Chapter 23
GARRETT
Two Days after Christmas
“I thought I might find you here.” Nat slips into the TARDIS and sits beside me. She holds out her hands as if she’s measuring something. “How in the hell did you and Christy both fit in here?”
I wink. “It was snug.”
“So, boss. What’s up?”
I know why she’s here, but I don’t have answers for her. “It’s my wedding day.”
“I know. Shouldn’t you be hanging out with your groom?”
It’s been a whirlwind. Telling everybody and planning a wedding. Or not planning and trusting my staff to do everything. “Aidyn took Lanie to buy a dress for the wedding.”
“Are you having second thoughts?” Nat always likes to get right to the point. But at least in this, I’m confident.
“Absolutely not. I can’t wait to be married to Aidyn.”
“But…” She knocks into me.
“I went to their wedding, did you know that?” I look at her. She’s watching me.
“She was your sister.”
I rest my arms on my legs. “I really wanted to skip it. But I couldn’t, and I thought seeing them get married would kill my crush.”
“And yet, here we are.”
I laugh. “Here we are.”
“It was beautiful….”
“Is this a dig at us?” She lifts her brows, and I think it might be a serious question.
“Not at all. But I mean…you’ve only had one day.”
She sighs. “Less, actually. Because we can’t get the groom to leave.”
I glance up at her. Oh. “That’s why you’re really here.”
“That and to get a few minutes away from the twelve-year-old. He’s the one freaking out.”
I nod and stare at my hands. “Do you think they’ll compare the two weddings?”
“Who?”
I shrug, feeling stupid. “The town? The people of Mule Creek.”
“Oh. You mean, as in which wedding is better? Who wed the Irishman the best?”
I nod.
She taps her finger against her chin. “Probably. I would.”
“Nat.” I glare at her.
“Oh. Sorry. I was supposed to sugarcoat that, wasn’t I? You have to tell me these things or at least give me a signal.” She leans into me. “I thought you didn’t care what people think.”
“I don’t.”
“Right. Come on. I’ll sneak you out before Jonah starts yelling again.”
“Wait.” I touch her arm as she stands. “Jonah is yelling at people?”
“He’s taken charge of this entire thing. And just between you and me? The kid’s got a lot going for him besides all those muscles.”
“Good to know.”
My phone pings. Aidyn.
I need you, love.
It’s nine in the morning. Didn’t you get enough last night?
Not that. Get your arse over here.
Please?
On my way.
When I get to the diner, Lanie points upstairs. “He’s having a meltdown.”
“About what?”
She rolls her eyes. “His clothes.”
Surely he knows I don’t care what he wears. When I get to his room, I knock. No response. “Aidyn?”
The door flies open. He looks around and then tugs me inside the room. He’s in sweatpants.
“It’s a bold choice, sweetheart.”
“What?” He glances down. “No.” He drags a hand through his already unruly hair and sits on the bed.
“When Emily and I got married,” he says, watching me for my reaction, “I was trying to impress her family. I didn’t want to make any waves and her family…
your family, especially your parents, have certain ideas. ”
They really do. “What’s going on, Aidyn?”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m just gonna say it, love.” But he still hesitates for a second. “I want to wear my kilt. It’s a traditional Irish wedding kilt. If you don’t—”
“God, please wear your kilt.” I kiss him hard on the mouth. “You could go naked for all I care.”
“About that.” A slight blush spreads across his cheeks. “You might have heard that Scotsman don’t wear anything under their kilts.”
“…but you’re not Scottish.”
“Neither do the Irish.”
I kiss him again. “I will never object to you going commando. And I am so going to enjoy our wedding night.”
I’m nervous as hell. I have no idea what to expect. Which doesn’t make sense because I’ve been involved in many weddings over the last year. But I trust my team. Mostly.
Aidyn and I arrive in our respective vehicles, but we don’t get to see each other. Orders from Jonah.
Earlier today, Aidyn told me Ramon is going to rent the upstairs apartment over the diner from him.
He’s also taking over the baking. That will give Aidyn and me more time together since he won’t have to go in as early.
Lanie is excited about living on the farm, especially with Maple right here.
And my farm isn’t far from where Zoey lives.
Lanie was surprised to learn that I know how to ride.
I learned when I was a kid. Now we’re going to go riding together.
When I arrive at the event hall, Jonah waves me into a room to get dressed. And presents me with the perfect tux.
“Wow.” The material is exquisite. “Where did Nat find this?”
Jonah puts his hands on his hips and glares at me. “I do have skills other than lifting things.”
“Sorry.” Nat’s right. Jonah has gotten a lot bossier. Plus, he got me the perfect tux. “I’m impressed.”
He grins, looking like a sweet twelve-year-old. “Thanks, boss.”
“So what’s up with you and that Vivian guy?”
He shrugs. “I hate him.”
“Why? What did he do?”
Jonah puts his hands on his hips. “Do you really want to do this now?”
“Why not?”
He chews on his bottom lip. “The guy is perfect. Too perfect.”
I laugh. “Do you hate everyone who’s perfect?”
He snorts. “Just the ones I’m related to.”
That stops me. “What? You’re related to Vivian?”
His eyes get big and he shakes his head. “No. I mean, kinda?”
“What does that mean, Jonah?”
He sighs. “Vivian is my stepbrother.”
Before I can even process that, he orders me to stay put and darts out the door. Bossy indeed.
I’m nervously pacing and thinking about how I should have more patience for the nervous grooms and bossy brides we work with. I get it now. This waiting is torture.
Someone knocks, and I hope it’s Aidyn. But instead, it’s my sister.
“Hey, bro.”
“Hi Jane.”
“Look at you. All grown up.”
“Ha-ha.” I cross my arms. “So Aidyn said me hosting family Christmas was your idea.”
“I may have nudged Mom and Dad in the right direction.” She grins. “Seriously, I just wanted to help you get over yourself.”
“I’m not sure if I should yell at you or thank you.”
She kisses me on the cheek. “You’re welcome.”
I shrug a shoulder. “I was actually leaning the other way.”
“Too late.” She wraps her arms around me. “Emily would be happy for you guys, you know?”
I nod and hug her tighter. “I’m so glad I got one of my sisters back. But stop making me cry. It’ll mess up my makeup.”
“Funny,” she says, wiping a finger under her eye.
“No seriously.” I point to the blush on my cheeks and the eyeliner. “Jonah insisted. He’s gotten very bossy.”
When it’s time, I stand with my mother, ready to walk down the aisle. I figured my father got to walk Emily the first time, so it was her turn. Maybe if she gets a front row seat, she’ll actually believe I’m gay.
The event hall looks amazing, and the theme is eclectic.
There are bits of every single wedding we’ve done over the last year, from the Hunger Games-style altar to the sonic screwdriver bouquet and the lightsaber boutonnieres.
It’s wonderful. And I realize it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks of our wedding because it’s truly for Aidyn and me. And I absolutely love it.
Aidyn is stunning in his blue-and-green tartan kilt with a Brian Boru jacket and vest—according to Aidyn—with a matching tartan bow tie. I especially like the hose socks. And I almost feel bad for some of the thoughts I’m having about him in that outfit.
Lanie is wearing a green dress that matches her dad’s kilt. And someone has braided her long red hair. She looks beautiful. As she walks Aidyn down the aisle, happiness shines on both of their faces.
I straighten my bow tie. Jonah did an amazing job finding something that matched my fiancé. I love that word. But I love the sound of my husband even more.
“I’m so happy for you, Garrett.” Tears shine in my mother’s eyes as she looks up at me, and honestly? That’s the nicest thing my mother has ever said to me.
“Thank you, Mother.”
Then we’re walking down the aisle toward the front, where Aidyn stands waiting for me. I swallow the emotion in my throat. I can’t believe I get to marry this man.
When we reach the front, I kiss my mother’s cheek, and she smiles warmly at me. Then, it’s just Aidyn, me, and the preacher. And the town of Mule Creek. I choke on a laugh.
No getting hysterical, Garrett.
“Hey, beautiful,” Aidyn says, brushing his fingers against mine.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“I think the entire town showed up.”
This is one of our largest spaces, and it’s filled to the max. “Looks like it.”
I can’t decide whether they care, if they can’t believe it’s happening, or if they’re just nosy.
Then the ceremony starts, and I no longer care about the town. My entire focus is on Aidyn Christy. Since no one objects—which, not gonna lie, is a little surprising—we move on.
The minister has us join hands, and it’s a relief to get to touch Aidyn as we vow to love each other in sickness and in health until death do us part. I blink at the sting in my eyes.
“Do you, Aidyn Christy, take Garrett Bishop to be your husband?”
His green eyes shine with love.
“I do.”
The preacher turns to me.
“Do you, Garrett Bishop, take Aidyn Christy to be your husband?”
“I do.”
“Do we have the rings?”
“I do,” Simon says, practically jumping up and down. Everyone laughs.
Aidyn ruffles Simon’s hair. Then he takes the ring and places it on my finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
I swallow the lump in my throat as I slide the other ring onto Aidyn’s finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
The minister nods and smiles. “For as much as Aidyn and Garrett have consented to be together in matrimony and have witnessed the same before the entire town of Mule Creek and all others present, and have pledged their faithfulness to love each other. Now, by the authority invested in me, I pronounce you husbands. You may now kiss your groom.”
We grin at each other. Aidyn leans toward me but stops right before kissing me. “This kiss is your last Advent kiss. Number twenty-seven.” He squeezes my hands. “I love you so much. Forever and ever.”
Then he kisses me, and it’s absolutely perfect.
We’re presented as Mr. and Mr. Bishop-Christy. We both have businesses with our names, so it seemed only fitting.
I’m grinning, and I can’t seem to stop. Aidyn and I are husbands. Surrounded by our friends and family. Zye blows us a kiss as Miles wraps his arms around him. Adrian holds Isaac’s hand with a smug smile on his face.
We get tons of well-wishes. Aidyn wasn’t wrong. The entire town showed up.
When we get to the reception area, I’m amazed by the gorgeous wedding cake and all the food.
Nat grins at me.
“How did this happen?”
She looks very pleased with herself. “I may have taken a trip to the library.”
“What?”
“Keep up, Garrett,” Mrs. Weppler says, giving me a hug. “Congratulations. I am so happy for you both.”
“Thank you.” I wave my hand. “Did you do all this?”
“Nah. I just told people what was needed, and the town showed up.”
“Ramon made the cake,” Nat says, giving him a sappy smile.
Mrs. Weppler nods. “And Mr. Peavler, from Sinclair’s, donated candy and drinks.” As she names other people in the town, I press my hand to my chest and search for Aidyn.
He always stands out in a crowd, so I easily find him practicing handshakes with Simon. He glances up, and our eyes meet. A smile spreads across his beautiful face.
That grumpy, gorgeous man is my husband.
I smile at Mrs. Weppler. “Thank you all so much. I know this means a lot to Aidyn.”
“What are you talking about, Garrett?” She studies me with that piercing librarian gaze.
“I’ve known you since the day you were born, and there were many times I had to chase you out of the library.
You’re as much a part of this town as Aidyn.
We did this for both of you. Like it or not, you’re one of us. And we take care of our own.”
“Thank you again.” This time, blinking doesn’t stop the tears.
I recognize his scent before his arm wraps around my shoulders. “Look at you making friends.”
I laugh. “Look at us.”
Everyone steps away, or maybe I just don’t notice them anymore because Aidyn is all I see. He wipes under my eyes. “Your makeup is running.” He presses a sweet kiss to my lips. “I can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Hey, that’s my line.”
“Dance with me, husband?”
I lean in and whisper, “I think we’re supposed to wait for Jonah to okay it.”
“Really?” He scowls at Jonah, who’s directing the people still bringing in food. “What does he know? He’s twelve.”
Vivian is off to the side watching Jonah. When did he get here?
But I finally get to dance with my husband in front of the entire town. We each dance with Lanie, and then she dances with Riley. Or is it Randy? Then everyone is dancing.
“That’s trouble,” Aidyn says, nodding at Nat pulling Ramon onto the dance floor.
“And that.” I gesture to Jonah, storming out of the room with Vivian right behind him. “But those are things to worry about another day.” All I care about is the man in my arms.
The wedding is beautiful, and I thank Nat and the rest of my team for doing such an amazing job. Afterward, I go home with my husband and thank him properly for wearing that kilt and being a part of my life.
As weddings go, this one went off without a hitch. It was perfect. And best of all, there wasn’t a single emu or wedding disaster in sight.
Want to read about the explosive beginning to Aidyn and Garrett’s relationship? Check out Brother of the Bride.
All the books in the Wedding Disaster series are a play on wedding romcoms. They’re also over-the-top with plenty of heart and feel-good moments.
Ready to start the series? In My Best Friend’s Wedding Planner, Zye is trying to plan the perfect wedding for his client, a popular influencer.
While Miles, the bride’s dude of honor, is trying to sabotage it every step of the way.