38. Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter thirty-eight
M elody wiped a tear from her cheek and hugged her brother Jax so hard he groaned. She leaned back and stared up at him, so handsome in his tux. “I am so happy for you and Layla.” The wedding ceremony had ended a few minutes ago. It had been short and sweet and filled with meaning, because they weren’t just starting a life together, they were starting a family, too.
Layla was a beautiful bride in a white gown with a fitted long-sleeve top that had a wide V-neck, with floral appliqués and a barely there back. The chiffon skirt draped from her waist to the floor in a church-length train that puddled at the back of her feet, but wasn’t long enough to hinder her during the reception. If you didn’t know she was pregnant, you’d never tell in that dress. It was sexy and beautiful. Just like Melody’s brother’s bride.
Inspiration for Melody’s upcoming wedding. She and Fox hadn’t set a date. She was still waiting for her proposal and ring. She suspected Fox was waiting for them to officially move in together in Boston next week.
With everyone involved in the kidnapping locked up behind bars for the last two weeks awaiting their trials, they had no reason to stay here.
Aria had already hired two new waitresses to replace her. Melody had been training them the last few days while Fox worked from the apartment or center, getting ready to hand it over to the director he’d hired to run it for him.
They’d be coming back often, but she couldn’t wait to start her life with him in Boston.
“You look happy, too.” Jax’s love for her shone in his eyes. “It does my heart good to see you smiling again.”
She pulled her hands from around his neck and stared up into his sparkling blue eyes, so like hers. She’d miss him. All of them. But she needed to go, to stretch her wings, and be with the man who made her this deliriously happy. “I’m letting go of the past and moving on to my future with Fox.”
“You’re up next. Right?”
She couldn’t wait to marry Fox. “Soon. I want to be his wife as much as he wants me to be his wife.”
“And you’ll open your restaurant. You’ll build something of your own.”
“The Dark Horse will be a piece of home. Who knows, maybe I’ll become a restaurant mogul.”
“I have no doubt if you put your mind to it, you could rule the world.”
“I want what you have with Layla. Love. A family. A life we make together, filled with happy memories.”
“Well, I know I won’t have to worry about you. Not when you have Fox and his buddies.”
Yes. Dean and Max came with Fox and she couldn’t be happier about it. “I gained two new brothers along with my very loving and protective fiancé.”
“Are you talking about me?” Fox asked, joining her and Jax, along with Layla. Fox had whisked the bride onto the dance floor so Melody could have a moment with Jax.
Jax hooked his arm around his bride’s waist and pulled her close. “We were talking about you and Melody getting married next.”
“We have to set a date.” Fox smiled at her, not a single nerve or hesitation about getting married.
She snuggled into his side. “I don’t want to wait. I want to get married as soon as possible.”
Fox grinned. “Your wish is my command. Here? Or in Boston?”
“Doesn’t matter as long as everyone we love is there.”
He nodded. “So, small and intimate.”
“Unless you have a bunch of business associates you want to invite.”
He shook his head. “I want the people who matter to be with us.”
“Then I want to get married under the stars with a ton of flowers, have a lovely dinner with our family, and slow dance with you all night.”
Fox pulled her close and kissed her. “If that’s what you want, that’s what we’ll do.”
“And Dean can go back to doing his normal job instead of being my shadow.” She glanced over her shoulder. He held up his drink and saluted her.
“You wouldn’t let me hire anyone else to look after you.”
She rolled her eyes, knowing she wasn’t going to win this battle. “Instead you demoted him from head of your security to babysitter.”
“When we get to Boston, you’re getting a proper bodyguard.”
She huffed dramatically, even though she was bluffing. “Fine. Otis is my new best friend.”
Fox relaxed. “Dean will go back to work for the company. And we’ll also have a personal assistant to take care of the house and errands and stuff.”
“What?” She gaped at him. “We don’t need that.”
“We do if we want to have any time together once you start working on opening the restaurant and I’m back in the office.”
Layla beamed. “I’d love a personal assistant. I get so lost in work, I forget to eat sometimes.”
“That’s why you have me, sweetheart. I won’t let you ever get too lost.” Jax kissed Layla like no one was watching. They got lost in each other.
Fox took Melody’s hand and led her to the dance floor and right into a slow dance. She pressed her cheek to his shoulder and held him close, loving having his arms around her. “I just want you safe.”
“I know you do. That’s why I grumble but never say no when it comes to my protection and your peace of mind.”
“My life comes with certain drawbacks.”
“ Our life has far more joy and fun and purpose than annoyances or distractions or truly bad things. You and me, we’ll focus on the good, the love, the laughter and memories we’ll make together.”
He kissed her. “Always.”
She kissed him back. Forever.”