Chapter 18
Jasmine
I felt like I was floating. Unlike my wedding to Laurence, which was a practical affair—at least from my standpoint, this time I was excited, nervous…everything a bride should be. Now that I wore his ring, I exhilaration popped in my chest.
I met his gaze before I slid the ring onto his thick finger, and he looked at me with awe and love in his eyes. That look made my toes curl in the strappy, sparkling kitten heels the girls chose for me...
“Steve, as we stand here today, I am reminded of the countless moments that have led us to this point. Through the trials and triumphs of life, I promise to stand by your side, holding your hand through it all. Our journey together has been filled with laughter, tears, and shared memories. Today, I vow to cherish and support you as we continue this journey together. Our love has weathered storms, and with each passing day, I will show you my love and gratitude. Our bond will continue to grow stronger with time, and I am grateful for the chance to love you again.”
“Mama’s good, too,” Cam muttered, wiping his eye.
“We should get them to collaborate on an album,” Nash said.
Carter elbowed them both. “Mama’s not done. Talk business later.”
Laughter filled my voice as I continued, “We’ve both lived rich lives, and our experiences have shaped us. I embrace the wisdom that age has brought us—the lessons learned, the laughter shared, and the quiet moments that speak volumes. I promise to honor our past and celebrate our future.
“More than anything, no matter what life brings—whether it’s the golden sunsets or the stormy nights—I vow to be there. I’ll hold your hand through every single night we share, knowing that our love is timeless.”
“Those vows were as stunning as you two are,” the officiant said.
My girls were dabbing their eyes and sniffling, making puppy dog faces, which meant Steve and I had done good. We’d offered our love for them to see—for them to bask in and find safety when they were feeling low.
Steve must have felt the same way because as the officiant pronounced us married and that he could kiss me, Steve opened his arms to the kids. I did the same, and he and I ended up kissing in the middle of a whooping group hug.
It was the most perfect moment of my life.
Steve
I kissed Jasmine as the kids surrounded us, arms all a tangle, cheers ringing in our ears.
“Everyone should be this lucky,” I said against Jasmine’s lips.
“Agreed. But most will never know what they’re missing.”
I kissed her again as the kids peeled away. This time, I embraced her, holding her strong, lithe form to mine. I broke the kiss, mindful of the little ones, and trailed my lips to her ear. “I love you Jasmine Grace.”
“And I love you, Steve Lincoln. More than you’ll ever know.”
“Let’s eat,” Carter said. “I’m starving!”
“I want pie!” Cash bellowed.
“After you eat some veggies, son,” Jenna said.
The toddler shoved out his lip. But he was like his daddy and enjoyed pretty much anything set on his plate, so I wasn’t too worried about the outcome of that potential standoff.
Aya wrapped a drowsing Levi to her chest so the baby could nurse while Kate and Rye ushered their three toward the long wooden table draped in gauzy white fabrics. The same tiny pink rosebuds and baby’s breath dotted the space, interspersed with votive candles.
“You kids really pulled out the stops,” I said.
“This was all Nash,” Aya said, raising her head once she’d found out Levi had latched on. She cupped the back of his head through the cloth while she gazed around the fairy-like, romantic space.
“Nash really has a knack for weddings.”
“I’ll say,” Kate said. “If I’d known was this good, I’d have had him do mine.”
“He was a little busy then,” Aya noted.
Kate sighed. “When aren’t we busy these days?”
“Well, I, for one, want that to change,” Carter said. “Actually, Regan and I have been talking. We think we need to spend more time with family—making it our priority, which is why we’d like to institute a holiday round robin.”
“What’s that?” Cam asked, intrigued. He settled Jenna in her seat and then went to work on fitting his squirmy son in the highchair next to hers.
As soon as she placed a strawberry and a piece of cheese on the tray, Cash grabbed it and let his dad buckle him in.
Nash took Aya's elbow and helped her up the slight incline to the table while Rye picked up Lyric and Regan slid into a chair next to Ike. Everyone looked at Carter for details.
“I booked a chalet for us for six days in December. I want you all to clear your schedules then and for Thanksgiving.”
“What do you have planned for Thanksgiving?” Cam asked, eyebrows raised.
The twin dynamic fascinated me. These two men—both so successful and used to giving orders—deferred to each other with ease. I liked that about them, thinking how nice it was to trust and respect someone so much I never worried about whether they had my best interest at heart.
Carter shot Jasmine a glance, “Well…I was hoping we’d keep up tradition and have that meal at the Big House, like we used to do.” He fidgeted, like he’d just asked for the moon.
“I’m happy to do Thanksgiving dinner,” Jasmine said. “But we will have to make a few tweaks.”
All the kids groaned. The servers whisked out the first course in the five-course meal I’d planned out with the caterer.
“You make me pi-ee, Gamma?” Cash asked with a worried frown. That grew as he poked at the crostini topped with hummus, caramelized onion and a perfectly sauteed asparagus tip.
“Always, sugar bear. That won’t change…much.” Jasmine reached over and interlaced our fingers. “But I promised Steve that I’d cut most of the butter out of my cooking, seeing as how I need to live a mighty long time to love this man properly.”
Again, there was a groan. “But your pies are perfect, Mama,” Cam said.
Jasmine shot me a wink. “While I don’t need to mess with perfection, it’ll be fun tasting out new crusts. You and Cash will be my taste testers.”
Cam smiled.
“I bet we could make that happen,” Cam said with a glance at Jenna. “I mean the based good taste testing and the family-first scheduling.” She nodded, her countenance lit up brighter than the fairy lights surrounding us. “I like that. Being together for the important dates.”
I knew she did because Jenna struggled to connect with her own family, now that her father had made it clear he blamed her for her grandfather’s death.
That was utter hogwash, if I’d ever heard it, but I was glad that Jenna and Jasmine were so close.
Jasmine had so much love in her, and everyone seemed to blossom under her care.
I sure had.
“So we do the Fourth at the ranch, Thanksgiving at the ranch, and Christmas—where?” Nash asked. He’d pulled out his phone and peered at the calendar.
“Switzerland,” Carter said. “We’ll fly you all over in my jet.”
“It can fit us all?” Cam asked, counting heads.
“We’ll be coming from Africa, most likely,” Aya said. “I have wells set to be dug in December in Eritrea. We’ll have Levi with us, so that’s three less for you to worry about.”
“You’re not going to Africa without me,” I said.
“All right,” Nash said. “So we’ll have my dad and Mama.”
My breath caught, held in my chest. Jasmine clasped my hand as she leaned into my side.
If I hadn’t been seated, I would have collapsed into the chair.
As it was, I struggled to catch my breath, lightheaded with Nash’s easy use of the term…
the one I’d dreamed of him using for so long but feared he’d never wanted to.
Not for me. Not after my massive screwups where he was concerned. I stared at Nash for a moment and he stared back. He raised an eyebrow. Equally as slowly, my heart beat again.
I felt Jasmine’s hand at my lower back, supporting me. She knew—she more than anyone knew—how much that short, simple word meant to me. I opened my mouth, closed it, opened it again, but had to close it and clear my throat.
“Thank you for that.” My voice cracked. “But just so we’re clear: your safety in my priority. Mine, Nash, not someone who could never care about you and Aya and Levi as much as I do.”
Nash nodded. “I get what you’re telling me, Dad.” He dropped his gaze toward Levi’s dark head that just peeked out the top of the wrap-thing Aya had him in. “More so now than I did before. And I appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do for me and my family.”
“I…I’m so glad,” I said, my voice breaking once more.
I didn’t care that tears filled my eyes and one trickled down my cheek. I didn’t care that everyone was watching with solemn interest. All that mattered was that my son was finally, finally, mine.
Rising from my seat, I tugged him into a full hug. He embraced me back.
“Thank you,” I said as I dropped my nose to his shoulder.
“You’re welcome, Dad.”