London Falling (Falling #2)(66)
Nathaniel rolled his eyes. “Shh, listen,” he whispered.
“Angel, I mean Aspen.” A hundred guests laughed at Hank’s slipup. “Oh hell, you’ll always be an angel to me. When we met I knew there was somethin’ different ‘bout you. You bring men like me to their knees with your beauty and intelligence. I know as long as we’re together, I’ll forever try to make you happy. In doing so, I’ll always be happy right along with ya. Today, I marry my friend, my lover--” He waggled his eyebrows and Aspen giggled, “--the woman of my dreams.” He placed a hand over her slightly rounded baby bump. “And the mother of my children. And I plan to have lots of em’, because the world will be a better place if there are more people like you in it.” Aspen blotted her tears away. “You’re everything I’ll ever want and need and I promise to be that in return. I love you and all your pieces.”
Oliver and London both blotted their eyes. His words hit home as I stared at London, knowing with my whole heart that she would be the woman I’d spend my life with. One day, she’d be my wife and both of us would move on and heal together.
“Hank, you not only saved my life, you saved my heart and soul. You’ve made me realize there is more to life than being successful. Now, I have new goals: to be the best wife to you possible.” She clasped her hands over her belly and Hank covered hers with one large paw. “And to make the best mother to your children. To teach them to never judge a book by its cover and to always follow your heart, because the one you love might just be wearing jeans and cowboy boots instead of Armani and wingtips.” She smiled and everyone laughed. “I’ll love you until my last breath. Thank you for fighting for me, for us. Today, you’re making me the happiest woman on Earth because you’ve chosen me to be your wife. I love all your pieces, too.”
They finished the rest of their vows and when the minister said to kiss his bride, Hank had already hauled her up in the air, spun her around and then sealed his lips over hers in a rather vulgar public display of his affection. Finally, his brother pulled him away from the poor thing. But she was grinning wide and holding on to Hank just as tightly. Hank lifted Aspen up and carried her down the aisle as he exclaimed, “This here is my wife, people!”
The audience cheered and hooted and hollered. Well, Hank’s side cheered. Aspen’s side of the aisle were quite a bit more reserved in their suits and cocktail attire.
Just went to show that regardless of where you come from, you never know who you’re going to fall for. Sometimes, opposites do attract and when they do, watch out. Explosion!
The wedding continued in standard fashion. The bride and groom did all the fundamental things one did at a wedding. Cake cutting, bouquet toss, garter toss… Now was my favorite part. Holding London in my arms, we swayed to the small orchestra. They were playing, At Last by Etta James.
I swirled London out and brought her spinning back to me. She was a stellar dancer and followed my lead magnificently. “You know this is our first dance, right?”
She closed her eyes, thinking about it. “You’re right. It is. And the song…“
“How apropos. I agree.”
“Wasn’t the ceremony lovely?”
I nodded. “I think you’re lovely. I can’t wait to get you alone. When is all this maid stuff complete?”
She twirled in a circle and dragged her arm from around my waist, to my back, then around to my chest once more. Once there, I pulled her in tightly so she could feel the effect her nearness was having on me.
Her eyes widened. “Hmmm, well, I think my duties are officially over.” She looked over the dance floor and saw Aspen and Hank forehead to forehead, swaying with the music, completely oblivious to everyone watching them. Good for them. They deserved to be happy. But another part of me really wanted to reconnect with my mate. And soon.
“Well, fancy a lift to my hotel, Ms. Kelley?”
“Don’t mind if I do,” she joked. “Let me get my suitcase from the guest room and tell Aspen and Hank.”
“I’ll check in with Emma and Nathaniel.”
When I looked around for my siblings, I caught a sight I would not have expected in a million years. Emma was leaning against a wall looking dazedly into the eyes of a man. The man had his hand on her hip and the other on the wall, caging my baby sister in a very intimate position. That man was none other than Tripp Cocksucker Devereux. Before I could make my way over to them, Nathaniel stopped me.
“Whoa, hold up brother mine. You about to go ape-shit on Emma and Tripp?”
I gritted my teeth and nodded.
“Nope, not going to happen. She’s a big girl. The sooner she gets over that daft prick, Evan, the better. This is just one in the line of many flings she’ll likely have to get over the smarmy bastard. Let it go. Besides, I’m here. I won’t let her leave with him. No worries, mate.”
“Fine. Don’t let him f*cking touch one hair on her head. I mean it. He’s no good for her!”
“Actually I know him a lot better than you and she could do a great deal worse. That slimy husband of hers is a hundred times worse.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t like it.”
“You never like any man dating our baby sister. What’s the difference between the who?”
“It just is. Okay?”