“Best dayever!” Aria’s happy squeals filled the Judge’s chambers as she jumped up and down with excitement. I scooped her up in a big hug while Harley quietly watched with a smile. The deep emotions were written all over his face. Just overwhelming. The only thing he wanted for her was for her to know she was loved.
I liked to think we were doing a damn good job at that.
“I’d say congratulations to the new family, but I kind of hate saying that. It makes it seem like this whole dynamic is new and not something you’ve been building for a while,” Judge Warner said. “But I am very happy for your family, and I hope you find a way to celebrate.”
We had a whole party waiting for us after this. Bringing my entire family, Holly, and Nyla into this appointment hadn’t been an option. There just wasn’t enough room for everyone. Instead, everyone was waiting at Millie’s house for us to show up when we were done.
“I had an idea about that,” Harley replied, making me frown. What else was this man planning? “You wouldn’t happen to be in the mood to sign a marriage license today, would you?”
He said what now?
I turned fast to stare at him—to figure out if he was serious or not. Sure, we were engaged, but we were planning along engagement. We had prioritized blending our lives before considering doing the whole wedding thing. I hadn’t even managed to sell my house yet.
“Are you serious?” I demanded. A sure smile spread over his pretty face as he held my gaze and nodded.Holy shit, he was serious.“I’m in my work boots!”
“I happen to like you in work boots,” he replied.
“I’m okay with it if you two are,” Judge Warner cut in. “We are an instant marriage state.”
“One second.” I held up a finger to shut up the judge—I’d probably regret that later. As I gently set Aria on the ground, I said, “Why don’t you go see if the judge will let you bang his gavel? We need to talk for a minute.”
“I’ve only got a few minutes to make this happen,” the judge said. “So, make that conversation fast.”
“Okay.” I nodded as I took Harley by the elbow and led him to the farthest corner of the small office. Harley’s smile only widened as he waited. “Are you serious? What about wedding planning and a long engagement and all of that?”
“I can’t think of a better time than this, can you?” he whispered. “I don’t care about the big wedding or all of that. I care about you, and I care about Aria. We can throw a big wedding later if you want, but I don’t care. I only care about this right here.”
He made a damn good point—one that I refused to argue with.Besides, getting married in my work boots was a hell of a perk.
“Well, fuck.” I laughed. “I guess we’re getting married.”
Behind us, Aria banged the gavel twice as if adding to the finality of the statement.
It took several minutes to get everything in order—including wrangling in the world’s most excited seven-year-old. But eventually, we were standing in front of the judge… me in mywork boots and Harley in his glasses. It was the best kind of wedding attire.
“Holy shit, this is really happening,” I whispered as his fingers found mine.
“All right,” the judge cleared his throat, “let’s keep this short and sweet, shall we?”
“Yup!” Aria chimed in, nodding seriously. She stood between us with her back to Harley as she leaned against him.
“Do you, Maverick, take Harley to be your husband and to live together as partners, to treat him with love and respect, and to build a marriage that grows stronger and more loving as time passes?” Judge Warner asked.
“I do,” I said without hesitation.
“And do you, Harley, take Maverick to be your husband and to live together as partners, to treat him with love and respect, and to build a marriage that grows stronger and more loving as time passes?”
“I do,” Harley whispered.
“Do you have rings?” the Judge asked.
“No.” Harley shook his head, making me laugh. “I forgot about that part.”
“We’ll get some rings,” I promised. I didn’t need a ring to make this thing real, but the idea of walking around with a symbol of being Harley’s husband on my finger made me real damn happy. Granted, I talked about Harley all the time, so no one in Wilde Bay was safe from hearing about just how much I loved him.
“Do you have anything you’d like to say to each other?” Judge Warner glanced between us. “I’m assuming you didn’t prepare vows, considering how last-minute this was.”
“I like him,” I commented. “I would like to say one thing.”
