Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
CARSON
While I wasn’t a romantic man, nor did I truly believe that people could find their forevers in a blink, I would never begrudge my sister her happiness. If she wanted love and forever and whatever else came from being with Juliet, I would do anything to make sure that happened.
Even if it meant burning down the world to get there. And while not everybody would agree with me, they would just have to deal with the consequences.
Today was the big day.
My baby sister would be marrying the woman that she loved, and there would be no going back from that. I liked Juliet. I respected her, and I wanted her to have the best future she could possibly have.
And that meant blocking anybody who would dare come for my baby sister.
It also meant that I’d had to learn what certain flowers were called, and help figure out seating arrangements, as well as far too many of the minute details that came with getting married.
Cora and Juliet hadn’t wanted a huge wedding that would go on for hours and put them in debt—not that I would truly allow them to pay for anything in this wedding, but they didn’t know that.
My lips quirked into a smile as I thought about what they would say when they realized that I had paid for everything, and they were just going to have to deal with it.
I had no plans on getting married, having children, or walking those imaginary daughters and sons down the aisle. I wasn’t quite sure I could be that person at all. No, that wasn’t what I needed or craved.
There had been the bridal shower, something I had been forced to do and had been the only man in attendance.
I had sat in the corner and glared, and my sister had looked happier than I’d ever seen her.
She truly loved goading me, but I probably did the same to her. It’s why we worked so well as siblings.
There had been the rehearsal dinner, and the rehearsal itself.
I honestly hadn’t realized how many logistics went into creating a wedding, and thought there should be far more details when it came to creating a marriage.
Cora and Juliet seemed to be on the same page when it came to that, and I was grateful.
Not many people had come to the rehearsal as the wedding party was small.
Each wife had their best friend—other than each other, of course—standing for them.
I was the one who would walk my sister down the aisle, while Juliet’s parents would walk her down.
I had seen the anguish in my baby sister’s eyes for a mere moment before she had blinked it away and acted as if she wasn’t in pain watching Juliet’s parents love their daughter so unconditionally.
But I had also seen the way that the older couple had brought Cora into their arms, and ensured that my sister knew that she was now family.
There would be no questioning their love for both of their daughters now.
She had found her person, the one person that would be hers forever, and she was marrying into a family that adored her.
That respected her. And that wanted only the best for her.
So of course I was damn proud of her. Why wouldn’t I be?
My date hadn’t gone to the rehearsal, nor had she come to any other part before this.
Getting her away from her family, her job, her work, and much more seemed insurmountable, but Sophia would be here today.
I had offered to pick her up, but she had shaken her head, kissed me softly on the mouth, and told me that I would just have to wait for her.
After all, I needed to be there early to guarantee that Cora had everything she needed, and that someone was in her corner, while Sophia had needed to make sure her daughters were taken care of, as they wouldn’t be coming to the wedding.
Cora had offered, but I knew riding herd on two twin little girls would be a lot.
And there was no way that Sophia would allow someone else to watch her girls while she was enjoying herself at the wedding.
Because I would make sure that Sophia would have fun tonight. She deserved it.
Just as much as she deserved a moment away for just herself.
The wedding began in a couple of hours, as Cora and Juliet had wanted to spend the day together.
No, they wouldn’t see each other in their dresses until the wedding, but they wanted to make their own superstitions and luck by enjoying a moment to themselves before they were with their family and friends.
Family. What an odd thing to think, as I was Cora’s only family here.
She had many friends attending, the family of her own making, but I was the only one of blood.
We had no cousins, no other parts of our family.
And now we had to figure out what our lives would be with Juliet joining us. Or rather, would it be us joining them?
“Such a contemplative look on your face.”
I turned at the sound of Sophia’s voice, as if I had plucked her from my memories into fruition, and nearly fell over.
She stood there in a champagne dress, her hair flowing around her shoulders, her makeup done to perfection, but not overly so, and took my breath away.
I had always known Sophia Cage was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life, but I hadn’t realized until this moment that there would never be another like her. All others would pale in comparison to the woman before me.
For she was the one who haunted my dreams, my waking memories. The dress literally hugged every curve she had, and it took all within me not to move forward, put my hands on those hips of hers, and press her against the wall.
From the look in her eyes though, I had a feeling she knew exactly where my mind had gone.
“You’re here.” I cleared my throat as my voice had broken ever so slightly, and then I was moving closer to her without thought. I cupped her face, and she smiled up at me.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be here earlier. But I promised the girls I would spend the morning with them, and now they’re off with their Uncle Aston and Aunt Blakely and cousin Stone. I’m truly afraid of the mayhem they’re about to be create.”
I ran my thumb over her cheek, relishing in the softness of her skin. “They’re going to teach Stone all of their tricks.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Because I have a feeling all of the Cage cousins are going to run wild and learn far too many secrets.”
“As I have a feeling the Cage siblings have done the same, you can’t really blame them.”
“No, I can’t. Speaking of siblings, are you ready for today?”
I swallowed hard and let my hand drop. I needed to stop touching her. She wasn’t mine and never would be. It would be smart to remember that.
“I don’t know how Cora got old enough to find herself getting married, but I suppose Juliet is good enough for her.”
“Excuse me, Juliet is the best for me. Is this Sophia?”
Before I could say anything, my little sister was shoving me out the way and wrapping her arms around Sophia.
“You look gorgeous. I’m so glad you’re here. That annoying big brother of mine hides all of his friends and never lets me meet anyone.” She pulled back and gripped Sophia’s shoulders.
“Seriously, gorgeous. I love this champagne color on you. And you match the wedding perfectly.”
Sophia’s face was a lovely shade of pink, and while part of me wanted to pull Cora away and protect her, I knew that my sister needed people with her. Especially because as we got closer to the wedding itself, the lack of family on our end would begin to create a cacophony within her.
“Congratulations, Cora. It is lovely to meet you.”
“Carson was saying you have two little girls. Just know that they were welcome to come here, but it’s also good to have adult time.”
I turned slightly so I could watch Cora wink at Sophia, and the woman I could not stop thinking about just beamed right back.
“I have photos if you want to see.”
“As any good mother does. Of course I want to see. One day my brother over there is going to be an uncle, and I can’t wait to see him be all flustered with kids.”
“He’s oddly perceptive when it comes to the girls. In fact, they love him.”
Cora gave me a look, raising her brow. “Interesting. I didn’t realize that Carson was so good with kids.”
“I think it’s quite shocking to all of us,” Sophia teased.
“I knew I should have come alone to this wedding,” I grumbled. “Look at you two, ganging up on me.”
“Hush, hush,” Cora said, waving me off. “I’m kidnapping Sophia, and I’m bringing her to my get ready room. You can have her later.”
“Oh, Cora. You don’t have to do that. You’re with your friends.”
“I am, and you’re my friend now too. I’m sorry, but I’ve already adopted you.” There was an odd sense of panic in her tone, one that I wasn’t sure anyone else could hear, but from the way that Sophia’s head tilted, studying my sister, I realized that Sophia had also heard it.
My baby sister was stressing out about the wedding, most likely about a million things, and so of course Sophia would lean into caring. Because that’s who she was.
And it was another reason why I needed to stay away.
“I’ll see you at the wedding, I suppose,” I grumbled.
“Your seat will be right by his in the front. Don’t argue,” Cora said, waving her finger at Sophia. “You’re going to need to keep Mr. Blubbering over there calm.”
“I have never once blubbered,” I drawled.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing that,” Sophia teased.
“I knew I’d like you.” Cora grabbed Sophia’s hand. “We’ll see you soon, big brother. I’m going to get my dress on.”
“Carson,” Sophia said with a slight panic in her tone as she stared at me.
“Have fun,” I said softly. “You look beautiful, Sophia. In case I didn’t get to say that out loud.”
Sophia’s eyes widened, even as Cora wiggled her brows, and then the two were gone, Cora dragging Sophia to the other side of the hall, leaving me alone and wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into.