Dad crowds in on the other side and they sandwich me between them.
“Careful of the dress,” Jessica warns. She’s appointed herself protector of my big day, and I love her for it.
Dad winks at me. “I always knew you’d find your way back to him. Couldn’t be prouder of you, darling.” He kisses my cheek lightly so he doesn’t smudge the makeup. “Now go put that boy out of his misery. He’s afraid you won’t turn up.”
Seth
I adjust my silk tie, which seems to constrict tighter around my neck with each breath I take.
Please let her show.
I’ve been standing at the end of the aisle with my groomsmen—Jase, Devon, and Gabe—for several minutes, waiting for my bride to arrive, and I’m starting to sweat. Logically, I know she wouldn’t leave me. We’re crazy for each other. But on some deep level, my subconscious fears she’ll get cold feet. It’s one of the reasons I wanted a short engagement, with the other one being that planning a wedding with a newborn to care for sounds like hell.
I glance at the clock. Still two minutes until the ceremony officially begins. We’ve rented the ballroom of a five-star hotel for the venue, although it’s only half full. We’ve done the big wedding before and wanted to keep it more intimate this time around. Only close friends and family are present.
I turn to Jase. “Do you think there’s any chance she won’t show?”
He pats my shoulder. “She’ll be here.”
“But what if—”
“Bro,” Devon interrupts. “Ash is a good woman, and she loves you. She’ll come.”
At that moment, music begins. It’s the Bruno Mars song she played when she proposed.
Jessica appears in the doorway. She looks nice, but when her eyes lock on mine, they silently threaten me with all kinds of harm if I fuck up. I nod in return. Message received. I’m glad she has my girl’s back.
Paige comes next, practically bouncing along the aisle. Harley follows, moving carefully as though she’s counting her steps. Finally,finally, the moment arrives.
I see my bride.
She’s a vision. Her hair is pinned up, exposing the elegant length of her neck. My gaze travels along the curve of her shoulder, where the neckline of the dress suddenly plunges. My mouth drops open. Ashlin’s tits are always great, but pregnancy has made them spectacular, and now her perfect cleavage is on display for all the guests to see. A growl rumbles from my chest, and I hear Devon smother a chuckle. Forcing my eyes up, I focus on her face, and any jealously quickly dies. She’s radiant. Her eyes shine with love and affection. They’re drinking me up the same way I just did her, as if she can’t get enough. They meet mine, and hold.
My heart gives a whump-whump.
Damn. She’s even more stunning than last time, and I’m the luckiest son of a bitch on the planet to be marrying her again. This time, I won’t let go. Not ever.
“I love you,” I say when she reaches the end of the aisle. The celebrant mutters something, but I ignore him. “You’re beautiful.”
She smiles almost shyly. “I love you, too. Are we doing this or what?”
I take her hand. “Let’s do it.”
We turn to the celebrant, who seems to be fighting laughter.
I say my vows with purpose, meaning each and every word of them. I will stand by this woman no matter what. She’s mine, and I’m hers. Her lips tremble as she takes her turn, and then we slide rings onto one another’s fingers. The same ones we used to wear. We discussed buying new rings for a fresh start, but decided our history is part of what makes us strong, and we want to honor it going forward.
The celebrant gets to the part I’ve been waiting for. “You may now kiss your bride.”
My hands go to Ashlin’s hips and I draw her as close as her baby bump allows. Then I kiss her with everything I have and everything I am. Her lips part, and I take the kiss deeper, trying to tell her with my actions everything I just said with my words. This is our forever, and I’m going to hold onto our second chance with my entire heart and soul.
“I love you,” I say, drawing back. “And I will never, ever let you go.”
Epilogue – Baby’s First Birthday
Ashlin
“Peek-a-boo!” Mae uncovers her face to smile at the baby in my arms. “I see you.”
