Drew gags, and I flip him the bird.
“I’m in love, and I don’t care who knows it. It’s taken a lot to get to this point, and it’s definitely a cause for celebration.”
“It is, even if Anderson is completely pussy-whipped and proud.”
“Language, Drew,” Mom says, and we both laugh.
Holding my simple white and green bouquet, I walk down the makeshift aisle, which is a grass reed and shell path on the beach, with Mom on one side and Drew on the other. They are both giving me away today, and I couldn’t be happier. Having Mom back in my life is the icing on the cake, and we’re enjoying making up for all the time that was stolen from us.
A temporary decked area, surrounded by tall ornamental grass, has been built on the beach especially for today, and it’s where the priest and my gorgeous guy wait. We decided not to do the whole bridesmaid and groomsman thing, because it would’ve just ended up with most of the wedding party involved.
So, Kai waits for me alone, beaming at me with emotion brimming in his eyes.
My smile is equally wide as I walk toward him, passing the few rows of seats on either side. Everyone is here. Jackson and Sawyer with their parents. Shandra and Xavier came together, and Chad is here with his new boyfriend. Kai’s brothers all brought dates, and they look so handsome, proudly occupying the front row, alongside Wes and his wife, Ruth. I’ve gotten to know them the last couple of days, and I instantly warmed to both of them. They are lovely people, and they care about Kai a lot. They have stepped up in lots of ways over the course of the last few months, assuming legal guardianship over Harley and Joaquin now their dad is AWOL.
Atticus absconded overseas, as did Christian Montgomery, and there is an international warrant out for both their arrests.
Sylvia grabs hold of my arm as I pass, smiling expansively. “You look like an angel,” she whispers. “And I’m so happy for you.” Her eyes are bright, her cheeks flushed with health. Having Mom back has done wonders for the woman, and vice versa. That and the fact that bastard she was married to is now gone from her life. She spent a couple months in rehab when we first got back to Rydeville, and she’s determined to lead a clean and sober life. She purchased a lovely condo fifteen minutes away from Drew’s place, and she and Mom meet daily.
I press a kiss to her cheek, thanking her before moving on. I stop at the top row when I come to the wheelchair, bending down to hug Oscar. “Thank you so much for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world, sweetheart,” he says, clasping my hands.
“You look stunning, Abby,” his wife, Julie, says, smiling at me.
“Thank you all for being here.” I smile at Oscar’s two beautiful daughters, and they give me shy waves. “It’s all the more special because you are.” We came so close to losing Oscar, but thankfully, he pulled through. He’ll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but we’ve seen to it that he’s well looked after. They won’t want for anything as long as we are around.
“You better not keep that handsome young man waiting,” Julie says, looking up at Kai.
“Yes,” I agree. “He’s not known for his patience.” We all have a laugh at Kai’s expense as he wiggles his fingers at me.
I smile, looping my arm in Mom’s and Drew’s and stride toward the altar to my future.
Kaiden
“Are you happy, firecracker?” I murmur as we slow dance on the dance floor, surrounded by friends and family. The marquee looks beautiful with elegant floral centerpieces and lit tea lights on every table. The overhead hanging lanterns add a magical quality to a day that has been amazing so far.
“I’m so happy,” she purrs, peering up at me with slightly dazed eyes. “Today was perfect.”
I kiss her lips. “It was. This is the wedding we should’ve had the first time.” I’ve already got enough happy memories from today to sketch another album for my wife, but I’m going to try and keep that a secret while I work on it, because I love surprising her.
“I loved our first wedding,” she says. “But now we get to tell our kids we had two special days.”
“I love hearing you say that,” I whisper, because I spent weeks thinking kids were an impossibility. “And I can’t wait until the time is right to start a family.”
“Me too.” She holds on to me tighter. “But I’m a selfish bitch because I want you all to myself for a few years first.”
“I guess I’m selfish too,” I admit, swirling her around. “Because I don’t want to share you either.”
“That’s why we work, caveman.” She stretches up, and I lean down, and our mouths collide in a searing-hot kiss that should be outlawed in public.
“I think it’s time we retired for the night. What do you think?” My cock has been hard as a rock all day from looking at my sexy as fuck, gorgeous as fuck, wife. She has never looked more beautiful than she did today, and I plan to worship her body all night long.
“I thought you’d never ask,” she says, cheekily squeezing my ass. “I’ve been dying for you to make love to me all day.”
I laugh. “You’re as horny as a dude.”
She arches a brow. “And you’re complaining?”
