ANNOYING ASSHOLE BIL: That’s fair since I have you listed as BRAT SIL.
Damn it, that was kind of cute, and now I felt bad.Honestly, I adored Vaughn.He was a good husband and father.Abi was happy, and I couldn’t ask for more than that in a life partner for my sister.He was helping with something only he could, and although it was a simple thing that didn’t require more than a few minutes of his time and the use of his extremely talented skills, it was likely to get my parents…grumpy with him.Dad wasn’t Vaughn’s biggest fan.They respected each other’s roles in Abi’s life, though, and that was better than many father-in-law/son-in-law relationships.
Me: I’m sorry.That was rude of me.I’m gonna amend your contact name to just ANNOYING BIL.
ANNOYING BIL: No apology needed.And I just emailed you everything.
ANNOYING BIL: Happy birthday, little one.
Excitement caused my hands to tremble slightly as I opened my email and found what Vaughn had sent.
It was official.
Happy tears blurred my vision as I saw my name beside Sixx’s.Tracing my fingertip over the legal seal at the bottom of the documents on the screen, my heart rate kicked up.It wasn’t like I’d gone to sleep the night before planning to wake up married on my birthday.
Sixx had sent me a happy birthday text right at midnight, when I’d already been asleep.It was the first thing I saw after my alarm went off, reminding me that I was going to have brunch with my parents and a few other people rather than a bigger birthday extravaganza later in the day.This year, all I wanted was something small and intimate with the people who mattered most to me.
As soon as I’d seen his name on my screen, and his simple “Happy birthday, my daisy girl.Love you!”something started to ache deep in my chest.
While we waited for everyone else to join us, that ache had gotten worse until it hurt to breathe.My godparents squished me between them in a group hug while someone snapped pictures off to the side.Poppy and Gammy arrived, adding their presents to the growing pile on a separate table.Hayat and her three men were next.
My sister’s best friend grabbed me for a few selfies that she immediately sent to Abi since she wasn’t able to make it down from Creswell Springs for the event because Amala had an ear infection.Ky and Sparks each gave me a hug before Jamie grabbed me and demanded I take as many selfies with him as I had with his hellion.Bentley and Charlotte came in together, followed quickly by Roanna and Sin.
Sixx was running late.He texted me so I wouldn’t worry, saying he had to pick up something last minute.That ache in my chest grew and grew, making me restless with each passing minute that my boyfriend didn’t appear.
Excusing myself from the table, I’d pulled out my phone as I rushed to the bathroom and called Vaughn.He was reluctant to fulfill my request for all of ten seconds.It took only a wobbly whispered “Please,” and he gave in.
Oh fuck, I was a legally married woman.Officially Mrs.Alicia Cathrine Sinclair.
I wasn’t sure how Sixx was going to react to the new development.He always said we would get married when I was ready, anywhere, anytime.When Abi had her surprise wedding, I’d told him I wanted to elope, but that would take too much time.I needed him to be my husband right now.
Seeing the license declaring us husband and wife calmed the restlessness that had been burning inside my chest.It was already filed, no waiting for an officiant or having to speak vows that I’d already promised to the man I loved.Simple.Seamless.Done.
As Sammy often said, “No takesies-backsies.”
Tucking my phone into the pocket of my dress, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, checking my reflection.My cheeks had a pink glow to them, and my eyes were shining with happiness.I was wearing the white sundress Sammy had sent me for no other reason than she’d thought of me when she saw it at WomanLand.It had a pretty daisy pattern that I’d fallen in love with, and I’d saved it to wear on my birthday.
After swiping on a little lip gloss, I returned to my family.A server had pushed five of their largest tables together in a back corner so that we had enough seats and a little extra privacy.I felt like I was floating as I rejoined everyone, which was the exact opposite of the near panic attack I’d been experiencing before I’d spoken to Vaughn.
Bentley stood and pulled out the chair beside him when I reached the table, dropping a kiss on my cheek.“Sixx texted to say he was parking.Shouldn’t be too long now.”
“Perfect,” I hummed, letting my guests pull me into conversation.Our server got started on drinks and taking orders.Sixx must not have been able to find a close spot to park because he still hadn’t arrived, so I ordered for him.
Another five minutes passed, and we had our drinks, but still no Sixx.
I checked my phone to see if I’d missed a message from him.There wasn’t one, but I could see he was nearby since we shared our location with each other.Gazing at the little red dot that showed me where he was, I mentally willed him to hurry.I needed him to get there so I could kiss him and tell him he was my husband.
“Faux-mosa, anyone?”our server announced, appearing behind my mom with a carafe full of nonalcoholic mimosas.
“Absolutely,” Dad told her with a warm smile, lifting his glass.“And keep them coming, would you…” He glanced at her name tag.“Delilah.It’s my baby girl’s special day.”
In more ways than you think, Dad.
As if he could read my mind, Dad met my gaze from across the table.Something darkened in his eyes, but they softened in a way that brought a lump to my throat.“You look beautiful, Ali-Cat.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“There he is,” Bentley muttered beside me.“About freaking time.I was getting worried about him.”
