Biting his tongue, Matt replies hesitantly. “Yeah, whatever. Come on little man, let’s party and leave your daddy to it.”

The way Matt interacts with a very receptive Michael, warms my heart. Michael seems eager to get down and run around. He doesn’t like to sit still for long in one place. If I only had the energy my son has. Speaking to Micah, I whisper, “Matt loves him, dearly.”

Nodding his head, Micah responds. “Everyone loves our boy. What’s not to love?” We watch as Matt tries to keep up with our son, who is already out the door.

Can’t argue with that.

Turning his attention to me, Micah lets out a long, low whistle, again eyeing my body up and down. Now that his son has left the room, Micah’s naughty side comes out to play.

“Can’t wait to get you out of this dress, pretty girl. Damn shame too, because you look so freaking beautiful in it.” His dazzling smile turns mischievous the instant his eyes blaze with desire.

I’ve planned our wedding night well. I decided to spice things a bit, and spent a small fortune on undergarments. Since Michael has been home with us, we are more careful when it comes to our love making. Sex, is only happening in the bedroom now—a shame but with an active four year old, we have to be creative. I want tonight it to be all about desire.

“Oh, just wait till you see the surprise I have on underneath?”

Raising a brow, he traces his finger along my breast line. “Tease. Good thing Grandma and Grandpa are taking our son for the weekend. It may take me all that long to thoroughly enjoy my surprise.”

I’m mentally melting with anticipation. First, we have a wedding to attend. Leaning into him, I let out a slow yearning moan. “Kiss me and get out, I’ll see you shortly.” Hell, I need to calm my raging libido now, before I go downstairs and pledge my vows before God and everyone else to Micah. I’m afraid everyone might be able to read my mind if I walk down the isle with flushed cheeks. It’s going to be hard enough standing so close to Micah with the way he looks, then keep my hands off of him. I can tell he sees me struggling, because his evil grin shows it.

“Yes ma’am.” Kissing me one last time, he does the one thing I knew he most likely would. He tells me in my ear how happy he finally is. He began whispering all these keepsake moments he wants to remember about today and he kept on until my mascara was streaking down my cheeks. I had to look like a racoon.

Once he left the room, it ended up taking me ten full minutes to clean it off and apply new makeup. Darn that boy!

When I was just about fixed up, I hear a light tap against the door. Finding it odd since it was almost time for the ceremony to start, I walk over to the door and, I open it slowly.

“Liza.”

My eyes go wide is shock, I can’t believe she’s standing here, all dressed up. She must sense my disbelief.

“That man of yours is very persuasive when he wants to be.” She says, looking at me sheepishly.

“Micah.” I say, smiling. Like I even need to ask.

“Who else? I’ve come to realize not having you in my life hurts much more than accepting you and Micah. Plus, it took you two getting back together for me to find my own great guy.”

The surprises keep coming. It’s a bit odd, I don’t know what is happening in her life anymore. I’ve been busy, but I’ve spent many times wondering show she was. Many times I wanted to call her for a friendly chat. I push those feelings aside because she is here, with me now, dressed ready for a wedding. This feels right.

“That’s awesome to hear, Liza. I’ve missed you so much.” Not holding back, I hug her, tight.

She squeals. “Okay, that little boy of yours is such a little Micah. Good Lord. He’s a doll, and I’m going to spoil him rotten. How does aunt Liza sound?” She says, staring at the ceiling thinking just that as my mouth is gaping wide. All of sudden, it’s as if a heavy weight has been lifted off her shoulders.

Aunt Liza, wow. Things have indeed changed since we last talked.

We end up hugging each other hard we both get teary eyed, but I pull back dotting my eyes. I have no time to fix them again. She stayed and teased my hair, straightened my dress and handed me my bouquet. It was like old times again. I must remember to thank my man, once again, for always looking out for me. Is there anything that man wouldn’t do for me? I hope I never find out.

Liza hesistates, and her eyes dart everywhere but me. “So, I wanted to let you know Nick is downstairs.” She definitely appears nervous.

My body tenses. “Shit, are you serious?” My mind is playing out some shouting match between Nick and Micah. Not good. I’m not paying a bit of attention to what she is hinting at.

“Yes, but it’s okay,” she uses her hands to cup my shoulder. “He’s with me.”

My body halts. I’m frozen in shock at what she just hinted at. When my eyes hit hers, her face lights up in one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen on her face. She can’t contain it any longer.

“You aren’t serious?” I didn’t mean it come out like that, but it slipped out anyway. I’m happy just a bit taken back.

“Yep, and it’s awesome. We get along great. Elsa, this is the way it should have been. Micah even had a long talk with Nick, and they can be in the same room without wanting to kill one another, so it’s progress.”

Progress, yes, I would say. Knowing Nick is busy with Liza is the only reason why I’m sure Micah is so cool with this. I did not see this one coming, that’s for damn sure, but it makes sense. They’ve been friends for years, if it’s meant to be…it’s meant to be.

Our lives have taken so many twists and turns, my head can’t keep up. All I know right now is I’m needed downstairs I hear my music alerting me it’s that time. Hugging Liza one last time, we make our way down, to find Dave at the bottom of the stairs. I come to a stop and he gives me a wink.

“I need to walk my daughter down the aisle.” He’s so confident in everything he does. Not a hesitation on his part, he offers up his arm for me to take.

Soaking in the sight of him extending his arm, I’m visibly shaking, in awe of Micah’s father. This day just got a whole lot better. Wiping a single fallen tear, I have a hard time finding my voice. “I was so scared to ask you.” And I was. For weeks I wanted to ask him but for some reason, I just couldn’t do it. Micah brought up the subject several times, only to find me full of doubt. More scared then doubtful, though.

He gives me a smile that I feel all the way through to my heart. “No need, I would have done it anyway. Now, we better hurry up. Your son is acting up, and my son is anxious to claim you as his wife.”

I chuckle, knowing how true that is. “Well, that’s two Taylor boys I need to take care of for sure.”

Dave pats my hand that is laced over his arm. “All the more power to you little lady.” We share one last sweet exchange before it’s showtime.

Walking side by side we follow our makeshift isle that leads to the back yard. I can see it’s filled with friends of Micah’s parents, a few buddies from the Air Force and my friends from work. It’s just perfect. The closer we get to the front, Michael looks over Matt’s shoulders and locks eyes with mine. My heart beats faster.

“Mommy.” He mumbles, reaching his arms out for me. Everyone openly sighs at the sweetness his words hold. They all know our story, and I don’t believe there will be a dry eye by the end of this ceremony. Since I only smile back to my sweet boy, he then decides to see if he can get to Micah.

“Daddy.” He suddenly says, trying his best to get into Micah’s arms instead.

“Hang on little buddy, need to marry your mommy first.” Micah says wiping a bead of sweat over his eyebrow. I’d say my man was nervous and anxious. The way Micah interacts with our son, is not only amazing, it’s spectacular.