“You may kiss the bride.”
Rand does with gusto to a roomful of whistles and catcalls when the pucker goes on longer than is strictly polite.
“Get a room!” Rand’s youngest brother, Ridge, shouts.
My husband—wow, it seems crazy to say that—takes my hand and starts dragging me down the makeshift aisle. “Best advice I’ve gotten all day. Good night, everyone. Thanks for coming!”
I dig in my heels as everyone laughs.
Ransom approaches first and welcomes me to the family with a kiss on the cheek. His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. All of Rand’s brothers have an edge, as if they’re expecting danger at any moment. Then again, that’s the norm in their world.
Rand pulls me in for another kiss as his mother opens her arms for a hug. Charlene is a lovely, kind woman, and I couldn’t have asked for a better mother-in-law.
“You look beautiful, Sophie.” Her eyes water. “I know you and Rand will be very happy.”
“We will.” I know it in my heart.
“We promise,” my husband adds, tossing a possessive arm around my waist.
“And since you’re the first one of your brothers to get off his backside and get married”—Charlene sends Ransom a pointed glare, which he pretends not to notice—“when can I expect some grandkids?”
Rand sighs. “Mom, we’ve literally been married three minutes. Let us go on our honeymoon and settle into some sort of normal life. Then we’ll start talking—”
“July,” I cut in softly, casting a hopeful stare to my husband.
He swallows. “Y-you want to get pregnant in July?”
I bite my lip and shake my head. “We’re going to have a baby. In July. Surprise…”
Rand pales. “Oh, holy shit. You’re serious? We are? You’re already pregnant?”
“Yes.” I blink, and my stomach plummets to my toes. “Please tell me you’re happy.”
“Happy? No.” Then the biggest smile I’ve ever seen crosses Rand’s face. “I’m thrilled! Oh, honey…”
He lays his lips over mine, and the small, trusted crowd of guests claps for the beginning of our long, happy life together.