“My mom and dad eloped. I think they’ll understand. Besides, they’ll throw a party, and everything will be fine.”
She blew out a breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”
“That’s my girl.”
We entered the Hub, glad to see we had arrived before Beth and Ronan. I was certain Lucy would spill the beans before we had a chance to share our news. My parents were at the table, the coffeepot in the middle. Bentley and Emmy, Maddox and Dee, plus Nan and Pops were there.
We joined them, Paige sitting down quickly. I laughed under my breath when I noticed she had her hand tucked under the pretty skirt she wore today.
“How was your break?” Bentley asked.
Dad laughed. “You two look pretty tired, so I’d say it was good.”
Mom slapped his shoulder. “Aiden,” she admonished.
“Just saying.”
I shook my head. Leave it to my dad to say something inappropriate. I cleared my throat. “It was good. We, ah, have some news to share.”
Mom smiled. “Oh?”
I tugged Paige’s hand from its hiding spot. “We got married.”
For a moment, everyone stared at the ring on Paige’s finger. The thick band on mine. Then Maddox spoke.
“You owe me a hundred bucks, Aiden.”
“Me too,” Bentley said, taking a sip of his coffee.
“You bet on me getting married?” I asked.
Maddox grinned. “You never take a break. To suddenly disappear with Paige? I saw Lucy with Ronan, so I figured the jig was up. You’re too much like your father not to. He said you wouldn’t. It was a wager we couldn’t pass up.”
“I didn’t think you’d get married without at least telling your mother,” Aiden pouted.
Cami laughed. “Love always wins, Aiden. I was in on that bet. You owe me too.”
A huge smile broke out on his face. “I’m happy to pay up on this one.”
Suddenly, everyone was on their feet. There were hugs and kisses. Laughter. A few tears. Paige’s ring was admired. My shoulder was clasped and shaken. My mom wept. So did Paige. Nan beamed, and I bent low to accept her congratulations.
“She is perfect for you,” she told me.
“I know.”
Ronan walked in with Beth, Lucy streaking past them. “Momma! Daddy! I missed you!”
I scooped her up, and she kissed all over my face as if it had been years, not a couple of days. She did the same to Paige, then proceeded to detail all the things they did while we were gone. The zoo and the park. The pizza. So many things to tell us about.
I sat down, and my dad leaned over. “That’s why Ronan had her. So we wouldn’t find out. I assume he was at your wedding?”
“We wanted it private, Dad. It was an important day to us. It was just for us.” I stressed.
“I get it. We’re thrilled for you. But you won’t deny your family a chance to celebrate, will you?”
“No, in fact, we’re counting on it.”
He whooped. “Party time in the compound.” Then he swung Lucy into his arms. “And I think, young lady, it’s time you called me Pops.”
She frowned and pointed at Jordan. “That’s Pops.” Then her face smoothed out. “You’re PopPop.” She grinned at Cami. “You’re Grammy.”
Cami kissed her hand. “Perfect.” She looked at Evan. “You better do the same thing.”
He grinned. “Okay.”
Lucy reached for me. “This is my daddy.”
The room gave a collective “ah” as I wrapped my arms around her. “That’s right, Munchkin. I’m your daddy.”
I met Paige’s eyes and leaned close, kissing her. I pressed my lips to her ear.
“I’ll be your daddy too if you want. Just like last night.”
She laughed and shook her head.
“You’re incorrigible.”
I winked.
I’d be anything she wanted.
Always.
A week later, we were back at the Hub.
The noise level was high, the laughter constant, and everywhere I looked, there were people.
My family. Our family now.
I tightened my arm around Paige’s waist and looked down with a grin.
“Regretting this?”
She squeezed my hip. “No.”
“Good. Because it’s just getting started.”
It was a glorious evening at the compound. The perfect sort of night—the type where summer started losing its grip, yet autumn hadn’t stepped in. The breeze was cool, but the sun still sat high in the sky. The doors to the Hub were wide open, the huge deck strung with lights. Music played, and I knew there were two fire pits ready to light on the beach. Inside the building, tables groaned with food, and the furniture was pushed back for dancing. News of our marriage had spread fast, and the house had buzzed with visitors dropping in every day to wish us well. And tonight, we would celebrate.
“Daddy?”
My heart did a strange little thump every time Lucy said that word. I loved hearing it.
“Yeah, Munchkin?” I said, turning to meet her gaze. She sat in the crook of my arm, one of her favorite ways to travel.
She cupped her hand close to my ear. “Can I eats lots of cake today?”