Writing A Wrong (Write Stuff 2)

"You were next to find out. I swear. Right after Mom," I said. We both smiled and she actually initiated a second hug.

Mom burst out of t

he front door, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "What is this I hear about another wedding?" Her eyes sparkled as brightly as the diamonds on my ring.

I glared at Zachary. "I told you I wanted to tell her, you butt-wipe."

He held his hands up innocently. "Hey, it wasn't me, manure breath."

"Stop it, you two," Mom chastised. "Your father told me. You know he can't keep a secret more than a few seconds."

"Daddy," I scolded.

"Sorry, baby. I can't keep anything from your mother," he said, sliding an arm around Mom's waist.

Mom clapped her hands and grabbed Alec and me for a mini group hug. "I'm so happy for you both. Now if I could just get all your other brothers to settle down."

"Good luck with that," I joked, eyeing Olivia who stood at Tony's side. He may have gotten his foot in the door, but imagining Tony and Olivia getting married was like a parting-of-the-seas kind of event. That only left Riley as the remaining confirmed bachelor in our household. Even he couldn't hold out forever.

I slid my hand into Alec's as we trailed my family into the house. I couldn't remember a time I'd felt so complete.

"Well, that went better than I thought," Alec said, pulling me in close.

"You were worried?"

"Your dad can be pretty scary. I was half expecting him to chase me off with a rifle."

I giggled. "Hmm, maybe a bat. Daddy doesn't have any firearms. Would that have kept you away?"

"Not on your life," he said, pulling me in for a kiss. "You're mine and don't you ever forget it," he said, claiming my lips with his own.

Yes, I was most definitely his.

The Wedding

"You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day," Ashley observed, straightening my veil. Florida weather in March could be hit or miss, but we had lucked out with was a gorgeously mild seventy degrees with very little humidity thanks to a late winter storm in the Midwest. "It's the perfect day for an outdoor wedding."

"Tell me about it," I agreed, placing a hand on her slightly rounded belly. A month after their wedding last June, Zachary and Ashley announced the pregnancy. We were all thrilled enough over the idea of welcoming one new baby into the family, but two months later came the big news about having twins. I couldn't help but mess with Zachary, telling him it was payback for all the torment he caused me growing up.

"Speaking of getting lucky, I would avoid looking at the wedding car until after dark."

"No. Please tell me you're kidding."

"I wish. I think your brothers bought every single fluorescent condom in the state."

"I'm going to kill them," I said through gritted teeth as Lily tugged on my hand.

"You look like a princess," she said excitedly once my veil was in place.

I shook my head, kneeling down to fix her tights. "You're the one who looks like a princess," I said, smiling at her.

She beamed at Ashley and me, twirling around in the dress I'd bought her. "Mommy says after today I can wear this dress anytime I want."

"She's right. It's all yours," I said, tweaking her nose.

"Honey, don't look out the window," Mom advised me as she stepped into the room.

"I already warned her," Ashley giggled, rubbing her belly.