Chapter 12
Joy
As soon as we step into the building, Holly gasps. It’s the sight of the grand staircase that gets to her.
“This place is stunning,” she whispers. We’re back at Club Crave. It’s been six months since I was here with Ford, and we spent a long night dancing around our feelings for each other.
“Heck, I’d make another trip down the aisle for this,” Emma May jokes. She’s here with me, Holly, Callie, and my mom. They’re my bridal party.
I’m getting married to the love of my life in just a few hours. Out of all the places we could get married, I loved the idea of coming back to where it all began, our one special night together.
I never would have imagined that I’d be allowed to get married here. After all, Club Crave isn’t known for holding weddings, despite being a beautiful venue. But when I mentioned the idea to Marsha, she didn’t hesitate to get Charles to call in some favors with his friends.
The next thing I knew, the owner of Club Crave was calling me personally to ask which date I wanted. I was floored. Charles must have made a heck of a deal with the man to get my choice of dates.
I lead my bridesmaids upstairs to the room where we all crowd in, getting ready together. Danny is here with us. He’s now an active fourteen-month-old boy. He plays happily on the floor as we get ready. Callie and Nate have been married for six months.
Hunter and Holly are planning to get married later this year. I think Holly wants a December wedding, and Hunter is willing to give her whatever she wants. He’s just as devoted to my sister as Ford is to me.
Meanwhile, Emma May and my mom have bonded over being widows.
They’re friends even though their lives couldn’t be more different.
My mom is the high-powered CEO of an entertainment company, and Emma May runs a grocery store in a tiny town.
Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if mom’s next holiday movie is set in Courage County.
I have no doubt that Emma May would help make it happen.
“You are so beautiful,” Mom says as she pulls the curling iron from my hair.
She puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze.
Then she leans close, whispering for my ears only, “I’m happy for you.
He looks at you like your father used to look at me. Like I was the only one in the world.”
I blink my eyes wide, trying desperately not to smudge my lipstick. “He’s my whole world too.”
“He’s a good boy. All my boys are good ones. No one will love you more or better,” Emma May adds to our conversation. She helps me apply one last swipe of lipstick, handing me a tissue and telling me to blot.
“This was way more upscale than I was expecting,” Holly says.
“Me too,” Callie chuckles.
“I worried it would be sleazy and disgusting when I came here,” I agree.
Fortunately, Marsha and Charles knew what they were talking about. They’re going to be attending our wedding today, and I couldn’t be happier about that. The two of them are a big reason why Ford and I finally confessed our feelings for each other.
“I still can’t believe he came after you like that,” Holly sighs softly.
“It’s so romantic,” Callie says.
I can’t help smiling. I never imagined when I stepped into the club that night that I would be so happy six months later.
Living with Ford has been like a dream. We take on a few security projects a month, but we only have to work every now and again. The rest of the time I spend working on my art. Lately I’ve been drawing a lot of landscapes. Turns out, I really like sketching the mountains.
Ford has been building a workshop. He says he wants me to have a proper artist’s space. When he’s not outside working, he’s been attending therapy. He joined a group for veterans who talk about their combat experiences. I think it helps him to remember he has a brotherhood around him.
The nightmares are still intense, but they’re getting less frequent, which I think is a good sign. I love him regardless of the post-traumatic stress, but I also want him to find healing. He’s an amazing man, and he deserves peace.
“I can’t believe that we all fell in love with triplets,” Callie says.
“We are lucky,” I agree. I love that Holly and I are so close to Callie. We joke that she’s our third sister and have a group chat together. In it, we tease each other, share funny memes, and make plans to meet up in person together.
After we finish getting ready, it’s time to get married to my groom. I descend the staircase as the long silky train for my wedding dress flows behind me. The sweetheart neckline and petal sleeves keep it cool enough to wear during our summer wedding.
The showroom is the same one where we watched Lucien and Celeste perform that night. Only now the stage is decorated with a beautiful trellis that’s been twined with real ivy and peach roses. Petals are scattered all along the aisle and the benches are filled with our family and friends.
Ford is in front of the trellis, and his brothers are with him. The three of them all look so handsome in their matching tuxedos, and I love the way they keep nudging each other and chuckling quietly. It’s good to see my man laughing.
My mom gives me away, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek before she does. “Be happy with him. You deserve it.”
Ford takes my hand in his, and I feel the familiar zing of attraction. He knows exactly how to turn me on with a look, a touch, or even just a word.
“Behave,” I mouth at him.
He gives me a wink and turns his attention to the officiant who performs the ceremony. Repeating my vows to Ford and having him repeat them back to me feels special and sacred, like we’re the only two people left in the whole world.
When he leans in close to kiss me, hope swells in my heart. This is our new beginning, our beautiful story is entering into a new chapter, one where we’re husband and wife.
After dozens of photos and some good-natured teasing from our family, we finally step onto the dance floor for our first dance as a couple. He pulls me close to his chest. “Do you have any idea how much I adore you?”
I put my head on his chest. “I might have some idea.”
He chuckles, and I feel the rumbling vibration. I’ve never felt happier than I do with his hands pressing me close and the soft hum of contentment that he’s making.
“I’m looking forward to our honeymoon,” I tell him, already thinking of Italy and all the amazing sights we’ve planned to see together.
He doesn’t love the idea of traveling, but he told me he wants me to have the honeymoon of my dreams. My art classes will be part of it too but those are scheduled for the mornings. The rest of the day–and all night–will be ours to spend together as newlyweds.
“We could start it now,” he offers. “I booked the room upstairs, the same one we were in that night.”
I glance up at his handsome face. “Then what are we waiting for?”
My squeal of delight can be heard by all the guests as he scoops me up into his arms and carries me bridal style from the reception and up the stairs to our room. While our guests continue to dance and mingle, I’ll be celebrating the start of my marriage with my big, burly husband.