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“I KNEW IT,” my mom screams like she just won a prize. “I told you they’re in love with each other.”

We all chuckle, and Sierra slides in front of me, back to my front. I wrap my arms around her, resting my chin on her head.

“What did I tell you about this filthy mouth of yours getting you in serious trouble, Sierra? Who the fuck are you?” I say, nuzzling her neck.

“We all knew they’re in love,” Matthew chuckles from the kitchen entrance.

“What?” me and Sierra ask at the same time, along with probably all our brothers.

“Oh, please. It was obvious you two had chemistry since you were kids,” Maya answers, clapping her hands excitedly. “We weren’t sure if it was still there—but clearly, it is.”

“You know, when I received that call from Jones, my whole world has fallen apart,” Matthew says, stepping forward and Sierra walks straight into his arms. “But then, we turned it into an opportunity to bring you two together.”

He looks at me over her head. His face… it’s not judgement. It’s something soft. Something close to pride.

I clear my throat.

“Matt, I’m standing here today as the man who loves Sierra. And I want you to know she’ll always come first, because she’s the most important person in my life. I promise to protect her, support her, and never let a day go by without showing her how deeply she’s loved. This marriage—this life with her is everything I ever wanted. I know things are moving quickly, but to me, it feels right. Because Sierra has always been mine, even before I knew what that meant. And now I just want the world to see it too.”

I hold his gaze, my voice a little hoarse as I speak the next words.

“I know this wedding was your idea, but today, I want to ask for something that comes from me. I want your blessing to spend the rest of my life as your daughter’s husband.”

Silence.

Matthew’s expression is unreadable, and I can feel the tension in the room as everyone falls silent watching us.

I wait, unmoving.

Then, after a couple of long seconds, his eyes soften. He opens his arms and I step into them without hesitation. One of my arms wraps instinctively around Sierra, who’s already buried her head in her father’s chest, tears falling freely.

“Hey, baby. It’s okay. Please don’t cry,” I whisper, cupping her chin gently and pulling her to me.

“Welcome to the family, Nick. Officially, I mean. Because you’ve always been my son, like the rest of your brothers.

Matt pats my back a few times and kisses Sierra’s head.

“I wish you a long and happy life together, kids.” His eyes are full of love as he looks at his daughter.

“Thank you, Matt. For everything.”

“Well, welcome to the family, daughter,” my dad says from next to me, and Sierra raises her head from my chest, laughing through her tears as she moves into his embrace.

“Thank you, John. I love you.”

“Maybe it will be better to have a group hug,” Kai says, patting my back. “Congrats, man. You’re going to marry my best friend.”

After ten minutes of hugs, cheers, and teary laughter, we’re finally seated at the table, all talking over one another and still grinning like idiots—and I know, in a way that’s bone-deep and final, that this right here is all I’ll ever need or want for the rest of my life.

Sierra is next to me, her fingers laced tightly with mine as she leans forward, excitedly making plans with our moms for the following week, already discussing flowers, music, makeup, and God knows what else.

The wedding is on Saturday.

I have to be back in London tomorrow—I’ve got practice every day next week—but I’ll be back by Friday night, and nothing on Earth will keep me away.

Thalia is handling everything related to the organization of our wedding and she sent us earlier a schedule for that day.

Who the fuck knew you needed a schedule for your own wedding?