When Ari quickly shook her head at me, I instantly knew who was standing behind me. I spun around to see Melody.

Oh Lord…where is the closest rock for me to crawl my ass under?

I slammed my hand over my mouth and felt my cheeks turn warm. I closed my eyes and wanted to die. My future mother-in-law had just heard me talking about sex with her son—while I stood there in a thong, for Christ’s sake.

She slowly let a small smile spread across her face as she nodded her head. “Nice to know my husband taught him something right.” She walked up to me and took the white thigh-high stockings from my hand. Then, she bent down, gently taking my foot, and started sliding them on.

I quickly looked up at Ari and the rest of the girls as they all just laughed.

I smiled as I started to step into my beautiful wedding gown. As Melody and Azurdee helped me, I thought back to the day when I’d bought it.

I stared at myself in the mirror. Tears were rolling down my face as Ari, Azurdee, and Ellie all went on and on about the dress I had on. I looked over at Melody. I thought she knew how sad I was that I was doing this without my mother. Heather wasn’t able to come with us, and I was really hoping she would since she’d done this before. When Melody had asked if she could come, I’d almost wanted to scream yes.

She quickly wiped the single tear away and smiled at me. I raised my eyebrows at her in my silent way of asking what she thought. She smiled bigger and nodded her head. I smiled and looked back at myself in the mirror.

The dress had a sweetheart neckline with a slim A-line cut. The intricate lace was stunning as was the hand-beaded bodice. The removable cap sleeve bolero jacket added such a sweet and innocent look. The functional corset back just made the dress feel sexier, and the chapel-length train added just the right touch of elegance. The straps were removable, making the dress even more elegant. It would be perfect for the reception.

“You look beautiful,” Ari said with a wink.

I was surprised at how good I looked in it, considering I’d just had a baby a few weeks ago.

I looked back at Melody. “Do you think Scott will like it?”

She smiled and started crying harder. She nodded her head. “Yes. He’s going to piss his pants when he sees you walking down the aisle.”

Everyone laughed as I stepped down and hugged her. She held on to me probably a little bit longer than needed.

Before she let me go, she whispered in my ear, “You look beautiful, baby girl. Just beautiful.”

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Thinking about the day you bought it?” Melody asked as she looked at my reflection in the mirror.

“How did you know?” I asked.

She let out a small laugh. “I’ve stood right where you are. I also stared at myself in the mirror, praying that I wasn’t dreaming.”

I turned to face her. I was sure she could see the fear in my eyes. “Why am I so scared? It’s not like we don’t love each other…I mean, we are living together, and we have a baby. So, why am I shaking from head to toe?”

She shook her head and laughed. “I don’t know. I wish I had the answer for you, but I don’t, sweetheart. Let me ask you something. Do you love Scott?”

I sucked in a breath of air. I couldn’t believe she was even asking me this. “Of course I do—with all my heart.”

“And do you want to spend the rest of your life with him and only him?”

“Yes!” I said, not even having to think about it.

She smiled bigger. “Then, you have nothing to be scared of because I asked him the very same questions, and I do believe you both answered back in record-breaking time. He loves you so much, Jessie. And I know you love him. The moment you see each other, I promise your nerves are going to disappear, and nothing but love will replace them.”

I pulled Melody into my arms and hugged her as tight as I could. “Thank you. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done and for welcoming me into your family with open arms.”

She pulled back slightly. “Oh, Jessie, thank you. Thank you for making my son the happiest I’ve ever seen him. Thank you for my beautiful granddaughter in the other room, who already has her grandpa wrapped around his finger. Thank you for loving my son like you do. I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter if I had planned it myself.”

I dabbed at the tears in my eyes.

Ellie came running over with tissues and makeup in her hands. “Don’t cry! Your makeup!”

The Wedding

“Scott, take a deep breath, dude. I can practically hear your heart beating,” Lark whispered.

It was finally here. The moment I’d been dreaming of since I could remember. I was marrying the girl of my dreams, the only girl I’d ever truly loved.

“I’m fine,” I said.

Gunner leaned over and laughed. “If you keep rocking back and forth, we’re all going to get motion sickness.”

I looked over at him and smiled. I had been rocking back and forth, and if I dug my fingers into my hands any more, they were going to start bleeding.

“Were you this nervous?” I asked no one in particular.

They all answered, “Yes,” with the exception of Lark, who laughed.

I laughed and shook my head. I looked down the line at my friends. These guys were more than friends. They were like brothers to me. It wasn’t lost on me how all the female guests were looking us up and down. We each had on black tuxes with silver vests and silver ties. Jessie had insisted we all wear our cowboy boots, and not one of us had argued with her. It had been decided that we would be allowed to change into jeans and just keep the white shirts, vests, and ties on for the reception.

Then, the music began playing, and I instantly felt sick. Then, Lark put his hand on my shoulder.

He squeezed it and said, “Scott, the moment you see her, it will all go away. Every fear will vanish when she smiles at you, dude.”

I nodded my head, knowing he was right. “I just want to make her happy, Lark. I just want her to know how much I love her.”

He slapped my back lightly. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. I see the way y’all look at each other, Scott. Just speak from your heart.”

The first couple down the aisle was Alex and Luke. They were walking together, holding hands, and it was probably the cutest damn thing I’d ever seen.

I glanced at Lark, who had a smile from ear to ear.

“My god, if that isn’t the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen,” he whispered.

I chuckled since I had just thought the same thing.

“Stick around for a while, Lark. There’s something in our water if you want one,” Gunner said.

Lark’s smile never faltered. He didn’t even make a smart-ass comment about how happy he was being single.

Alex immediately walked up to Gunner and hugged him, but Luke pulled her away to where he had been told they needed to stand. I had a feeling that Alex was going to have a very hard time dating when she got older with Gunner, Jeff, and Luke to watch over her.

Then, Amanda started down the aisle, followed by Heather, Ari, and then Ellie. They looked breathtaking. I smiled at each of them as they walked up and winked at me.

Damn, I love those girls like sisters.

Then, Azurdee appeared, and I heard Lark let out a gasp next to me. One quick look at him told me everything I’d already known. He was head over heels for her. During the few times they had been together out at our place, it was obvious that they both liked each other, but Lark was being a stubborn ass about it.

Then, the wedding march began playing. I closed my eyes and prayed to God that I wouldn’t cry. If I did, Jeff would never let me live it down.