She finishes my makeup and my hair without giving me a mirror. She wants it to be a surprise. I’ve never wanted to see my reflection so badly. So I stand up and slip into my dress and she zips me up. Walking around me, she smiles and sighs. “God, you look gorgeous. Tobias is going to lose his mind when he sees you. I hope he can wait for the end of the ceremony.”
“Please,” I scoff, rolling my eyes. She finally pulls off the sheet she put over the old standing mirror and I gasp. She’s right. Everything is subtle, but I feel so pretty.
“What did I tell you? You’re an absolutely stunning bride even with the rushed wedding.” I hug her quickly. “We need to get a move on. I’ll go out there and tell him to get everything started.” The hands have been invited along with Louisa and the boys. Marisa’s here as well. Bill, our lawyer, is here to oversee everything. I can’t believe how quick they did this. Granted, most of them would have been coming to the wedding tomorrow.
The music starts around the house and Lara and Louisa are in their matching blue bridesmaid dresses, looking fabulous.
We head downstairs, and they lead the way. I walk down the stairs to the foyer where the wedding will take place and stand next to the love of my life. “Breathtaking,” Tobias utters, staring at me with his hand engulfing mine. He’s in a nicely tailored black tuxedo with a blue bowtie and white dress shirt. I stare up into his bright hazel eyes that change colors. Now the flecks of brown seem absent as we smile at each other.
“So, handsome, are you ready?” I ask, voice shaking with excitement. Fate brought us together, and I never want it to part us.
“Yes.” He leans in and takes my lips. I let out a moan and he drives his tongue inside, sliding his hand around my waist and dragging my soft body firmly against his chiseled form.
“That’s for after the ceremony,” John calls out from his side as best man with Landon standing next to him, rounding out our wedding party. We only have a dozen guests including the kids, so I’m not entirely embarrassed.
“Sorry,” I whisper, feeling my face heat up.
“Let’s get this started,” Tobias tells the judge. “I’m not a patient man.”
“We can all see that, my love.” He winks at me and turns us to face the judge, snaps his fingers then flicks his wrist, gesturing to the judge to get on with it.
We marry to a cavalcade of laughter even from the judge who knows Tobias is stubborn, bossy, and impatient.
Chapter Fourteen
Tobias
I let out a sigh of relief when the judge pronounced us husband and wife this afternoon. Ava's mine until the day I’m in my grave, which I hope is another sixty years. Now to find this woman threatening my Ava so we can have our happily ever after. I’m floating as I steal glances at my wife as she gets hugs from Louisa.
“Congratulations, big brother. You couldn’t have done better. She’s perfect.” Lara throws her arms around me and I squeeze her tightly. That means a lot from Lara.
“I know. I’m the lucky one for sure, but you took your eyes off the little one for one minute too long,” I say, pointing behind her where Brandon has found the brownies Ava baked, set on the dining room table.
“Damn it,” she hisses and then runs off after him before he eats more than the one. Shit, she’s too late. He’s already popped another one in his mouth. That boy is going to be flying soon. They’re double fudge, sugary goodness.
I’m holding my laugh in, but then I lose it just as Landon comes up to shake my hand. He shakes his head. “That boy.”
“He’s got his momma in him.”
“That’s for sure, but I like her on a sugar high,” he smirks and right on cue, my sister pops a brownie bite into her mouth, walking away with another in her hand.
“Some things just never change.” We both chuckle and watch the small reception. My eyes are glued to Ava. “You know I need to say thanks for all you’ve done,” I tell him.
He’s been instrumental in providing the security along with making sure Lara didn’t drive Ava nuts with all the planning. “We’re family. So I did a reverse search. The person called from a disposable as we expected. My people are tracking where the phone came from and maybe we can get some of the surveillance footage of this crazy bitch.”
“Thanks. We have to find her soon. Have your men looked into those that work at the bakery and the restaurant?” They are doing double time, using my office as a makeshift command center.