Ready or Not (Ready #4)(84)

“You guys can squeal now. I’m ready,” she said before raising her hands to her ears.

Girlish cries of joy filled the room as we all ran over to hug her.

“Well, don’t squish the poor little guy,” she said, laughing.

“It’s a boy?” I asked.

“Hell, I don’t know. It’s a tadpole right now, but Declan’s hoping for a boy.”

“We’re going to have our own football team soon,” I commented.

“Better start catching up.” Mia winked.

“One step at a time I think. I just got engaged a week ago.”

“You know, you could have waited. That is the idea behind the term, engagement.” Clare laughed.

“I never was one to follow directions. So, how much longer?”

“About ten minutes,” Leah answered, checking the clock on her phone.

A knock sounded at the door. We all turned to find my father walking in.

“Sorry to interrupt, ladies. I was hoping to have a moment alone with my daughter,” he said.

I sat down on the small stool in front on the vanity in shocked silence as my friends scattered like flies.

Traitors.

“My Livvy Lou, all grown-up,” he said with a note of sadness in his voice.

“It was bound to happen.”

“You look radiant. Truly.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” I answered, fidgeting with my fingers, as I looked around the room.

“I know I don’t deserve anything, considering everything I’ve done—or not done—but it would be my great honor to be the one who walks you down that aisle,” he said softly.

“Dad—”

“I’m dropping out of the race. I’m retiring from politics,” he announced, taking a step forward.

“What? Why? I thought—”

“I’ve been fixated on the wrong set of goals in my life for far too long. It was so long that I missed watching you grow up, and I ignored your mother. I gave up my life for my career. I need my family back. I can’t do it anymore.”

Tears stung my eyes as I looked at the man who’d once meant the world to me. He’d been my fairy-tale prince and forever hero.

Finally, he was back.

“Yes,” I said.

“Yes what?”

“Yes, I would love to have you walk me down the aisle, Daddy.”

We met halfway, and as his arms wrapped around me, I finally let go of the lost and angry girl I had once been. I would have been fine without him. I knew I would have gone on, knowing sometimes you had to make your own family and let go of your past.

But having him here beside me was like a cleansing for my soul. I didn’t feel the need to show him everything I’d accomplished and achieved. It was about making sure he understood I’d survived without his support. It was simply holding his hand and knowing he loved me.

He always loved me.

“Let’s go get you married,” he said, taking a hold of my hand.

He led me toward the backyard where my new prince was awaiting.

“I’m ready.” I grinned.

~Jackson~

I knew marrying someone like Liv would make for an interesting life.

I just hadn’t realized how soon that would happen.

“Let’s get married next week!” she’d announced minutes after our backyard proposal.

“Next week? Don’t you need to plan stuff? Isn’t there a girl code involved?” I’d asked.

Nope.

No plans. No waiting.

Liv had wanted to keep everything simple and small, so there had been no reason to wait.

Honestly, as I stood there, greeting guests dressed less formally than I had for work most days, I couldn’t agree more.

We’d only invited close friends and family.

When I’d called my parents the next day to inform them that I would be getting married—and oh by the way, it was next week—I was met with sheer excitement.

I was starting to wonder if they had been scared that this day might never come.

The topic of Liv’s parents hadn’t gone over nearly as well. She’d argued with herself over and over regarding the topic, and finally, she’d decided to send them a handwritten invitation. She hadn’t expected anything to come from it, and so far, I hadn’t seen them arrive.

The wedding was to take place where it had all started—home.

Chairs and twinkling lights had been beautifully arranged in my backyard, which was now ours. We’d decided if we were going to join households, we’d do it here. Leaving Liv’s house behind had been difficult, which was why we weren’t selling it. We were just waiting to find the right person to rent it to. Until then, we’d slowly move her things over and settle into our new life.

Besides, she wasn’t the only one moving. Next week, I would officially be moving my office next to hers. The old dentist was retiring, and I’d managed to swoop up the location for a steal. After a few long weeks of remodeling, I’d be in business for myself. Family law sounded hard, laborious, and completely awesome. The added bonus of a built-in lunch date and a sweet little garden to chill in didn’t hurt either.

The backyard sparkled, looking elegant and ethereal. Hanging plants dotted the walkway, and people sat on benches and wicker furniture that we’d borrowed from friends. A small dinner was planned afterwards. We couldn’t decide on what to cook, so I was firing up the grill, and we were calling in a large order of Thai food. Bets had been placed on whether either of us would venture out of our comfort zones.