“You’re my favorite part of the day. You’ve never rushed me to figure anything out—just anchored me to you so I had a place to come home. And you’ve loved our baby from the second I told you. I saw it in your eyes then and I see it when you look at me now. I’m terrified, Beau, but I don’t want to do this with anyone else.”
“I—”
“Save it for the ceremony, Heartthrob. I want to see you when we finally get to say it.”
“This might be the best day of my life, Stunner.”
“And just think…it’s barely noon.”
INDIE
“I know that he loves you,”my father says as we wait for the processional music, as my hand smooths the lapel of his suit jacket. “But do you love him?”
“I do, Daddy, and I know this isn’t the way you wanted things to happen for me but?—”
He presses his palm against mine, our hands resting over his heart. “I’ve seen a lot of things in my day, good and bad, and there’s no right way when it comes to makin’ a life with the person you love. Be good to each other, honest and kind, defend them fiercely when they’re down, and never take the small moments for granted.” Brushing a tear from my cheek, he smiles. “Think you can manage that?”
“Yes.”
“Then I think it’s time.”
Offering me his arm, we walk slowly down the grassy aisle, a smattering of chairs on each side filled with Beau’s family and mine as a soft melody plays through the speakers. Beau stands at the front with the officiant we hired. I’m pretty sure he waived his fee after Beau’s father offered to smoke some meat for him.
It’s not all that different from Blackstone Falls, honestly.
My father shakes Beau’s offered hand, before kissing my cheek and giving me to my husband—the one I married because I felt I needed to but now the one I never want to live without.
“Be good to each other,” my father repeats before nodding once and turning to take the seat next to my mother.
It’s the perfect day, the sun shining and the breeze dancing through the flowers and the trees.
“I love you,”I mouth to Beau, my heart skipping a beat as the widest smile spreads across his face.
“I love you,”he mouths back, his eyes never leaving mine as I bring his hand to my belly, our little one just as excited for the day as we are.
Our little family.
Beau was right; this is definitely the best day of our lives.
22
BEAU
It’s been three days since the wedding, the ring on my finger and the happiness in my soul a constant reminder that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
We’d eaten, danced, and then I’d taken Indie home and made love to her.
My wife.
I rubbed her tired feet in the morning, lazing around as long as possible before everyone descended on the house. They’d brought food and drinks and cleaned up all of it too. It’d been perfect.
Indie’s parents decided to stay an extra week, but Sawyer had flown back to Starlight Bay this morning, promising to come back when the baby is born. It was nice seeing her connect with her brothers, especially Sawyer, whom she hadn’t seen in years. He promised to send honey and a bee-themed present to match the one he’d sent for Remi.
“You can just leave her here,” Indie says as she cuddles the toddler on the couch.
Jensen laughs, his large frame taking up the other corner of the couch. “I’ll bring her back when it’s time to potty train.”
“I’m glad you came,” she says, booping Remi on the nose but looking at her brother. “I—sorry, just a sec.”
