Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
After thanking my mom, I hang up the phone and hand it back to Tucker.
With one more kiss, I make my way in the bathroom because I’m in desperate need of a shower.
Turning on the water, I wait for it to warm up while I strip out of my clothes and get under the warm spray.
I don’t linger today as I wash and shave everything.
The second I’m rinsed off, I get out and wrap towels around my hair and body before stepping in front of the mirror.
Brushing my teeth, I take in my flushed face and the brightness of my eyes.
This is truly what I want to do and I’m excited Tucker is on board with my craziness.
He could have said no, he wanted a traditional wedding and I would have given him one.
Instead, he’s giving me what makes me happy as he usually tries to do.
One of the many reasons I love this man.
Before I worry about my hair, I head into our bedroom and straight into the closet.
I love seeing Tucker’s clothes mixed in with mine as a smile breaks out while I run my fingers down the row of clothes hanging to my right.
At the end of our closet, I search for my white summer dress.
I rarely wear it because I don’t want it to get ruined, but it will be perfect for today.
The dress is pure white with spaghetti straps and a neckline that dips low between my breasts.
My entire back is on display in this dress so I can’t wear a bra.
The skirt of it falls to my ankles and I have to wear a slight heel so it doesn’t drag on the ground behind me.
Grabbing a white lace thong, I put it on before grabbing the dress and sliding it over the top of my head.
It falls perfectly on my body as I look in the full-length mirror I have in here.
Turning around, I look over my shoulder to make sure you can’t see the top of my underwear and it’s not visible.
I make my way back in the bathroom and remove the towel from my hair.
Grabbing my favorite brush, I get out all the knots and smooth my hair before blow drying it.
Today, I take the time to put it up in something more than a messy bun.
I put the top half of my hair up while leaving the rest to hang down my back so all of my body isn’t on full display.
Once I’m happy with the top part, I curl the rest and spray it before adding mascara and some nude lip gloss.
With one final look in the mirror, I leave the bathroom and go in search of Tucker.
As I get closer to the living room, I hear voices and follow them.
Tucker and who I’m assuming is Lock are sitting on the couch talking when I get to the end of the hall and stop a few feet behind the couch.
One of them must hear me as both men turn in my direction and their conversation stops immediately.
“Fuck, Songbird,” Tucker practically whispers as he takes in every inch of me. I spin for him and know the second he realizes my full back is on display because I hear him suck in a deep breath. “Are you sure we gotta leave soon?”
“Yes,” I answer him as I start laughing while Lock hits him on the shoulder in an attempt to remind him we have company.
“Shit. Sorry. Lock, this is Keaton. Keaton, this is my best friend, Lock,” Tucker introduces us as Lock stands from the couch and makes his way over to me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Keaton. Are you sure you really wanna marry this guy?” Lock questions me, laughter in his eyes as Tucker stands and walks over, pushing his friend out of the way as he wraps his arms around my body and pulls me in close.
“You look sexy as hell, Songbird. I can’t wait to call you my wife,” he whispers in my ear before pressing a kiss against my cheek. “I’ll go grab Bridger. Lock, behave yourself.”
“I always behave,” Lock says, a look of mock innocence on his face and I can’t help but laugh again as Tucker leaves us in the living room. “You’re good for him, Keaton. I’ve never seen him as happy as he’s been since meetin’ you. Thank you for givin’ him a chance.”
“You’re welcome. But Tucker is doing everything he can to make me happy.
He treats me better than I ever dreamed I could be treated by another person and loves every part of me unconditionally.
He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of and so much more,” I tell him honestly as I find my phone on the table and send my parents a message to head out.
“That’s why you two are perfect for one another. He’s been dreamin’ of a girl like you his entire life, Keaton. You ever need anythin’, I’m here for both of you,” he tells me as Tucker walks back in with Bridger in his arms and I finally notice what they’re both wearing.
Tucker and Bridger are both wearing jeans with boots on their feet.
Bridger has a black onesie on and over his shirt is a leather cut that matches Tucker’s.
There’s a patch on the front with his name and when Tucker turns him around, I see the club name and logo covering Bridger’s back.
He’s so stinking adorable and I can’t stop the smile on my face as I take him in.
Tucker is wearing a black button-down shirt under his cut and he’s changed out of his glasses and into his contacts.
“You both look so good,” I say as Tucker steps up to me and pulls me into his side with the arm not holding Bridger.
“The three of you together are the perfect family,” Lock comments as we turn to look at him. “Fatherhood looks good on you, Ice. Never thought I’d say that, but it’s the truth. I’m happy for the two of you.”
“Thanks, Lock. You’ll find your girl one day and I’ll be right there cheerin’ you on,” Tucker says as he looks at his best friend in the world and I know he means it.
“We’ll both be there for you, Lock. I know we’re just meeting, but I can’t wait to get to know you better,” I tell him before we all leave the house and get in Tucker’s truck. Lock moves his bike into the garage next to Tucker’s and we close the door so no one can get near them.
We all ride to the courthouse together and I listen as Tucker and Lock talk the entire way. They’re so close and I’m happy they have one another. Right now, it makes me miss Nora more than I have recently as my eyes fill with tears. Tucker notices and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“She’s here with you, Songbird. Nora’s watchin’ us today and I hope she’d be happy with you choosin’ me,” Tucker says low enough so only I hear him.
“I know she is. Nora’s always with us and will guide us when we need it the most,” I tell him as I look up at the sky at the clouds. It’s something Nora and I did when we were teenagers and wanted to lose ourselves for a little while.
It still hurts when I think of Nora most days, but it’s becoming easier at the same time.
I can think of the times I was lucky enough to share with her and smile now.
When I look at Bridger, it doesn’t break my heart quite as bad when I notice her features in his small face.
Now, I think of what she’d do with him and vow to make sure all the dreams she had for her son will come true one way or another.
We pull up to the courthouse and I see my parents waiting for us by their car.
They come over and get Bridger from the truck while Tucker introduces Lock to them.
I wait for my soon-to-be husband to lift me out of the passenger seat because I can’t jump down on my own.
It’s too high in the air for that. Plus, Tucker would lose his mind if I tried to get out on my own.
He likes to help me and I’m not about to deny him.
Our group walks in the courthouse and are shown a waiting area as the judge finishes marrying a couple in front of us.
Tucker and I fill out the necessary paperwork together as we sit among my parents, Lock, and Bridger.
I’m not nervous as we wait to be called in.
For the first time in my life I have a feeling deep in my soul that I’m doing the absolute right thing.
I take Tucker’s hand in mine as we sit next to one another and talk quietly among our group.
When it’s our turn to go in, my dad waits outside the door with me after my mom hands over a beautiful bouquet of daisies and sunflowers.
This is how we make sure Nora is here with us today.
My dad walks me in and down the short aisle before placing my hand in Tuckers.
We listen to the judge go through the ceremony and then repeat after him.
Tucker and I exchange rings we had. I slide his grandpa’s wedding band on his finger while he adds the wedding band that goes with his grandma’s ring on my finger.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the judge says as Tucker pulls me in his arms and kisses me deeply.
The world fades away and I forget we have an audience in the room with us.
When we finally break apart, I can feel a blush covering my face as we turn to face my parents and Lock.
After finishing the paperwork, we all head out and follow my parents to a restaurant just outside of Briar Glen.
The food is really good despite the nauseous feeling I have.
It won’t go away and I might have to go to the doctor soon about it.
We talk and laugh, my parents getting to know Tucker more while we all get to know Lock better.
Today is absolutely perfect and I’m happy we made the decision to get married this way.
It’s nothing over-the-top when I’m already in the spotlight on a regular basis.