Perfect Grump (Bad Chicago Bosses)

I nod at her.

She passes the flowers to her sister, glances at all the eyes on her, and her hand trembles in mine.

“I’ve got you,” I whisper.

She smiles, and something in it makes me weak.

Trust.

She knows who I am and where I’ve been and how hard I’ve fucked up. The miraculous part?

She doesn’t care. She’s tying her destiny to me, and come hell or high water, I won’t give her a single reason to regret it.

Millie wanders up and wraps herself around her mother’s leg.

“Go back, baby. You have to be a good girl for Auntie Reese and Uncle Nick,” Abby says, already wiping a tear.

“Awwww.” The word is stretched out, high-pitched, and somehow still singsong in the way only a four-year-old can manage.

She comes between Reese and I, one chubby hand on each of our legs.

“Nick, no one will play with me.”

Our audience laughs. Reese gnaws her bottom lip, and I suppress a laugh.

“If you stand there very quietly, you can play the wedding game with us, okay?” I say.

She pauses, then gives me a determined nod.

“Okay!”

With that, the rest of the ceremony goes flawlessly.

Every breath crackles with anticipation and I’m sliding a diamond crusted ring on Reese’s finger. Then she slides a thick gold band over mine.

I wait, exhale, and wait some more for the words I’m dying to hear.

“You may now kiss the bride,” says the preacher man.

I’m a human blur, pulling my new wife into me. My lips impact hers with a force that says forever, woman. The first of many vows with tongue and teeth I swear I’ll renew each day of our lives.

She’s never tasted better, her mouth sweeter than a strawberry tort.

“That was chaste?” she whispers with a parting gasp, good humor sparking in her eyes.

“You complaining?” I whisper back.

“God, no.”

She turns her head slightly and stares out at the white chairs in front of us, full of happy guests, then looks back at me. She swallows so hard it’s visible.

“Okay, maybe just a little. I never wanted that kiss to end,” she says sweetly.

Laughing, I lean over so my lips are above her ear. “You’re mine all night, sweetheart.”

She slaps my chest. “Shhh. We’ve got company.”

“They’ll know what I said anyway. Your blush gives it away,” I say, kissing her again for good measure while people cheer around us.

She gives me a shy smile when I finally release her lips.

“It’s my humble pleasure to present to you—for the very first time—Mr. and Mrs. Brandt!” the pastor says.

The guests wave black-and-white checkered flags at us as we walk back down the aisle, parting like a small sea for us. I wave, but really, my mind is totally focused on Reese.

“Nice touch with the race car flags,” she tells me. “This is like no wedding I’ve ever seen.”

My heart swells ten times bigger. The flags were my last-minute idea, and I know my girl.

People congratulate us as they pass, heading to their cars.

Soon enough, it’s just Ward, Paige, Abby, Millie, Reese, and me lingering behind in a pavilion a little ways off the pier.

“Should we go? I’m not sure if it’s a good idea for everyone to beat us to the reception,” Reese says.

“Grandma’s bringing the car up now. She must have taken it around the block.”

Reese grimaces. “Dang. I didn’t schedule a driver for today. I’m so sorry. I don’t know why I forgot—”

“Sis, stop,” Abby cuts in. “I took care of everything, remember?”

Just then, a hot-pink torpedo on wheels pulls up with Grandma at the wheel, strands of her silver hair blowing in the wind.

“Whoa! Granny Bea got a hot new car,” Reese says, doubling over with laughter.

“Not quite.” I smile at her. “That’s yours. My gift to you.”

“You didn’t!” She gushes, eyes wider than I’ve ever seen. “Oh, God, you did. But why?”

“Like I said, it’s your wedding gift.”

Stunned, she bounds over to the convertible. Grandma kills the engine and gets out just as Reese meets her. She throws her arms around Grandma with a twirl that makes me grin.

“Thank you so much, Bea. It’s magnificent!”

“You’re welcome, dear, but Nicholas bought it. I just had the privilege of taking her for a spin.” Grandma passes the keys, lifting her oversized shades with a wink.

Reese motions to me impatiently. I climb into the passenger side.

“You got a ride to the reception?” I ask Grandma.

“Well, maybe I should ride in the back,” she says, still standing next to the car’s side, looking around. “Then again...”

She goes quiet with a bright smile when she sees there’s room in Abby’s car with Millie.

“Grandma, go. Have fun with your new great niece,” I tell her, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

She doesn’t need to be told twice when adorable kids are involved. She’s practically skipping to their car.

“I can’t believe you bought me a pink freaking convertible. Every girl’s dream,” Reese muses, pumping my hand.