Page 41 of Momcom Vacation

She passes the bouquet of white lilies to Winnie and takes my hands.

“Welcome, everyone,” Beckett starts, his deep voice booming so everyone gathered can hear. “Thank you all for coming today to see the fruit of my hard work finally paying off.”

I fight not to roll my eyes, and around us, a few people chuckle.

“I couldn’t be happier or more honored to officiate the wedding of my best friend and the woman of his dreams.” He clears his throat. “You all probably know by now that I love love. I can’t help but butt in when I know I can connect the people I care about with their perfect match. Because the joy of finding the love of your life, the woman who makes you a better man.” His eyes cut to his wife. “The woman whose existence alone makes every day your best, well, it’s something I want everyone I care about to experience. No sensation can compare to standing next to your soulmate every day of your forever. It’s an honor, it’s a blessing, it’s a privilege. And today we get to be here with Dylan and Cortney as they promise each other forever.”

My bride smiles up at me and squeezes my hands, her golden eyes glassy.

Damn. Beckett Langfield has never spoken truer words. We say our vows, though I barely remember the words or exactlyhow the sun looks as it slips below the horizon. I hardly notice the way my ring fits, and I sayI doon autopilot. But I’ll never forget the way my chest explodes when Beckett declares us husband and wife, then tells me to kiss my bride.

When I press my lips against my wife’s, my heart skips. I gather her close, letting my soul meld with hers. Eventually, when I’m certain she’s imprinted on my every cell, I pull away.

“I love you,” I whisper.

“Forever and always,” she whispers back.

Instead of heading down the aisle, we stay under the arch, and our family descends on us. The kids blow bubbles, and we dole out hugs and handshakes. It’s almost too dark to see more than a few feet in front of me when our loved ones have finally backed off a bit. But I scan their forms on the beach, and once again my heart pinches at the perfection of this day.

When I catch sight of Beckett a few paces away in the sand, I stride toward him and pull him in for a hug. For a second, he stiffens, but then he gives me a solid slap on the back.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

As we step apart, I tip my chin toward the four women laughing in the midst of a blizzard of bubbles. Rowan is holding Willow, and Enzo is helping Addie with her little bubble wand. Liam is the only kid not dancing around to the music. Instead, he’s got his hands stuffed into his pockets and is smiling at the caretaker’s daughter. “We all give you crap, but this family you brought us all into…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “Thank you. We all owe you for bringing us together.”

He rocks back on his heels, his smile a little too smug. “I did good, didn’t I? Shay and Rowan got the downtime they needed mid-season.” He tips his head to the couple who are both helping Willow pop bubbles. “And I’ll bet they add another to our crew soon.” He points to Delia as she loops her arms around Enzo’s neck and plants a kiss on his cheek. “Those two got the alonetime they needed and the chance to work through the little situation they got themselves into. And you and Dippy Do got the perfect wedding.”

I shake my head but can’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, Beckett. That’s what I was saying. You’re amazing.”

He nods. “Now that we agree, let me tell you about my next plan.”

“Oh, hell no.” Hands up between us, I back away. Just because this plan worked out doesn’t mean I’m interested in being involved in any of Beckett’s meddling moving forward. “Butt out, Bossman.” With a laugh, I wrap my arms around my wife.

“Never, Man Bun.” He places a possessive hand on Liv’s belly.

And although he’s a pain in my ass, I can’t help but smile.

Epilogue

Cortney

“Iam paying attention. How exciting that you’re moving into a new place.” My wife claps, then pulls her hands into her chest and beams at her brother.

“I am not excited,” Brian grouses on screen.

Dylan waves a hand. “That’s great. I promise I’ll bring my crystals by. While I’m there, I’ll smudge out all the bad energy.” My wife’s airy tone screamsnot listening. “Isn’t it incredible when the universe paves the path to a new adventure?”

Brian groans.

I love my wife, and since we got married three years ago, I’ve gotten good at identifying all her voices. This one, theI’m humoring you, not actually listening, telling you the universe has a planvoice, is one she uses on her brothera lot.

“Hey, B.” I step up to the kitchen counter in view of the tablet.

“Willow and I are meeting Liv and the girls out on the beach.” Dylan kisses my cheek, then blows Brian a kiss. With that, she bounces out of the kitchen.

We’re in the Keys again, but this time, we’ve got our own space. After the vacation that turned into a destination wedding, Enzo, Rowan, and I decided that if we were to return, if Florida was going to become a family tradition, we needed our own houses. And although he put up a fight, Beckett eventually allowed us to build our own homes so we didn’t have to stay with him and Liv.

Since then, we’ve visited countless times. So far, not one vacation compares to the catastrophe that was the first one.

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