Chapter Twenty-Three
LIAM
E lla, still looking gorgeous as fuck in her wedding dress and her hair pinned up all pretty, looks on in awe as we walk up to the driver and town car that’s waiting for us on the curb.
“Is this for us?” she asks, her eyes catching on the “Just Married” sign.
“It is.” I can’t help but grin as the driver, Thomas, opens the door for her.
“Mr. and Mrs. Stokes.” Thomas nods as Ella smiles at him and gets into the car.
“You deserve all the best things, Ell,” I tell her as I slide in next to her. “This car and the dress are just the beginning.”.
“You don’t have to?—”
I cut her off with a swift kiss to her lips. “I want to. Let me spoil you, okay? Let me get some joy out of the Stokes family fortune for once.”
She gives me a playful scowl. “Fine. I suppose being a little spoiled never killed anyone.”
She leans her head on my shoulder as Thomas opens the driver's side door and starts the car. Ella lets out a heavy sigh.
“I know I invited her… but I do have a few reservations about letting your mom meet Macie. I’m willing to give it a shot, though.”
“Thank you, Ella.” I kiss her cheek and squeeze her hand. “If for even one second you feel uncomfortable, we can put a stop to it. Though, I think she’s seen how wrong she was. Not just about Macie being mine, but… everything. I haven’t seen her cry since Dad died.”
Seeing the tears streaming down Mom’s face… seeing her look not perfect, and not put together…and in public? I really think she realizes how fucked up everything was.
Ella bites her lip and lifts her head from my shoulder, nodding. “I need to stop people-pleasing and do what’s right for me, for once. That means putting my family first. So yes, if I get uncomfortable, I’ll tell you immediately.”
Even with the short time I’ve been around, I’ve seen how much Ella puts her own needs on the back burner for others, and I’m proud of her for telling me she’ll speak up. By the time we pull up to Ella’s parents’ house, the adrenaline from the damn press conference has worn off, and now I’m basking in the fact that Ella and I are fucking married.
“I can’t believe we did that,” she giggles, looking over at me as the car parks and Thomas gets our door.
“I can’t believe it either.” I press a kiss to her lips and murmur. “Wife.”
Her body breaks out in a shiver, and she gives me a dirty look, though there’s no anger behind it.
“You can’t do that in public,” she warns me, pointing a finger in my direction before getting out of the car.
Chuckling, I follow her. “That wasn’t in public.”
“We are now,” she chides as we get out of the car, then is swept into a giant hug by Brynn, who parked her car behind ours.
“My baby is married!” she cries, holding Ella tight.
“Oh my god Brynn, I can’t breathe,” Ella laughs, pushing her away.
Then her brothers come up behind us, sweeping her towards the house, leaving Mom to come up next to me.
“They all seem… so close,” Mom almost whispers, looking on longingly as Lincoln and Celine come out to meet their children, Macie on Celine’s hip.
“They are.” I shrug, then put an arm around Mom’s shoulder as we walk up the porch steps. “But hey, guess what? Now, nobody can question whether or not I’m a ‘family man.’ Having a wife and child really does boost my image.” I wink, and she laughs, shaking her head before turning serious.
“Liam… I’m sorry. For making you feel like you weren’t good enough. I can’t believe how caught up in everything I got.”
My steps slow in shock, my arm falling off Mom as she keeps walking. Mom just… apologized? Twice in one day?
“Also, is she the reason why you’ve been so withdrawn the last four years?” She turns back to look at me, not with judgment, but curiosity.
“You could say that,” I say, running a hand through my hair. “I’ll have to tell you how we met some time.”
“I want to hear it.” She smiles softly as we both head inside.
We go through the house to the backyard, where Celine has set up a large banner that reads “Just Married!” along with tables and chairs and music. Brynn, Rhett, Nolan, and Jayce are all talking by the table laid out with finger foods and sodas.
Ollie bounds up to us, barking happily, and Mom takes a step back, holding her hand to her chest. “Oh, goodness!”
“That’s just Ollie.” I kneel down, giving him a scratch behind the ears. “He’s a good boy.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” She gives a shaky laugh and walks further into the yard.
“Daddy!” I hear Macie before I see her, then she’s tackling my legs in a hug.
Scooping her up in my arms, I give her a big hug.
“Hey there, squirt. I want you to meet someone.”
Her eyes immediately fly to Mom, pinpointing the only stranger in the vicinity as Ella comes up next to us.
Mom looks between the two of us, her expression going soft. “Hi, Macie. I’m your… um…” She trails off, looking uncertain.
“This is my mommy,” I tell her, smiling as Macie gives Mom an evaluating look.
“Just like MeeMee is my mommy,” Ella explains further.
“Daddy’s mommy?” Macie’s eyes light up and Mom’s worry melts from her expression.
“That’s right.” Mom nods with a small smile. “Do you want to call me… Grandma?”
“Gramma!” Macie cries, lurching from my hold and wrapping her arms around Mom’s neck.
“Macie, you have to be careful—” Ella starts to reprimand, but Mom steps in.
“Oh, it’s alright, dear,” Mom says, and Ella grins as she passes Macie to her completely.
Mom looks a little awkward at first, with Macie wrapped around her like a koala, but relaxes after a moment, and before long, seems absolutely blissed out, holding her grandchild. Tension leaves my shoulders at the sight, and Ella looks visibly less tightly wound.
I really think things are going to be okay.
While she and Ella talk for a few minutes, Mom still holding Macie like she’s afraid to let go, I join Rhett, who’s now sitting at one of the tables. He chuckles, shaking his head as I sit. “Now who would have thought things would turn out like that?”
“Not me.” I snort, just in time to hear Mom’s parting words.
“I feel relieved, Ella. Knowing that my son has someone who loves him so much.”
They share a slightly awkward hug, with Ella trying to get her arms around both Macie and my mom, and Ella looks up in surprise. “Oh! She’s asleep! Do you want me to take her to lay her down?”
“You don’t need to take her just yet…” Mom trails off, looking around. “I can take a seat right here.”
She sits down next to where Lincoln and Celine are settled, and they fall into an easy conversation. It’s strange, seeing how quickly Ella’s parents accept Mom, but I suppose that’s part of what makes them so great in the first place.
That is, before Lincoln gets that look on his face that I’ve come to realize means he just thought of a joke. “Hey guys, what do we know about the bouquet toss? Last time I checked, the details were still up in the air.”
Mom lets out a delighted little laugh while Celine shakes her head, chuckling, and Nolan and Jace groan at the joke.
A minute later, we’re joined by Ella and Brynn, who bring over a few plates stacked with food.
“I see you got your cast off.” I shoot Brynn a smile as she sits down. “Man, when Doctor Pierce came in to treat you, it looked like you might rip his head off,” I tease, remembering how she practically gave him a death glare while he was treating her.
Brynn stiffens, pursing her lips. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“If looks could kill, he would have been dead, and I would have been seriously maimed just from standing in the same vicinity.”
“Well,” she huffs, throwing up her hands, “what’s the deal with Cooper, anyway?”
My brows shoot up, and I exchange a glance with Rhett, confused as to how she knows his first name. I suppose it could have been on her paperwork? “There’s no deal. We’ve both known him since we started our residency at Stokes Hospital. He’s a good guy, but has plenty of baggage. Great to train under, though.”
Brynn looks seriously pissed off by the time I’m done talking, and I can’t fathom what I said to get this reaction.
“Well, he wasn’t great to me,” she mutters, picking up a piece of cheese off a plate and shoving it in her mouth.
What on earth is she talking about? Did he say something unprofessional that I didn’t hear? Was she not happy with her treatment? I look to Ella for guidance, but she just shakes her head, mouthing, “Leave it.”
Rhett looks between the two of us, clearly just as lost as I am, when Brynn’s phone rings. “Oh! It’s Khloe. Let’s take it into the other room.”
Ella stands, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “We’ll be right back.”
“Who was calling?” Rhett asks sharply as they walk into the house.
“One of Ella’s friends. I’ve never met her since she lives out of state.” Ella’s mentioned the third member of their little trio a handful of times, and from what I understand, she was very disappointed to not be able to make it today. “She probably just has the same name.”
Rhett frowns, then nods. No doubt now unable to think of anyone except the ghost of his past, the one who got away.
“How’s my new favorite brother?” Nolan pops up behind me, ruffling my hair.
“Oh, fuck off,” Jayce grumbles, pulling out a chair and sitting down. “He only likes you because he hasn’t dealt with your pranks yet.”
The four of us talk for a while, about Nolan and Jayce’s business, and mine and Rhett’s residencies, and before long, Ella and Brynn find their way back to us.
“How’s Khloe?” I ask, pulling Ella into my lap.
“She’s sad she couldn’t make it, but says she’s happy for us.” She leans back, resting her head on my chest.
Catering arrives, courtesy of Nonna Rossi’s, and everyone eats while music plays in the background. Macie has woken up from her nap on Mom and is leading her around, “introducing” her to everyone at the party, including Ollie.
The second introduction with Ollie goes much better, with Mom even giving him a small pat on the head.
I can’t help but take in the wonderful chaos surrounding us. Revel in the feeling of being a part of an actual family again. It’s crazy to think that I almost didn’t have any of this, all because I jumped to an incorrect conclusion four years ago. That’s a mistake I will not be repeating.
Once everyone is done eating dinner, I stand from my seat and tap my fork against my glass. Everyone’s eyes land on me, and I clear my throat. “Hi, everyone. I just…I just wanted to thank everyone for today. Celine and Lincoln, thank you for opening up your beautiful home and putting on this wonderful reception.” Celine and Lincoln raise their glasses in my direction, smiling. “Nolan and Jayce… Thank you for welcoming me into the family. Besides the typical overprotective big brother stuff, they didn’t even haze me that much.” That earns me a grin and a middle finger from Jayce and a good-natured eye roll from Nolan. “Also, for using your computer skills for the greater good, and helping take down the scum that is Harvey Kohan.”
“Here, here!” Brynn calls out, making Ella giggle.
“And Ella, thank you for being you, and for giving me a chance, even if I spectacularly fu—” I cough, clearing my throat and correcting myself, “messed up. You have done an amazing job of raising our daughter the last three and half years, but you don’t have to do it alone anymore. We may not have started out as all couples have, but I genuinely believe that I had the honor of marrying my soulmate earlier today, and I look forward to doing this whole ‘life’ thing with you, every day for the rest of our lives.” She reaches up, unshed tears in her eyes as she takes my hand and squeezes. “Will you do me the honor of dancing with me?”
She nods and stands, and we make our way to the open space between the tables, pulling Ella close to me as Brynn plugs her phone into the speaker and turns on a slow song.
We sway gently to the music, my arm around her waist, and her hand on my shoulder, and I get lost in her warm, brown eyes. “I love you so damn much.” My voice is thick with emotion as I grip her tighter, and I can’t believe I finally ended up with her.
My beautiful mystery girl.
“I love you too,” she whispers. “Even with your creepy stalker tendencies.”
“I would never!” I gasp in mock outrage, and Ella chuckles.
“Yeah, Nolan and Jayce ratted you out. But that’s okay. We wouldn’t have ended up together if you didn’t get at least a little stalkery.”
Her lips meet mine in a soft, gentle, completely PG kiss, but that doesn’t stop the round of wolf-whistles from Brynn and Rhett.
“Mommy! Daddy! I wanna dance too!” We look over in unison to see Macie running towards us, arms lifted high as our friends and family chuckle at her antics. Laughing, I pick her up and settle her between us, one arm wrapped around each of our necks as we all dance. “I love you, Mommy. I love you, Daddy.”
“We love you too, baby girl,” I whisper, before pressing a kiss to her cheek. As I continue dancing with my girls, surrounded by our friends and family, I can’t help but think about how damn lucky I am that I found Ella again. If she and Brynn had never come to Boston, if Brynn never broke her wrist, I never would have seen her again, and would still be living my lonely, boring life by myself.
Now though, I have the love of my life, the most perfect daughter a guy could ask for, a slowly repairing relationship with my mom, and a whole new family.
Today, it’s official. And today is the start of the rest of our lives.
I plan on being there for every minute of it.