Page 95 of Saved By the Boss

I can’t help but laugh nervously, fidgeting with the delicate pearl buttons running down the back. “I feel like I’m about to burst into flames.”

“You’re just nervous,” Tawny replies, her voice soothing. “Which is ridiculous, by the way, because you’ve already married the man. This is just a party.”

She’s right, of course. Declan and I got married six months ago, in a quiet little ceremony with just Tawny, Ron, Patrick, and my parents in attendance. It was everything I wanted at the time. Intimate, personal, and without the pressure of a big, showy wedding. I was also adamant that I didn’t want to have a big wedding while I was roughly the size of a beached whale. Even so, I didn’t want to wait to marry him until the baby came. So, we decided to elope.

Declan insisted we do this, too, though. For my humongous family who haven’t seen me in three years. For our friends, old and new. For everyone who’s supported us through our relationship, and all the people in town who didn’t know why the hardware store had to close down for a month for repairs.

And, as much as I hate to admit it, he was right. This day isn’t just for us. It’s for all the people who stood by us, who supported us, who brought us food after baby Philip was born and have helped us navigate this new life.

From the other room, a tiny, familiar cry pierces the air. My heart immediately leaps, and without a second thought, I hike up the skirts of my dress and make a beeline for the sound.

“He’s fine, Jade!” Tawny calls after me, exasperated but laughing. “I’ll bring him to you if you want, but for the love of God, don’t wrinkle the dress!”

I push open the door to the little side room, my breath catching as I see my precious baby boy squirming in his bassinet. He’s so tiny, barely four months old, with the softest dark hair andbright green eyes that are unmistakably Declan’s. I scoop him up, holding him close as his cries quiet into soft little hiccups.

“There, there, sweetheart,” I murmur, rocking him gently. “What’s got you all worked up, huh? Did you just want some attention?”

His tiny hand grabs at the fabric of my dress, his fingers clutching the delicate lace like it’s the most interesting thing in the world. I smile down at him, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. This little boy, this perfect little person, is everything I never knew I wanted. And to think, just a year ago, I was certain my life would never look like this. That I would never get to be happy, to love someone so much and receive that love in return.

Tawny appears in the doorway, hands on her hips, and shakes her head. “You’re impossible,” she says, but there’s a smile tugging at her lips. “Give him here before you get spit-up on your dress.”

Reluctantly, I hand him over, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

“Be good for Auntie Tawny, okay?” I whisper, and he gurgles in response.

As Tawny takes him back into the other room, I glance down at myself, smoothing my hands over the fabric of my gown. It feels surreal, standing here, preparing to walk down the aisle in front of so many people. A part of me still feels like that scared, fragile girl who ran from her past and hid in the mountains. But I’m not that girl anymore. I’m stronger now. I’ve built a life. A family. And today, I get to celebrate that.

The music swells as I stand at the back of the church, my hand trembling in my father’s steady grip. He’s smiling down at mewith so much awe and admiration it makes my chest ache. Even though we did this six months ago, I know it means so much to him to be back in my life. We both cherish every single moment.

The doors open, and all at once, every eye in the room turns to me. My breath catches as I take in the sight of the aisle, lined with flowers and glowing with candlelight. And at the end of it, standing tall and handsome in his suit, is Declan.

He’s smiling, that slow, easy smile that always makes my knees weak. His green eyes lock onto mine, and in that moment, everything else fades away. It’s just him and me. The rest of the world doesn’t matter.

“You ready?” My dad asks, his voice low and full of emotion.

I nod, blinking back tears. “Yeah,” I whisper. “I’m ready.”

The walk down the aisle feels both like an eternity and a split second. I barely notice the faces of the people around me, our friends, my family, even Patrick, who’s sitting near the front with an uncharacteristically soft expression. All I can see is Declan.

When I reach him, my dad places my hand in his, and the warmth of his touch immediately steadies me. He squeezes my fingers gently, his eyes shining with so much love it makes my chest ache.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice just loud enough for me to hear.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I reply, grinning like an idiot. “Thank you.”

The ceremony is a blur of vows and laughter and more tears than I expected, especially considering we’ve done it before. By the time we’re pronounced husband and wife, again, I feel like I’mfloating. Declan kisses me, soft and sweet, and the applause of the crowd barely registers in my ears. All I can think about is the way his arms feel around me, the way his lips curve into a smile against mine.

As we step out of the church, hand in hand, a sleek black car waits for us at the curb. Declan helps me in, careful not to let my dress catch in the door, and as soon as we’re inside, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“That was a lot,” I admit, leaning back against the seat.

He chuckles, reaching over to take my hand. “You were perfect,” he says. “Every second of it.”

I glance at him, a mischievous smile tugging at my lips. “Ready to make a break for it?”

“Always,” he replies, grinning as the driver pulls away from the church.

The hotel is quiet and elegant, the kind of place I never would have been able to afford before I met Declan. Of course, Patrick is the one who booked this place for the reception and got us the honeymoon suite. I wanted to protest, but Declan insisted it’s just for one night, a little escape before we head back to reality. As we step into the suite, the first thing I do is kick off my heels, sighing in relief as the pressure on my feet disappears.

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