“I love you, Ava. I know you’re probably still upset with me, but I’m not going let runaway from this, from us. We’re getting married in two hours. We’re off to the courthouse in twenty. Get dressed, babe. I’m not waiting another minute.”
“Are you for real?” My mouth drops open like he’s nuts because he’s got to be. I’m not even sure the courthouse does these quick weddings today. “What if I don’t want to?”
“That’s tough shit. You already promised me. I’ll tie your ass to our bed and tease that pussy until you’re close to coming, but you can’t come until you marry me.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Serious as fuck. Come on. Hop to it. Lara, get her ready.”
“Jerk.”
“You love me. Now get to it, babe.”
“How about you get the judge here and then we have more time to prepare? We can easily get the documents signed and notarized,” Lara says.
“Smart idea.”
“Now, beautiful. Go upstairs, get your gown on because you’re mine, and I’m sure as fuck not letting anyone come between us.” He bends down and kisses me hard and lets me go.
“I love you too.” I kiss the crazy man one more time before launching up the stairs with Lara a step behind.
“No running, Lara. Damn it, woman.” We laugh as Landon growls. He’s so protective over her, it’s cute. I wonder how Tobias will be once I get pregnant. So far I’m not, but it hasn’t been long since I got off the pill.
The moment we’re in my bedroom, she pulls me in for a hug and we stay like that for a long time before we break apart. “I’m so happy you’re marrying my brother.”
“Me too.”
“Okay. Now that we got that out of the way. Let’s get you ready to marry my idiot brother. I can’t believe he didn’t tell you about the stalker. Men seem to think they’re invincible but forget there are crazy bitches everywhere. Hell, I had a stalker, but Landon took care of it for me.” She winks and I wonder if what he did was illegal. I’m betting that man would choke someone to death in the middle of Millennium Park in front of everyone for insulting his wife in any single way.
“Thanks, Lara. For everything. I mean it. You’ve managed to do it all while juggling two kids and one on the way with an insatiable husband to tend to as well.”
“Are you kidding? This has been so much fun. The husband makes sure that I relax as often as possible and has already taught the boys to tend to me. I’m just sorry the wedding’s so rushed now.”
“It’s okay. I love him and honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve said that to someone. I had a couple boyfriends growing up, but I never loved them. At least not in this way. Your brother makes me so happy that even when I’m mad at him, I can look past the boneheaded moves like the stalker shit.”
“That’s the way to go about it. Tobias loves you with all his heart.”
“Although, I won’t let that shit happen again. We’re going to deal with this bitch with an iron fist. I’m never going to let someone gain the power of fear over me again.”
“You’re way tougher than I am, and so beautiful too.” She begins to cry. “I wish my parents were here to see this. They would have loved you.”
“Thank you,” I say, crying too.
“Ladies, get a move on. The judge is on his way,” Tobias snarls.
“We’re getting to it. Mind your business, or she’s skipping town,” Lara shouts through the door as I change and wipe the tears away from my eyes.
“Don’t antagonize your brother, love. He’s a desperate man.” I giggle as I try to slip on my dress.
“Your husband is right. I’m about to carry her out here in whatever she’s wearing when the judge gets here, so that’s the last warning you get.”
“Chill out. You don’t want anyone to see me naked,” I have to remind the crazy bastard through the door, fighting a giggle because I know he’s probably fuming at the idea of someone getting a glimpse of me in any way.
He’s sexy when he’s growly, and I hear that sexy sound once more before he finally relents. “Fine. I love you. Don’t take too long.” He sounds so vulnerable that I smile.
“The poor guy has it bad.”
“Then we better get ready.” She zips my dress that I picked up from Dress It Up yesterday after some last-minute alterations. My wedding dress is a simple but elegant gown from Vera Wang. Lara and I bounced ideas around until we narrowed it down to this beauty that she paid for as a wedding present to me.
The boys were playing in their room down the hall. I love my new family. Lara, Landon, and the boys have been wonderful to me, welcoming me so quickly into the fray as one of their own.