Safe with Me (With Me in Seattle 5)

“Ready, baby girl?” Daddy smiles down at me.

“Absolutely. Let’s go.”

We step outside as everyone stands and smiles at us, but I only have eyes for my handsome man. His gorgeous blue eyes are soft and happy as he watches us approach.

“Nervous?” Dad whispers to me.

“Not a bit,” I whisper back.

“You may be seated,” The justice of the peace, Brian Parker, announces.

“Beena!” Olivia announces from Luke’s lap, making us chuckle.

“Yes, Brynna is pretty,” Luke murmurs.

“Who presents Brynna to Caleb?” Mr. Parker asks.

“Her mother and I do,” Dad answers, kisses my cheek and joins my hand with Caleb’s before taking his seat.

I pass my bouquet to Stacy and stand facing Caleb. He winks at me, making me chuckle.

“We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Caleb and Brynna in marriage, but we are also here to celebrate the union of a family.”

I swallow hard as I watch Caleb’s eyes.

“The sacred vows about to be exchanged are not just between Brynna and Caleb because you will not only be a new couple, you will be a new family. So, Madeline and Joseline, will you please join us now for the special family rites of this wedding?”

Caleb and I step back as Josie and Maddie approach, standing between us. Caleb pulls two necklaces out of his jacket pocket. They are platinum chains with heart pendants that have today’s date inscribed on the back.

As he drapes the first necklace over Maddie’s neck, his strong voice fills the air with the vows he’s written for each of them.

“I love you, Maddie, and I am devoted to making your life full of happiness and accomplishments, nurturing your creativity, encouraging your independence and making sure you always know what a gift you are to this world.” He kisses her forehead and she smiles up at him happily before admiring her pretty new necklace.

My eyes fill with tears as he turns to Josie.

“I love you, Josie, and I am devoted to making your life full of happiness and accomplishments, ensuring that you thrive to your fullest potential and that while you reach for the sky, you remain grounded by the love of our family and our home.”

There are many sniffles coming from our family now as Caleb kisses Josie’s forehead and then turns back to me.

“Girls,” Mr. Parker begins, “Please come stand by me as we marry Mommy and Caleb. We want you to have a front row seat.”

Maddie tugs on the hem of his jacket, and Mr. Parker looks down at her with a smile. “Yes, sweetie?”

“His name is Daddy now,” She whispers loudly so everyone can hear, making us all laugh.

“Of course,” Mr. Parker laughs. “Excuse me.”

“Caleb and Brynna, please join hands and face each other. Josie, do you have the ring for Daddy?”

Josie hops up and down and opens her hand so Caleb can have my ring. I gasp when I see it. We picked the rings out together, but seeing my ring, with the two bands that twist together, signifying our girls, coming together at the center with a beautiful princess-cut diamond takes my breath away.

“Caleb, please place the ring on Brynna’s finger and repeat after me.”

Caleb looks into my eyes as he repeats our vows. His own eyes moisten and it’s enough to send a tear falling down my own cheek.

“I give you my promise to be by your side forevermore. I promise to love, to honor, and to listen as you tell me your thoughts, your hopes, your fears and your dreams. I promise to love you deeply and truly because it is your heart that moves me, your head that challenges me, your humor that delights me and your hands I wish to hold until the end of my days.”

He brings my hand to his lips and gently kisses my knuckle, just above my ring.

“Maddie, do you have the ring for your Mom?”

Maddie grins and opens her hand, revealing Caleb’s ring, a simple thick platinum band, that has my name inscribed inside.

“Brynna, please place this ring on Caleb’s finger and repeat after me.”

Holding Caleb’s hand in my own, I repeat my vows to him, the same he just spoke to me.

As I step back, Mr. Parker finishes our short ceremony.

“May all your days be filled with joy and happiness. It is my honor and great pleasure by the power vested in me by the state of Washington, that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride.”

Caleb steps forward, cradles my cheek in one hand and wraps his other arm around my waist and pulls me to him.

“I love you, Mrs. Montgomery.”

He slips his lips over mine, and he kisses me softly, sinking into me slowly and nibbling my lips thoroughly, not caring that our nearest and dearest are all looking on.

Finally, Mr. Parker clears his throat loudly and Caleb laughs as he pulls back and kisses my forehead.

“It’s my pleasure to be the first to introduce Caleb, Brynna, Maddie and Josie Montgomery!”

“Yay!” Josie exclaims and our family jumps to their feet, applauding. Jules and Natalie are wiping tears. Leo is whispering in Sam’s ear and then places a sweet kiss on her neck, making her grin softly.

“Let’s eat!” Will announces right before he gathers me up in a big hug and twirls me about. “It’s about time,” he mutters with a wink.

Before I know it, I’m passed about from brother to brother, caught up in hugs and kisses.

“Congratulations, sweetheart,” Luke murmurs and kisses my cheek.

“Thank you,” I reply with a grin.

This is more male attention than I’ve ever had in my life.

Dominic gathers me close for a hug. In the three months that Caleb was gone, Dom has worked hard to get to know all of us and he’s been a welcome addition to the family.

“You deserve to be this happy,” he whispers to me.

“Hey, get your own girl,” Caleb growls and pulls me out of Dom’s arms with a mock glare.

“You’re the one who left your new wife all alone minutes after marrying her,” Dom taunts him and I can’t help but smirk.

“I will cut you. Wedding or not,” Caleb threatens but Dom throws his head back and laughs hard.

“Yeah. You scare me, brother.” He pats Caleb’s arm and smiles warmly. “Congratulations. Oh, I brought this.” He raises a bottle of wine from next to his chair and smiles. “For you.”

“Oh, thank you so much!” I accept the heavy bottle and admire the pretty label. “Yours?”

“Of course,” he smirks.