10. Remi
Chapter 10
Remi
I wake up to sunshine streaming through the curtains, and for a moment, everything is blissfully normal. The warmth envelops me like a soft blanket, pulling me deeper into the comfort of sleep until I catch sight of something glimmering on my finger. I blink a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and wrap my mind around what I’m seeing.
It’s a diamond ring. A real, freaking huge diamond ring. I blink several times, wondering if I’m still dreaming. To make sure I’m awake, I pinch myself. Yep, that definitely hurt so I’m assuming I’m awake.
The events of the previous day come rushing back in a wave—from Julian’s creepy stare to the uneasy feeling in my stomach, to the rush of adrenaline when Piers and Jasper were involved in the aftermath. That all seems like a distant nightmare, and now, here I am, looking at this ring while the warmth of the sunlight fills the air.
Okay, what the actual heck? I sit up, heart racing. I realize Piers isn’t in the room, so I scramble to the edge of the bed, inspecting the ring more closely. It’s a simple platinum band with a huge freaking marquis-shaped diamond, elegant and stunningly beautiful, all at once.
“Piers?” I call out, half-expecting him to pop in, but my voice echoes in the otherwise silent room.
Still trying to process what’s happening, and the fact that this is my finger now, I jump out of bed and shove my feet into my pink unicorn slippers. I pull my hair back into a messy bun and run a hand over my face. I feel like I might burst from excitement, disbelief, and sheer joy.
When I step into the living room, I find Piers in the kitchen, flipping pancakes like a pro, the smell of frying bacon filling the air. He’s wearing a well-worn t-shirt that clings just enough to make my heart skip a beat, and I’m quite certain that his apron with “don’t worry, I can do this. I watched a YouTube video,” written across it is the cherry on top of this sweet morning.
He turns around, flipping his spatula in the air like some cooking ninja, and spots me. “Good morning, gorgeous!” His cheerful tone is infectious, but my attention is still tethered to the ring on my finger.
“Do you have any idea how this got on my finger?” I ask, waving my hand around. I can’t help myself. I stare at the stunning ring, hoping this isn’t a dream I’m about to wake up from.
He smiles as his eyes follow the sparkler on my finger, and there’s a mix of excitement and nervousness in his expression. He drops the spatula on the counter and crosses the room to me, his serious demeanor instilling a sense of gravity in the moment.
“Remi, I—” Piers begins, running a hand through his hair as he tries to find the right words. “Let me put it this way. I don’t want to waste any time. I love you so much I can’t fucking see straight. I can’t imagine my life without you, and I want you to be mine. So… I’m dragging your gorgeous ass down to the courthouse to make it official.”
His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning, and I feel the warmth rush to my cheeks. This is everything I’ve ever wanted.
The urgency in his voice, mixed with the slight tremor in his hand as he reaches for mine causes my heart to turn over in my chest. “Let’s do it!” I exclaim, and I throw my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder.
“Well, if you insist, we can do it really quick, and then we can head to the courthouse.” He pulls back just enough to look down and wiggle his eyebrows at me. The meaning of his words sinks in, and I throw back my head to laugh at the silly expression in his eyes.
“I can see you’re going to keep me on my toes.” I chuckle as he hugs me close to his warm body.
“That’s my plan,” he affirms before leaning over to kiss me. Attempted kidnapping, big rocks appearing out of nowhere, and quicky wedding ceremonies are just the start of our exciting life together.
The courthouse is quiet, almost sterile, with the kind of air that smells faintly of formal paperwork and long-winded bureaucracy. But to me, it’s nothing but the backdrop for the biggest, craziest leap of faith I’ve ever taken. Piers is standing next to me, looking both incredibly handsome and ready to have this over with as we wait for the judge. I can feel the electric buzz of anticipation humming in the air around us while fighting to keep the butterflies in my stomach under control.
It’s surreal how fast everything is moving. One minute, he was asking me why I was walking Winston, and the next, I’m about to promise to spend the rest of my life with the man. Piers sneaks a glance at me and winks, and I know everything will be perfect.
Uncle Jasper has taken on the role of our semi-official ceremony planner, filling the few seats in the small room and acting like it’s the most lavish wedding in the world. Dillon Armstrong is more suited to the role of the silent guardian, leaning against a wall with that well-known cop calmness that speaks volumes.
“Alright, you two lovebirds,” Jasper says, clasping his hands together as the judge, a middle-aged woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, shuffles her papers. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
I shoot Piers a glance filled with nervous energy and excitement, and he looks back at me, eyes glimmering. “Let’s do it,” he echoes, and I can’t help but giggle at the absurdity.
It only takes a few moments for the well-practiced judge to make things official. As Piers kisses me, I forget all about everyone else in the room and lose myself in the knowledge that this incredible man is now mine for all eternity.
Since the courthouse schedules back-to-back weddings, they rush us out as soon as the words, “I now pronounce you man and wife,” leave the judge’s mouth.
As we walk down the courthouse steps, Uncle Jasper hugs me before shaking Piers’ hand. “Congratulations, you two! Now, why don’t we go celebrate at the Broadway Steakhouse? My treat,” Jasper suggests, and I know he has to approve of my quick wedding to Piers if my penny-pinching uncle suggests paying for dinner at the most expensive restaurant in the area.
“Not today, Uncle Jasper. We’ve got some… private celebrating to do,” Piers says, winking at me.
“Oh, really?” Jasper replies as Dillon watches on. “I see how it is. Well, don’t forget to…”
“I know, I know, keep it PG in front of the family,” Piers interjects, laughter spilling from him, cutting Jasper’s teasing off prematurely.
As we turn to leave, Jasper doesn’t let up. “Just remember, I expect grand-nieces or nephews soon. The clock’s ticking!” His grin is cheeky and wide, but I can’t help the flush of heat that rises to my cheeks as I try to stifle a laugh.
Piers chuckles, turning to face my uncle. “That’s the plan, believe me.”
After Piers helps me into the front seat of his truck and hops in next to me, I lean back and take a deep breath. “Wow, we just got married,” I breathe out, a mixture of disbelief and elation flooding me.
“Yep, we really did! You’re the best Christmas present I ever received.” He grins, looking over at me, and I can see the promise of a bright future for us shining in his dark eyes. “You ready to go make all those grand-nieces and nephews for Jasper?”
“How many are we talking about here?” I’m not sure I can handle too many mini-Pierses running around.
“Oh, only five or six.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“Why don’t we start with one and see how things go from there?” I suggest as he leans over to kiss me.
“Sounds like a plan to me.”