Kent
“You nervous?” Keanu asks as I rub my hands down the front of my black Armani jacket for the umpteenth time.
“What groom isn’t nervous on his wedding day?” I arch a brow. “You were shaking like a leaf the day of your wedding and so pale I thought you were gonna puke.”
“That’s a lie,” he replies, straightening his tie. “I was nervous, but it was the good kind of nervous. Exactly the kind you are experiencing now.”
I roll my eyes, but my brother isn’t wrong. So far, everything has been perfect, and I want to keep it that way. I want today to be a day we will both cherish for the rest of our lives.
I stare at the placid lake in front of us, grateful we chose to have the wedding at my brother’s cabin. It’s beautiful here and completely private. We’ve managed to keep today a secret from the media, and that’s helped to alleviate a lot of stress.
I cast an appreciative glance at the gorgeous garden surrounding us. Kyler and Faye’s property extends for miles in all directions, and there are several places on the vast estate we could’ve chosen to conduct the ceremony, but the rear garden behind the luxurious cabin is the perfect spot.
The grounds are beautifully landscaped with an abundance of shrubs and colorful flowers. We built a temporary deck right in front of the lake for the ceremony, and Mom did a great job decorating it with pretty flowers. Presley’s love affair with flowers continues, as is evidenced by the sheer volume of flowers on display today. We are virtually drowning in flowers, and I know my girl is planning on pressing all of them and using them in her artwork.
She has given up her side business as she just didn’t have the time to manage it, but she still loves creating pictures in her spare time. All my brothers have at least one Presley creation in their homes, and Mom and Dad have pieces all over their Wellesley house.
We bought a house a few miles from my parents, just before Shania arrived. Our place is close to my other brothers who live in the area, and while I never imagined I would return to live in Wellesley, we are happy there. Shania gets to play with her cousins daily, and my parents are very active in our lives. Mom has taken a back seat in her interior design business so she has time to spend with her grandchildren, and she’s always willing to babysit or help out if we need it. Dad too. We are lucky we have them because life is hectic, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
My eyes skim over the rest of the grounds, landing on the large marquee where we’ll conduct the party. We hired a party company who will play games and other fun activities with the kids, in the small side marquee, while the adults feast on lobster and champagne. And we have a guy coming in an hour with a few bounce houses to keep the kids entertained. He even has one for the adults for later, after the kids are in bed. That should be fun. My lips twitch at the possibilities.
“Oh, here comes Rachel. That’s a good sign,” Keats says from his position beside Keanu, and we turn to watch Brad’s heavily pregnant wife waddle up the aisle.
She’s not the only family member pregnant today. Both Lana and Cheryl are also pregnant, but they are not as far along. Lana is expecting her third child with my brother Kalvin, and Cheryl is expecting her second child with Keven. Their son, Taylor, turns two in August.
I’m expecting an announcement from Keanu and Selena any time now. They are the only couple in the family who haven’t had kids yet. Both are exceptionally busy with their jobs, and Keanu previously said he didn’t want to bring any babies into the world until they have the time to devote to their family. Now that Keanu’s fashion brand and his modeling agency are well established, and very successful, and Moonlight finally opened its doors last year, I think they will take some time out to start a family.
The music starts, and my shoulders relax as Elvis’s “Love Me Tender” plays over the loudspeakers. Everyone should expect Elvis to be playeda lottoday because he’s played a big part in our love story.
My heart is full to bursting point as I turn around with Keats and Keanu by my side. All nerves disappear as I watch the first of the bridal party appear on the deck at the back of the cabin.
I’m so ready to do this because I can’t wait to make Presley my wife.
Our guests stand, and I share a knowing look with a few of the guys from work. We’ve attended a lot of weddings this year, as many of our friends settle down.
After I passed the bar, Stearns and Westfall offered me a full-time position, and I didn’t hesitate to accept. From the first summer I interned there, it has felt like home. After they took on my case and ensured I got justice, I knew there would never be any other law firm I would want to work at. I also offer free legal services to residents of Moonlight in my spare time, and it’s good to be in a position to help other victims of sexual abuse.
Kyler captures my attention just as Selena and Hewson step down onto the red carpet. Kyler, Keanu, and I laid out a temporary decked path, which is serving as our aisle today. Kyler has tears in his eyes—joyful ones—as he looks at me, and I know he’s happy for me. We’ve spent more time together in recent years, and we’ve talked a little about the things that happened to us as kids, and it’s brought us closer.
Kyler wraps his arm around Faye, holding her tight as she clutches a wriggling Caoimhe in her arms. Their youngest daughter is fourteen months old, and she was born three months before Shania. I can already tell the girls are going to become the best of friends because they always gravitate toward one another whenever the whole family is together.
Selena and Hewson walk toward us with matching smiles. Hewson turned eleven last month, and he’s one of the few family members who has always accepted me as I am. Of course, he doesn’t know what happened to me, because we shielded the kids from the news as they were too young, but he was always happy to hang out with his Uncle Kent. Probably because I was the craziest one back then. I can’t believe he’s eleven, and he’s so freaking tall already. His arm is looped through Selena’s as he escorts her up the aisle, holding the ring boxes in his other hand.
When they reach the top, he lets go of Selena’s arm to shake my hand. “Congrats, Uncle Kent. Presley’s a total babe.”
I hear Mom murmur how he’s a miniature Kalvin, and she’s not wrong. He’s a total little charmer in the making. We do this elaborate knuckle-touch maneuver he taught me before I pull him in for a brief hug. “Thanks, dude, and she so is.” He walks off to his parents, taking a seat in between his mom and his sister Hayley.
I kiss my sister-in-law on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Sel.” She’s wearing a knee-length red silk and lace dress that clings to her killer model curves.
“I’m delighted for you, Kent.” She hugs me warmly. “Be happy because you deserve it.”
A massive lump swells in my throat, and I wonder if I’ll get through this day without crying.
Of course, Keanu can’t resist kissing his wife even though it’s not exactly protocol. But the minister doesn’t mind. Eva beams at me as I glance over my shoulder at her. She asked us if she could officiate the wedding when we told her we didn’t want a religious ceremony, and we accepted her offer on the spot.
Things are still a little strained between Kaden and me, but I appreciate he doesn’t let it affect the close relationship I have with his wife. In time, I’m hoping we’ll be able to fully leave the past in the past and have the kind of relationship I now have with the rest of my brothers. I think it helps ease Kade’s guilt knowing how much I still adore, respect, and rely on Eva. Milly and Matthew stand beside their dad in the second row, giggling excitedly as Shania comes into view.
I give my daughter my full attention as Austen lifts her off the deck, placing her chubby little legs down on the aisle. He has to bend his legs and crouch down to hold her hand, but he doesn’t mind how silly he looks because Austen and Keaton adore our little girl as if she is theirs. Shania only started walking three weeks ago, so she’s a little wobbly on her legs.
