I lift my chin, Finlay’s knuckles brushing against my throat as she straightens the damn thing. She pushes onto her toes and presses a kiss to my neck. “There, all handsome and ready.”
Standing back, my eyes take in the sexy as fuck blue silk dress. It falls like water over her body, her breasts’ subtle curves on display.
“I don’t like the dress,” I mutter. My gaze lowers to her hips. “Not one fucking bit.” Taking hold of her waist, I turn her around. A groan rumbles from my chest when I see her ass. “Fuck. You’re way too sexy for any other man to see.”
She lets out a chuckle as she turns back to face me. “My caveman.” Wrapping her slender arms around my neck, she asks, “You ready? It’s a big day.”
I nod, and lowering my head, I press a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Nervous as fuck, but ready.”
“You remember your lines?”
I nod. “I’ll probably forget them the moment I have to say them.”
“You’ll be fine.”
My palm settles on her forearm, and drinking in the feel of her soft skin, I find her hand. Linking our fingers, I grab my keys.
We head out of our house, and on the drive over to my parents' place, I keep reciting the words over and over in my head.
Don’t fuck this up.
Stopping my truck next to Eli’s, I suck in a deep breath of air. I get out and dart around the hood, then open the door for Finlay. I take hold of her hand, and after she’s climbed out, I tug her closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You look breathtakingly beautiful. I’m a lucky man.”
“Not half as lucky as I am.” Her love for me makes the silver flecks in her eyes sparkle.
“Ready?” she asks.
Nodding, we walk into the house. I leave Finlay with Quinn to welcome the guests and head to Eli’s old bedroom. Opening the door, I step inside, finding Eli and Dad with drinks in their hands.
Eli gestures to a tumbler. “Yours.”
“God, I need that.” I swipe the drink off the table and take a huge sip. Looking at Dad, I ask, “Why do you look so calm?”
“I’m not,” Dad grumbles.
“This day’s long overdue,” Eli says.
Emotion washes over Dad’s face. “Thirty years in the making.”
A couple of years back, our parents told us they never actually got married. There’s some intense shit in their past, and they had to get new identities.
Under the guise of renewing their vows, they’re getting married today on their thirtieth anniversary.
Eli and I are officiating the wedding, hence my nerves being fucked.
I hear a shriek of laughter, then Katie darts into the room, heading like a missile for her grandfather.
“Pawpaw.” I have to grab Dad’s drink as she scrambles onto his lap.
“Katie!” I hear Quinn calling, then she peeks into the bedroom. “No, honey. Come. Your pawpaw has to get ready.” Quinn’s eyes narrow on Katie’s blue dress. “Where did you get ice cream?”
Eli glances out of the window, suddenly very interested in the chairs and decorations outside.
“Eli Jackson!”
“What?” He gives his wife an innocent look.
“Ice cream? Really?” Quinn lets out a huff, then picks Katie up from Dad’s lap. “Sorry, Dad.” Then she grins at him. “Wow, you look all dashing. Mom’s going to fall in love all over again.”
With a look of warning directed at Eli, Quinn heads out of the room.
“She knows I can’t say no to Katie,” Eli mutters, earning him chuckles from Dad and me.
“Should we head outside?” I ask, my eyes taking in Dad’s charcoal suit. With the gray at his temples, he looks handsome, and I can only hope I’ll age as well as he has.
“Let’s do this.” He rises to his feet, and Eli moves forward to adjust Dad’s jacket, smoothing the fabric over his broad shoulders.
God, those shoulders have carried us through life. Always standing firm under pressure.
Emotion wells in my chest, making my sight blur.
“You cry, and I swear I’ll punch you,” Eli mutters. “Fuck.” He wipes at his eyes.
“Dammit,” Dad growls, sucking in deep breaths of air. “Stop. The both of you.”
We laugh through our emotions that are running high, and leaving the bedroom, we head outside.
We greet the guests as we make our way up the aisle, and I pause to hug David where he’s sitting with Josh.
Eli and I take our positions on the small podium while Dad stands to the side talking with David and Josh.
It takes a good ten minutes before Finlay walks down the aisle. She takes her seat, and picking up her guitar, she gives me a smile. Her fingers strum over the strings, and as she sings Falling by Oh Gravity, Katie comes down the aisle, throwing rose petals into the air. Quinn comes out, then she has to dart forward to stop Katie from putting the petals in her mouth.