“I’m officially on leave for a month, and then I’m discharged for good.”
She jumps up and down like a little girl. “Oh my god! I can’t believe you’re here! I can’t believe you’re home!”
Then she turns her enthusiasm onto Rapunzel, who is standing, staring, stunned, clutching the dress in front of her, trying to hide her gorgeous body from me, but failing. A soft rose-colored nipple peeks out, and my God, she is beautiful!
“Zella! This is my big brother, Bubba. Bubba, I want you to meet Zella.”
I smile as I advance on her, and to her credit, she doesn’t flinch, but I see chaos in her eyes. When I reach her, I take control and lead her where I want her to go.
Cupping her face in my hands, I smile into her eyes, then tilt her face up and lean forward to kiss her. Right before our lips touch, she comes out of her shock, and her eyes fire daggers into mine.
My mouth covers her possessively, and I kiss her like I did in the elevator on the ride down. Making sure she knows. She’s mine now. At first, she keeps her teeth clamped tight against me. But Cathy’s assumptive scream of, “Oh, my God! How did you two keep this secret from me?” Guarantees that Rapunzel is going to play nice in front of my sister, and when Cathy squeals her delight, “This is the best day of my life.”
Rapunzel’s teeth part and I’m in. I thrust my tongue down her throat and claim her. When I let her lips go, I stare into her eyes and tell her, “This is the best day of mine too.”
Then I turn to face Cathy, “Sister, we didn’t mean to keep this from you. I didn’t know Zella was Rapunzel.”
I look back at Rapunzel, and she adds, “I had no idea you were Bubba,” and the fact that she is horrified to learn the truth stares at me.
Cathy dies laughing. “Oh my god! That is hilarious. No wonder Zella looked more shocked than I did.”
I chuckle with her, “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted you two together. It was a very surreal moment for me.”
I wink at Rapunzel, and she blushes.
“Oh my god! I can’t believe this!” Cathy bounces her joy. “You’re home for good!” Then she rams me with her head down, and I hug her tight. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
I hug my little sister until she has regained her composure. All the while staring into Rapunzel’s eyes. She returns my gaze with a blank, dazed expression, and I wonder what she’s thinking or if she is just feeling.
Then Cathy lets me go and asks, “Are you sitting with Mother?”
“Unfortunately,” I add, and Rapunzel’s head tilts.
Cathy giggles as she buries her face in my embrace again. “Her reign of terror is going to end. There is no way she can win against the three of us.”
“I’ll let you two get back to work. I’m sure Tiara will have us front and center, so she can parade me around like her peacock.”
Zella
I'm in shock. I don't know what to think or how to feel or what the hell just happened.
I stand dumbfounded next to Cathy and watch d'Artagnan bend over, scoop his hat off the floor, spin it with flare, then tuck it under his arm, and leave the area. Owning the world around him, turning heads as he passes. He's more man than all the men in this room combined, and everyone knows it.
As we watch him leave, Cathy states, "He's my hero," she says. "The best damn brother a girl could ask for."
Right before he walks out the door, he looks back, and our eyes lock. Cathy says, "I can't wait to hear the details of how you two met! Tiara will die when she finds out!"
I look down at my best friend, and her eyes are dancing all over the place. She starts to giggle, then throws her head back and laughs out loud. "I can't wait to see Tiara's face when d'Artagnan introduces you as his girl and kisses you. 'Cause, damn, he's crazy about you." She shakes her head, "This day is going down in Dugan history!"
Chapter 9
d’Artagnan
When I arrive back at the auditorium, I make my way to the men's room to wait for the show to begin, knowing this is the only place Tiara won't come in looking for me. Leaning against the wall with my ankles crossed, staring at my phone, occasionally, someone asks, "Hiding or cheating?"
"Hiding," and they laugh with me.
Then a man opens the door and calls out. "Anyone in here named d'Artagnan?"
