36. nix
NIX
My heart feels too big for my chest as I watch my daughter say her vows and Luke return them, while Murphy stands proudly and steadily on his new prosthetic limb. He’s been working toward being able to stand unassisted for this occasion, and I couldn’t be prouder of him if I tried.
Abbi leans into my side, wiping a stray tear from her cheek, and I tighten my hold on her hand, stroking her wedding ring with my thumb.
I wasn’t sure we’d truly be together today.
The possibility that we’d be faking it for our daughter was such a high probability back in September that I still sometimes have trouble believing that we’re okay.
No, we’re stronger than okay. I believe we’re stronger than we’ve ever been.
There’s nothing between us now. There’s a level of honesty between us that wasn’t there before under the guise of protecting each other.
No secrets.
No holding back.
No barriers.
No doubts.
I feel free.
And so does Abbi.
It’s more than I could have hoped for.
But it’s exactly what we both deserve.
Everyone cheers, climbing to their feet, and I tune back into the ceremony. Luke’s cupping Prue’s face in his hands as he kisses her passionately. I drop my eyes. I do not need to see this. She’s still my little girl.
Abbi’s hot breath brushes the nape of my neck, and I turn into her.
She smiles at me. “You okay?” She chuckles.
“Yeah,” I answer without thinking, then quickly change my answer to the truth. “Nope. Not even a little. I can’t believe our little girl is married. And as much as I love Luke like a son, I don’t need to see him mauling our daughter.”
Abbi grins. “Oh, Nix. I’m pretty sure they do more—”
I shake my head. “Don’t. Don’t go there. I beg you,” I grumble against her lips, then press my mouth to hers with a grin. She chuckles, taking delight in my discomfort.
I return my attention to the fire pit and suck in a necessary breath as I watch my daughter and her husband climb the steps to make their way back down the aisle.
They stop at the first row, and Luke’s parents congratulate them.
Then they step to our side of the aisle.
Abbi throws her arms around our daughter, and as they sway side to side, I shake Luke’s hand.
“Congratulations, Son.” I smile. “Welcome to the family … officially,” I add. He’s always been part of our family, and I’ve always thought of him as a second son, but this makes it official.
His grin is blinding. “Thanks, Sir. I promise to look after her.”
“I know you will.”
Prue hip-checks him toward Abbi and throws herself at me. “I’m so happy! Thank you for making today so special for us.”
My laughter comes easily. “You’re welcome, Sweet Pea. You know we’d do anything and everything for you.”
I squeeze her again, then let the happy couple continue on their way, basking in the happiness and congratulations of our guests.
It’s late and I’ve barely had five minutes alone with my wife. She’s been pulled in every direction on her quest to ensure our daughter’s day is perfect in every way. I glance around the large tent, and my lips can’t help but tip up a little.
Shane cradles a sleeping Jasmine against his chest, while Violet rests her head against his shoulder and watches her daughter in slumber.
Contentment looks good on him. He notices me watching and tips up his chin, his own grin forming easily.
My heart feels full watching him with the family he’s created for himself.
I worried for a long time that it wouldn’t happen for him.
That he wouldn’t allow himself to have this type of happiness in his life.
I return his gesture, thankful that he finally found his peace.
Continuing my search for my wife, my gaze snags on Hope and Ben wrapped in each other’s arms on the dance floor, her baby bump between them.
Her eyes sparkle as she looks up at her fiancé, and my heart swells at the way he looks down at her.
His devotion to and adoration of her and Evan are plain for everyone to see.
She turns her head to the side, resting her cheek against his chest, and he strokes his hand down her curly hair until it rests on her lower back.
She spots me and smiles. I return it easily, thrilled she’s allowing herself to be happy.
It’s what Wyatt would have wanted for his family, and Ben’s the perfect man to look after and love them in his stead.
Someone bumps into my arm, and when I look down, I find Callie peering up at me.
Every muscle in my body draws tight. I’m man enough to admit I’ve been avoiding her since Abbi confessed that she’d told Callie about our troubles.
I understood she needed to talk to someone, and her sister was the perfect choice, but I never wanted Callie to think poorly of me.
She’s always looked up to me, idolized me in a way a little sister idolizes her big brother. Hurting my wife hurt her too.
I suck in a sharp breath and man up. “I’m sorry,” I blurt.
She tilts her head to the side, frown lines appearing between her brows as she presses her lips together, studying me in silence.
I shuffle on my feet, shoring up my footing in preparation for her to unleash her disappointment on me.
She leaves me hanging for seconds … minutes.
I don’t know. It feels like an age that she eyeballs me without saying a single word.
Heat prickles the back of my neck, and it takes all of my training to remain still under her watchful gaze.
“I never meant to hurt your sister. I was doing what I thought was right, oblivious to the loneliness and abandonment Abbi was feeling. I thought that by working hard to establish financial security, I was giving her everything she would ever need. I was … planning for a future where she didn’t have to worry about money or work herself into an early grave like my mother did.
” My explanation tumbles out in an attempt to fill the silence between us and deliver my reason; hopeful she’ll understand and go easy on me.
Her shoulders drop, tension leeching from her body with a long sigh. “I was so mad at you.”
I nod. “I don’t blame you. I was mad at me, too.”
“I wanted to kick your ass.”
“Yeah, me too,” I agree, chuckling ruefully.
“But you made things right, and I don’t think I’ve seen my sister happier than she is now.” She grins. “You did good,” she adds quietly, then wraps her arms around me, squeezing me tight.
I return her embrace. “I would do anything for her.”
She pulls away a little, squeezing my biceps.
“But … if you ever hurt her again, I’ve been researching endangered native plants I can plant over the spot where I bury your body, so it’s never found.
” She winks and my eyebrows shoot to my hairline.
She laughs and punches my arm, then leans in close.
“Just kidding.” A laugh huffs over my lips. “Or am I?”
“Settle down, Lady Death. You can hold off on that plant order. I promise to always put Abbi’s happiness first.”
Abbi’s bright laugh breaks through the heavy moment, and I turn in her direction.
My breath freezes in my lungs at the way she radiates happiness.
The youthful sparkle in her eyes and the way she throws her head back in sheer joy.
The distance between us shortens with every step I take toward her, and my stomach flips the way it did when we were teens.
As she drops her head back down, her eyes catch on me and her grin widens further.
And it’s all I’ve ever wanted.
To have her look at me as if I’m the beginning and ending of everything.
The way she used to.
She says something to Jase, Simon, and Murphy, then steps away from them, toward me. It’s as if we’re drawn together like magnets, our eyes connected, our souls tethered. Smiling softly at each other, the distance between us disappears, and I take her hand in mine.
“Can I steal you away for a moment?”
She nods once, and I loop her arm through mine to lead her out of the tent.
The air is cooler out here, making Abbi shiver, so I remove my jacket and drape it over her shoulders.
She captures both sides of the front and holds them together with her free hand, then dips her nose into the lapel and draws in a deep breath.
“You always smell so good,” she murmurs.
I lean down and bury my nose in her nape, taking a deep breath. “Not as good as you.” She chuckles as my short beard rasps against her sensitive skin, her breath visible in the night air.
I press my lips to the warm, soft skin there as I lead Abbi further away from the party. The music still plays, though it’s softer away from the tent. I guide Abbi down the few steps into what will soon become a fire pit for us to enjoy on nights like this.
The song changes to the soulful tune of Let’s Stay Together, and I take Abbi into my arms, swaying us to the music. She rests her cheek against my chest, wrapping her arms around my torso, and we move together, in sync with the bass line and Al Green’s silky-smooth voice.
We enjoy the moment in silence, the only witnesses being the stars in the clear, moonlit sky. My tight muscles release and my heart thumps double-time having my wife in my arms. I’ll always treasure the privilege of being with her like this after coming so close to losing it.
I press my lips to the top of her head, and she pulls away, looking up at me with her warm brown eyes that I could drown in for all eternity.
“It’s been a great day,” she sighs with satisfaction.
I kiss her again. Just because I can. “With you at the organizing helm, it was always going to be a great day.” I trace my eyes over every millimeter of her face, noting the sense of accomplishment in her gaze.
Her smile is blinding.
It’s everything.