“Finally, the part we’ve all been waiting for,” he announced. “The toasts! Can I start by saying I never thought this day would come? A round of applause for the happy couple please,” he said. The room erupted in applause. Niall rolled his eyes beside me, but he had a smile on his face.
“I really never thought this day would come. Niall was always a lone wolf. I was thinking about setting him up if he never ended up finding anyone. I want to thank Eddy for finding my cousin and making an honest man out of him. Seriously, I’ve never seen him like this. He’s happier and he’s a lot more bearable. Thank you for taking him off my hands. Niall, well done. She’s beautiful, she loves you and I’m finally not afraid of what’s going to happen to you,” he said. I glanced at Niall. His face was calm, but his eyes were full of emotion. He and Charlie were like brothers. I watched the moment between them, tears coming to my eyes. I was so happy Charlie and Brenna were my family too now.
Niall got up and hugged his cousin, then hugged me after his toast was done. Missy was next. She stood up next to me.
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Eddy for most of my life and let me just say, you’ve got a winner here. Niall… We didn’t have the best first impression but I can say with confidence that I’m comfortable letting you become my best friend’s husband. The two of you are proof that fate exists. Maybe it took a while and god knows there were twists and turns on the way here, but you’re together now and that’s all that matters. I can’t wait to see the rest of your journey. I think we all know how cute the kids you make are,” she said. The audience laughed and we stood to hug her. This was perfect. My fairytale wedding had a ten-person long guest list and took place at my home.
After dessert, we danced. I closed my eyes, laying my head on Niall’s chest. Every part of the day just got better and better. I was in heaven. This was what I deserved from the beginning. It had been a long time coming but I had gotten there eventually. Now, I was never going back.
“Did you ever think you’d be dancing to Stevie Wonder at your own wedding?”
He chuckled. “No, never, actually. But I’m happy I am.” He leaned down and kissed me. “It could have ended up a lot worse.”
“What do you mean?”
“I didn’t want to have to marry Lisbeth to save my father’s behind.”
I laughed. “Do you think the check will be enough to hold her off?” I asked.
“Six figures is more than that whole kerfuffle deserved,” he said. “It better hold her off. If she runs out or gets greedy, the NDA she signed to get it will. I think we’re safe.” I sighed. I wanted to put our past behind us.
“What if your father gets in trouble again?”
“He can rot but the second anything threatens us and Riley, I’m pulling out the big guns.”
“That’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?”
“I’m telling you that I am going to protect you, no matter what,” he said.
“Thank you, Niall,” I said, leaning up to kiss him. I didn’t want to test whether that was true. I knew it was. I didn’t want to see Niall angry. He was more powerful than I had yet seen and it both intimidated me slightly and reassured me that I had him by my side.
The wedding cleared out slowly since we weren’t in a hurry to kick anyone out. Brenna and Charlie, as well as Missy stayed on the property in the newly renovated guest suites. I was wired during the whole ceremony but as soon as we were back in our room, my exhaustion hit me all at once. I flopped onto the bed face first. Niall laughed coming into the room after me. He pulled my shoes off and unzipped my dress for me.
“Thank you,” I mumbled.
“You’re not asleep already, are you?” he said. No, but I was about to be.
“I am. Come to bed.”
“I have a surprise for you,” he said.
Surprise? I heaved myself off the bed and sat on the edge. Niall went around the bed to his nightstand, then came back around and sat next to me, handing me the envelope in his hands.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“Open it.”
“Too big to be a check. Not thick enough to be cash. Do I even want it?” I said. Niall smiled contentedly as I pulled papers out of the envelope. The sheets were printed so I read them. “Oh.”
“Yup.”
Adoption papers. Since Russell had acknowledged paternity, he was recognized as Riley’s father. Niall had talked about becoming Riley’s father on paper but hadn’t brought it up since.
“When did you do this?”
“I told you my lawyers would handle this. I was serious about Riley benefitting in every way from being my son.”
My eyes watered. I couldn’t believe it. Watching Niall grow as a father had been a joy. Riley loved him and had started calling him ‘dad’ just weeks in. We hadn’t told Riley the fine print yet. Once he was a little older and could understand paternity, we would let him know the truth. In three months, however, Niall had been more of a father to Riley than Russell had been in five years.