Page 184 of Rebel Hawke

Oh, God…

“Wren Mason, I have been in love with you since I was eight years old, and all the years we’ve spent apart never changed that. I can’t wait for our baby to arrive, for our family to start finally, and for another Hawke to enter the world with you.”

The tears burn in my eyes and trickle down my cheeks, and I glance up to find Cass and Kennedy watching us, along with everyone else gathered around the dance floor.

“Atlas, this is your cousin’s wedding…”

He grins. “It was her idea to do it now, in front of all the people we love and care about. To make it a double celebration.” He turns to the girls and holds out his hand to Viviana. “Do you have it?”

She nods her dark head and opens her little purse, digging in and slipping something from it into his hand.

I can’t see much of anything through the tears, and it isn’t until he holds the tiny plastic ring to my pinky finger that I realize what he’s doing.

“Little Bird, you are the only one who has ever made my heart sing, who has ever made me want to be a better man, a better person. And I swear to God, even though I’m sure I’ll fail, I’ll try to be a good husband and father.”

Oh, God…

A sob carries up my throat.

“I have always thought of you as my wife. So will you please say, ‘I do’ again?”

Any hope of maintaining control shatters with his words, and I cover my mouth with my hand the best I can while holding the bouquet, trying to stifle an unladylike sound that wants to come out.

I nod—unable to form any words.

Atlas grins, his eyes glistening as he slips the familiar ring onto my smallest finger—again. Then he glances over at Charlotte and holds out his hand. She digs into her purse and comes out with a blue box, which she opens and turns toward him.

He pulls a massive diamond ring from it and slides it on the proper finger. “I promised to get you a better one this time.”

I can’t even look at it, too lost in swimming in his gaze that’s now filled with his own tears. He pushes to his feet and tugs me up against him, pressing his lips against mine in a slow, sweet kiss that perfectly matches the moment and the man.

Because despite all the attitude, all the ink, all the rebellion sewn into his DNA, Atlas is a Hawke, through and through.

He’s built on love and loyalty.

And heissweet, no matter how many times he tries to deny it.

I fall into him, allowing my body to go completely limp in his arms, trusting him to hold me steady, like he always does. To protect this baby and me. To always do what’s right, even when it’s hard or hurts.

When we finally come back up for air to the clapping of everyone around us and the music starts back up again, he kisses the corner of my lips softly. “I can’t wait for tomorrow…”

“What’s tomorrow?”

He pulls back and grins, his eyes lighting with mischief. “I’m taking you on vacation.”

“You are?”

Nodding, he trails his fingers down the exposed skin of my back, sending a little shiver through me.

“Where are we going?”

Leaning in, he brushes his lips against my ear. “Bali.”

“Bali?” I jerk away slightly. “Atlas, I can’t go to Bali. I have the studio, doctors’ appointments. I—”

He silences me with another kiss. A slow, sensual melding that makes me groan and heat flare through my body. “Diane is coming to cover your classes.”

“What? How do you even know who she is?”

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