All of a sudden, his whole stance softens. He looks at me, softly. It’s the look he only uses for mom and me. “You’re my daughter, Emma. Mine. I’ll love you no matter what.”
He’s watching me curiously and I realize that he doesn’t have a clue. “Okay, I mean, I already know all that but I wanted to make sure you remember when I tell you what I’m about to tell you.”
He puts his hands on his hips in frustration. “Tell me what?”
I take a deep breath and my hand tightens on the bouquet of flowers. I know everyone is waiting on us but it looks like it may be a little bit longer before I make my way down the aisle. “You are going to be a grandpa.”
He shakes his head as if he doesn’t get it. “A grandpa?”
I put my hand to my stomach and he looks there. It seems to hit him all at once and his face transforms with emption. He wipes at a tear on his face as he tugs me into his arms. He holds onto me tightly before he releases me and smiles at me. “I’m proud of you, kid. I’ll always be here for your mom, you and my grandchild. You guys are my everything.”
I’m a little taken back and doing my best not to cry and ruin my makeup when I hear my soon to be husbands voice on the other side of the door. “Emma! Princess! Everything okay?”
I sniff. “Yea, you can come on in.”
When he doesn’t, I walk out of Bull’s arms and go and open the door. Maddox is standing there with his hands over his eyes. “I didn’t think I was supposed to see you before the wedding.”
Bull harumphs behind me. “Too late, Romeo. I saw you sneaking out of my house early this morning. It was one night apart...”
I laugh, with my face red. “I asked him to come over.”
Bull comes and stands between Maddox and I. “Well, I guess congratulations are in order.”
Maddox looks at me in confusion. “I told him about the baby.”
Maddox’s eyes go to Bull. “Uh...”
Bull laughs and holds his hand out to him. “No worries here. My daughter’s happy, that’s all that matters.”
Maddox puts his hand in Bull’s and they shake. “Thanks, Bull. Or should I say Grandpa.”
Bull grins. “Har, har. I’m not even mad about it. Go ahead with your jokes. I’m going to be the best grandpa ever.”
I nod at him. “I know you are.”
Bull looks between Maddox and I. “Okay, I’m going out into the hallway so you two can talk but don’t be long. You have a church full of bikers and there’s only so long I can keep the peace.”
Bull walks out and shuts the door behind him. Maddox immediately draws me into his arms. “I was getting worried about you out there.”
I shrug. “I felt bad that we hadn’t told Bull but I shouldn’t have worried about it. I think he’s happy to be a grandpa.”
Maddox tilts my chin up. “I’m sorry your dad couldn’t come.”
I lift my shoulders in a shrug. “My dad just walked out of the room and is waiting on us. My biological dad is on a cruise in the Bahamas. It is what it is, Mad. I would have wanted Bull to walk me down to you anyway.”
He smiles at that. “I like the sound of that. I’m ready to have my ring on your finger. I want everyone to know you’re taken.”
“There’s never been any doubt about that. Now let’s do this... because I’m ready for the honeymoon.”
He kisses me tenderly and I know my lipstick is a mess, but I don’t even care. He releases me and holds his hand out. “After you, Princess.”
I touch the crown charm at my neck and walk out the door, hand in hand to marry the love of my life.
