50. Ivy
“ Shotgun!” Hawke and I yell together as we gather with our family and friends in our backyard, where an officiant waits underneath a beautiful white arch. Seats with lovely bows tied to them are arranged on the lawn, and an excessive number of flowers are on display.
“Come here,” Anya grits out as she tugs Hawke by the ear and then whispers not so quietly, “I don’t care that you’ve done this, but you didn’t think to tell me first so I could wear better jewelry on the day?”
“Let me have a word with him,” my father is quick to say, and I cringe as Alek Ivanov places his hand on his chest to stop him. He simply shakes his head no. My father looks like he’s going to cry.
“Wow, this is unexpected. But it’s very you, I suppose,” Billie says, giving me a hug and congratulating me.
Ford is with River, the two of them trying to figure out what the fuck is happening. I catch Hawke’s eyes, and he’s grinning like a complete dick. I bite my bottom lip, silently congratulating us on our mischievous lie.
We’d told everyone we were having a barbeque, and everyone was expected to attend. What they weren’t expecting was me to be wearing a wedding dress and Hawke wearing a suit. Which, might I add, he looks ridiculously handsome in.
“I thought you were going to elope,” Hope says, giving me a hug. I love my friends dearly, but the person I need to creep over to is my father, whose blue eyes are scanning the area, most likely for the closest weapon.
My mother tries to reassure him by patting him on the chest as she whispers to him. Neither of them has noticed I’m behind them, and I catch their conversation.
“He didn’t even ask for my permission,” Dad growls in complaint.
“You gave him your permission when you bet a sixteen-year-old he couldn’t steal your daughter’s heart,” Mom reminds him.
My heart falters. Did I hear that right?
“Little shit,” Dad grumbles as he spots me.
“What did you just say?” I ask quietly. My mother turns to me and pulls me in for a hug. At that moment, Hawke stops at my side, and I look at him.
“Did you two have a bet about me?” I ask, unsure how I should feel about it or what it was even for.
My father curses as he looks at the sky, the muscle in his neck bulging.
“Fuck yeah, we did. And he lost,” Hawke says proudly.
“Okay, I didn’t so much as lose…” Dad begins.
“Outright lost. I told you I’d marry your daughter one day. Welcome to the wedding, Pops,” Hawke says, bringing him in for a bear hug that he’s clearly not excited about. My eyebrows pinch together, and my mother shakes her head.
Hawke then turns to me, grabbing my hands with a shit-eating grin. “The first time I saw you, we were at Uncle Alek’s house. I was only sixteen then. I didn’t know who Will was, but when you walked in, I knew immediately you were the girl I was going to marry.”
“Little shit had the nerve to say it right beside me. Couldn’t even keep it to himself,” Dad adds, recalling events. “I told him a girl like you would be too good for him.”
“So I said, ‘Wanna make a bet?’” Hawke smirks.
My father is shaking his head.
“This is why you never liked Hawke,” I say, finally getting it, and then look at my mother, who is smirking. “And you always loved him.”
“I always had a feeling about you two,” she says smugly. “But I wanted you to have some fun before you settled down, of course. Nobody wants to settle for the same old dick unless it’s exceptional.”
My father clears his throat and shoots her a pointed look as he says, “Way to kick a man while he’s already down.” She just laughs.
“Wait. So what do you lose?” I ask my father, and he turns a shade paler as he glares at Hawke again, who can’t wipe the smirk off his face. It’s so strange to see my father back out of any kind of bet.
“Go on,” Hawke encourages, which seems to only piss my father off.
“Have I mentioned how much of an asshole this guy is?” Dad says to my mother, pointing a finger at Hawke.
She smirks. “Takes one to know one, dear. Now, tell her. You made the bet.”
He sighs and looks me dead in the eyes as he says, “I have to streak at your wedding in front of everyone, and at least one photo must be taken as evidence.”
I snort and glance at Hawke, who seems impressed by himself. I throw my head back and laugh, folding into Hawke’s chest as I try to keep my makeup from running with the tears of amusement welling in my eyes.
“I thought it was good too,” Hawke says, laughing.
And even with all the people here who we love, it still just feels like us.
I don’t feel an ounce of ill will at this bet.
In fact, it reassures me that from the very start, Hawke had always noticed me.
Even amidst all the games and taunting, we were always going to end up right here.
It’s also hilarious because I can just imagine my smug father being challenged by a cocky sixteen-year-old Hawke.
“Wait. If it’s a shotgun wedding, isn’t that supposed to mean Ivy’s pregnant?” Ford asks, and everyone falls silent. It’s like the other shoe has finally dropped, and the energy in the crowd shifts.
“Yep!” Hawke says proudly, lifting me into his arms to parade me around.
“We’re having a baby!” I yell out excitedly, and my father drops to his knees, staring at the ground. My mother laughs as she drops to his side, most likely whispering encouraging words.
“You can’t be upset. Remember, we weren’t expecting Ivy either,” I hear her say.
But I know he can’t hear anything right now. We might actually give my father a stroke today.
I notice Alek still standing beside him, looking down at him. When he raises his head, there’s a slight smirk on his lips. His wife, Lena, nudges him as she pulls Hope in for a hug.
“Are you kidding me?!” Eli growls. Hawke shifts to turn and face the lake where the sun is setting. Eli is holding Jewel by the waist. “I’ve been trying to impregnate my wife for over a year now.”
“Yeah, well, we’re on birth control,” Jewel says, tapping his shoulder.
“No, we’re not because I’ve been tampering with it,” he admits.
“You what?” she screeches, and when he looks at her, I’m certain she’s going to destroy him when they get home. But the glint in his eyes indicates he’s well aware and can’t wait for his punishment.
Hawke turns us back around, and I look at all my family and friends, how they celebrate amongst one another, cheering us on, and it couldn’t be any more perfect.
Hawke slides me down his body and places me gently on my feet. He grabs me by both sides of my face and kisses me, and I can’t help but giggle as I wrap my arms around his waist, and he bends me backward.
“Come on, you two, you’re meant to do that in front of the officiant,” Posie says, shooing everyone into order. I can’t help but continue staring into Hawke’s eyes, knowing without a doubt I’ve found my partner in crime.
“Ready to take on the world together, lover?” he growls, and I can feel it all the way down my throat.
“As long as you promise to be on your best behavior,” I reply, wiping the lipstick that’s smudged on his lips.
He smirks. “Then wouldn’t that be a mischievous lie?”