Broken but Breathing (Jinx Tattoos 2)

A knock sounded.

“Come on in,” Snake called.

Enzo stepped in dressed and ready to go. “Today’s the big day, brother, you ready?”

“Hell yeah. How are my favorite little people?” Snake asked.

“Good. I waited until Padraig was fed and happy before I headed up here. Having two under two is insane.”

“Man, I can imagine. My little girl is eight and kicks my ass.”

“Ha, she can reason and rebel. We’re just trying to get them old enough to be civilized,” Enzo said.

Snake chuckled. They were dressed casually with a black tie in black slacks, a white button down they rolled up at the sleeves, and black and white tennis shoes. The theme was something Es called rustic. All he knew was it made her happy.

“What is the ETA?” Snake inquired.

“When I came up, Kali said we needed to head down there in about ten minutes,” Enzo replied.

He thought he’d be nervous about tying the knot again, instead he was eager. He wanted to possess her in every way he possibly could. With his first wife, Jade, he’d been growing into the man he would one day become. His love was true, but young, not fully developed. With Es it was an all-consuming fire that engulfed him and changed him for life. She’d tattooed her name over his heart and tamed the wild beast inside of him that lusted for blood after everything had gone down with his family.

The peace she brought him was beyond anything he dared wish for. Now he’d do whatever it took to keep it. Es wasn’t a girl you shacked up with. She was a woman you married and gave your last name.

“All right, boys, let’s get down there before we’re late and Kali murders us,” Snake said.

Outside, he took in the decorations as he walked down, nodding at the familiar faces. They’d sectioned off an area for guests with wooden chairs with white cushions. A canopy had been made out of wood. White flowers of various sizes and greenery wound their way up the four posts and exploded at the bottom, standing out against the backdrop of the wooded area behind their home. On the opposite side of the yard, round tables were set up with light brown tablecloths, white place mats, and the S’mores wedding favors he’d been roped into helping her make. Burlap and white lace tied bags.

He stood at the end of the aisle with his groomsmen and the priest, anxious to see his girls come down the aisle. Jocelyn had been over the moon about being the flower girl. The weekend at the soup kitchen had done a lot for her humility. He’d seen a new person emerging and her attitude improved as she adjusted to her new life. He couldn’t be prouder.

“Blackbird” began to play and, Jocelyn appeared at the end of the aisle holding a white wicker basket. The flowing pink dress reminded him of flower petals and made his chest swell with pride. Her curls had been pulled behind her ears and a crown of flowers adorned her hair. She dropped white petals on the ground as she walked forward, grinning. He waved at her as she moved to sit beside her newly claimed Grandmother. She got to the end and Kali walked down next, followed by Jolene.

“All You Need is Love” began to play and everyone stood, and his breath evacuated his lungs as Es came into view. Her body was hugged by a corset top that molded to the top of her body before it belled out into layers of wispy, pale pink material which trailed behind her. She was breathtaking and soon to be all his. Her father offered his arm. They began the walk toward him and his throat grew tight. He blinked as his vision wavered.

She reached the end of the aisle and mouthed, ‘Hi’. He replied like a teen boy enamored with his crush.

“Who gives this woman away?”

“Her mother and I do,” his father-in-law said.

She walked over to him, and they locked hands. Mine. They turned to the priest, and the world fell away.

The moment they said I do, he pulled her close, dipped her, and kissed her thoroughly. Wolf whistles broke out and he lifted her onto her feet. Grinning, he pulled her to his side and then walked down the aisle with the lyrics of “She Loves You” as their soundtrack.

He’d never felt so high before. He thought the phrase floating on air was bull until now. Watching his woman and baby girl dance on the make shift dance floor was nothing short of magical.

“Hey, Veep, I had a present I couldn’t wrap up in a box.”

He turned toward Sick and lifted an eyebrow. “Do I want to know what it is?”

“Trust me, you want to know,” Data stated with a grin.

“Call it a joint gift,” Sick said.

“All right, boys, lay it on me.”

“The one who got away was found.”

The words sank in. The man who’d sold his baby girl like an animal was in the ground.