Chapter 38
Bryan
It's mid-morning, and I’m scrambling to put everything in place for the surprise I have for Valley. The guys know what it is, but none of the girls do.
I can’t stop smiling. I'm beyond excited to do this. I don’t have any doubt Valley will be out of her mind with happiness when she hears what I have to say.
Ghost, Frost, and I are putting the finishing touches in the theater room. This is Valley’s favorite place in the compound.
I step back once we’re done, loving the overall look.
I clap hands with the guys in a thank you.
Frost says, “I’ll go get everyone else, hang tight.”
I pace nervously, going over the words in my mind I’ve memorized by now.
After a few minutes, everyone filters in. The Six, Harris, Sam, Thor, Cynthia, Valley, and even Jax.
I'm standing in the front, hands clasped behind my back. Synn has his huge hands covering Valley’s eyes, and she’s bitching up a storm. He releases her, and she gasps, looking around the transformed room.
There are yellow roses everywhere—her favorite. Candles provide the only light, flames softly flickering. The big screen flickers on, and a montage of the two of us starts to play.
I've been slyly recording us for a while—for this very moment.
Valley finally sees me standing there, and tears fill her eyes. I'm wearing a black suit with my hair carefully arranged. The other girls make oooo sounds, and I smile.
Valley walks toward me, her small frame trembling.
Once she’s right in front of me, I reach out to take her hands. Looking deep into her eyes, I say, “Valley, I love you more than anything.” I let go of her hands, slowly sinking down to one knee.
She starts to cry, hands covering her mouth in surprise.
“I love you beyond measure. Meeting you changed my entire life. The first time I saw your beautiful face, you took my breath away. When you called me a hero, my heart became yours. After all we’ve been through, our love continues to grow.
” I pause, digging a small box out from the inside of my suit jacket.
“Valley Dawn Bates, will you do me the absolute honor of becoming my wife?”
I open the box; a tasteful, brilliant round diamond resting on a white gold band is nestled inside.
Valley nods her head in rapid succession. “Bryan, my forever love. Yes, I’ll marry you. A thousand times, yes!” Valley accepts, making tears fall from my eyes now.
I hear more crying, glancing to see Phoenyxx and Cynthia weeping.
Looking back to my Valley, I slide the ring from the box, and push it on her finger with shaky hands.
Applause fills the room, and I embrace my fiancée.
She said yes!
Valley is going to marry me.
My heart is so full it feels like it could burst.
I lean in to kiss Valley soundly, then I throw my arm around her shoulders, leading her from the room.
Congrats are called out as we walk out of the theater room. I steer her toward our room.
Alone time is needed now—just me and my fiancée.
Phoenyxx
I can’t believe that just happened. Bryan, that sly dog.
I’m so happy for them both. My bestie’s happiness means everything.
Cynthia clings to Thor, looking up at him. “Married, that sounds nice. Yep, you’re the first of my harem, you know.” She beams.
Thor chokes. “Oh, my, well, it’s a bit soon for that. Maybe in due time.”
Cynthia frowns, but I tell her, “These things take time. I was with my guys for a while before we even confessed our love.”
She nods thoughtfully. “That makes sense.”
Murmuring in Cynthia's ear, Thor guides her out, leaving me alone with my guys. Jax already discreetly saw himself out.
I look at each of them. “I am head over heels in love with all of you. My heart is split between you, my eight superheroes. Well, supervillains, maybe.”
Synn laughs, a sound I adore.
We all hug, and I kiss them. Before they can get frisky, I move away.
“Not now, guys. I want to mull over a wedding date with my friends.”
Valley
Bryan is the biggest romantic on the planet. This man has swept me right off my feet.
I never thought I’d find someone. I'm weird and quirky, a soft goth girl. Most goth guys are assholes, and I didn’t even think about other types.
Friends are never something I had growing up. My parents wouldn’t allow it. Besides, I was ignored by most people. Constantly overlooked. Then Bryan came along, looking at me like I’m the best thing in existence. He changed my world forever. He's just that amazing.
He is my first boyfriend, which makes me so happy I could shout. I am marrying my first, and only, love. Me—the weirdo goth girl.
I'm cuddled up in bed with Bry after the most amazeballs sex, like ever. My head rests on his defined chest.
He's so freaking hot. His brown hair is so soft, and his body is lean, but fit. I think Nyx’s guys have been helping him work out, or something.
I hold up my hand, staring at my gorgeous ring.
“I’m engaged, Holy Taco,” I whisper reverently.
“You sure are, my fiancée. I'm the luckiest man in the world.” Bry kisses me on top of my head. “When do you want to get married? What kind of ceremony do you want? A big wedding, or a smaller intimate one? Do you want your family to come?”
I wince, my family being a sore subject, and all. My parents have barely spoken to me since tossing me in here with the wolves. Fucking Jarrod, my pedo brother, is home now. They would for sure bring him if they got an invite. Nope, fuck that.
“A small one, with my found family. Everyone here. Fuck my blood family. They don’t deserve to see my happiness,” I answer resolutely. “And for the when, maybe we can talk about there once we’re settled somewhere.”
Bryan sits up, turning my face to look into my eyes. “I understand completely. I feel the same about my family. My mother herself is a damn pedophile, and they don’t care about me.”
My gaze softens, tears filling my eyes. My poor Bryan. He deserves the world.
“I want Nyx as my matron of honor, and Cynthia as my bridesmaid. And I want Synn to walk me down the aisle.”
Bryan jumps a little. “Synn? Why? He's an odd choice.”
“He’s the reason we’re here now, in a way. I wouldn’t be so close with Nyx if it wasn’t for those six— especially Synn. I weirdly think of him as the big brother I should’ve had.”
Bryan blows out a breath. “I’m okay with whatever you want. As for me, I’d like Harris to be my best man.”
“Hunter, huh? A father figure of a sort. Makes sense.”
We keep discussing the wedding, and I'm all smiles.
I’m bursting with joy, and man, does it feel good.
Synn
I can’t stop smiling like an idiot. Bryan came to me with his request of being his best man, which I accepted. It's oddly touching.
I’m on my way to speak to the other guys. Whistling, I find my brothers in the media room, as usual. It's a great place to spend time together and just be guys.
Frost looks up, seeing my smile. “What’s up?”
I explain it all to them, and some confusion crosses some faces for a moment, but they all agree.
Razor pipes up. “What if we...?”
My smile just grows with each word that leaves his mouth.
This is even better. This is shaping up to be an epic event.
“I’m down,” I reply.
We are buzzing with conversation, and my heart fills with a still foreign feeling of true joy.
I have everything I've ever wanted.