Roman looks like he’d rather be just about anywhere else, but Beck has a self-satisfied smirk on his face. “Alright, you two. The guests await your presence.”
In a move that seems second nature, they slip their hands into each other’s and head down the hall toward me. Holden follows them, rolling his eyes.
The reception is in full swing by the time we get back. Everyone is up on their feet dancing. Riley and Kara are swaying with Warren tucked between them, and Eli is twirling Wren around. I almost lose it when I catch sight of Lydia and Danny wrapped up in each other, with Henry and Ruby close by them in a similar position. The love in this room is almost too much. I’m so blessed that I get to be a part of it.
Someone catches sight of the grooms, and a round of applause goes around the room as everyone starts cheering. Beck and Roman share a glance and make their way into the crowd of people, accepting hugs and congratulations.
It’s not long before Riley is coming over the speakers. “It’s been brought to my attention that it’s time for the grooms to share their first dance.”
The dance floor clears as Roman and Beck walk hand in hand to the center. Music starts playing through the speakers, and they all but collapse into each other’s arms. I’m not too proud to admit that it brings a fresh wave of tears to my eyes.
Holden sidles up beside me, resting his head on my upper arm. I lean over and press my lips to his wild waves. They were more tame when the wedding started, but with his dancing and running around with the kids, they’ve gone a bit crazy. Holden sighs. “They look so happy.”
I hum. “That’s because they are.”
Holden doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t need to. The way Beck and Roman are clinging to each other as they sway to the music says it all. They both have their eyes closed, and you can just tell that right now, not a single person exists outside the two of them. Beck cups the side of Roman’s neck and, without opening his eyes, brings himin for a slow kiss. When they break apart, Beck rests his forehead against Roman’s.
Holden sniffles. “Are you alright, darlin’?”
He lets out a wet laugh. “Absolutely not. You?”
“Not even a little.”
The song fades away, and neither Beck nor Roman moves. They just keep swaying with each other, lost in their own world, even as couples start joining them on the dance floor. “Dance with me?” Holden asks, blinking up at me with those gorgeous green eyes.
“Absolutely, darlin’.”
His smile is breathtaking, and we make our way into the throng of people. He rests his head against my chest as we move to the music. We don’t get much of a dance before Wren comes barreling toward us with Warren hot on her heels. Holden giggles, leaning down to pick up Warren, while I do the same with Wren. The four of us dance and smile and laugh until Warren’s asleep against Holden’s shoulder and Wren is flagging. We’re stopped by Lydia and Danny. “Hey, guys. We’re heading home. Can we take the kids?” Lydia asks.
Holden, having long ago learned his lesson about not turning down safe kid-free time, nods immediately. “Yes. But you get to tell Henry and Ruby that you beat them.”
Danny laughs. “We already did. We negotiated. They want to take them tomorrow. Be expecting a text asking for permission.”
He carefully passes Warren to Danny with a laugh, and Lydia kneels in front of Wren. “Want to come home with us, sweet girl?”
Wren rubs her eyes, nodding sleepily, then takes Lydia’s outstretched hand. She stands, pulling first Holden and then me into hugs. “We love you guys. We’ll bring them home sometime tomorrow. Not early. Or maybe not at all, depending on when you get that text. Enjoy yourselves. We offered to let Eli come with us, but he’s not quite ready yet.”
“He’ll get there,” Holden murmurs. “No one can resist the love of the Harts for long.”
Lydia kisses his forehead with a little laugh. “We love you all.”
Chapter 15
Holden
Julian sweeps me off my feet, quite literally, picking me up and hauling me close to his body the second Danny and Lydia walk out with the kids. I wrap my legs around his waist with a squeak, not expecting him to have picked me up like that. His loud laugh makes my heart swell. “Did I scare you, darlin’?”
“No. Just wasn’t expecting it. Took me by surprise.”
I rest my head against his shoulder as he spins us in slow circles, holding me tightly to him. When he spins me around, I catch Eli watching Beck and Ro with a little smile playing on his lips. “Put me down. I’m going to go check on Eli.”
He does, letting me slide slowly down his body until my feet hit the ground. “He hasn’t really been up dancingsince the kids deserted him. Beck and Roman have tried to get him up with them, but so far, he’s resisted. Maybe you can convince him.”
Maybe I can. I’m going to try at any rate.
I raise up on my tip-toes, stealing a quick kiss from Julian before heading over to where Eli is sitting. “Hey,” I say, sitting down beside him.
He looks over at me with a small grin. “Hi.”
