Chapter Twenty-Eight
Keaton
T UCKER HAS JUST about fully moved in with Bridger and me.
He still has a lot of his things at the clubhouse and he’s told me all about the house he wants to build us on the compound.
When he pointed out the fact that we’ll be safer and away from the public eye more than we are at my house, I agreed with him.
I don’t want to have to change anything about my home if one day my identity as Ruby becomes public knowledge.
I’d rather keep it a safe place for our children to move into one day where they won’t have to worry about people just randomly showing up because of who I am.
We can still stay here if it’s absolutely needed and I can check on it whenever I want to.
Plus, I think Tucker wants to be close to all of the guys in the club instead of at my house.
We pretty much remain alone here and I don’t know why that is.
Today we had our last visit from the CPS caseworker and she signed off on everything for Bridger.
He’s in a safe environment with two loving people looking after him and my parents are home to help support us when it’s needed.
She told us we can officially adopt him as soon as we’re legally married and it made my day even better than almost a week ago when he proposed to me on the farm in his favorite spot.
It might be really quick, but I’ve known since the moment I met Tucker that he’s special and there’s a rare connection between us you don’t see happen much these days.
My parents are so excited for us too. They really like Tucker and have welcomed him into our family with open arms. Yes, my mom was reserved for a little while during their first meeting, but I don’t blame her and neither does Tucker.
I’d just been kidnapped and she still feels horrible after the situation with Camden.
Now, part of me believes she’d rather spend time with him over me any day of the week.
I haven’t met Tucker’s parents yet. They’ve taken a much-needed vacation and are traveling right now.
We’ve called them and told them about our engagement and I love them.
Bob is funny and has told me all sorts of embarrassing stories about Tucker as he was growing up.
A lot of them included Lock, Tucker’s best friend I have yet to meet.
Susan asked me all sorts of questions about Bridger and me.
She can’t wait to meet us and is already in love with Bridger the few times she’s seen him when we’ve been on FaceTime.
We’re planning a cookout when they return so they can meet me officially and my parents if they’re home.
It seems Tucker and I have parents who work a lot and aren’t home all that often.
Though, he’s told me his parents never take vacation and he had to force them out of Briar Glen since his dad is now retired and his mom had so much vacation time sitting there she wasn’t using.
Yesterday, Tucker brought home my rag when he went to church.
He slid it on me the second he was through the door and then we raced to the bedroom while Bridger was taking his nap.
Tucker stripped me out of my clothes and placed the rag back on my body before he fucked me from behind.
His movements were frantic and like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.
It was better than I thought rough sex would be and I can’t wait for it to happen again.
Tucker was worried he was too hard on me, but I assured him I loved every second.
I managed to finish writing the songs for the artist and got them sent off to her.
She’ll go through them and see if she wants any changes made before letting me know.
Once they’re complete, I’ll get my payment.
So, I’ve been working on new songs for myself and a third one Memphis and I started writing together.
We’ve talked on the phone a few times when he can but I’m stuck on the lyrics.
I haven’t been focused because every single day I’ve been feeling a little sick to my stomach and now I’m thinking about marrying Tucker.
Tucker said anytime I’m ready is good with him, but a large part of me doesn’t want to wait to get married.
I don’t need a big, fancy wedding as long as he’s by my side and we have the people who matter in attendance.
We can have a huge party once the license is signed and we make things official.
This is something we need to talk about.
I know our parents will be disappointed, but I’d honestly like to be married sooner so we can adopt Bridger and make our family of three official.
Getting off the couch, I go in search of Tucker. He was taking a shower and hasn’t come out of our room yet. Walking in, I find him sitting on our bed in a towel as he hangs up his phone.
“Everything okay?” I ask him as he looks up at me with a large smile on his handsome face. Right now he’s got his glasses on and I love seeing him wear them. It’s a rare sight because he prefers his contacts.
“Yeah. Lock called to check in. I’ve been MIA and he was gettin’ worried. You think he could come over and hang out for a while?” Tucker asks me and I can’t help but smile as I step into his space and place my hands on his shoulders where drops of water still rest against his skin.
“Babe, he can come over any time you want him here. This isn’t some kind of prison no one’s allowed at.
If you’re staying here with us, then I want you to feel like your friends and family can show up at any time for any reason.
This isn’t just my space any longer. It belongs to the three of us and I need you to treat it that way,” I tell him honestly as he rests his hands on my hips and digs his fingers in just a little bit.
“Okay. I’ll tell him to come over. You look like you got somethin’ on your mind. What’s goin’ on, Songbird?” he questions me before sending a message to Lock and setting his phone down so I get all of his attention again.
“I’ve been thinking. Feel free to say no at any time, but I don’t want to wait to get married.
I’m not the girl who has always dreamed of a big wedding with all of the bells and whistles.
I want to go to the courthouse with the people who matter the most in the world to us and get married now.
The sooner we make things between us official, the sooner we can adopt Bridger,” I tell him as Ice’s eyes widen a fraction before the largest smile takes over his face and he lights up in a way I’ve never seen before.
“Call your parents and see what they’re doin’ today.
We’ll go as soon as Lock gets here if you want.
Everyone in the club will wanna celebrate, but we can make that happen at some point.
For now, I’m happy to marry you at the courthouse with your parents and Lock there as our witnesses.
We can see how soon it will be to adopt Bridger while we’re there,” Tucker says, fully on board with my idea as I lean down and press my lips to his before he deepens the kiss.
When we break apart, Tucker hands me his phone to call my parents.
I guess he doesn’t want to wait for me to find mine.
I think it’s in the living room where I was working, but I really can’t remember at this point.
It could be in the nursery for all I know.
I call my mom and put the phone on speaker so Tucker can hear our conversation with me.
“Tucker?” my mom answers the phone, worry filling her voice and I have no doubt she’s thinking of the last time he called her. The only time if I’m being honest.
“It’s me, Mom. I’m not sure where my phone is and I have something to tell ya,” I say and immediately smile when she starts laughing.
“You’re always losing your phone, Sweetheart.
What’s going on?” she asks as I take a deep breath and look at Tucker.
“Tucker and I have decided we want to get married today. The CPS worker signed off on my case with Bridger and said as soon as we’re officially married, we can adopt him.
That’s not why we want to go to the courthouse to get married today.
Please don’t think that, Mom. I love Tucker and we want to be married.
You know I’ve never dreamed of a big wedding with all the fancy stuff. This is what we want to do.”
“Well, if you’re both on board with this, let’s get it taken care of. Will you at least wear a white dress?” my mom asks me as my smile gets even bigger because she’s just going along with this crazy plan of ours.
“I’ll wear a white dress. Lock is on his way over and Tucker can tell him what’s going on when he shows up.
You, Dad, and Lock will be the only ones there with us.
Obviously Bridger will be with us. Maybe we can go out to lunch when things are done at the courthouse,” I say as Tucker nods at my idea.
“Of course. Your dad and I will cover lunch for us all. You get ready and let us know when it’s time to head out.
I’ll go grab you some flowers,” my mom says and I can hear the excitement in her voice.
“And for the record, this is perfect for Tucker and you. I’ve always believed that when you find your person, you just know.
The two of you have been that way since he met Ruby even if neither one of you realized it yet.
Don’t think this is too fast or worry what anyone else feels about your relationship. It belongs to the two of you alone.”