Page 45 of Always My Comfort

Jax knocked on the bathroom door, reminding me we were ten minutes late already. Since he was part of the wedding party, we had to be early.

“Just one more minute.” I squirted some of my favorite perfume on my neck, swiped some pink gloss on my lips, and then checked my hair one last time.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I wasn’t expecting Jaxon to be leaning against the frame, looking ever-so-dashing in a black tux. He caught me as I crashed into him, and then, his beautiful, caramel eyes swept over me, darkening.

“Wow, sweetheart.” He pressed the softest kiss to my cheek, his beard rubbing against my skin in the most delicious way.

“It hides the baby.” I showed him, proud of the hours Scarlett and I spent searching.

“You shouldn’t have to hide our baby.” His hands cupped my belly as he stared into my eyes. “I don’t need you to hide. I don’t want you to hide either. Now that I know, I want the entire world to know, Logan.”

If only he knew that one request for everyone to know would nearly break us.

* * *

At the receptiona few hours later, I waited for Jaxon at our designated table, scrolling through Instagram while the family posed for pictures.

“Logan, where are you?” Kenna’s southern drawl pulled me out of my daze, and suddenly, she was right in front of me. “Why aren’t you with us?” She extended a hand to help me stand, and I wondered if she knew.

“Family pictures. Didn’t think I should be there,” I told her as she led me to where everyone was posing.

“Honey, you are family now. Come stand with your man and smile. We want you here.” Her kindness was overwhelming, and I had to blink away tears. I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell someone else that I was carrying his child, but I was scared of it ruining any chance of me being included in this beautiful family.

Jaxon spotted me immediately and walked over, pulling me into his arms and pressing a kiss to my temple. He then led me back to his spot, where he put me in front of him. “You’re part of my family, Logan. You belong here with me,” he whispered. Chills skated down my spine as his hands wrapped around my belly.

With him pulling the material tight on the dress, everyone would see, but he didn’t care.

The photographer told us to smile. He complimented the bride and groom, who were glowing with happiness from what I could see out the corner of my eye.

“Oh, my God!” Brooklyn, who was to my right, squealed, and I turned to look at her. Then, I saw exactly where her eyes were laser-focused. “You’re pregnant!”

Everyone in the wedding party was looking at me now.

Jaxon’s brothers immediately left their positions to tackle their youngest brother in congratulations, acting like teenage boys rather than grown men, their laughter infectious. The women quickly circled me.

“Congratulations, Logan!”

“Is it boy or girl?”

“How far along are you?”

“Are you gettin’ married?”

The questions flew at me from all directions, but all I seemed to notice was the immense happiness coming from everyone. I was accepted in this family. I was wanted.

I’m going to be okay, Mom.

Jaxon was at my back again, and his arms wrapped around me. I stole a glance up at him, catching the biggest smile I’d ever seen on his face.

I made this beautiful man smile.

“We’re pregnant,” he tells everyone, like they didn’t already know, and I sank into his hold, letting him answer the questions.

Would we get married?

I thought about my checklist for the hundredth time since finding out I was pregnant.

Find love.Check.

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