I lifted my head, meeting his eyes. Now I could see the emotion—real, honest, and open. The love that blazed in the depth of blue. His love for me.
“I love you,” I vowed.
He pressed his forehead to mine. “Promise me you’ll never stop.”
“I promise.”
“Stay with me. Work this out with me. Show me how to love you.”
“Yes.”
“Then, Gracie Richards, I’m going to ask something else of you.”
“What?” I sniffed.
“Marry me. I want a real wedding with you. The flowers and the dancing. Your father giving you to me—” he flashed a grin “—hopefully without a facer involved. I want everyone to know how much you mean to me. And I want you to remember our wedding day.”
“Yes,” I answered simply.
He brought his mouth to mine. “Thank you.”
His kiss erased everything else. The past. The hurt and pain. The worry. All that mattered was him and me. His arms, his mouth, his love. I had him, which meant one thing.
I had it all.
Chapter 32
A month later - Jaxson
I sat back, exasperated. Grace and I had spent weeks making plans. Talking. Figuring out our future. I had meant what I said about marrying her again. I wanted her to have her day. To be a bride and all the memories that went with it.
She was surprisingly lacking in enthusiasm for the idea. She finally admitted she wanted a small event, with family, a brief ceremony, and a party afterward.
“No grand dinner, no large guest list, no bridal party. Addi and Heather. You and me. Whoever you choose to stand up for you. Our vows at city hall.” She winked cheekily. “Rocking Ramen for dinner.”
I had kissed her and agreed to whatever she wanted.
I had never known such profound happiness. I had never shared as much of myself with another person as I did Grace. It was as if talking to her released the poison from my heart, leaving more room to love her. And love her I did. She was so deep within in my heart and soul, I knew I could never be without her again.
Her parents returned for another visit, and we invited them over for dinner to tell them our plans. Her mother hadn’t been surprised, but Richard was being difficult. He wanted to throw a lavish wedding. Give her things she had no interest in. I argued with him because it wasn’t Grace’s wish, and frankly, he was just too much fun to rile up.
He, in turn, liked to do the same. Ours was a complicated relationship.
“No, goddammit. Listen, VanRyan. I don’t care if you’re her father or you have some sort of weird ‘I was her dad first’ bullshit ideas in your head. She’s my wife, do you understand? Mine. Mine to care for, mine to look after, and mine to love. You need to get that through your thick skull because I’m not going anywhere. And I know what she wants, and a huge wedding isn’t it.”
“I never got a chance to walk her down the aisle. You never even asked me for her hand!”
“That’s what this is about? You want to walk her down the aisle? Fine. We can do that. Name the date, and I’ll be there.”
A throat clearing made me look at Gracie. She was watching us, her arms crossed, a displeased look on her face.
“If Grace wants that,” I amended.
“Pussy-whipped,” Richard muttered.
“Your daughter,” I replied.
“Shut up, both of you,” Katy said, shaking her head. “Can’t you two get along?”
“He started it,” we both said at the same time.
“And I’m not asking you for permission. She’s already mine,” I muttered.
“I should punch you again.”
I glared at him. “Go for it, old man. You wanna punch me? Come at me. But this time, I’m going to return the favor. I’ll give you a facer so hard, it will send you back in time.”
Richard snorted. “Good. Go ahead. I’ll take it if it stops her from meeting you.”
“That makes no sense,” I replied.
“Neither do you,” he snapped.
“Asshole,” I breathed.
“Jerk.”
Katy stood. “Idiots. Both of you.”
Gracie joined her. “Mom is right. You should both go fuck yourself. We’ll plan this ourselves.” She pointed at her dad. “You can walk me down the aisle, but that’s it. I don’t want a huge production. And I want it soon.” Then she glared at me. “Stop ramping him up. You get too much enjoyment out of it.”
They walked away, disappearing into the kitchen.
“Well, that was harsh,” I muttered.
Richard sat back. “Uncalled-for.” Then he winked, and I chuckled. We both enjoyed our verbal sparring.
I stood. “Scotch?”
“Is it the good stuff?”
I snorted. “Like I would have any other kind. Only the best.” I winked. “Like your daughter.”
He took his glass. “I don’t wanna hear about it.”
“Whatever.”
He took a sip. “I don’t like you, but your scotch is good.”
“You have to like me. I’m your favorite son-in-law.”