Chapter 3 #2
Mason leans over and whispers in her ear, probably telling her she doesn’t have to do it, but she gives her stubborn head shake while looking at her hands in her lap.
One of the guys from the band walks up to the table and holds the microphone out to Marley, and her chest starts to rise and fall faster.
I grab the mic and thank the guy while unfolding my own piece of paper as I stand.
I’m used to speaking into comms with the guys all the time, so this is nothing for me, but Marley always gets terrified when there are too many eyes on her.
She doesn’t like any kind of attention, but she seems determined to follow through with her maid of honor duties.
Looking at her, I lift my eyebrow in question. Her eyes dart to mine, “You go first.”
Nodding my head, I tap the mic and the thump echoes in the speakers all around us. “Sounds like it’s working.”
A low rumble of laughter travels through the crowd.
Turning to look at Mason and then back out over the people, I say, “I’ve been working with Mason for quite a while now, we trained off and on in the service together and let me tell you, he’s just as much a smart ass at work as he is at home.”
Another rumble of laughter.
My eyes travel over the tables where Mason’s siblings and his dad are sitting, they are all nodding in agreement. His brother Tucker holds his drink up with a laugh and a nod.
“But all joking aside, no matter what the call, no matter where we are, I know he has my six.” I turn to face Mason and place my hand over my heart.
Knowing we are in mixed company who only know about our service in the military, and not everyone can know about what we do for a living, I try to keep it vague.
“I’m sure there have been times in the field when you covered my ass without me even knowing it and I thank you for that, brother.
Now I want you to know that this beautiful woman next to you and that little boy,” A gasp echoes across the crowd and I pretend to be shocked as I put my fingers over my mouth, “Oh, did I spoil the surprise?” I smile my best smile.
“As honorary uncle, I’m here to say,” I lift my arms and yell, “It’s a boy! ”
More loud laughter and applause.
I wait for the applause to die down before I get serious and go on.
“As I was saying, just know that, as one of the most important people in the world to me, I will do anything for you and your family. Congratulations, brother, I’m so happy for you.
” I pretend to sit down but stand back up really quick. “Except diapers, I don’t do diapers.”
The crowd erupts in more laughter and applause, Mason is laughing and clapping his hands as he stands up and gives me a hug behind Marley’s chair.
Just as I’m about to sit down and hand the mic to Marley, she leans into me and quietly says, “Will you stand up with me? I can’t do it by myself.”
Leaning in close to her ear so only she can hear, I say, “Of course, I’ll stand with you anywhere, anytime.”
Her face turns the adorable shade of pink again and she nods. Her hands are trembling as she unfolds her piece of paper, and she almost drops the mic when she takes it from my hand. She looks out at the people and freezes.
Bending down to her ear, I put my hand on her shoulder and whisper, “Don’t look at them, focus on my hand on your shoulder.” Her muscles are pulled taunt, and she dips her head to look at the paper in her shanking hand.
Her small voice booms through the speakers.
“I can tell you for sure that I’m not going to make you laugh like Jax does.
” She clears her throat. “Mason has been my rock my whole life, no matter what he was doing or where he was, if I needed him, either he was on his way to me or he was a phone call away to tell me to be strong.” Her voice wobbles a little, and she clears her throat again as she pauses to turn her head toward Sloane.
“But I’m so lucky because I’m not losing my brother, I’m gaining another sister and, since Jax spilled the beans.
” the crowd laughs and she trembles under my hand and steps closer to my side as she focuses on the paper, “Now I’m getting a nephew, who I hope is just like his daddy.
And just so you know,” she looks at Mason and Sloane, “I will change diapers.” The crowd laughs again.
She keeps her eyes on Mason, and her voice almost breaks as she continues.
“I love you and I’m so happy for you, bubby.
Congratulations.” She pulls my handkerchief from the pocket in the wavy folds of her dress and dabs her eyes after she sets the mic on the table with a small thump through the speakers.
Her siblings stand and whoop and holler as they applaud her bravery for pushing through her fear of standing in front of everyone.
Mason stands and pulls her into him, holding her tight as he whispers something in her ear.
She looks so small next to his big, muscular frame as she nods her head against his chest, and he kisses her temple before he lets her go.
Sloane is standing behind him and pulls her in when Mason lets her go.
He turns his back to the crowd and wipes his eyes before he sits down.
All I know is the best thing to happen to me in a long time happened when she stepped into my side just minutes ago to feel safe. She chose me. If I could, I’d fucking fly.