Page 88 of These Jagged Edges

The lodge has a path that leads to an opening that faces the water. Maggie’s set up an archway that’s draped in delicate ivy and soft white fabric, gently fluttering in the cool breeze, as if nature itself is blessing the moment. It’s adorned with wildflowers—deep burgundy dahlias, creamy ivory roses, and lush greenery, woven together in a way that look effortlessly wild, yet perfectly composed, like they belong in the heart of the fall landscape.

The reception area is a beautiful extension of the ceremony’s theme, with floral arrangements echoing the same deep burgundy, green, and ivory tones. The tables are adorned with lush centerpieces, and wildflowers dot every corner, their untamed beauty adding a whimsical contrast to the formal elegance of the space. The rich burgundy gives it just the right edge, making everything feel bold yet romantic. I can’t help but think Maggie has captured the very essence of our love, bringing it to life in a way I hadn’t even imagined.

As Vic and I head towards the little path that will take me to my forever I hesitate slightly. Vic stops and raises an eyebrow. “Are you okay? Because you say the word and we leave right now, no questions asked.”

I know he means it. He doesn’t care about anything except me. He puts me and the boys above everything, just like a father should. In this moment, I realize the sting of growing up without a dad doesn’t hurt as much as it used to. It isn’t because the ache hasgone away—it’s because I have Vic. And I know, deep down, that most people go through their whole lives never having someone like him. Someone who can look at another person and choose to love them, without hesitation. It’s that choice—the act of choosing love—that makes Vic and Joe feel like so much more than just ‘mom’ and ‘dad.’ They’re something deeper, something more.

“You really are the best dad a girl could have ever hoped to have.”

Vic takes a shaky breath at my words, his eyes softening with emotion. He clears his throat, trying to hide the lump forming there, but I can see it—the way my words have hit him deep, just as they’ve hit me.

The mention of the word ‘dad’ makes my back break out in a cold sweat.

“Vic, can you tell?” I move my bouquet and nod towards my midsection.

Vic looks down and back at me. “Evie, you didn’t tell him?”

I shake my head.

Vic is the only person who knows I’m pregnant. After I peed on the strip and saw the positive result, my first instinct was to go to Vic. I walked over, shaking like a leaf, and just sat beside him. I knew I needed to wait—wait until I was sure the baby was healthy before telling Maddox. The thought of telling him and then something going wrong…it would destroy him. And I couldn’t be the one to bring him that kind of pain.

My sonogram two weeks ago showed a healthy baby, measuring two weeks ahead. I was nine weeks then, which put me at eleven weeks today. Don’t get me wrong, I want nothing more than to share this with Maddox, but a part of me is afraid. Afraid that the other shoe will drop, even though I had promised myself I wouldn’t live in fear anymore. What if Maddox isn’t quite ready for this? He’s only just started processing his grief over losing Livvy. It feels so fucked up. Here I am, trying to protect him, but Ican’t shake the feeling that by keeping this to myself, I might be hurting him even more.

Vic gives me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry Baby Girl. That man loves you, anything else you give him makes him the luckiest bastard in the world, he knows it too.”

With a gentle pat of my hand, he continues leading us down the path to the water. Once we arrive all our family and friends stand.

My eyes find him instantly. Maddox stands at the front, waiting for me, looking like something out of a dream in his tailored black tux. It fits him perfectly, making my knees weak as I take him in. His thick hair is combed back, though one unruly curl has slipped free, falling playfully over his forehead. I watch as he adjusts his glasses, tugging nervously at the collar of his shirt—a sight so foreign to me that it pulls at my heart. This man is never nervous. He radiates confidence, wearing it as effortlessly as he says the word pussy.

Then I look at my boys, standing on either side of Mercy, dressed in matching black tuxedos that mirror Maddox’s. My heart swells with pride. They look like little versions of him, standing there with expressions of awe on their faces. Charlie reaches out and takes Maddox’s hand as I continue down the path, and I give him a wink before turning my focus back to Maddox. The sight of them, all standing there, fills me with more love than I ever thought possible.

Our eyes connect, and I find myself adrift in those stormy green depths, completely at his mercy. In his gaze, I see everything—his love, his devotion to me—each emotion unspoken, yet louder than words ever could be. I’m lost in it, feeling the weight of his feelings as if they’re wrapping around me, pulling me closer to him.

“Hey Big Guy,” I mouth to him.

He gives me a wicked smile, his eyes dark with purpose, and prowls toward me, completely ignoring both the fact I haven’tmade it completely down the aisle to him and his mother’s protests. Every step he takes is full of confidence, the tension between us building with each one, as if nothing else in the room matters except getting closer to me.

MADDOX

One look at the vision walking down the aisle to me and I know God has favorites.

She stands there like a dream, draped in a dress that seems crafted just for her, the fabric clinging to her curves without revealing too much. Her body is an intoxicating sight, confident and poised, yet sensual in its restraint. Her hair falls in loose waves, half pinned back in an intricate style that looks both effortless and deliberate.

I can’t wait, I have to go get my girl.

“You just couldn’t let me have my fucking moment, could you?” Vic demands the second I reach them and run a finger affectionately down the scar on her chest.

“Ask him Mercy,” I call out to my baby brother waiting close to the water’s edge to marry us. Evie insisted the little shit marry us and honestly, I agreed. It just felt right.

My eyes never leave her as my brother says something about me being a barbarian before asking loud enough to wake the dead, “Who gives this man to this woman?”

“I do,” Vic returns.

“Hey! You bastard we agreed!” Aunt Joe retorts.

Vic rolls his eyes. “Her mama and I do.”

Someone behind me sharply inhales and I know it’s Aunt Joe. Vic has both just one upped the old crow and said something meaningful. Aunt Joe’s going to be in knots about this.

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