Once Rejected, Twice Desired (Book 1 of Blue Moon Series)
Once Rejected, Twice Desired Chapter 70

Alaia POV

Crystal, the wedding planner, and I scrambled, but somehow we were able to pull together a decent ceremony that would take place in three days in the backyard of the packhouse. Katherine helped us out with flowers, decorations, tables, and chairs. Geoff took on the task of catering the reception, and Mrs. Dyson agreed to make the cake. Everything was coming together smoothly, and all we needed was my dress.

The Thursday before the wedding, my mom, Katherine, Lauren, Jordyn, Cassie, and Kimmy came to take me dress shopping. I had been released from the hospital a couple of days prior under the agreement that I do as little as possible until the babies arrive. That was easier said than done when you were planning a double wedding. The ladies had pulled together around twenty dresses and had them all set up in my dressing room. I just had to waddle in and take a seat while they were all brought over to me to choose the one I wanted. There were so many different fabrics, necklines, cuts, and designs that choosing the right one was daunting.

After a couple of hours, I had narrowed it down to a pure pale cream, off the shoulder, floor-length, satin dress that flared out beautifully under my bust and cascaded down over my massive belly. I never thought I'd have a pregnant belly to contend with in my wedding dress, but the cut and design of this one made my reality not so bad. I looked beautiful, and the color of the dress looked amazing against my skin.

This dress was the one, and I was excited!

When all the other dresses had been packed up and returned to their shops, Jordyn decided it was time for my surprise. "As the maid of honor, it's my job to put together a bachelorette party. But since the bride is about to pop and basically on bed rest, my options were limited. So, tomorrow we will have a total spa and pamper day. Massages, manicures and pedicures, light facials, and waxing. Lots of waxing."

It sounded like a long and tedious day, but I was going to be with the women who meant the most to me in the world, so I knew it would be a fun time. "That sounds perfect, J. Thank you." "Lies. It sounds like torture, and you know it. But you'll do it because you love me."

I had to laugh. Jordyn knew me so well; I could never hide anything from her. "True. So, what time should we all be ready to leave?"

"Everything is happening here. We'll get started after breakfast."

Even better if I didn't have to sit through a long car ride into the city. Even the smallest bumps made it feel like my uterus was going to explode, and that was not a good feeling.

With seven women to pamper, I was curious to see how it would all play out. But knowing Jordyn, she would make sure that everything went perfectly.

***

After I was released from the dressing room, I went to replace Alexi and Xander. I hadn't seen them since that morning and was curious about what their plans for the next couple of days were.

I found them in Xander's office, along with Aaron, Kade, and Matt. When I walked in, they all immediately stopped talking and looked like they had been caught stealing cookies.

"I know you guys are up to something. You're terrible at hiding it. So, just go on and decide which one of you is going to tell me while I make myself comfortable on the couch," I said while shuffling across the room.

Aaron tried to help me, but I shooed him away. I could walk across a room just fine. I could even sit, sort of. It was the getting up part that I needed help with. Once I was settled into the fantastic leather couch, I looked around at the faces, trying to decide which one I'd force to tell me what was going on.

One face, in particular, got my attention because he was trying so hard not to make eye contact. "Hey, Matt. How's it going?"

"Damn it, bean! Why is it always me? I'm just sitting here-"

I had to laugh. It was so easy to mess with Matt, and his reactions always made me smile. "I'm just kidding, Matt. You know I love you."

I then turned to Alexi and Xander. "So, what were we talking about?"

They didn't have much choice. In forty-eight hours they would be my husbands, so they pretty much had to tell me whatever I asked them.

They looked at one another before Xander finally spoke up. "Bachelor party."

"Really, that's it?"

I looked at Kade and Aaron, who were the men of honor. "You're not taking them to Las Vegas or something like that, are you? I could pop any minute, and I'd like for them to be close by."

Kade looked surprised but quickly answered. "Uhh, no. We were just taking them to Jade City."

I gave a careless wave of my hand. "That's fine. Nothing to be so secretive about, fellas. Just don't do anything stupid and be back at a decent time."

"You don't mind that we're having a bachelor party?" Alexi asked.

"You know me better than that, Lex. I'm not here to stop you from having fun. You deserve to let loose a bit. And besides, you two are crazy in love with me. Nothing in Jade City, or anywhere in the world for that matter, will change that. So go, have a good time. Go break hearts and let the ladies know that you are off the market."

"So, what are you ladies getting up to?" Aaron asked.

"Well, since I'm in no condition to go chasing after sexy, half-naked men, we're having a spa day here."

At the mention of half-naked men, both Xander and Alexi let out low growls, which pulled my attention back to them.

"Seriously, boys? Are you jealous over hypothetical men I won't even be seeing? Get it together."

"Are the masseuses for your spa day male or female?" Xander asked.

"I can't say for sure, Jordyn set it all up."

Before I could say anything else, they were both in my head, mindlinking me.

Your masseuse will be a woman, little one. No man's hands will touch your body, understand?

Actually, I don't. You two are probably going to be at a strip club doing God knows what, but I can't have a massage?

Of course, you can have a massage, angel. But with the number of hormones flowing through you, you're just a bit sensitive lately. So, it's best if a woman does your massage.

What the hell are you guys talking about?

Don't play coy with us. We can make you c*m just by trailing a finger up and down your thigh a few times. And if any man besides the two of us touches you and makes you c*m, I'll f*****g kill him. Pick a woman. Fine! I didn't care one way or the other anyway.

Good, then this conversation was pointless.

Thank you, angel.

I could already see how this marriage was going to go. Alexi would be my sweet, caring husband, while Xander would be the dominant, possessive one. They truly balanced each other out perfectly.

I guess the Moon Goddess knew that I needed both ends of the spectrum to truly be happy.

When our "marital spat" was over, the other three men in the room looked on uncomfortably.

"Sorry, guys. The grooms were having a caveman moment, but we're all good now. And now I've got to go replace Jordyn and make sure we are properly staffed for tomorrow."

Alexi walked over and helped me to my feet before he kissed my forehead, making me melt into him.

"I love you, angel."

"Yeah, yeah. I love you too." I shot a look over my shoulder at Xander before I left the room. I was pretty sure I would pay for it later, but I didn't mind his punishments. Quite the opposite, actually.

***

Jordyn had a few choice words for the guys, but eventually, she called and made sure a woman was sent as my masseuse. "Men are assholes. I mean, who cares if you get a happy ending to your massage? You deserve it, babe." "Well, they care. And when I think about it, I care, too. I mean, it's just weird. I don't want any other man making me feel that way. That's just for my guys."

"You three are sickening sometimes, seriously." The smile on her face told me how she really felt, though. "I never got to tell you this, babe, but I'm so happy that you and Alexi found your way back to each other. You drooled over that kid for years, and I don't know how many times I saw you drawing hearts with your initials in them or 'Mrs. Alaia Kostov' in all your journals. And now, when I see how gentle and loving he is with you, I'm so happy I didn't murder him. Best decision I ever made." She pulled me into a tight hug while we laughed at how violent and protective she was.

"I'm happy you didn't murder him, too, J. I'd be missing a piece of my soul if you had. So, I'm just wondering, when are you planning to tell me that you're pregnant?"

Jordyn spit the water she was drinking from her mouth and looked over at me, shocked. She just opened and closed her mouth a few times like a fish, but no words came out.

"Breathe, Jordyn."

"How did you know? I just found out two days ago and haven't even told Aaron yet."

I leaned back and rubbed circles on the sides on my belly. "Well, since I'm pregnant, my sense of smell is ridiculously strong. And you smell different, like cotton candy. But I know that you hate cotton candy, so it can't be a body spray or something you ate. Then, you didn't have a mimosa today at breakfast, and you never pass up champagne no matter what time of day it is. So, the logical conclusion is that I'm going to be an aunt."

I watched as her eyes watered and tears started to fall. I was scared for a moment before she gave me her most beautiful smile. "You're going to be an aunt. I still can't believe it. I actually thought it wouldn't happen."

"Why would you think that?

"Well, to be honest, Aaron and I bang a lot. I can't keep my hands off that man. I mean, have you seen his body? And that mouth of his? God, the things he can do with his mouth-" "Jordyn! I didn't ask for details, please!"

"Alaia! You're my best friend, and you're the person I share this s**t with. And you tell me all of your hot steamy threesome stories. Being bent over Xander's desk by Alexi while Xander watches? You're living in a s****l fantasy land! I want to share, too!" Damn it! I really didn't want to hear about my brother's dirty deeds, but she was right, I told her everything. Sometimes even when I didn't want to. And this was my job. "Fine. Just feel free to leave out specific details of his anatomy."

She bounced in her seat, now super excited. "Cool! So, like I was saying, his mouth is magic, and my body craves his touch. Every day, multiple times a day. Almost every surface in the house has seen some form of action. With all that f*****g, you'd think I would have been pregnant months ago. But when it didn't happen, I thought maybe something was wrong with one of us. But we were so happy; I didn't want to have that dark cloud hanging over our heads. So, I let it go. I'm glad I did because it just wasn't our turn yet." I took her hand and gave a gentle squeeze. "You two will be amazing parents. And I'm honored to be the first person to know."

"Thanks, but you stole that honor. Don't forget that."

***

The next morning, we all had breakfast together before it was time for us to part ways. Alexi and Xander were being kicked out of the house so they wouldn't see the bride before the ceremony.

So, all the guys decided to get hotel rooms in Jade City and spend the entire day there. They were all in the garage, packing their bags in the truck when I walked out.

"Did you all leave your suits upstairs in the dressing room?"

The five of them stopped what they were doing and looked at me, confused. They were hopeless.

"You're getting dressed here tomorrow before the ceremony starts. That way, you don't have to ride all the way from the hotel in your suits and get them wrinkled. They should all be in the guy's dressing room. Along with your shoes, ties, cuff links, everything." Still nothing. "Guys, where are your suits?"

"We don't know, bean. We haven't seen them," Kade finally answered.

"With the wedding a little more than twenty-four hours away, none of you saw a problem with that?"

They just shrugged their shoulders at me. Ugh! "Fine, I'll have Crystal replace them and get them to the dressing room."

They seemed satisfied with that answer. Of course they were, there wasn't anything they had to do.

"Please be careful and come back in one piece. And only Kade and Matt are allowed to touch anyone tonight, so you other three just have to live vicariously through them. Have fun!"

I heard Aaron, Alexi, and Xander groan before getting in the truck and pulling off. They were all good guys, so I knew there wouldn't be too much foolishness tonight.

Back in the house, it was a bit chaotic. The kitchen was full of Geoff and his team prepping food for tomorrow while Mrs. Dyson was trying to rope off space so she could start the cake.

I was on my way to see if I could help in any way when Katherine intercepted me. "No. You are not to worry about this. These two have been battling in the kitchen together for years, and they will figure it out. If not, I'll come in and settle things. Just sit down a moment, and I'll have someone help you upstairs; then, we can get the spa day started."

That was perfect. I didn't have the energy to referee a kitchen match today anyway. But I still had to replace the suits.

"I need to replace Crystal before I go up. The men haven't seen their suits and have no idea where they are."

"I took care of that this morning. All six are in the men's dressing room and will be steamed later to make sure they are all perfect. Your dress is also here and being steamed as we speak. You go relax, sweetie. I've got this."

"Six? Why are there six suits?"

"We had your father's brought over as well. We figured that was easier in the end."

I pulled her into a hug. She was the best mother-in-law I could have asked for. "Thank you, Katherine. You really are amazing."

She was about to answer when it sounded like hell was getting ready to break loose in the kitchen. She swung around and transitioned from mother-in-law to Luna seamlessly. "Geoff! You and your team have to clear off the island. This space is for Mrs. Dyson to utilize today. You can prep on any of the other countertops, but she has to actually bake and decorate a four-tier cake in the next few hours and needs the room. Now move it!" Within a minute, the island was cleared, and everyone was happily working together again. Damn, I had a thing or two to learn from her.