Scooping him up into my arms, I hold him tight, twirling us around, while I kiss the top of his head, inhaling his fresh baby scent. He’s dressed in an adorable black tux with a cute pink bowtie that matches the beading of my dress. He laughs and smiles so carefree, my heart feels as though it’s leaping from my chest. All the women who come into my boutique love him because he’s such a happy baby, always smiling and laughing when they talk to him. Such a flirt, just like his daddy.
I close my eyes and momentarily get lost in my son, until Yasmin says my name.
“Cam, seriously, are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I choke out. “I’m about to marry the love of my life, I have a beautiful, healthy little boy…”
“But…”
“But I wish my dad were here,” I admit. “He’s just missed so much. Our housewarming party after we finished renovating the house, the birth of Sam, our engagement party, his christening, my graduation, the opening of my store.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” she says, wrapping her arms around me and Sam, who squeals in delight, thinking she’s playing a game. “I wish there was something I could do.”
“I know and I appreciate that.” I take a deep breath, kiss Sam on the forehead, and hand him back to Yasmin. Since we decided on an intimate wedding with only Isaac and me, Yasmin and Frank—who are serving as our witnesses—and Sam, we didn’t do a bridal party, keeping it simple. Yasmin will hold Sam, while I walk myself down the aisle and once we’ve said our vows, she’ll give him back to me. Afterward, we’re going to go to dinner to celebrate, and then Yasmin is taking Sam for the night, so Isaac and I can enjoy our wedding night, before we take off, with Sam, on our honeymoon—destination is a secret—where we’ll be spending the holidays.
Yasmin heads out with Sam, and I wait for the wedding march to begin so I can walk out. The photographer Isaac hired to capture the day stays back with a camera in her hand. After a few minutes, when the music still hasn’t started, I’m about to head out, thinking maybe I misunderstood, when the door opens and my heart drops into my stomach.
This can’t be… I must be seeing things…
“Dad,” I breathe.
“God, you look beautiful.” He smiles softly. “I heard you’re in need of someone to walk you down the aisle.”
Raw emotion clogs my throat as I run into my dad’s arms. “Oh, Dad! I can’t believe you’re here.” We hold each other for several minutes before I glance up at him and he smiles warmly down at me.
“Don’t cry, sweetie, it’ll ruin your makeup.”
“How is this possible?” I ask, stepping back and swiping under my eyes. Luckily, the makeup artist I went to insisted on water-proof makeup.
“You have one determined husband. My conviction has been overturned.”
“What?” I gasp. “You’re out for good? I had no idea.”
He chuckles lightly. “Isaac asked me not to say anything. He didn’t want to get your hopes up. I actually got out a little over a week ago, which was why I asked you not to visit. I had some things I had to deal with. Clint and James have been charged with fraud, on top of money laundering and tax evasion.”
“I can’t believe this. How?”
“Isaac… He hired people to investigate and didn’t stop until they found everything Clint and his son were hiding. You have a good man, Cam.”
“Yes, he is.” I hug him again, needing to feel him.
After I quickly clean up my face, my dad hooks his arm in with mine and the music starts. We walk together to the top of the aisle, where I find my sexy soon-to-be husband standing at the altar with our son in his arms.
“Mama!” Sam yells, making us all laugh.
I step forward, ready to sprint down the aisle to get to my boys, but my dad halts me in place. “Go slow, Cam. Take it all in. I can still remember the day I married your mother.”
With his words, I release a calming breath, and we step forward together. The walk to the front feels like it takes forever, but I do as my dad said and soak in all the details. Isaac in his tux, holding our son in his strong arms as he watches me move toward them. When we reach the front, Isaac hands Sam to Yasmin, who continues to shriek in excitement, wanting me.
Dad kisses my cheek as he releases my hand and places it into Isaac’s. “Thank you for loving her and making her happy,” Dad says to Isaac, who nods once, his eyes never leaving mine.