The rest of our lives started today.
“Go figure, it’s the guy always barking up our asses about being late to the ice that’s the last one here,” I teased when Maddox and Bristol walked into the already crowded room.
Maddox rolled his eyes. “Do you have any idea how long it takes to get out of the house with a newborn?”
My gaze shifted to Bristol, who had a tiny bundle strapped to her chest. “Is that my godson I see?”
She stepped over to my bedside, leaning forward so I could catch a peek of the little guy. His angelic face was relaxed in sleep, his lips parted as he snoozed peacefully. A tuft of dark hair graced his head, clearly having inherited his coloring from his father.
“He’s beautiful,” I remarked. “How old?”
“A week,” Bristol replied.
“Think he’s up to the task of ring bearer?”
You could have heard a pin drop after I dropped that bomb.
Gemma sucked in a sharp breath, alarm seeping into her tone. “We don’t have rings.”
“Yes, you do,” my mom spoke up, reaching for the chain hanging around her neck. Pulling it from inside her shirt, the ring at the end caught the harsh fluorescent lights of the room—my father’s wedding band.
“Mom, I can’t,” I protested.
Unclasping the chain, she pressed the ring into Gemma’s palm, curling her fingers so that her fist closed around it. “Your father didn’t get a chance to watch you grow into the incredible man you’ve become. He’d be honored to have you carrying a piece of him as you embark on this new phase of life.”
Next, she slipped off her own wedding band and offered it to me. “This is for your bride. My only wish is that the two of you are as happy as your father and I were, even if our time together was cut short.”
Tears sprang to my eyes, and when I spoke, my voice was rough with emotion. “Thank you.”
“Wait,” Braxton cut into the tender exchange. “Just so we’re clear on what’s about to go down. You’renotalready married?”
I reached for Gemma’s hand. “No. But we will be in a few minutes.”
“I knew it,” Maddox said.
My beautiful bride ducked her head. “Desperate times.”
Jenner patted Gemma on the shoulder. “For what it’s worth, you sold it really well. I bought it, even if our resident cynic didn’t.”
“How am I a cynic?” Maddox challenged his best friend. “I was right.”
A knock sounded on the open door, and a middle-aged man in clergy garments smiled at our gathering. “I hear today we have cause for celebration.”
“We sure do.” A bubble of joy expanded inside my chest. “I’d like to marry the love of my life today. If you’d be so kind as to do the honors for us.”
He dipped his chin. “It would be my pleasure.”
Our friends made a path for him to enter the room, and he situated himself on the opposite side of the bed from where Gemma stood.
“I’ve been warned by the nursing staff that your visitors only have about fifteen minutes left before they are asked to leave, so if it’s all right with the two of you, we’ll do the quick version.”
I nodded my agreement. “Works for me.”
Gemma laughed softly. “Par for the course. Whirlwind from start to finish.”
Gazing up at her, I countered, “Once you’re mine forever, we can slow down and enjoy the rest of our lives. That’s a promise.”
The chaplain cleared his throat. “If I could get your names before we begin?”
