Page 78 of Forever with the CEO

I loved that he didn’t even hesitate to include the twins. And I couldn’t believe he’d actually thought of a photographer. It hadn’t even crossed my mind, but it was genius. Why not have keepsakes of this day? We could always snap pictures with a phone, but having a photographer made it all the more official.

I looked at him, and he must have sensed it, because he turned to watch me too. Our faces were less than an inch apart.

“Great idea to bring a photographer,” I told him.

“I thought you might like it.”

How would I go through the real thing one day and not compare it to this?

“All right. Who else wants to be in the picture with the bride and groom and the kids before we take group photos?” the photographer asked the attendees.

All the Whitleys started talking at the same time. They were up on their feet, making a beeline toward us. Bob and Sophie were the only ones who didn’t join in.

Fantastic. I didn’t want them in the picture at all.

“Abe and I should have priority,” Jeannie Whitley said.

Nick grinned. “Of course, Gran. You always do.”

Everyone else was younger, obviously, so that made sense.

Jeannie came over to my side, beaming. She leaned into me as the photographer instructed us to smile and said, “You’re doing a wonderful thing. And people get married for far worse reasons. You might be surprised at how this turns out.”

Instead of flashing the photographer a huge smile, I gave him a jaw drop. Then I smiled and hoped the photographer would delete that one and simply pick the best pictures to send to us.

Oh my goodness.Leo had hinted at something like this, but I didn’t take him seriously.

Afterward, a gorgeous woman came toward us.

“Mom, you made it,” Nick said.

Oh, that’s right.I’d forgotten who she was amid all the introductions.

“You two make a gorgeous, gorgeous couple. And son, you look great with a kid on your hip.” Nick had been holding Jack, and they truly looked like father and son.

Annie had gone from hugging my ankles to wanting to be carried, too, and I obliged.

I glanced at Nick just as he looked right at me. I knew without saying a word that he was thinking the same thing. Did everyone in the family believe this was going to last forever? Why would they even think that?

Thankfully, his brothers and their respective partners were far more laid-back.

“Thanks for making this quick,” Spencer said. “Ben is already looking at these balloons like he wants to pop every single one of them.”

I started to laugh. The photographer was fast and captured Nick, Spencer, Penny, and me all laughing from ear to ear.

The photo session took much longer than I’d anticipated because everyone wanted to take a picture with us, and then we had several group shots as well.

We realized it was our cue to leave when the officiant cleared his throat. “The next couple has been waiting.”

Mr. Grumpy Ass was still grumping.

“We should get going,” Nick said, checking his watch. “We have reservations.”

I glanced around the room again. Still no Violet and Danielle. I realized we hadn’t been in touch in a while, and I hadn’t been going out with the group since I took in the kids, but I thought they’d like to share this moment with me. Clearly I was learning who my friends were.

Just as well. My life was changing, and the single lifestyle was definitely not in the cards anymore.

Nick and I once again walked in front of the group. The twins demanded to be put down. Then they grabbed each other’s hands and walked in front of us. My heart was about to burst.

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