Chapter 36
36
L ooking around at the guests here, it’s obvious everyone senses something big is about to happen, but no one knows exactly what.
Would they really have a surprise wedding?
I tighten my grip around Claire’s waist, eager to find out.
Then, Nicholas steps onto the stone steps leading down to the patio, a glass of champagne in hand.
He taps it lightly with a fork, the noise getting the crowd’s attention.
The conversations quiet as all eyes turn toward him.
“Alright, alright,” Nicholas says, his face beaming with the biggest smile.
His free hand rubs the back of his neck like he’s nervous having everyone look at him.
“I know you’re all wondering why we’re really here.”
A few people chuckle.
Chad lets out a whistle, and our group laughs again.
Nicholas smirks, dragging out the silence.
“Well,” he says, then takes a slow sip of his drink.
“Tell us!” someone shouts.
He laughs, then looks over his shoulder before looking at the crowd again.
“Let me introduce you to my wife—Mrs. Emily O’Malley.”
Holy shit.
The patio erupts in shouts, cheers, and gasps.
Everyone is losing their mind.
Chad fist-pumps the air.
Anna squeals.
Claire leans in, looking up at me, wide-eyed and smiling.
Emily steps into the doorway, hand in hand with her son.
The crowd loses it all over again as she walks to Nicholas.
She’s glowing, wearing a fitted white dress with her hair curled.
I glance back to Nicholas.
He looks so happy, and that really hits me.
I want this moment.
I want to share this moment with Claire.
Nicholas takes Emily’s free hand in his and leans down to kiss her.
Beside me, Claire wipes a tear from her eye.
“Baby,” I whisper, needing to know why she’s crying.
She shakes her head, a watery smile breaking through.
“This is just … really beautiful.”
The cheers and whistles continue as Nicholas raises his hands, trying to settle the crowd.
“Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way,” he says looking out at the crowd, “welcome to our wedding reception.”
The crowd goes wild again, and servers flood out of the home with trays filled with champagne flutes.
I press a kiss to Claire’s temple and grab for her hand, interlacing her fingers with mine.
Watching Nicholas and Emily walk into the sea of their friends and family, I can’t stop thinking about how I want this with Claire.