Hell no, I didn’t know. Makes sense, though. She alwaysdidclaim all boys were stupid. And even though she loves me and Julian, she still stands by Ro and Beck being the only two who aren’t. “No. I had no idea. Happy for her, though. Now share the tea. What’s her girlfriend like?”
Eli tilts his head to the side. “Pretty. Really pretty. She has huge eyes. Like they’re almost too big for her face. She’s nice too, but a little quiet. Beck and Roman didn’t know she was coming. Or I guess even that Riley was dating someone. Her name is Kara.”
Hmm.Interesting. Before I can pry him for any more details, there’s a knock at the door. “Darlin’. Time to go. The grooms are about ready.”
Brushing back a strand of Eli’s hair and fixing it a little bit, I smile. “Are you ready?”
He hesitates for a second before nodding. “Do you think maybe I should just sit down instead when we get out there. Do you really think Beck’s okay with me standing with Roman?”
“I have no doubt at all that he’s really okay with it. I know Beck and I give each other shit sometimes, and we love to pick on each other. It’s our love language, yeah? But he really is one of the most genuine people you’ll ever meet in your life. If he says he’s good with it, he means it. He’llnever, ever tell you something expecting you to guess if he means it, okay?”
When Eli nods again, a little more sure this time, I stand, offering him my hand. He takes it and I pull him up before leading him out of the room. Julian’s waiting in the hallway with both kids. Wren’s dress looks adorable on her, and I can barely even look at Warren because why are toddlers in tuxes so fucking cute? “My, my. Don’t you guys look magnificent.” Especially my fiancé. His tux is clinging to his broad chest, and he looks good enough to actually fucking eat, but with little ears around, I figure I better keep that to myself.
“Daddy, look,” Wren says, doing a little twirl.
“So pretty. Are you ready?”
She smiles and slips her hand into mine.
“Okay,” I say, “Eli, are you still good with walking down with Warren?”
He nods, so Julian sits him down and Eli takes Warren’s hand in his. “Are you ready to go, little man?” Eli asks.
Warren looks up at Eli and gives him a smile. “Go!”
Hopefully, he doesn’t mean actually go. Knowing this kid, I wouldn’t put it past him to run off. We decided to let Eli carry the rings out, and just have Warren be the ring bearer in name only, which makes me feel a shit ton betterabout life. I do not want to be the one responsible if my kid loses the damn wedding rings.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
I make it two steps before I’m being pulled back. “Excuse me, darlin’. Not so fast.”
Julian wraps me up in his arms, lifting me effortlessly, and presses his lips to mine. Normally, this is my favorite, but… “Put me down. You’re going to wrinkle my clothes.”
Julian laughs. “My bad. First time in over two years you didn’t want me to pack you around.”
“I take offense to that,” I murmur, but he does put me back down.
We’re waiting for our cue to start walking when Riley rushes out of Beck’s room and into the hallway. “Hey,” I say, giving her a little wave.
She rolls her eyes and tugs me into a hug. “Hey, my ass. How are you doing, CT?”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Don’t you start with that crap.”
The doors open, and the music starts playing. Riley takes her cue, ushering Wren toward the door. “Ready, girlie?”
Wren nods, picking up her basket of flowers. “Ready.”
The two of them take off down the aisle, and I can’t help the smile on my face as I watch Wren toss the rose petals that Julian and I filled the basket with this morning.
Eli heads up next, holding Warren’s hand. He almost gets distracted by Henry and Ruby, but thankfully Eli’s able to keep him on task as they make their way to the arch at the end of the aisle. Julian and I walk down side by side, our arms linked together. Huh, this is actually a first, and not super easy given our height difference.
When we’re all settled at the front, Beck starts walking toward us.
He’s got the barest hint of a smile on his face, and I will not cry. I won’t. Nope. Danny is walking beside him, his proud papa smile so big I can’t even look at him. Because if Beck’s face isn’t going to make me cry, Danny’s surely will. I have no idea how I’m going to manage seeing Roman.
When Beck and Danny make it to the arch, Danny gives him a lingering hug and steps back, sitting down at the front.
Seconds later, Ro steps through the doorway with Lydia’s arm hooked through his. Beck lets out a choked sound beside me that instantly has tears springing to my eyes.Goddammit, Beckett.
