“Ari, are you ready?” Jenny asked.

As I moved down the stairs, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I needed to stop and catch my breath. I must have squeezed my father’s arm because he slowed down a bit and looked at me.

“Baby girl, breathe in your nose and out your mouth. Think about nothing but the love you feel for Jeff and that baby growing inside you right now. Never mind all the people; it’s just the three of you.”

Oh my god. I’m going to cry before I even make it outside.

I bit down on my cheek as hard as I could, but all that did was make my eyes water. Motherfucker.

Ellie turned and gave me one last look before she walked outside. The moment she smiled at me, I calmed down. I got this.

When my father and I walked out the door, I looked up. The first thing I saw was Jeff. Our eyes met at the same time, and we both smiled. I didn’t take my eyes off of him the whole way down the aisle. I heard oh’s and ah’s, but I held my gaze on his eyes only.

When my father placed my hand in Jeff’s, he leaned over, so only Jeff and I could hear him.

“You ever hurt her, and I’ll kill you.”

Jeff’s face went white, and I let out a giggle.

We walked up to the preacher, and Jeff looked over at me.

He leaned down and put his lips to my ear.

“Gunner told me to whisper something romantic to you, but honestly, your dad just scared the shit out of me. I’ve got nothing right now.”

I laughed, and I swore I almost peed my pants.

I knew there was nothing more that this man could ever do to make me happier than I was this very moment.

“Want to know where we’re going on our honeymoon?”

“Now, Jeff? You’re going to tell me now?”

I looked at Pastor Rob and smiled. Jeff wouldn’t tell me where we were going until after the wedding, so why he was telling me now had me baffled.

Jeff looked over at Gunner and gave him a shit-eating grin. Then looked back at me.

“We’re going to Paris, baby.”

Oh. My. God. Wait… what?

“You bastard!” Gunner said. Then, He looked at Pastor Rob. “Oh sorry, Pastor.”

Jeff let out a laugh and looked down at Matt. Oh no.

Matt started singing, “I wanna be...”

Gunner bent down really quick and whispered something into Matt’s ear. Matt laughed and nodded his head. Gunner stood up and raised his eyebrows at us.

“Um, are y’all ready now?” Pastor Rob asked.

Jeff and I both looked at each other and smiled. At the same time, we both said, “Yes.”

CHAPTER FIFTY

JEFF

I sat back and drank my beer while I watched Ari move from person to person, making sure to talk to each guest. I gave up an hour ago and decided my place to be was right here with a beer in my hand, enjoying the view of my beautiful bride.

During the toast earlier, Ari had taken two sips from a small glass of red wine. We planned on telling everyone about the pregnancy when we came back from our honeymoon.

I felt a hard slap on my back and rolled my eyes. Damn Gunner. I looked and sat up straighter. It was Mark.

He pulled up a chair next to me and sat down.

He raised his beer toward mine.

“You did it, son.”

Son?

“What did I do?”

“You made my little girl the happiest I’ve ever seen her, and that makes me happy.”

“Well, sir, I’m glad to hear that.”

“Jeff, don’t call me sir. It makes my ass feel old. Call me Mark.”

“Mark, it is. She makes me very happy as well, more than she’ll ever know.”

Mark smiled and glanced to where Ari was talking to Heather. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be a grandfather,” Mark said as he kept his eyes on his daughter.

I finished off my beer and set it down on the table. “Mark, can I talk to you about something?”

“Of course, Jeff. Please always know that I’m here to talk.”

“My father left when Ellie and I were both pretty young. I remember him more than Ellie does, but, I never had an example and of a father figure, and…well, I’m afraid that….” I stopped because I couldn’t even form the next words out of my mouth.

Mark looked over at me and put his hand on my shoulder.

“Jeff, I might give you hell all the time, but do you honestly believe that I would ever allow my daughter to marry a man who I didn’t think was going to be the best husband for her and father for her kids? I see something in you, son. You have a drive to be the best you can be and a passion for the work that you do. I see the way you look at Arianna, and I have no doubt in my mind that you love that girl with every ounce of your being. You’re going to be one hell of a husband and a wonderful father to my grandkids. If you don’t, I’ll kill you.”

I felt the tears building in my eyes…at least, right up to the point when he threatened my life again.

“You do know you’ve threatened to kill me at least twice today.”

Smiling at me, Mark stood up, finished his beer, and set it on the table.

“And I’ll probably do it at least two more times before this party is over.”

He walked off laughing and slapped some poor lawyer friend of his on the back.

I shook my head. That man scares the shit out of me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew someone who knew someone who could get rid of a body with no questions asked.

Gunner walked up and sat down where Mark had been sitting. He let out a sigh and leaned his head back.

“Taking her to Paris, you prick.”

I let a small smile play across my face. “Yeah, I know.”

“Now, when Ellie tells me she’s pregnant, you know that I’m going to have to outdo Paris.”

I looked over at him and saw him trying not to smile.

“Dude, really? You’re gonna try to outdo my honeymoon? That’s fucked up.”

“You took Paris away from me, Jeff. Paris was mine. I laid claim to it.”

“You’re going to be a big baby about this, aren’t you? Just because I’m going to Paris first? Dude, it was my fucking idea in the first place!”

“I wanted Paris, you bastard.”

“Ari speaks French for fuck’s sake.”

“Doesn’t matter, I’m sure you broke some sort of man code.”

“Man code? I broke the man code? You bastard, it was my idea…you’re the one who broke the man code trying to steal it from me.”

“What the fuck are you two talking about?” Josh said from behind me.

“Gunner’s pissed because I’m taking Ari to Paris before he takes Ellie. He’s being a baby.”

“Well, he did lay claim to it, dude,” Josh said.

“Thank you!” Gunner shouted out and high-fived Josh.

Traitor bastard is never staying at my house again. He could bunk with Garrett and Emma from now on.

“Go to hell, Josh.”

Josh and Gunner both let out a laugh.

“Oh fuck,” Josh said as he stepped behind me.

He looked like he was hiding from Lynda.

“Dude, are you hiding from your girlfriend?” I asked.

“Yes! She’s fucking driving me crazy. Sorry, Gun, I know she’s your cousin, but fuck, she’s already pressuring me with marriage. We’ve only been dating for five months! If she keeps this up, I think I’m gonna need a break from her.”

“Dude just tell her she’s putting too much pressure on you and to back off,” I said.

“I’ve tried. Every time I do, she says I don’t want to get married because I really want Heather. She’s driving me mad as hell.”

“Why do you stay with her then?” Gunner asked.

“Honestly?”

“Yeah, honestly,” Gunner said as he looked at his cousin walking up.

“I’m lonely, and she’s not too bad in bed.”

Gunner turned and looked at Josh.

Josh held up his arms. “Dude, you asked, and I answered.”

“Fucker,” Gunner said.

“Hey, boys, whatcha up to? It looks like a deep conversation over here,” Lynda said.

She walked up and gave Josh a kiss. He barely smiled at her.

“We were just talking about Jeff and Ari’s honeymoon,” Josh said.