“Do you, Prince Erich, take Jacques Kingson, Viscount of Merrick, honored brother and greatest uncle, and—” Cort lifted a notecard and studied the words “best pancake-maker in all of Swena?”
I laughed again.
“Did the kids help you write the ceremony?” Erich asked.
Cort grinned. “They did.”
“I do,” Erich said. “I didn’t even know he was the best pancake-maker in all of Swena, but I love that about him. I love everything about him.”
“I now pronounce you husbands. You may kiss.”
And we did.
Chapter 15
Erich
When Jaq told me he wanted to get married in the garden, I had no objections.
My parents would have liked a little more fanfare, and perhaps a formal banquet with the traditional dances and speeches. I am sure each of my brothers would’ve loved the chance to give a speech and make jokes at my expense. I would have endured all of it.
I just wanted Jaq.
As long as I ended my day married to him, I was happy.
“Was it everything you could have hoped for?” I asked when we were finally alone. We had said our vows, did the picture thing—that took forever—and now we were seated in the formal dining room for the meal.
Everything was just us with our family. And they were all pre-occupied with their children. The background all faded away now that I was next to Jaq.
“Uncle Jaq! Uncle Jaq! Is it true you’re a prince now? A real prince?” Julien asked. He tugged on his uncle’s shirt sleeve.
So maybe the background didn’t fully fade away.
“Julien, leave your uncle alone. It’s nearly bedtime, and you need a shower.”
“Daaad! I don’t want to. You said I could go to the wedding!”
Jaq picked up Julien and put him in his lap. He wrapped his arms around him and squeezed. “I’m so happy you could be here for the wedding, little J. But the rest of the day is pretty boring. We’re going to have vegetables, do the dishes, then go to bed early. But if you go with Uncle Wendell right now, get your bath and get your jamas on, I bet he’ll let you have a tiny sliver of cake before you wind down for e night.”
I had a feeling the kids were going to get more than a sliver of cake, but I wasn’t going to say anything. When selecting the cake, Jaq had specifically requested the kids’ favorites.
Julien put a big kiss on Jaq’s cheek and then hopped down. “Thanks Uncle Jaq! We’ll see you tomorrow!”
Jaq smiled and then turned to me. “What?” he said.
“You’re so good with them. I can’t wait until we have our own.”
We had talked about having kids after our little scare. We both wanted them, but we were content to wait. There was no reason to rush.
“You really mean that?” he asked, his voice low. He leaned closer to me now, and I was not unaffected. His scent wrapped around me, pulling me in.
The family was getting settled into their seats, my brothers and their husbands were putting kids into highchairs, while my dads held hands at the head of the table, looking on proudly.
“I really do,” I said.
“I’m glad.” Jaq leaned closer until his lips were close enough for me to kiss. I was about to do just that when he said, “I’m pregnant.”
I stared. Shock had me not able to move or speak or do anything. Then elation filled me. “You’re pregnant?”He nodded.
