“Good job, baby,” Axel praised me, pulling me forcefully into his lap so I straddled him.
“That sucked,” I groused, burying my face into his neck and relishing the feel of his huge arms pulling me close and holding me tightly.
We sat there by the side of the road for several minutes before I pulled back to look him in the eye.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this card you’d thought we’d need to play?” I demanded. “That’s a pretty big plan to keep to yourself.”
He looked me in the eye, his hands moving to either side of my neck so his thumbs could stroke my lower lip. “Because I wanted to be able to propose to you properly,” he shared. “I love you. I love Maddox. I want to have more babies with you. I want you to have my last name. I want to share my life with you. Marry me.” His voice was thick with emotion.
My eyes filled with tears as I tried to grapple with my world tilting on its axis. “And it’s not because you feel like you have to?” I hedged, admitting my worst fear aloud.
He grinned. “It’s the only thing I could thank your father for, baby. He pushed up my timeline. This way I get a ring on your finger now rather than later. Marry me, Sophie,” he whispered, pulling me closer still.
In the end, there was only one answer to that question. Despite everything, I’d never felt so sure of anything.
“Yes,” I grinned at him before he took my mouth in a searing kiss.
His mouth opened up over mine, our tongues tangling as his fingers raked through my hair. My entire body liquefied as I pushed myself closer.
“I love you,” I murmured against his mouth as our ragged breathing steamed up the windows.
“I love you, too, baby,” he replied, pressing his forehead to mine. “If we weren’t on the side of the road, we’d celebrate. Tonight,” he promised, his eyes dark with desire.
I nodded, biting my lip in anticipation.
“Let’s go get our boy.”
“Yeah,” I grinned.
Maddox greeted us with a gummy grin as Kat passed him off to me.
“How’d he do?” I asked, kissing his chubby cheek and holding him close.
“Great,” she beamed. “It’s good practice for us.” Sal came to wrap an arm around her shoulders.
“Not looking forward to changing all those diapers.” He shook his head as she poked him in the side. “Fuck! How are they so rank? He hardly eats any solid food.”
“Get ready,” I teased.
“Did you guys have fun?” Kat asked.
I blushed furiously and looked up at Axel. “We did.” He confirmed for me with a sly grin. “So much fun I got this girl to agree to marry me,” he added proudly.
“No shit?” Sal smiled as Kat squealed.
“No shit,” Axel nodded, accepting the handshake my brother extended.
I saw Kat look down at my bare ring finger curiously. Axel must have noticed as well. “The proposal I’d been planning got moved up due to an unexpected call on the way here from your mother,” Axel replied, looking pointedly over at Sal.
“What?” Sal demanded, his eyes narrowing.
“It’s time to throw down the gauntlet, man. Her father is fucking losing it. Thinks she’s still gonna come back and marry that Benjamin kid.” He shook his head in disbelief. “You knew I was already gonna propose, but I had her say we’re already married.”
“Good idea,” Sal agreed. “You guys are gonna have to act quick then.”
“Yeah,” Axel nodded.
“What location can we pull together on such short notice?” Kat thought aloud.
“I know the exact spot,” I put in, the image already clear in my mind.
Axel looked down at me in surprise. “What are you thinkin’?”
“Home,” I grinned up at him. “The back deck would be perfect. It’s big enough.”
“I thought we’d all just go to Vegas,” Sal admitted.
I shook my head. “I want to get married in the only place that’s ever felt like home.”
Axel’s face warmed as he pulled me close. “You’re okay with that? I figured you might want something more…” he searched for the right words.
I shrugged. “We can always do something more formal later if we want to. For now, I’m fine just having a big party as long as everyone can come on such short notice.”
“I’ll call the girls. We’ll get everything planned for the day after tomorrow? That soon?” Kat verified.
“That soon,” Axel nodded as my head spun.
She winked at me. “I love spontaneous marriages. I think they’re good luck,” Although engaged before their trip, she and Sal were married on a whim in Spain.
“Baby, don’t get all spun out over this. Let Scar and Connie handle it. I don’t want you stressed out,” Sal told her.
“Okay, babe,” she agreed, turning to me to roll her eyes.
“I saw that.” Sal slapped her firmly on the ass.
The next twenty-four hours were a chaotic blur as the whole club worked to pull our wedding off. I was exhausted but so full of love for everyone around us that it gave me all the energy I needed.
The house was transformed in such a short time; I wouldn’t have thought it possible if I hadn’t seen it myself. The living room became the reception area filled with flowers and tables and chairs. Kat even insisted on a dance floor. I had no idea how she got her hands on it.
The back deck had chairs lined up with a proper aisle down the center. We’d say our vows with the backdrop of evergreen and mountains.
The cake was ordered along with the food. Wes volunteered to handle the alcohol, which didn’t surprise anyone in the least. We had our marriage license and Ryker got ordained online to marry us. It was all coming together.
During a quick trip to Vegas with the girls, I found a beautiful dress that fit like a glove. It was a gorgeous champagne color with a hint of a peach hue. Strapless with a tulle skirt, it was elegant and fun.
I’d meant it when I said I didn’t need anything formal. If anything, this felt like the perfect way to marry the man of my dreams. In our home, doing what felt right to us without anyone else’s expectations affecting our day.
In lieu of a formal bachelorette party, the girls were all coming over for drinks the night before the big day.
I’d put Mad down for the night and had fingers crossed that he stayed that way.
“I’ll be back,” Axel told me just as Connie, Scar, Ettie and I were settling in with our drinks in the living room.
“Back?” I asked, confused. I’d thought he was going to hang out with the guys until later.
“I have something to drop off,” he replied mysteriously.
“Okaaay,” I replied, intrigued by what he meant.
“Hank and Tag drew the short straws. They’re on their way to watch over you ladies tonight,” he chuckled.
Short straws indeed.
“Thank you, guys, so much for everything,” I sighed wistfully. I looked around the living room, which was – despite a few small details – ready for my wedding day. White string lights hung throughout the room, basking the space in a warm glow, lighting the room. Axel was going to have to fight me not to keep it just like this.