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God, we haven’t made love since Nia discovered she was pregnant. She was withdrawn after the news. Then there wasn’t time. All the wedding preparations seemed endless. My two weeks of vacation from the office turned into three. I missed a December second meeting with Lund, I think. I don’t know right now. I don’t care, either. He can wait until December twenty-ninth. I’ll call him if I have questions.
The only things that matters to me—the only things that will truly matter for the rest of my life—are this woman I’m kissing passionately and the child she’s carrying.
“Come up for air,” Bas advises softly in my ear with a chuckle.
I ignore him. Instead, I press my lips to Nia’s again and again. Then… Fuck it, I’m going in for tongue. I’ve missed her like hell. I love her like mad. I want her to know. Screw what everyone else thinks.
“Oh, my gosh… Get a room!” Harlow calls from the audience.
Everyone laughs, even Nia. Reluctantly, I end the kiss and step back.
“Now that I’m not worried we’ll be witnessing the consummation of this marriage at the altar, I pronounce you man and wife,” Lono jokes. “Mr. and Mrs. Evan Cook, everyone!”
Our guests all chuckle. Nia looks as if she can’t decide whether to be excited or embarrassed. I have no such problem making up my mind. I’m proud as hell as I raise our joined hands and run back down the aisle while everyone tosses white petals our way.
We have a few precious moments alone inside the cool, shaded tent set up on the far side of the lawn. I don’t waste a single second. I simply grab Nia in my arms and pull her against me, covering her mouth with mine until I hear people approaching.
Reluctantly, I end with one last peck, then back away. “I’ve missed you.”
Her face softens. “I’ve missed you, too. Your visit this morning meant everything to me. You love me.”
“I do.”
The most radiant smile lights her up. I dare any man to show me a more beautiful bride. He’d fail, I’m sure of it.
“I love you, too. And we’re going to have a great wedding night.”
“Damn right we are.”
She’s laughing as our collective friends and family all approach. Congratulations begin. Lorenzo and Guilia reach us first, the big man full of hugs and boisterous laughter. Guilia dabs at tears and embraces Nia as lovingly as she would her very own daughter.
Diana grabs me in an uncharacteristic bear hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
She surprised me by flying in late last night. I haven’t seen her since Becca’s funeral and I didn’t expect her to come from her artistic pilgrimage through Asia to see me get married a second time. “It means a lot to me that you came.”
“I had to see this woman for myself. But Nia is perfect for you. We talked for a few minutes last night.” Diana smiles genuinely. “She’s got enough ambition and spark to both keep up with and challenge you.”
Becca didn’t, according to my foster mother. She’s right, but now isn’t the time to talk about the past. “I think Nia is perfect, too.”
Others join in. Music begins. Drinks flow. Food and cake follow. Dancing commences. I even learned how for Nia. Well, kind of. I’m sure I look like a dolt, but I don’t care. It’s a celebration in every sense of the word.
As evening wanes, Nia talks animatedly with Keeley, Britta, Harlow, and Annabelle a few feet away, so Eric, Kellan, and Tate sidle up to me, looking toward their woman, as if they never let her too far out of their sight.
“Thanks for coming all the way from New Orleans, especially on short notice. I know having family here makes Nia happy.”
“Our pleasure,” Eric says. “We’re glad we could see Nia tie the knot.”
Kellan nods. “In truth, the Hawaiian getaway made our Belle happy, too.”
“Exactly,” Tate agrees. “We always look for ways to tell her that we love her. But the best way is with our penises.”
I nearly spit out my drink. Eric snickers.
Kellan groans. “Dude…”
“What? We always show Belle we love her with our penises. And this vacation we’re hoping to say it with our sperm, as well. We’re trying to conceive a baby.”
I barely manage to swallow my scotch without coughing it down. “Well…good luck with that.”
