I know it’s soon, considering Alison is only six months old and we aren’t married yet, but this baby is a blessing and will be celebrated. Since my parents have come around and accepted that I’m going to live my life how I see fit, I’m not even nervous to tell them this time. I’m so excited for Alison to be a big sister and hopefully close to her sibling like I am with mine.
Between getting ready, helping Savannah get into her gown, feeding the baby, taking pictures, and chatting with all the other girls, time flies. I walk down with one of Hayden’s friends, and as soon as Hunter spots me, he flashes me a shit-eating smirk and a wink. I can’t wait for our big day, and whether we do a huge celebration like this or elope, it’ll be one of the happiest moments of my life.
The ceremony is beautiful, their vows to each other make everyone in the room tear up. They talk about soul mates, young love, finding each other again after ten years, and how when you know, you just know. They’re seriously a gorgeous couple, and as soon as they kiss as husband and wife, everyone erupts in cheers and applauds.
Hunter and I are summoned for pictures after, but I know Alison is in good hands with my sister so I don’t go chasing them down right away. Hayden gives me a big hug to congratulate me on the baby and then I tease him that it’s his turn now. Savannah overhears us and demands we not to give him any ideas until the final weekend of her show. They’re so adorable together, it’s impossible not to feel the love radiating off them.
After almost two hours of photos, we head to the dinner, and I’m in complete awe when I see inside the reception hall. It’s a fairy tale.
“You getting wedding fever?” Hunter whispers in my ear, wrapping his arm around my waist.
“Well, considering we did everything backward, I’m not sure I want to be big and pregnant in a wedding dress.” I chuckle.
“Maybe by society’s standards, but there’s no order for falling in love, is there?” He waggles his brows, causing me to laugh at his expression.
“Got me there, Manning,” I mock.
One of the best parts of the evening was hearing the speeches. Donny had the entire room about to pee themselves by his entertaining story. I swear, we were all in tears from laughing so hard. He mentioned some psycho woman who tried to get between Hayden and Savannah and how she claimed she was pregnant with Hayden’s love child. Turned out she was pregnant, but the only way it could’ve been his was if she was the Virgin Mary and it was an immaculate conception.
“Maybe she’s related to Jenna?” I whisper to Hunter, who snorts.
“There was nothing immaculate about this conception,” he says, placing his hand over my stomach.
I smirk and roll my eyes. “Yes, everyone will know you’re swimmers are strong and mighty from now on.”
Hunter invited Mason and Liam to the reception, and once dinner was over, they showed up, wearing slick suits and all. Maddie’s face lights up, but morphs into a glare when a woman walks up to Liam and they head to the bar.
“How can I compete with that when I can’t even drink?” She groans, pouting.
“I doubt that’s why he…” I wave my hand in the air. “Is the way he is.”
“You mean an asshole?”
I shrug with a maybe expression. Liam has always been a hard guy to read. He’s brooding and grumpy, and anytime I ask Hunter questions, he tells me Liam had a rough childhood when his parents’ split, but leaves it at that. If Liam wanted us to know, he’d tell us.
“So where’s the third musketeer?” Mason asks when he returns with a beer.
The fact that he’s asking about Sophie is pretty adorable. Kinda late in the game, considering she chased him for a year, but I’d much prefer him over Weston any day.
I check my phone and see Sophie still hasn’t messaged me back. I call her, but she doesn’t answer. Ten minutes later, she finally responds.
Sophie: Sorry, ran late. On our way now.
Lennon: Okay, I’ll meet you in the hallway! I have big news!
Something feels off when she reads my message but doesn’t reply. I want to tell her and Maddie together, so I’ve been holding my tongue all night.
“Okay, they’re finally on their way. I’m going to wait in the hall. Can you hold Alison for me?” I ask Maddie so Hunter can join me. He knows I’m not a fan of Weston, and though Sophie begged me not to say anything to anyone about the bruises, I was pissed off one day and slipped. Hunter was livid, and somehow I calmed him down. Honestly, I need Hunter to be my buffer so I can get Sophie alone for a few minutes.