I’ll stay in my bubble on my island. Occasionally venturing out for business or whisking Bella and Jaxon away on a family vacation. Then there’s the obligatory family visits on holidays. I’ll likely just drink my way through those, so I don’t have to remember any of it.
Life is good.
Dave, Bella’s dad, pokes his head in the open door. “They're ready for ya.”
I take in a deep breath; one he must have heard because he’s now walking toward me. “You all right, son?”
Son? I turn and look at him, a quizzical expression on my face. No one’s ever called me that. Sure, I’ve been called a son of a bitch countless times, but no one’s ever referred to me as son. I’m not really sure how to react to the title.
“Ugh. Yeah.” I turn back to the mirror, fluffing the tips of my black hair. “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“Ya know, I remember the day I got married.” I can see him in the reflection of the mirror standing behind me. He’s gazing up at the ceiling, as if it’s playing memories of his wedding day. “Best day of my life and the worst day of my life at the same time. If you think that’s impossible,” he looks down, a glint of humor in his words, “you’re wrong.”
I humor him as I continue to straighten my tie. “Oh yeah? How so?”
Dave places a hand on my shoulder; it’s an odd feeling, and to be honest, it makes me feel uncomfortable. I’m not a fan of human touch unless it’s coming from Bella. “You get to marry your best friend.” He checks me with a smile. “But you also get her crazy family.” My lips tug up in a smile as Dave continues, “Bella told me all about what happened before we adopted her and Mark. If you took Mark’s place, well…then you probably wouldn’t be marrying my daughter. Things always work out the way they’re meant to.” He pats my shoulder and leaves the room.
All these years, I’ve blamed Trent and Mark. So many nights of what-ifs and what-could-have-beens invaded my mind to the point of insanity. I spent my life plotting revenge against them, and Bella. I wanted to make them pay, while making her mine, whether she wanted me or not. Never once did I consider the outcome had I been adopted. She would have been my sister. Bella and I were never meant to be siblings; we were meant for so much more.
Chills skate down my entire body as the realization hits me—it has been fate all along.
“Ready, man?” Mark asks, poking his head in the door.
I really need to get used to other people being around. For a man who likes his privacy, it’s definitely different.
I step away from the mirror, almost positive my tie is still crooked after messing with it for twenty damn minutes. “Yeah. All set.”
“Wait until you see her. She’s stunning.”
My palms begin sweating profusely. Pretty sure this tie is trying to choke me. I loosen it a tad, then rub my hands together. “I’m sure she is.” We leave the room and walk to the elevator.
I’m not good with words. Now I’m expected to stand in front of a crowd and speak from my heart, and I’m not so sure I can do it. If I had my way, we’d elope. No guests, just us. But Bella has always dreamed of a big wedding with a gown and family in attendance. We compromised on a small wedding with close friends and family in the courtyard here at Cori Cove.
“Hey. I’m not sure I ever told you…congrats, on the little man. Jaxon is adorable.”
“Yeah. He’s a keeper.”
The day Jaxon was born was one of the best of my life. It’ll be hard to beat, but today might be a close second. Bella decided on a home birth. It was just me, her, and the midwife. Everything was perfect and the minute I laid eyes on my baby boy, I couldn’t imagine life without him. Bella did so good and I now have a new appreciation for women, particularly her. She’s simply amazing.
We step into the elevator and the tension is thick as we make our way down. I should say something. Mark’s been trying, and it’s time I give a little on my end.
“I appreciate you standing up with me. I know we’re not exactly friends.”
“You’re right, we’re not.” I can’t tell if that’s sarcasm or seriousness in his tone. “We’re brothers now.” He cracks a smile, and I do the same.
“Yeah. Yeah. I guess we are.”
Walking out the back door, it’s like my nerves have suddenly settled. It’s a perfect day on the island. The sun is shining, it’s not hot, but not cold. The flowers have bloomed, the trees have grown over. The entire area is decorated in white gardenias. The fountain is running and it’s the only sound present, aside from the small chatter of guests. Bella wanted to invite all the staff. Aside from them, it’s just her family. She reached out to Bibs, an old friend from The Webster House, but she wasn’t able to attend. It’s a shame; it would have been nice to see Bibs all grown up. We did make plans to meet up in the city someday soon.
I hear Jaxon fussing with Linda, his grandma, so I put my hands out to take him for a minute before the ceremony begins.
“I thought we talked about this, buddy. You can’t fuss on Mama’s big day.” He looks up at me with a cheeky grin, his two bottom teeth sticking up. “Can I count on you today?” He giggles and I kiss his forehead. “I thought so.”
I hand him back to Linda, and she begins bouncing him again as he fusses for me. “You better get up front. She’s coming,” Linda says.
I glance over my shoulder, thinking I’ll catch a glimpse, but Bella is nowhere in sight.
Mark and I make our way to the front, where Cherry is standing in a mint green gown with a bouquet of white gardenias.
With my hand held in front of me, I steal a glance at Peter’s urn on a stand next to a vase of flowers. I thought it was insane, but Bella insisted he be here.
I take a deep breath as the music begins. We decided on the traditional wedding march because Bella said that’s what she’d imagined when she pictured her future wedding.
I’m staring straight ahead when she steps out of the back doors of the castle. I can’t even explain what overcomes me when I see her. Like Mark said, she’s stunning. It’s possible my heart has stopped beating altogether.
She takes slow, graceful steps toward me. Walking into our future together.
Her green eyes are wide and beautiful and outlined with makeup. Her brown hair is all up in some fancy updo with a see-through lace veil hanging over her face. An all-white dress that hugs tight to her frame and flows out into a train at the bottom. It’s simple, yet elegant. Floral embroidery covers the full length, and that top. Fuck, that top. It dips down in a V, exposing her full cleavage.
With one arm wrapped around Dave’s, she clenches the bouquet that matches Cherry’s, and I can tell she’s a ball of nerves.
I need her to hurry and get to me, so I can calm her. I want to take her hands and squeeze them, letting her know I’m always here when she’s nervous or scared.
Just a few more steps. She’s almost here. My heart begins racing, ready to do this. To make her my wife and begin our lives together.
She’s here. And she takes my breath away.
“Hi,” she whispers. Cherry steps out and takes her bouquet. I can’t help but smile at her nervousness, it’s cute as hell.