Chapter 29
Lydia and Beck spent Christmas day with her family at her parents' house. It was bittersweet, being the last holiday in the home she'd grown up in. After presents were exchanged and lunch was devoured, Lydia gave Beck a tour, regaling him with some of the antics she got up to in the various rooms with her cousins, and then Locke when he was old enough to join in.
Nik knocked on the door to the library before entering. "Hey, Bug. There's someone downstairs who wants to meet Beck."
"Who is it?" Lydia tagged Beck's hand and led him out of the large room.
"Go downstairs and find out."
Lydia rolled her eyes, figuring it was Carleigh. It wasn't. Sophia's parents were fussing at her to sit down. Lydia hadn't seen her grandparents in years. Sam and Monica spent most of their time in Egypt with Lydia's Aunt Xenia.
"There's our girl!" Sam held his arms open. Lydia released Beck's hand and rushed to hug her grandfather.
"Hiya, Pops." Lydia smiled at Monica. "Hey, Mims." Lydia was closer to Sam mainly because when she was younger, Lydia fed off her mother's energy whenever they visited. Lydia knew why Sophia held a grudge against her parents, but she'd softened quicker where Sam was concerned for some reason. Stepping back, she held out her hand for Beck. Lydia was introducing her mate when Carleigh, along with her parents, Julian and Kat, and her sister, Juniper, showed up. Lydia was thankful her other uncles and their families were either out of town or had moved north and weren't in Atlanta to overwhelm her mate more than he already was. She still hadn't told Sebastian she was back from her adventure. Lydia wanted to surprise him in person. If he got pissed at her for omitting the truth of what she'd been up to, Lydia would beg his forgiveness. And Dakota's. Having Beck, Dooley, and Kennedy with her, she prayed Bas would be more interested in hearing the outcome of her trip. He wanted her to find new shifters for the council, and she had.
Cailín had gotten her wish. She, her dads, and sister were in New York to support Connor's art show. They videochatted to catch up and wish the other a happy holiday. Cailín promised to be back in Atlanta for the handfasting, and Lydia couldn't wait to see her bestie.
She and Beck hung out with her parents and Locke until after supper. Lydia and Locke cleaned the kitchen while Beck spent time with Sophia and Nik. Lydia hadn't been wrong when she said her mother would shower Beck with love. It was going on eight by the time they got home, and Luna came by to go over the ceremony, which they decided to have on the twenty-ninth since Sophia was ready to pop.
Dooley and Kennedy arrived in Atlanta on the twenty-seventh, and the two couples spent time visiting Lydia's parents, getting ready for the ceremony, and driving around the city. To show Dooley and Kennedy how much she appreciated all their help in the wild, Lydia got Desi on a video chat. He and Jacoby played several songs for them. The private concert was almost as good as meeting the males in person. Lydia also gifted Kennedy a gift certificate for a spa day. The female deserved to be pampered.
On the day before the handfasting, Nikolas insisted on taking Beck shopping after a hushed conversation with Luna. Lydia assumed she would wear a dress she already had in her closet, and Beck would wear jeans and a button-up. Her family had other ideas. Luna presented Lydia a stunning dress the color of Beck's eyes. The material was sparkly blue silk. The bodice crisscrossed with a little cleavage showing and was held up with spaghetti straps. The skirt hit the tops of her feet in the front but was longer in back. A beautiful Celtic design wrapped around the waist, and it fit perfectly.
Their big day arrived, and Sophia lounged in a comfy armchair looking on as Solara wove Lydia's hair into braids and curls, then topped the do with a crown of tiny blue flowers and greenery.
"You look like a princess," her mother gushed.
Cailín, who'd flown back from New York as promised, agreed. "You really do."
"I feel like one. Now, I'm ready to see my prince."
"Just one more thing." Sophia held out her hand. "Help me up." When Lydia pulled her to her feet, Sophia walked over to where her purse was and dug around inside until she pulled out a small box. "I know this isn't a traditional wedding, but I thought you needed something blue besides your dress."
Lydia opened the lid. "Oh, Mom. They're gorgeous." Inside was a pair of sapphire earrings. She removed the silver ones from her ears and replaced them with her gift. "Thank you."
Sophia cupped Lydia's face. "Now, you're ready to see your prince."
They set up for the ceremony in her parents' backyard since the Georgia weather was sunny and mild. What Lydia thought would be a simple gathering where she and Beck stood in front of a few people turned into something much more extravagant. Rows of chairs sat on either side of an aisle with white rose petals strewn down the path. Nikolas insisted on walking Lydia to meet her mate who waited with Luna beneath an elaborate arch straight out of a fantasy movie. The arch itself was vines woven in intricate patterns, and it was adorned with polar bear dahlias. Lydia had no idea where Luna found the icy blue flowers, but they were perfect.
Even more perfect? The magnificent male waiting for her. Her mate wore a silver suit with a blue vest that matched Lydia's dress. His shirt was gray, and his tie was embroidered with the same designs as her belt. Luna had been busy since she and Lydia discussed the ceremony less than three weeks ago.
Nikolas handed Lydia off to Beck with a kiss to her cheek, and they faced one another with joined hands. Luna, holding blue cords and silver ribbons, stepped closer.
"Today, we come together as friends, family, and Clanmates, to share in the handfasting of Sawyer Beckett and Lydia Stone. Although they are mated, they wish to be joined in the ways of old. We stand with Beck and Lydia, we honor them with our friendship, we surround them with our love and blessings as they begin their journey together." Luna wrapped the first blue cord around their hands. "I call on the element of air. May it bless you with courage and wisdom." Next she added a silver ribbon. "I call on the element of fire. May it bless you with love and passion." The second blue cord wound across the first one. "I call upon the element of water. May it bless you with friendship and harmony." Finally, the second silver ribbon was added. "I call upon the element of earth. May it bless you with health and happiness."
Luna placed one of her hands atop theirs and the other below. "Beck and Lydia, as your hands are bound together, now, so are your lives. Be as the sun and moon, a constant source of light for each other. Be as the earth below, a solid foundation for each other. May the goddess and gods watch over you until your souls travel on to your next journey." She pulled on the ropes and ribbons, and they fell away. "By the goddess, so mote it be. Now, before we get to that all-important kiss, Beck has something for Lydia."
Beck released one of her hands and dug into the inner pocket of his jacket. "Lydia, my mate, you bear the mark of our mating on your shoulder, and I would be honored if you would wear a symbol of our ceremony on your finger." In his palm was a band of alternating diamonds and sapphires. Beck lifted her left hand and slid it on her ring finger. "This ring has no beginning and no ending. It is an ongoing symbol of the love I have for you. Whenever you look at it, you will know you are loved and treasured, from now until my star burns out." Beck lifted her hand and kissed the ring.
"I have something for you too." Luna handed over the ring she convinced Lydia to buy. Sliding the platinum band on his beefy finger, she smiled through happy tears. "Sawyer, my mate, you bear the mark of our mating in your veins. We are connected in a way time nor distance can destroy. Our bond is unbreakable, and as a symbol of my love for you, I offer this ring. When you see it, know that I am with you, heart and soul, until my star burns out and beyond." Instead of waiting for Luna to give her the go ahead, she pulled Beck's head down and kissed him softly.
"I guess my job here is done," Luna teased. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you Lydia and Sawyer Stone."
There were several gasps and a few "say whats?" Then there was shouting and applause as they were surrounded by her parents first. Beck had shocked Lydia when he asked if he could take her last name, making Beckett his middle name since he didn't want to lose the connection to his father. Lydia loved the idea. He explained that her family had already shown him more love in a few days than his ever had, and he wanted to honor them in taking on the Stone surname.
Sophia cupped Lydia's cheek. "That was beautiful. Now let's have cake and champagne really quick."
"What's the hurry?" Lydia asked.
Sophia turned around, and Lydia gasped. "Mom!" The back of her dress was soaked.
"What's wrong?" Nikolas asked.
"Mom's water broke. How did you not know that? Didn't you feel her discomfort?"
"I thought she was emotional watching you get hitched."
"Hell's bells." Carleigh pointed at her father who was filming the ceremony and after party. "I hope you got that on video."
Julian winked. "Sure did."
Sophia grabbed her bulging stomach. "Uh, Gorgeous? I don't think I have time for the hospital. Gio wants to join the festivities."
"Fuckin' hell," Nikolas said, using Carleigh's favorite words. He picked Sophia up and carried her toward the house. "Why did Dante and Isabelle have to move to New York?"
Connor, who was there with his mate Alyssa, cleared his throat. "What am I, chopped liver?" The normally quiet cousin rolled his eyes and told Alyssa, "I'll be right back. I have a baby to deliver." Alyssa's giggles tinkled along the air. Not only was Connor a brilliant scientist and famous artist, he was also a medical doctor. Carleigh's mom, Kat, disappeared into the house to be there for her best friend.
Cailín strolled up, followed by her two dads. "What's the plan? Are we going to hang out and wait for Gio to join us?"
Lydia knew her mom wouldn't want that, so she whistled loudly to get everyone's attention. "Gio's birth could take a few hours. While we wait, let's eat and drink champagne. We'll wait to cut the cake. If she takes too long popping out my brother, I'll save her a piece."
"Party!" Cailín shouted, and with that, Julian started the playlist Lydia and Beck had chosen for the reception.
Beck, along with the other males, moved the chairs out of the way, then brought in the tables. When they were finished, Kennedy and the females set the decorations on the tables and uncovered the buffet dishes waiting off to the side. Jasper and Trevor poured champagne, and the party got underway. Locke spent his time going between his parents' bedroom and the backyard, keeping everyone updated on Sophia's progress for the few humans in attendance who didn't have shifter hearing and weren't aware of Sophia cursing Nikolas every contraction.
Five hours later, Dooley and Kennedy had been introduced to their new Clan. The food had been demolished, the champagne bottles emptied, thus bringing out the liquor, and everyone was danced out. That led to Lydia, Beck, Dooley, Kennedy, and Jon recounting the tale of their Alaskan adventure. When Lydia mentioned a flamethrower, Cailín shouted, "No fuckin' way!" and Trevor goosed her side.
"Language, young lady."
"But, Papa! A flamethrower." Cailín stood and held out her arm as though she were going to try to make her own weapon appear when the sound of a baby crying rent the air. Instead of a weapon, Cailín pumped her fist. "We have a baby!" Everyone cheered.
"Someone get me some cake!" Sophia shouted, and the cheering turned to laughter.
Beck hugged Lydia from behind, setting his chin on her shoulder. "Thank you, Sugar. I couldn't have dreamed of a better family or Clan."
"You're welcome, My Bear."
Giovanni Samuel Stone joined the party an hour later, bundled in his mother's arms. Sophia refused to stay in bed. She haggled with Nikolas for half an hour of party time, and of course he gave in.
Kennedy sidled up to Lydia. "I see where you get it from."
Lydia glanced down at the little fox. "Get what from?"
"Your warrior spirit. I've known some strong females, but you are the bravest I've ever encountered."
When Lydia looked at her mom, Sophia winked at her.
Beck was floating . That was the only way to describe how happy he was. The only thing that would have made their night better was if his dad had been there. Corbin couldn't get away from work, so Beck promised that he and Lydia would travel to Canada as soon as possible. Their reception turned into a party and a celebration that went on well into the next morning. After everyone was introduced to the baby, Sophia and Nikolas returned to their bedroom with little Gio. With every male and female having welcomed Dooley and Kennedy into the Clan, they celebrated Kennedy's news that she would bring the next little Clan member into the fold. The last child born had been Anthony and Tabitha's brother, Andrew, who was five. With Gargoyles, their age didn't matter. Living for ten centuries, if they wanted a child, they had one. It gave Beck hope for a houseful.
He was amazed how freely everyone showed their affection. How they laughed and teased. How they included Beck and Dooley and Kennedy. He wondered if they would be as welcomed when they got to West Virginia. From the way Lydia spoke of her King and Queen, he doubted they would treat Beck any differently. That is, after they got over Lydia telling the truth of where she'd been and why she'd kept it from them.
By the time they got home, it was going on four a.m. Beck was wiped but in a good way. After saying goodnight to Dooley and Kennedy, Beck carried his mate to their bedroom. It took longer than he would have liked to get out of his suit and to relieve Lydia of her stunning dress. Instead of ripping it off like a caveman, Beck took his time with the zipper. Luna had done an amazing job with the fine details of both Lydia's belt and Beck's tie. He didn't want either of them to get ruined in his haste to get his mate naked.
Crawling between her legs, Beck was awed that the creature beneath him belonged to him in every way. He was blessed that he belonged to her too.
Beck pulled Lydia's leg up, placing her thigh on his shoulder, and slid his length into her wet core. They'd had sex. They'd made love. They had completed their bond. Now, he wanted to consummate their union. All day and night, Beck had felt connected to Lydia even if they were across the lawn from one another. She spoke to him in his mind, reminding him how much she loved him. He responded in kind with what he had no doubt was a dopey grin on his face. He couldn't have cared less. No one called him on it except for Dooley, but his friend merely said, "I get it," and gazed at his own mate the same way.
Now, Beck's gaze was far from dopey. He didn't need a mirror to know it was filled with lust and love and wonder. Lydia's was the same. As he moved in and out of her tight heat, he kept his eyes on hers, not wanting to miss a single second of being one with his female. Lydia cupped his cheek with one hand and gripped his bicep with the other. Tender and strong. That was his Sugar. His soft-hearted warrior. His future. His forever.
While coming down from their orgasms, Lydia traced her fingers over the faint scar from where Orson stabbed him. Then she slid her hand to his back, tracing the one there. "You want to tell me about this?"
Beck rolled them so he was on his back and Lydia was sprawled across his chest. He placed one hand behind his head and let the other rest on her hip. "Boyd did it. He and I never got along when he lived with us. He tried to act like he was my father, but since I had a good one, I fought him at every turn. When he brought Valerie to challenge Amara, I was livid. There was nothing I could do to help Amara when Valerie challenged her, but I could tell Boyd what a piece of shit he was. The fight was a bloody one, and at one point, Amara roared in anguish, so I turned to watch. I shouldn't have. With my back to Boyd, he used a knife on me instead of his claws. I'm pretty sure it was coated in something, because shifting didn't heal it immediately. Coward that he is ran."
"That sonofabitch. I wish I'd known that when we were in Sterling."
"Yeah? Would my badass mate have gone after him?"
"Damn straight. No wonder you don't trust him."
"And now I never have to worry about him again. He's out of my life for good." At least Beck hoped he was. If they ever crossed paths again, he wouldn't stop his feisty female if she went after Boyd with her ice daggers.
Beck expected to spend the next week glued to his mate's side, but Jon had different ideas. He called the morning of New Years' Eve, asking if Beck and Dooley wanted to hang out at the gym for a while. Lydia encouraged him to go. She'd already given him a set of keys to both her vehicles, so with the address of the gym in the GPS, he and Dooley set out. Beck was glad to spend time with Jon, feeling closer to him than any of his newest Clanmates after what they went through in Alaska. Dooley felt the same. The two polar bears had been friends most of their lives, which was uncommon among their packs.
When they arrived, the parking lot was full. Maybe folks were getting a start on their resolutions. They entered the building and were greeted by a male with brown skin and the whitest teeth Beck had ever seen. He was dressed in ripped jeans, flip flops, and a bright orange tank top, which showed off an impressive build.
He held out his hand. "Welcome to Hartley's. You must be Beck and Dooley. I'm Joey Palamo." Beck and Dooley shook hands with the male. "Jon's in the ring. Come on back."
They followed Joey through the building that was both a gym to work out in as well as a dojo. Jon was in the ring, sparring with a giant. After a closer look, Beck realized the two must be related. Joey led them to a row of chairs where they could watch. "That's Frey, Jon's dad."
Beck sat up. Frey was the uncle who taught all the Clan kids to fight and to fly. He was taller than Jon and had about fifty pounds on his son, but he didn't hold back. Neither did Jon. Their moves were impressive. Frey preferred his hands, while Jon used a lot of kicks. When they finally stopped sparring, Jon leapt over the top rope, flipping in the air, and landing on his feet.
"Show off." Joey hopped up and clapped Jon on his shoulder.
Frey climbed out of the ring more sedately and joined them. Beck stood to greet the male. Beck was usually the tallest one in the room, but Frey had a couple inches on him. "Geoffrey Hartley, but please, call me Frey." Frey held out his hand, and Beck greeted the male Lydia held such high regard for. After introducing Dooley, Frey crossed his arms over his massive chest. "I have a proposition for you."