Vulnerable [Suncoast Society] (Suncoast Society #29)(76)

So he didn’t really push for either of them to attend.

Jesse’s family… At least Jason came, with his girlfriend.

That was okay. The rest of their friends more than made up for the missing.

And some “family” weren’t missed at all.

Laurel looked adorable in her Hello Kitty dress, the basket of rose petals in her hand. “Ready, Daddy?”

“Ready.”

Eva locked down the wheels and Tilly stepped over to help her. With Leo holding onto their arms, he stood, taking a moment to enjoy being on his feet and able to walk.

It still hurt. He wouldn’t deny that. But the aches and weakness he felt now were nothing compared to the agony he’d experienced upon waking up in the hospital for the first time.

Then, he would have gladly died.

Now, all he wanted to do was live.

With his arms hooked through theirs—and Nick walking close behind, just in case, with the wheelchair—the three of them followed Laurel down the aisle as she sprinkled flower petals all around.

When Leo reached where Loren stood waiting with Jesse and Keith, she said, “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today in a celebration of love and life. Who gives this man away?”

Eva looked up at him and smiled. “His daughter and I do.” She carefully placed his arm around Jesse’s, making sure he was steady on his feet before she let go. Then she kissed Leo’s cheek, and Jesse’s, and moved to stand with Noel as the matrons of honor, Laurel standing with them. Tilly slipped over behind the couple to the other side to stand with Keith for Jesse.

Loren reached up and wiped at her eyes. “Sorry, folks. I’ve performed more of these than I can count, but this one is special for a lot of reasons. Too many to go into here. It’s a celebration of survival, not just love and life. And it’s a celebration of what love can do to bring people together and heal hearts and bodies.”

Leo watched Tilly lean in, catch Eva’s eye, and point at her. “You’re next,” she said with a grin, cracking all of them up.

Loren cocked her head at her. “Tilly, really? Gilo is our cut-up.”

“I told her she could have my job today,” Gilo called out from his place in the audience, making everyone laugh.

Laurel frowned at them all and held up a finger. “Shush,” she said. “They’re gettin’ married!”

That made everyone burst out laughing, confounding Laurel even more.

Leo waved her over to him, resting his hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Weddings are supposed to be fun.”

“Okay, fine.”

Loren had trouble getting herself under control. She kept breaking out into giggles. “If there’s anyone here today who has any objections to these two men getting married, speak now and risk the wrath of pretty much everyone in attendance, or forever hold your peace.”

More rounds of laughter as Laurel looked around, glaring at everyone, as if daring anyone to stop things.

Finally, after Loren stopped laughing…again…she started going through their vows.

Leo was glad Kel and Mal were filming and taking pictures, because all he could see was Jesse’s eyes staring up at him. That was all he focused on. And when Loren had Leo repeat after her, he did, barely hearing the words.

Jesse.

The man who’d stood by him, fought for him, kept fighting for him, and pulled together his family in a way he never thought it could be together. Even when he’d thought it’d been torn apart…

Jesse proved him wrong.

They were a family. And he had no doubts Eva wouldn’t be single for long.

“I do,” Leo said when Loren asked him if he took Jesse to be his husband.

“Then by the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may smooch.”

Leo grabbed Jesse, pulling him in for a long kiss as everyone cheered them on. “Love you, boy,” Leo whispered.

Jesse grinned. “Love you, too, Sir.”

Laurel grabbed Leo’s hand. “What about me?”

Jesse scooped her up. “What about you, peanut?” He kissed her cheek.

“That’s better.” Then he held her so she could kiss Leo’s cheek. “I have to kiss my dads. Duh.”

The men exchanged a glance before roaring with laughter.

Loren couldn’t contain her laughter, either. “Holy cowpucky, boys. You guys have a handful there.”

Eva grinned. “Why do you think I insisted they move in with me?”





Leo ended up back in the wheelchair shortly after, wanting to preserve his energy and keep his pain levels low ahead of that night. Lucas, Leigh, and Nick had offered up their pool house—which the wheelchair would easily fit in—as the honeymoon cottage for the night.

As Leo fingered the wedding band on his hand, Jesse pushed him over toward the table, where the cake was ready and waiting. Once Leo was back to work as a welder, he wouldn’t be able to wear his ring. They’d purchased a stainless steel necklace, like Jesse’s day collar, for him to wear and keep his ring safely held around his neck.

Then he could always have it on.

When he’d been married to Eva, he’d usually left his wedding ring at home on the dresser every morning, only wearing it at night or on the weekends.