Page 79 of Pucks and Likes

I look around, noticing someone is missing. “Coach didn’t come?”

Ciaran shakes his head, disappointment outlining his features. “Something came up.”

I don’t know why, but my gaze falls on Clara. Instantly, she looks away, looking mortified as hell. Not sure what that’s about, but I bet it has something to do with the fact that she hooked up with my surly Highlander. Though, I’m surprised he missed Ciaran’s wedding because of a drunken one-night stand that happened a month ago and only I know about.

Well, I told Eliott.

Of course.

But since he’s not here, I wonder if it was more… I should ask.

It makes me sad I won’t be able to drive him crazy anymore.

Eh, I can FaceTime him.

Once we’re all ready, Ciaran nods to a violinist, and she starts to play a soft melody. Instead of looking at Louisa, who I know is a gorgeous bride, I look over at Elliot to watch her face. I knew it was going to be a stunning sight. Her mouth parts, her eyes widening as tears fall quickly down her cheeks. Love burns in her eyes as she watches her sister, and I adore that gobsmacked look on her face. I can’t wait until she’s walking down the aisle toward me.

I can’t look away even as the wedding begins. She’s just so unbelievably beautiful. As the minister talks about finding true love, Elliot cradles her stomach while she shifts her hips side to side. I’m entranced by the way she moves, and I wish I were behind her, feeling that sweet ass as I hold my son to help her with some of the weight. It’s crazy how much her body has changed. Everything has swelled, and it makes my mouth water. My son made his presence known, and I’m beyond ready to meet him.

To love him.

To be there for him.

To break the generational curse of not being a father to a child.

My dad’s dad wasn’t there for him, nor was his dad’s dad.

That ends with me.

I will be there for my son and for his mother. I will love them more than I love anything in this world, and in doing so, we’ll be happy. It won’t be easy, not by a long shot, but we won’t give up.

It’s not in us to do so.

I’m thankful I’m staring a hole into Elliot, because if I weren’t, I would have missed the grimace of pain and the way she clutches her stomach as she hisses out a breath. Her eyes widen, her mouth parts, and then her gaze is on me. Pure fear fills her eyes, and she doesn’t have to speak for me to know she needs help. I bring in my brows just as her eyes well with tears, and then I’m moving. I jump over the rail of the gazebo, then the other rail, before coming up behind her. I wrap my arms around her, and once I press myself into her, I feel the wetness.

Fuck.

I look between us to see the back of her dress is soaked. She stares up at me with wide eyes, and I know she doesn’t want to ruin Louisa and Ciaran’s wedding. I swallow hard, terror coursing through my body as I fight the need to cart her off to the car and get right to the hospital. Instead, I hold her as Clara leans in.

“You good?”

Louisa looks back at us, concerned, and Elliot nods quickly. “Just fine. He has a hard time leaving me be.”

Louisa snorts. “Good thing this is a small wedding, or I’d have your ass for getting out of line, Alex.”

I grin. “I don’t do lines, Lou. Now, go back to getting married.”

And I hold my woman, who is in labor and try not to freak the fuck out.

CHAPTER 35

Elliot

You have got to be kidding me!

Really, this is when you come? I’ve been at a three for two weeks, and you choose now, during Grandma’s wedding!

He’s going to be a pain in my ass like his daddy.

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