going to invite all couples present to stand below thechuppahto recall – or anticipate – their own weddings!
I smile with anticipation and excitement. This entire experience is romantic, extraordinary, and yet it feels so right too. Somehow the blend of my fiancé’s culture (thechuppah, rabbi, and other Jewish traditions) meld beautifully with my own (we’re currently at Castle Droghaire, the seat of my family in Ireland). Yes, I grew up in a medieval castle that the O’Lachlans built centuries ago. My brother Patrick lives here now with his wife and kids, and the children fill the hallways with laughter. Even crazier, Patrick got Ashley pregnant by accident when they were first dating, and my future sister-in-law hatched some hare-brained plan where she was going to hide within the castle walls with the new baby. Obviously, that was never going to happen. My brother found out and Patrick dragged her kicking and screaming to the altar, baby or no baby.
But everything worked out in the end. Patrick and Ashley are very happy together, and I have a beautiful niece Cloddagh, as well as a new little niece named Siobhan. Yes, my family’s leaning hard into Irish naming traditions, and I love seeing our culture and history continued.
So I smile at Kristie.
”No, Karl didn’t ask me to convert. He’s more culturally Jewish than anything, but that’s fine. Maybe we’ll try out the local synagogue in Vegas. Maybe we’ll move to Sweden. I’m not sure yet, but it’s going to be an adventure.
Kristie giggles.
“Yeah, definitely. You’re the girl who married her bodyguard, and he’ssooohunky too. Let me know if Karl has a friend for me!”
I laugh, smiling at my pretty friend.
“Well, Karl works alone most times, but I thought you were seeing someone. Aren’t you? Didn’t you meet someone at your sister’s wedding in Austin?”
She pauses, two spots of pink appearing on her cheeks.
“Oh that!” she says. “That wedding was a total shitshow. I’m sorry I didn’t update you on it, but yeah, family is family and mine is a mess. But this isn’t the time to talk, Ains, because Karl’s waiting. Oh my god, they’re starting the wedding march. Go, go!”
Then, she practically pushes me into the garden as the music swells. I smile beatifically, breathing in the clean spring air while nodding at our guests. But it’s the handsome man at the end of the aisle who makes my heart race. He’s dark and gorgeous, with blue eyes that positively sizzle as they meet mine across the way. Even better –this man is all mine.
I walk down the aisle slowly, our eye contact never breaking. Then, when I get to thechuppah, my fiancé invites me to step inside.
“Welcome, sweetheart,” he greets in a low voice. “Are you ready to start our lives together?”
I take Karl’s big hand in my small one, smiling up into his handsome face.
“I was born ready, big guy. Make me your wife.”
Then, we’re joined in a ceremony of love and happiness, that celebrates the old as well as the new. It blends religious tradition with modern dynamism, and I’ve never felt more loved, comfortable, and at ease. Even better, I’ve had so much good fortune in my life that I hope every woman in the world gets to experience a bit of the same. Right now, I’m focused on Kristie because I know something’s going on there. My pretty friend has been really evasive whenever she talks about her stepbrother, and I could swear that there’s something illicit going on there. Oooh, imagine that – a stepbrother dating the young woman who joined his family as a little girl. Taboo? Yes. But what will happen? We can only wait and see.
In the meantime, I smile at my handsome groom as he bends to kiss me.
“You’re mine,” he rasps. “All mine.”
“Yes,” I breathe against Karl’s lips. “Yours.”
Then, I’m swept into his embrace, those powerful arms holding me close to his broad chest. This is where I belong ... and this is always where home will be.
THE END
“Let them twist ... in the wind, that is. You’re not antisemitic, Ainsley. Everyone who matters knows that, and by marrying a Jewish man, you’re not just talking the talk. You’re walking the walk. You’re a woman of integrity, and incredible intelligence and compassion. I adore you, Ainsley. I love how you feel everything with every cell of your heart, and put 100% effort into everything you do, sweetheart. Marry me,” I say in a rough tone, the joking over. “Be my wife. Forever.”
With those words, the beautiful redhead throws her arms around my neck, peppering my face with kisses.
“Yes, oh yes, Karl. I do.”
Then, our lips join passionately, as I savor every curve of the beautiful woman’s body. But it’s not just the plus-size model’s curves that I’m after. It’s her sass, her pizzazz, her determination to succeed, her drive, her ambition, and her intelligence. I’m in love with Ainsley O’Lachlan ... and now it’s time for the world to know.
EPILOGUE
Ainsley
“So he didn’t ask you to convert?” Kristie whispers as we stand inside Castle Droghaire, looking out into the garden. It’s a gorgeous lawn, with landscaped hedges, sculpted topiaries, and best of all, a beautifulchuppaherected before fifty or so guests. The canopy is made of delicate white fabric, with trellised roses woven around the four poles holding it aloft. It’s a symbol of God’s presence at our wedding, and according to Jewish belief, the divine Name hovers above the canopy, sanctifying the space. We have a special surprise too. After our ceremony’s over, Karl and I are going to invite all couples present to stand below thechuppahto recall – or anticipate – their own weddings!
I smile with anticipation and excitement. This entire experience is romantic, extraordinary, and yet it feels so right too. Somehow the blend of my fiancé’s culture (thechuppah, rabbi, and other Jewish traditions) meld beautifully with my own (we’re currently at Castle Droghaire, the seat of my family in Ireland). Yes, I grew up in a medieval castle that the O’Lachlans built centuries ago. My brother Patrick lives here now with his wife and kids, and the children fill the hallways with laughter. Even crazier, Patrick got Ashley pregnant by accident when they were first dating, and my future sister-in-law hatched some hare-brained plan where she was going to hide within the castle walls with the new baby. Obviously, that was never going to happen. My brother found out and Patrick dragged her kicking and screaming to the altar, baby or no baby.
But everything worked out in the end. Patrick and Ashley are very happy together, and I have a beautiful niece Cloddagh, as well as a new little niece named Siobhan. Yes, my family’s leaning hard into Irish naming traditions, and I love seeing our culture and history continued.
So I smile at Kristie.
”No, Karl didn’t ask me to convert. He’s more culturally Jewish than anything, but that’s fine. Maybe we’ll try out the local synagogue in Vegas. Maybe we’ll move to Sweden. I’m not sure yet, but it’s going to be an adventure.
Kristie giggles.
“Yeah, definitely. You’re the girl who married her bodyguard, and he’ssooohunky too. Let me know if Karl has a friend for me!”
I laugh, smiling at my pretty friend.
“Well, Karl works alone most times, but I thought you were seeing someone. Aren’t you? Didn’t you meet someone at your sister’s wedding in Austin?”
She pauses, two spots of pink appearing on her cheeks.
“Oh that!” she says. “That wedding was a total shitshow. I’m sorry I didn’t update you on it, but yeah, family is family and mine is a mess. But this isn’t the time to talk, Ains, because Karl’s waiting. Oh my god, they’re starting the wedding march. Go, go!”
Then, she practically pushes me into the garden as the music swells. I smile beatifically, breathing in the clean spring air while nodding at our guests. But it’s the handsome man at the end of the aisle who makes my heart race. He’s dark and gorgeous, with blue eyes that positively sizzle as they meet mine across the way. Even better –this man is all mine.
I walk down the aisle slowly, our eye contact never breaking. Then, when I get to thechuppah, my fiancé invites me to step inside.
“Welcome, sweetheart,” he greets in a low voice. “Are you ready to start our lives together?”
I take Karl’s big hand in my small one, smiling up into his handsome face.
“I was born ready, big guy. Make me your wife.”
Then, we’re joined in a ceremony of love and happiness, that celebrates the old as well as the new. It blends religious tradition with modern dynamism, and I’ve never felt more loved, comfortable, and at ease. Even better, I’ve had so much good fortune in my life that I hope every woman in the world gets to experience a bit of the same. Right now, I’m focused on Kristie because I know something’s going on there. My pretty friend has been really evasive whenever she talks about her stepbrother, and I could swear that there’s something illicit going on there. Oooh, imagine that – a stepbrother dating the young woman who joined his family as a little girl. Taboo? Yes. But what will happen? We can only wait and see.
In the meantime, I smile at my handsome groom as he bends to kiss me.
“You’re mine,” he rasps. “All mine.”
“Yes,” I breathe against Karl’s lips. “Yours.”
Then, I’m swept into his embrace, those powerful arms holding me close to his broad chest. This is where I belong ... and this is always where home will be.
THE END