Diana stood up in the back yard of Howie’s home and clanged her glass loudly with her spoon to gain everyone’s attention.

          “First off, I would like to thank you all for coming to this rehearsal luncheon for my daughter, Regina and my soon to be son-in-law, Howard, who’s home is absolutely lovely. Thank you for opening it to us. I propose at toast to good wishes for tomorrow, may the sun shine brightly and not one single dark cloud show itself as the two of you take the biggest step in your lives. May your days be happy and full of love for one another. May your children grow into as wonderful adults as their parents are. And may you both help each others dreams to be fulfilled. On behalf of my husband and I, we wish you the best and many blessed days as this with your familia and friends. To Love.”

          “To Love!” Everyone cheered as they raised their glasses together and took a drink.

          Leaning over to Jocelynn, standing by the pool Alex whispered in her ear, “Is it just me or did that speech sound rehearsed?”

          Keeping a small smile, Joce said threw her teeth, “Since they day Gigi was born.”

          “You know, you have no right to be this normal coming from a woman like that.”

          “Just don’t let her hear you say that. She will have your tongue for her Chorizo and Eggs tomorrow morning with your head as the center piece.” Joce retorted quietly then quickly set her glass of champagne on a small table, her eyes widened as she began to stand up. “Oh God, what is that woman doing now?”

          Across the yard was Diana making a direct bee-line for Howie and Gina with intent in her eyes, and filling her determined steps. Looking down at her watch, Jocelynn realized that it was 10 to 1.

          “Oh shit. Alex, get over there and help Howie. I’ll deal with Madre. Tell Gina it’s time.”

          Without asking any questions, Alex hurried across the backyard to the gazebo where Howie and Gina were privately talking with Kevin.

          “-she’s moved on, Kevin. Maybe you should as well.” Softly Gina’s voice trailed of as Howie hugged her to his side.

          Taking a step into the shaded area, Alex slapped his hand on Kevin’s back, “Who are we all talking about?” No one answered, instead Kevin turned on his heel and headed toward the patio bar.

          “What? Was it something I said?” Alex asked, worried that he has touched on a sensitive topic. “I assume you guys were talking about Kris. He’s taking the divorce hard, huh?”

          Glancing down at his fiancée, Howie turned back to his long time friend, “It’s hard to tell.” Was all he could say.

            Placing her hand on Howie’s chest as he pulled her more against him, Gina looked at Alex, “What can we do for you, Alex?”

            “It’s not so much what you can do for me, it’s what I am to do for you. Joce sent me over to tell you ‘It’s time’. What ever that means, and that she is fending off your mother right now.”

            Gina looked past Alex to the rest of the party and found her sister trying to distract Diana from charging toward her and Howie.

            “Oh, hell. It’s one o’clock isn’t it? Howie you better go before she sinks her-“

            It was too late. Diana barged past Jocelynn swiftly and quickly made her way toward the gazebo, “Regina and Howard it is time to separate till tomorrow. I do not want to bring bad luck on the wedding. It’s bad enough your younger sister has divorced, and has her name all over the tabloids. I will not allow more shame be brought onto the family if I can prevent it. You need all the luck you can get.” She announced as she grabbed Howard by the arm and dragged him away from Gina.

            His eyes widened as he looked back at Gina, slowly Howie mouthed to her, ‘Help me.’ Alex gave Gina an apologetic smile as he hurried after Diana and Howie along with Kevin, Nick, Brian, Kolas and the rest of the men to attend the bachelor party.

            “Come on, you.” Diana said sternly, her lips pierced together as she rushed Howie into the house.

            The rest of the guests, all female, stood silent, majority had their eyes on Gina, a few cast sympathetic looks toward Jocelynn, making her want to crawl under a rock and die. She couldn’t even pay attention to her sister as Gina diverted the group of women to the pool house where they all could change clothing to go out for the bachelorette party. Slipping from the group, Jocelynn headed into the house to change her clothing and to be alone for a moment.

            Ok, she thought to herself as she changed in a spare room, Being on stage in front of thousands of people is a hell of a lot easier then dealing with Madre.

            ‘It’s hard to believe that you came from such a spiteful woman, Angel.’ A voice caressed her head softly, ‘She is just jealous, I’m sorry she said those things about you.’

            ‘‘Saint…’ Her mind hesitantly sought out to touch his gently, as if she might get burned in the process.

            ‘It’s okay. I just needed to be reassured that you didn’t take her words to heart.’

          ‘I am fine. I told Alex that earlier, I’m used to it.’ She allowed herself to respond back and then quickly shut her mind off to him.

            An amused soft chuckle vibrated through her head and body, sending soft tremors through her giving off cold chills. ‘Try all you might, Angel. I am with you as much as you are with me. You should know that by now. You are mine.’

            ‘Really? I seem to have missed that memo, along with the one informing me that hell has frozen over and that mi Madre is now the supreme ruler of the world.’

            ‘Sarcasm, cara mia? It’s not your color.’

            ‘Just like I am not yours. I am with Alex, Saint. You should know that.’

            ‘Ah but you don’t love him.’

            Jocelynn was taken back by his comment and behavior, ‘Have you been drinking?’

            ‘Yes, I have a little bit. And I have come to realize that how much I need you with me. I love you, Angel-girl..’

            ‘Don’t…’ She silently pleaded as she leaned her head against the long mirror along the wall, ‘I love Alex.’

            ‘But not the way I love you. Not the way you love,,,’

            “STOP IT DAMNIT!’ She screamed to him in frustration, suddenly small pieces of the mirror fell around her feet. Her eyes were tightly closed, her left fist was clenched firmly and the world for a moment stood still. She forgot to breath, she was afraid to, afraid to deal with him. Finally she willed her eyes to open and she stared at the shattered mirror in front of her with her fist still apart of it. A small, thin line of red trickled down from the side of her hand, making its way toward her wrist and elbow.

            ‘You are wrong. I do love Alex. Please, you let me go before.’

            Saint didn’t respond back for a few moments, finally he brushed her mind, sending an unwanted flutter to her heart, ‘I should never have let you go before. You or our son.’

            ‘He’s my son.’

            ‘He’s our son, Jocelynn.’

            ‘You made your bed, Saint. Now lie in it.’ And with that she closed off completely.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            Alex sat up abruptly in the stretch Escalade where half the men rode, behind them was a limo with the rest of the group. Howie, who sat to his right, noticed Alex’s reaction.

            “What’s going on?” He asked in a whisper so the other’s couldn’t hear. Alex barely heard himself over the loud music and conversations already taking place.

            For a moment Alex hesitated, “Jocelynn’s completely shut off from me. I can’t feel her at all, she was upset and just closed me out before I could find out what was wrong.”

            Howie raised an annoyed eyebrow, controlling his temper even though he wanted to punch a certain person’s face in.

            ‘Saint.’ He relayed back to Gina. ‘He upset Joce. She closed off to Alex and he is worried because he doesn’t know why. I bet my money it was Saint.’

            ‘She must be in the house changing. I will go to her. Keep Alex reassured and we will deal with Saint later.’

            Turning his attention back to Alex, Howie place a hand on the man’s shoulder, “I’m sure she’s okay. Maybe she needs to brood alone, after all her dragon of a mother has a habit of shredding her youngest daughter without so much as a bat of an eye.”

            Thinking it over, Alex figured that Howie was right. Diana had been rather harsh on Joce today and maybe she just needed to be alone for a bit.

            “Yeah, you’re probably right. You know that she asked me to go with her the day after the wedding to look at some homes that Kev has lined up for her to check out.”

            “Really? Gina mentioned to me the other day that Jocelynn was thinking about buying a place out here for a while. I didn’t think it was so soon. We both told her that she can stay in the pool house and we would help with Drogyn since he and Juaquin are best friends.” Howie reached for a beer from the mini fridge and opened it. “Want anything?”

            “A Coke, thanks.” Alex said as Howie handed him a cold bottle of Coke-a-Cola. Taking a drink, Alex stared out the window.

            “So do you think you two will become more serious with her living out here?” Howie couldn’t help but pry. After all with him to marry Gina tomorrow that made Jocelynn his little sister and just like his soon-to-be wife he felt the need to protect her and Drogyn.

            Alex shrugged, “I am not really sure. It’s hard to figure things out with all that is going on but, I don’t see us ending any time soon. I love her. And I’m not talking about that, I love her now or until something else catches my eye. I want to protect her and Drogyn, I need to. I want to make sure she smiles everyday and is content each night. There’s something about her that’s so rare. I can feel her and when she’s not with me I’m empty… like…”

            “The other half of you is missing?” Howie finished for him when Alex could find no other words. “I know the feeling. I’m there now. I never thought I would find someone like mi amada.”

            “Amada?” Alex asked.

            Howie gave Alex a questionable look, “You mean that Jocelynn has not explained Amado? Haven’t you wondered how it is the two of you can speak to one another with out saying anything?”

            “Not really. I didn’t really let myself think too much of it except… wait a sec. You and Gina can as well?”

            Howie nodded, “Yea. Look I don’t know why Joce didn’t tell you but the women in their family all carry some sort of psychic ability. All of them have the ability to somewhat… well speak telepathically, but only to a specific person. Their Amado, their beloved.”

            Seeing Alex’s skeptical gaze, Howie tried to further explain, “It’s the other half of them, the person that no matter what will always be apart of their lives. It doesn’t mean that they are their spouse, even though some could confuse it as such since the other half is always male. Instead it’s like the eternal friend. Amados sense each others thoughts and emotions, and have the constant need to comfort one another with continually reaching and seeking to each other’s mind. I am Gina’s Amado.”

            “Yeah and you are getting married.”

            “Yes, but that is not always the case. Gina and Jocelynn’s Cousin Sally for instance. Her Amado is her best friend, Anthony but she is married to Marc.”

            “Now how does that work?” Alex asked with an eyebrow raised.

            “It probably works well since Anthony is as gay as the day is long. But still there are others in the family who are not married to their Amados. Amados are the other half of their soul, in mine and Gina's case we are lucky enough to love  one anther. Comprede?”

            “Yeah. It makes sense, somewhat. I guess I can always ask Jocelynn if I ever have any questions.”

            “Good. Okay onto better topics… Where the hell are we going to first?!” Howie called out to the driver.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

          Sitting back on the over stuffed couch in the great room, Gina and Joce slumped next to each other. Taking off her ‘Bride To Be’ tiara, Gina let out a heavy sigh and rested her head on Jocelynn’s shoulder.

          “Did we seriously come from that woman?” Joce asked warily, closing her eyes in exhaustion from the luncheon where she played referee between their mother and the rest of the guests.

          “The regular fruit of her looms, as she puts it.” Gina snorted.

          “Yea, that rotted!” The girls laughed at the joke. Joce recovered first as she kicked off her heels, “But still that woman can drive a person to drink.”

          “So that’s the excuse for why you downed half of the national supply of Blue UV?” Gina pretended to drink a bottle heavily, “You know, considering you are with Alex, I am surprised that he has not talked to you about your drinking habits.”

          Holding up a finger, Joce gestured to the air, “Ah, see that is because I either don’t drink around him or if I am around him I don’t drink allot. I’m not an alcoholic, but lately with everything going on…”

          “You’re afraid that you are going to burst unless you are otherwise subdued.” Gina finished the sentence, understanding Jocelynn’s predicament.

          A soft laugh escaped her mouth, “Still no matter how embarrassing it was, you have to admit that Madre was pretty funny when she kicked out Howie precisely at one, even going so far as to covering his eyes with her hand and leading him out herself.”

          Gina groaned, “Embarrassing? Try fucking humiliatingly mortified was more like it.”

          “Oh, I am so not even close to sober.” Joce moaned as she closed her eyes, “What time is it?”

          Looking at the clock across the room, Gina could barely make out the arms on the clock, “I have no clue.”

          As if to answer their question the large clock down the hall chimed, once, then twice. Raising an eyebrow Gina looked at Joce.

          “Hey I didn’t do it.” Joce held up her hands in defense looking innocent. Trying to keep a straight face, Gina covered her mouth to hold back a laugh only to fail. Sending both the inebriated women into another tailspin of laughter.

          Pushing herself up off the couch, Gina took a moment to regain her balance, “Whoa. You might wanna get up slowly. The room seems to disagree with movement.”

          Laughing, Joce reached for Gina’s hand to help pull her up, “Oh my.” She laughed as she felt the room swaying beneath her, “I think we should get to bed. We have to be up at 8 to get our hair done.”

          “Ok, are you sure you are okay enough to get back to the pool house alone?”

          “Pfft, piece of cake. But I want to check on the boys first. I want to make sure Madre didn’t corrupt them too much.” Joce said as they headed upstairs to the boy’s room. Peaking in, they say Drogyn and Juaquin both asleep in their toddler beds. Each mother gave her son a quick kiss on the head before they snuck back out of the room.

          “Okay, Joce remember. 8 o’clock, we have to be up and leave by 8:30. Our spa appointment is at 9.” Gina reminded Joce as she showed her to the back sliding door. “You gonna be alright.”

          “Yeah. I’m fine. The fresh air will sober me up too. Make sure there is a full pot of coffee for me when I get up please.” Joce requested, heading across the back lawn toward the pool house. The cool air brushed her face, tugging at the corners of her mouth. October, her favorite month cool and colorful. Well at least back in Wisconsin it was and in Wyoming it was always cool. But still, October was her favorite month.

            Making her way into the pool house Joce tossed her purse onto the couch in the small living area and began to take out the pins in her hair, letting the thick wave of auburn fall down to her back. Stepping into the bathroom, Joce quickly washed off her makeup and took off her jewelry then stepped into the bed room and set the earrings, necklace and bracelets on the dresser. Turning around she headed into the kitchen and grabber herself a bottle of water to set next to her bed for when her cell went off as always at 5am.

          Heading back into the room, Joce laid her cellphone in the drawer of the nightstand on top of a round piece of plastic then set the water bottle on top of the stand. With her back to the bed Joce started to take off her satin black dress, only to realize that the zipper was caught in the back. “Oh, to hell with it.” She muttered to herself and slipped into the large bed, the cool sheets sending chills over her skin as goose bumps rose along her legs and arms as she laid on her side. Running her hands up and down her arms, Joce closed her eyes and tried to seek out Alex for the first time that night since Saint forced her to close off.

          “I’m right here.” A masculine voice purred into her ear sending a warmth through her that made her tremble again. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her toward the middle of the bed, into the curve of his body, even with her eyes closed she was acutely aware of his nakedness against her back and the hard evidence of his arousal that nudged her bottom. Needing to seek warmth, Joce snuggled closer to him, thanking god that Alex was not mad at her for closing off earlier.

          Slowly his hand ran down her side until it switched directions to hold her stomach where the hand slowly clenched and needed thru the dress. Suddenly his lips touched her neck, as he kissed down to the slope of her shoulder as he pulled her harder against his body, grinding himself against her. Jocelynn’s hips slowly began a movement of their own against the burning heat against her. A growl in her ear told her that he didn’t appreciate the tease followed by him quickly turning her onto her back and moving himself between her thighs in a fluid motion, taking the breath from her lungs. She kept her eyes closed, wanting to feel every movement of his, letting her other senses pick up, she could smell him all around her, his hot skin under her fingers as she ran her hands along his back. His lips met her throat, causing her body to bow and arch against his body, needing a deeper contact.

          She felt his right hand run along the left side of her neck and shoulder and felt him tug the thin strap of her dress down as his mouth pulled the other strap down on the other side, leaving the straps at her elbows, restricting her arm movement. The cool air brushed her bare chest as he began to trail kissed along her collar bone and to each of her breast while his hands worked their way down her sides to the hem of her dress, gently then they pulling the dress up past her belly button. Skimming his lips down father he laid butterfly kisses over the fabric that covered only a few inches from her chest to her stomach. Then she felt his tongue tracing along her stomach, making her aware that he was licking and kissing, and even nipping the silvery line across her stomach, the tell tail signs of her pregnancy with Drogyn.  Tears formed in her closed eyes as he kissed each one gently while his hands branded into her hips, holding her down to the bed. All she could do was let the small gasps escape her mouth as she held his hair to hold him to her. Suddenly she felt his fingers of one hand near her core, her body arched once more against him, silently begging for the contact. Instead the long fingers just moved the fabric of her black bikini underwear over and his hardness then pressed against her body’s heated entrance. Her hips tried to push up against his own, trying to take him in, but he held back. Suddenly he kissed her on the lips harshly and rolled over, taking her with so that she was positioned above him, her knees at each side of his hips. Laying her hands on his chest, Joce caught her balance as his fingers held her hips tightly, positioning her over him.

          “Ride me.” Alex said gruffly, through gritted teeth making his voice heard to hear.

          Tilting her head back, Joce let herself moved slowly down the length of him until he impaled her to the hilt. Her eyes closed tighter as pressure built and spiraled in the bit of her stomach. Slowly she moved up and down on him, slowly circling her hips. Another growl escaped him, telling her that she was teasing yet again. His hands started to direct her then, pulling her up and down him faster. She braced herself using his chest as an anchor, her own fingers tightening against his skin in effort to keep herself up as his hips began thrusting up into her in a frenzied pace, making the spiral within her grow stronger and stronger until she shattered against him. Her heart stopped, she forgot how to breath, only able to feel him in her as the wave took over his body when he thrust once more hard and deep within to her. So over took by her own feeling she was barely aware of him calling out her name.

          Falling against him Joce finally took a breath, heavy and deep sending another shudder through her body as he held her to him and rolled them onto their side where they fell asleep promptly.

          At 5am Jocelynn was woken to the sound of her cellphone going off. Sitting up in bed, Joce realized she was on the other side of the bed. Quickly she moved from the bed and hurried over to her side of the bed and grabbed for the cell phone to turn off the alarm before it awoke Alex. Looking over at him, she was unable to make out if he was still asleep or not. When he didn’t say anything, Joce used the light from her phone to grab out a round container and took out a pill. With her other hand she grabbed the bottle of water and opened the sports top with her teeth. Tossing the pill into her mouth, Joce quickly took a drink of the water to wash it down with. As she was about to set the container back in the drawer a hand grabbed her wrist and the lamp on the stand turned on. Suddenly she was looking into Alex’s eyes that went from the round plastic container to her eyes, accusingly he asked,

          “Is that birth control?”