“I said, finally a wrong made right. She was always his mother.”
“Look at you, holding it down for your girl. It’s kind of adorable.”
“Ass.” I pinch his side, and as he jerks away I snicker. “Baby.”
“Damn, didn’t know you were so abusive, babe. Is this what I can expect now that we’re married?”
“Shut up,” I reply, grinning. It’d been bliss being Mrs. Echo, barring the sleeping arrangements. Sleeping in the clubhouse and my father’s home was cramping both our styles. I don’t think Pop liked the thought of us having sex under his roof either.
“I thought maybe you’d missed me while I was gone.”
I snicker. “I did, but you were only gone for a few hours, babe.”
“Minor detail,” he says.
I lean back into his arms, savoring the heat he’s giving off. “They look so happy,” I remark, gesturing toward the family of the hour.
“They are. You want that?” he asks, nodding toward Bolton.
“Eventually, not yet. We’re not even in our own place.”
“True.”
I look up at him. “Do you want that?”
“With you…absolutely.”
His words warm me from the inside out. It’s all too easy to see mini Echoes running around with hazel eyes, and café latte skin. Their blondish-brown locks would fly out behind them as they ran around like mini-tornados. It’s a reality I thought I’d lost years ago.
“How long do we have to stay here? I have something I want to show you,” he says.
“Yeah, I can feel that,” I tease.
“Something other than that.”
I laugh. “Maybe an hour. We’ll mingle, show our faces, and slip away.”
“Let’s start that now,” he states, moving into action.
I wonder what he has up his sleeve. He’s shown just how adept he can be at surprises. We weave our way through the crowd to Blue and Shadow. I place a hand on her arm and she turns around.
“Dixie Rose, thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” I say, hugging her. “Congrats, you guys.”
“I think I should be saying the same thing.” Blue hasn’t forgiven either of us for eloping.
Echo scowls.
“Thank you,” I giggle.
“So, when are we planning the renewal?” she asks.
“Let us get into a house first, Blue,” Echo says.
“Hmm, I think I can wait until then,” Blue replies.
“Gee, thanks,” Echo retorts sarcastically.