Rediscovery 15

The next time Andrew woke up, it was nine in the morning.

He had to drive Winny back home for the rehearsal dinner and to perfect their dancing skills because apparently Jonathan and the twins couldn't dance for nuts.

But he didn't want to wake Winny up. Not when she looked so beautiful, her black curls in tangles across the snow white pillow, her rosebud lips looking swollen in a very erotic manner from all their kissing.

Andrew shifted a little. Winny mumbled and snuggled closer unwilling to let go of him even in sleep.

Andrew had never known joy so profound. Could he have imagined that this would have happened a month ago? Not a bloody chance. He sighed contentedly and pulled Winny closer.

His movements had finally roused Winny. She blushed a little as she looked up at him," It feels right waking up in your arms."

Andrew ran a hand down her satiny skin on her back and said, "Because you belong there."

Andrew took Winny's lips in a deep kiss but broke off, "Tough choice ahead of us darling. If we stay in bed kissing, I'll want to make love to you. And we really do need to get a move on if we want to get home before the bride panicks!"

Winny gave him a devilish look, "Well. . . . . . .Maybe we could carry on our bedroom antics in the shower. Saves time!"

Andrew could only stare, "Who'd have thought an 18 year old would know so much?" Winny snorted, trailing her fingers down his chest, "We learnt a lot from magazines in girl’s school you know!"

Still laughing, Andrew carried a slightly hesitant Winny to the bathroom, "Hey! You suggested this!"

Winny laughed, "But I didn't know you'd take me up on it!" Winny squealed as the warm water from the shower hit her naked and aroused skin.

With a growl, she pulled Andrew in after her. "I thought men took showers to get over . . . . .You know!" said Winny as Andrew kissed her neck and then painted her breasts with feathery kissed that got her all hot and bothered.

"Yes, but a shower works the opposite way when a man's in it with the woman of his dreams," he whispered against her sensitive ear. They ended up taking ages in the shower anyway. Winny was pulling on a light pink shift dress when a thought struck her, "Andrew! What must my brothers think of last night? I mean, I don't intend to hide the fact, but . . . . . ."

Andrew pressed a kiss onto her warm neck and said," The reception called a few minutes back while you were in the bathroom, all of them, are sleeping in the lounge!"

Winny shook her head in disbelief, "Don't sugar coat it. They're not sleeping, they're passed out. How the hell are we going to get them home?"

Winny was finger combing her hair, and the morning light made the emerald sparkle on her finger. Andrew gently took her hand and kissed her ring finger.

Winny forgot everything else and hugged Andrew,"Lady Golding was partially right you know. I am fast with men at least with you."

Andrew merely looked puzzled so Winny continued, "We've known each other less than a month and I already have a ring on my finger. That's fast." Andrew laughed, "That's what love does. We were made for each other!"

* * *

It was noon by the time all the Westbrook men were sober. Apparently the twins had got drunk, then convinced Jonathan to get drunk because it was the last time he'd be permitted to do so without having to look at a scowling wife, who'd then convinced Jacob to have one drink too many because it was apparently the only time after marriage that he could get drunk with good reason.

Winny was shaking her head as they all piled into the SUV. The Westbrooks were reputed for chain reaction. If one was sad, the entire family would be wallowing in misery.

But carrying it to drinking was plain crazy.

"My head hurts."

"My eyes are burning."

"I'm hungry."

"Two of you idiots better watch out. Once I can form i fist, I'm going to kill you."

Winny cut into the groans from the front seat while Andrew chortled. "Jonathan, you won't have to kill the twins. Once we get home, and if all of you don't get your act together, you'll have plenty of people to do the job on all four of you."

Jonathan groaned,"Winny, please don't lecture right now!"

Winny turned back with a huff and crossed her arms. Jacob who was slightly more alert, noticed the flash of green, "Winny, you seem to have a rock on an extremely important finger."

Winny blushed and looked at Andrew who searched her face trying to understand whether she wanted the news to be shared or not, seeing that she did, he took her hand in his and said, "We're engaged."

Jonathan seemed to have sobered at the news, "Engaged? Aren't you both rushing this a bit. I mean what about college Winny."

Andrew laughed, "We're engaged Jonathan, not walking down the aisle. And of course Winny's going to in to college."

Visibly relaxed, the two older brothers sat back as the twins took over, "Ooooh! Who'd have thought? Our best friend and baby sister!" Michael chimed in, "We’ll be hounding each step"

* * *

The rest of the journey passed peacefully as the brothers slept off the remaining effects of beer.

Winny squeezed Andrew's hand, "I'm glad you didn't end up in their condition."

Andrew whispered back, "Hmm. I think it’s because I had something more potent in my arms don't you think?"

Winny laughed softly. Ever since yesterday, she'd been feeling giddy, happy and loved. She marveled at how exquisite these feelings were. She looked at the tall strong man next to her. Any woman would fall in love with him but he loved her, loved her enough to ask her to marry him. The romance novels had it all wrong. Or maybe she was just lucky that happiness had come so easily. With a soft contended sigh, she closed her eyes. It WAS a beautiful life.

Andrew savored the feel of Winny's soft hand within his own. He was both overjoyed and humbled by the extent of his feelings. It was as if life was suddenly more beautiful. The emerald on Winny's hand seemed to wink at him in agreement.

Laughing, Andrew turned and waited for the gate to open to the Westbrook estate.

"We're home!" shouted Andrew at the cars occupants after he'd roused Winny a lot more gently with kisses.

The motley gang trooped to the house. They'd almost reached the door when Jacob turned to Winny and Andrew, "You guys ought to go in first and announce the good news to the family."

Slightly nervous but eager at the same time the young couple walked into the living room. Have you ever seen a hail storm. It was exactly like that, only the pellets came horizontally as Susan, Annabel, Victoire, Alisa, Linda and Annette piled onto them with shrieks of delight and congratulations. Susan’s parents and her younger brother Kyle who was 21 also congratulated them.

When they finally let go of them, Winny asked, "But how'd you know?" All eyes were focused on somewhere over her shoulder.

As she and Andrew turned to look, she realized they were staring at the twins, who both hung their heads.

Rafe cleared his throat, "We kind of texted the good news to the family."

Michael nodded, "We were just trying to help. Sorry if we stole your thunder or something."

Winny laughed and launched herself into her brothers’ arms.

Adam and Patrick were the only ones who'd behaved a little sensibly. They hugged with equal intensity but didn't quite shriek!

Adam turned to Andrew and said, "Son, now you're truly part of the family. Winny couldn't have chosen better." Patrick meanwhile was gloating, "I think the Thortons got the better deal. I mean my sons great and everything, but Winny is much better!"

* * *

"So when's the wedding?" teased Alisa.

Susan pointed to the canopy outside where the wedding reception would take place, "Maybe we should just leave that standing."

Winny teased back, "Eager to get rid of me are you?"

Patrick cut in,"But seriously you two. Have you thought about when. . ."

Andrew replied, "We haven't really thought about it but I think we can take the canopy down. Winny has college; we're looking for a house somewhere in that area. And we'll see where it goes from there." Winny added, "But don't worry. There will be a wedding. I've got him hooked full and proper. He's not going anywhere."

Everyone laughed at that while Andrew said loudly, "I have the same effect on her too you know!"

Just then a short blonde woman with a happy smile was announced in by Jeffery.

Annabel stood up, "Winny, Andrew this is Ella Mason. She's our wedding planner. She took over Clara, her grandmother's business last year. She'd also helped with Jacob and Alisa's wedding. Ella this is my youngest, Winny, and her fiancé Andrew. You've met the rest at some point or the other."

Ella laughed, "More work for me! Now we're very short on time. We need to get the show on the road. Why are all of you staring?"

Winny shook her head, "You're not anything like a monster wedding planner are you? I mean you're nice! And you're wearing jeans!"

Ella was about to answer when Jonathan asked, "What would you do if a man turned up drunk for his wedding?"

Ella's expression turned serious, "We give them a potent cocktail of tomatoes and other stuff that acts as a purgative. And you've all heard of what Stella Mutt had done to one of her grooms haven't you? That’s why the question."

Michael laughed, "You call her mutt?" Shooing them out to the reception she replied, "That's her name, Stella Mutt."

* * *

Exhausted, Winny slumped into Andrew's arms.

Ella was a slave driver. Winny liked her, but what a day. "Tired?" Andrew asked brushing some hair of her face.

"You're the one who kept me up all night and you're still asking that question?" teased Winny.

Andrew's sighed, "If I remember correctly, you were the one who wanted me to stay the night!" Andrew quipped.

Winny laughed in defeat, "I did didn't I ?"

The conversation didn't in further as Andrew kissed her.

Slowly, softly, and then with increasing intensity as his tongue flicked over her lower lip. Winny moaned and opened herself to him, their tongues locked in a seductive battle their hands digging into each other's flesh.

"Knock it off" said Rafe.

"You’re making me blush. " said Michael.

"And if either of you do that one more time, I'll put eggs in your bed again!" threatened Winny, glaring at her brothers.

Andrew had to smother a laugh at that. Even he remembered that. Winny'd been 6 and he and the twins 13. They'd eaten her entire box of Godiva chocolates. Mad as hell, Winny'd sworn revenge. The next morning Andrew had arrived at the Westbrook manor to be welcomed by the stench of eggs and then by twins who reeked of their father's perfume to mask the smell.

Annabel had walked up to them by then, "Winny why are you threatening them with eggs? Whatever they've done, there's a wedding in the house in 3 days. No eggs please."

Winny huffed. She couldn't exactly tell her mother that she was angry because her brothers didn't let her kiss Andrew properly.

Andrew laughed into her ear, "Don't worry Winny. We'll manage to find some convenient corner!"

Laughing, they headed back to the house. As the rest trooped in,

Winny and Andrew stayed out on the porch, "Don't go just yet!" Andrew smiled in the silvery light, "Who said anything about going anywhere?"

Winny lamented, "Maybe we should get married right now. Then we could never be parted not even for a minute."

Andrew pulled her onto his lap. Stroking her back as she rested her head on his shoulder he said, "I'd take you to the closest church, drag the priest out of bed and tie you to me in holy matrimony. But you would hate me in the morning."

Both of them laughed, but Andrew had to suck in his breath, when Winny pressed a soft kiss into his neck.

Dipping his head, he kissed her. His hands trailed down her shoulder to her waist to her knees. He pushed up the hem of her dress and massaged the satiny skin of her thighs.

Winny meanwhile held him in a stranglehold with her arms around his neck. Winny whimpered against Andrew's open mouth her need for him rising no end.

A slight scuffling sound brought them back to earth.

Listening carefully, they heard voices in the foyer.

Jonathan was saying,"I'm going to call Winny and Andrew in."

Susan replied, "No you won't. They both'll come inside when they want to. Don't keep poking your nose into their life."

Jonathan said, "She’s my sister!"

Kyle's voice joined in, "And Susan's my sister. And you're her fiancé as you were 2 years back. Did you like it when I kept messing around?"

Jonathan's laugh filtered out, "I hated you when you did that. What made you stop?"
They heard Kyle's reply just before the voices faded away as they walked inside, "A conversation with my girlfriend's brother."

Andrew and Winny looked at each other and burst out laughing. With a silent understanding they went and joined the family in the drawing room.

* * *

Winny had just signed in. As usual she was met with a deluge.

Elaine- just because we set a time doesn't mean you don't remember us at all.
Monique-out of sight, out of mind?

Nandini-You wound us.

Gisele- I signed up for a course in jewelry designing.

Nandini- Winny, please spew something.

Winny- I'm engaged.

Monique- engaged as in you have a ring on your finger?

Elaine- Who? The Thorton guy?

Nandini- I said old is gold not run with the wind.

Gisele- Helena would've flipped if she'd heard this. Tell me more! Winny- well….its a long story how about if I tell you once you guys get here day after?

Nandini- Fair enough!

* * *

Winny woke to the sounds of a guitar.

Struggling up in bed, she realised it was coming from her balcony. Just as she stepped out, she saw Andrew standing right under the balcony with an old beat up guitar.

The moment her saw her, he sang-

Sunrise will never feel the same
Mesmerized
And I can't escape
I just can't breathe
When you're not with me
I wish you could see
The things I've seen
But I can't control the way it goes
And I pray one day you'll know

Only you can see me when I cry
Only you can hold me like a child
Only you can make me miss
Brown eyes
Only you can love me like you do

Sunset will never feel the same
Regret is pouring like the rain
If I could hit the road and find you
Could you forget
The things you know?
How can I breathe
When I can't hold you?
How can I ever let you go?

Only you can see me when I cry
Only you can hold me like a child
Only you can make me miss
Brown eyes, your eyes
Only you can leave my heart
So bruised
Only you can change
The life I choose
Only you can love me like you do

I need you now to save me
Teach me
Forgive me now
Cause only you can reach me
Heal me
I'm holding out for you
I'm lost without you

Only you can see me when I cry
Only you can hold me like a child
Only you can make me miss
Brown eyes
Only you can love me like you do

So help me, so save me
Reach me, feel me
So hold me like a child
Only you can make me
Miss brown eyes
Only you can love me like you do

I'm coming back to you...

Just as he finished, Winny ran down in her nightgown with tears streaming down her eyes.

Slipping and sliding on the wet grass she finally reached Andrew who still stood there standing, as if waiting for her.

Standing there in Andrew's arms, Winny'd never felt happier.

The kiss that followed was rewarded by a loud applause from the occupants of the house who'd watched from the balcony.
--

"Blimey Andrew never knew you could sing!" exclaimed Michael from his room.
Rafe continued from the next room, "Yeah! I'd have ditched law, turned you into a star and made money off you!"

Andrew stroked Winny's hair as Jacob shouted, "Winny! You've been raiding my closet again. That’s my favorite sweat shirt!"

Winny laughed as she flounced back inside with Andrew in tow.

They both entered her room and Winny instructed Andrew to sit in the tiny sitting area while she went and took a bath with a stern command of, "Don't you dare look!"

Andrew raised one eyebrow, "Why not? There's nothing I haven't seen!" and kissed her neck.

Winny slipped out of his grasp, with desire clear on her face, "Because we'll start something we won't be able to finish."

Andrew dropped a quick kiss on her lips and turned to leave the room saying, "On that note I think I'll wait in the library. It'll be painful to sit around with you in that delectable condition right behind that door."

* * *

Dressed in a black Dior belted top, short denim skirt and black ballet shoes, Winny went down to the library where she found Andrew being subjected to familial hugs by two dark haired pre puberty males while their parents tried to drag them off.

"Uncle Mark! Aunt May! You're here!" Winny ran to greet her mother's sister and her husband.

Turning to Andrew who was still besieged by the 14 year old Sean and 10 year old Shaun, she said," This is Andrew, my fiance!" Aunt May smiled lovingly, "We know darling, the twins messaged us too!" Uncle Mark spoke with a smile in his voice, "Welcome to the family son! Take care of our girl or I'll set my boys on you. And both of you get off your cousin."

Sean spoke, "You eat egg whites don't you that’s why you have muscles." Andrew replied," That among other things. You're pretty strong yourself" Shaun spoke, "This weddings going to be great fun! Vicky's going to be sooo angry. She'd sworn she'd get a man before you!"

Winny stared at the 10 year old and then groaned, "I hate Vicky! Ugh. I can't believe she's related to us by blood."

A look of horror dawned on Andrew's face, "Isn't she the skinny one with red hair, attacks anything in pants?"

Uncle Mark nodded in assent, "That's the one."

Shaun vowed in a squeaky voice, "Tell us if she troubles you Winny, we'll take care of her!"

Aunt May turned her eyes onto her sons, "You both'll do no such thing. Last time, you put glue on her pillow and well we all know how that ended!"

Just then the rest of the family walked in with Susan's parents.

The happy family scene was eclipsed by the arrival of the fabled cousin Vicky and her parents, her father, was Annabel's cousin.

She was the perfect example of a snooty bitch. Ignoring everyone else in the room, she made a beeline for Andrew with a loud, "There you are Andrew. I came to this ghastly wedding only in hopes of seeing you!"

But her progress was stopped as she suddenly fell flat on her face. Winded and humiliated, she snarled at Shaun,"You son of a bitch. You did that on purpose!"

Winny cut in swiftly, "Vicky, don't swear. There was a snag in the carpet. No harm done. Allow me to reintroduce you, Andrew, my fiancé." Andrew was giving off the cold vibes again. He deigned to nod in Vicky's direction, but otherwise ignored her. Vicky's color was rising, "You silly slut. . . . . ."

Before anyone could speak, Adam spoke in a deadly voice rarely heard within the walls of the house, "Vicky, there are children in the room and nothing that has occurred merits your reaction. You will behave yourself and keep a civil tongue in your head while you are staying in this house."

The twins and the girls set up an inane chatter lightening the situation. No one was especially troubled though. Vicky meant trouble.

* * *

Andrew and Winny jumped when Annabel suggested that someone would have to pick up the gowns from Janise’s boutique. Everyone hid knowing smiles. Vicky spoke up, " I’ll come too, I need some stuff……………." But before she could finish, Andrew And Winny were already out of the house and almost into a car!

London. First stop was Janise's boutique.

Winny quickly went in and picked up the gowns and with the help from one of the assistants, she laid them out carefully in the back. Andrew was still waiting in the car when she got in, "Hungry?" Winny smiled, "Not in the conventional way."

That was all the indication Andrew needed to drive to his apartment in Central London.
They'd started shedding clothes even before the door closed.

Wild with want and fired by passion, the two of them made love on the sofa.

Overwhelmed but yet not exhausted, they moved to the bedroom. This time, Andrew drew it out, teasing, tantalizing, caressing, causing Winny to writhe in pleasure and cry out with impatience.

Later, they were lying spent in each others arms when the chimes from the clock reminded them that they had to hurry back.

The ride back was short.

Just as they mounted the stairs to the manor, Kyle came running out with a look of stark fear on his face. "What happened?" asked Winny while Andrew gave Kyle a half knowing smile.

Kyle panted, "The she devil knows I'm single. Bloody hell, if she were stronger, I would've been raped!"

Andrew laughed as Winny said, "I'll take care of it. Just follow me and put a sad look on your face."

Both men looked skeptical how can you handle a psychopath? They'd just entered the foyer, when Vicky came out, "There you are!" and rushed at Kyle.

Winny swiftly stood in front of him, "Careful Vicky, he's still very weak." Vicky just looked at her stupidly so she continued with a sad expression on her face," Kyle is just recovering from syphilis!"

Vicky's expression changed to disgust, "Eeew!" and she flounced off.

Kyle looked at Winny, "I'm not sure I completely approve of your methods but thanks."

Winny waved his thanks away and led a chortling Andrew to the library where the men were assembled and then headed to her parent's room where the gowns had been placed. They all exclaimed over the finished result. Janise had insisted on satin heels. Twirling, Linda exclaimed, "Now I know why all the heroines in books made such a huge deal about satin shoes!"

Laughing everyone headed downstairs. Winny reminded her mother that she'd have to go to London the next day because all her friends would be arriving for the wedding.

______________________________________

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