Chapter 36
“Hi, Donna.”
“Hello, Reese. He’s with Lachlan but asked for you to join him.” She points to the door.
“Oh, really?” I straighten my shirt and raise my chin. I lightly tap the door before entering. “Hey, Donna said you wanted to see me.”
When Walker’s eyes lock with mine, his face glows. “Hey, baby. Come on in.” He swivels his chair for me to climb into his lap. “How are you?” He stops everything to check on me. I love this man.
“I’m feeling good. Thank you.” He kisses my jaw, making everything south of my belly button knot.
“I wanted you to join us because I’d like your input,” he explains, his brows low over his eyes.
“Shoot.” I wiggle on his lap with a mischievous grin. He doesn’t blink an eye when he gropes my ass behind his desk.
“I’m going to start working with Lachlan exclusively. It’ll free my time up tremendously and with the twins coming, it would be the perfect time to transition.” He eyes me.
“That’s amazing.” I look from him to Lachlan. “Why do I have a feeling there’s a but?” My eyes shift between the two.
“He wants us to spearhead a foundation.” He stares at me wide-eyed.
“Us?” I cock my brow.
“Lay it out, Pennington,” Lachlan chimes in.
“Lachlan and I want to start a nonprofit, The Coastal Family Resource Center. We’ll,” he waves between us, “run it in conjunction with Lea and One. We’ll be offering everything from legal, to housing and even education expenses.” He bites his lip.
I glance at him as I look over his prospectus. “Well, what about money? If we’re both working nonprofit, we need jobs,” I chew my nail as I peek over the paper.
“Walker, you’re marrying her, and she has no clue what your net worth is?” Lachlan’s mouth hangs.
“Much like Maisyn, she doesn’t care.” He shrugs. “We’ll be fine. Thoughts?”
“I’d love to do nothing more than help those less fortunate, but will your dad be okay with it?”
“He’s our attorney.” Walker grins. “I asked him this morning after telling him I was quitting the family business.”
Now, it’s my turn for my mouth to hang open.
“Look at you. Love looks damn good on you.” He reaches over, rubbing my growing belly.
“Much like you.” He places a sweet kiss on my lips. “Let’s do it.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Have your dad draw up the foundations papers.” Lachlan stands, reaching us his hand. “Until Saturday.”
“Thank you, Lachlan.” Walker sees him out while I read over the papers more thoroughly.
“This is amazing. I have no other words.” I smile up at Walker.
“I’m thinking your desk here and a crib over in this corner.” He points to the far wall. “Unless you want your own office. We can set up the apartment for them when they need to nap.” His eyes are alight with wonder. He smiles from the inside out.
“I love that idea.” I join him, pressing myself into his side. “So, I’m thinking…”
“Yes?” He stares down at me.
“How ‘bout you meet me down by the new house on Saturday?”
He narrows his eyes. He pulls me around, into his arms. “Whatcha got in mind, baby?”
“I say we set up a big, white tent. No need to bring flowers. We’ll have some in rose gold for our daughter, navy for our son and hints of burgundy all over.”
“What will you be wearing? I’ll dress to match.” Walker’s eyes smolder, setting my body on fire.
“I’ll also be in white. Although, a manly rogue has stolen my virtue.” I bat my lashes, giggling.
“Talking about stealing.” He drops to his knees, reaching under my skirt. He peers up at me as he drags my panties down my legs.
“My goodness, sir. What are your plans with me?” My breath hitches when he buries his face between my thighs.
“You’re about to find out.” He picks me up, cradling me in his arms. Kicking his door open, I turn three shades of red. “Donna, I’m going home early. Gotta rehearse the honeymoon.”
“Have fun. I’ll let myself out.” She laughs as Walker carries me upstairs.
Walker lays me back on the bed, running his hands down the length of my body. “You feel so damn good.” He tugs at my skirt until I raise my hips. Dropping it on the floor, he fists his cock, his eyes burning a path up my body. He reaches for my hand, pulling me up the bed.
He unbuttons my shirt, and it falls to the bed, his pants not far behind. Slowly, he climbs between my legs. Taking me into his arms, he slides deep within me. The push and pull of his cock draws moans from me as he takes his time loving me.
We begin to build our pace, smashing our bodies together in a tangled dance. He drags my core to the brink. My back rises from the bed, and I fist his hair, tugging his mouth to mine. Our release hits us as our tongues twist, muffling our praises to one another.
“The guys are set up at Riley’s. And I pulled your Tahoe around back,” Alden says, entering Cynthia’s family room, better known as The Hive according to Riley. “Do you think Walker would adopt me? I love that damn truck.”
“He’s ridiculous. He spends entirely too much money. He worries me about our future,” I huff.
Ava stops dead, cocking her brow. “Seriously? You’re worried about going broke?”
“Oh, hush.” I throw a towel at her. “I hope he’s not regretting this.”
“Now, who needs to hush?” Ava hits me with the towel. She waddles now. It’s adorable.
“Momma, Gramma said Aunt Reese needs to get her dress on. We’re ready to go.” Andi is adorable in her flower girl dress. Walker picked it out, rose gold sequin bodice with tulle A-line. She’s her mother.
I peek up at Alden standing by the door. “I’ll be out here, daughter.” He’s giving me away; my heart may explode with happiness today.
I grin. “I’ll be right out. You ready?” I wink at Ava.
She’s eight and a half months pregnant with Storm and could not be more beautiful. She’s wearing a rose gold floor-length satin gown. It flares at the waist, giving her plenty of room. Riley insisted on a V-cut halter since her boobs are huge.
“Are you?” She smirks.
“I was born to be Walker’s wife. Hell, yes, I’m ready.” Ava laughs with me, bringing my dress to me.
Alden’s eyes are round as saucers when I walk out. The bodice of my white gown is loaded with lace and jewels. Low cut with a ribbon waist and a flowing chiffon skirt. I love it. “You’re perfect.”
“I love you.” I giggle at his response. Tears threaten to come. I can’t cry, not yet.
We walk arm in arm into the tent when the music begins to play. Kelly serenades us with Move You as I try not to run down the aisle to my gorgeous man dressed in a navy tux. Our closest friends and family have gathered to watch the love of my life promise to make me the love of his.
Walker’s gaze lifts, connecting to mine, as I meander the aisle toward him. I can’t help but bite my lip as I hold myself together. He reaches for my hand. I lay mine in his, drawn to him just like magnets.
His hand presses into my lower back, and he fists my hair at the nape of my neck. His lips meet mine in a primal need, to have him touch me. Love me. We break apart at the sound of a throat clearing and snickers.
“Dude, we’re not there yet.” Riley punches him in the side. I blush a deep rose, matching my flowers.
Walker runs his thumb over my cheekbone. “I was there the day she walked into my life.” His eyes sparkle. My own glisten with unshed tears.
“May we begin?” the minister asks. We nod, never looking away, our eyes only on the other. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite as one Destiny Reese Morgan and Walker Ian Pennington in matrimony.
“Reese,” he cues me.
“Walker, I spent hours trying to find the words to tell you how I feel. And I realized it’s not just a word or feeling.
It’s a movement. Like thunderous applause or a storm brewing in the ocean.
Loving you was never hard. Watching you learn to love yourself was magical.
The man you are will pale in comparison to the man you are becoming.
Thank you for showing me the meaning of life.
For loving me the way I need to be loved.
There’s nothing more I want to do than spend this life with you.
” My heart races as a tear escapes the bluest eyes of the most perfect man.
“Walker.” The minister nods.
“You, my love, are life. Reese, I can never thank you enough for giving me meaning to this life. For allowing me to just be me. My mistakes and failures are not magnified. They are loved as a work in progress. You have shown me the meaning of life through your love. I want us to lean against the other, so neither of us fall. Because the only falling I want to do from now on is deeper in love with you. This life is not worth living without you in it. I love the way you love me.” Walker runs his thumb over my trembling bottom lip.
Tears well as I fight to hold them back.
“With the powers vested in me in the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride, again,” the minister announces.
Walker takes my face in his hands, drawing me to him. He searches my eyes for tomorrow and I give it to him. His mouth takes mine, slow and easy. Hard and fast. Colliding as only we can.
“May I have the honor of introducing Walker and Reese Pennington,” the minister declares, and I know I’ve never heard anything more perfect. Well, almost. Walker holds his hand up, ceasing the applause.
“Reese and I would like to thank each of you for being here. Our day was made perfect with your presence. That’s why, my wife… my wife…” He leans over, brushing his lips against mine. “My wife and I would like to announce we’re expecting our twins in November.”
Squeals, cheers, and clapping could be heard for miles, I believe.
“And we would like for you to join us in celebrating our love and the love we share with Roman Ian and Sallie Rose.” I’m swept into Walker’s arms before I can catch my breath. He kisses me madly, and my heart swells with the love we share.
The night is winding down. Walker joins me staring at the night sky, encasing me in his arms. “Are you okay, baby?”
I turn in his embrace, gazing into his eyes.
“Walker, people think they have love all figured out. They tell you who you can love, the color, the person, even the way to find love. Love’s a collision at best. Two objects, colliding into one another, praying they can live the life they want.
It’s not up to anyone but you how you find love.
After all, it’s your meaning of life that’s most important. ”
Allow love to teach you the meaning.