Page 103 of Finding the Pieces

“Everythingchanged the day you were born. Thank you for growing with us. Thank you for teaching us. You are safe. You are loved.”

Luca, asleep in my arms, sighs and snuggles into my neck. I kiss him once more before laying him in his crib, doing my best to not fall in after him as I bend at the waist over the railing.Wow, he’s really growing.

I wait, watching for a moment while he adjusts before laying a blanket over him and softly rubbing his back for a moment. “Night, baby boy.”

Dom reaches his hand toward me, and I take it, following him out of Luca’s room. He holds me in silence as we stand outside his bedroom door in the dark hallway.

One of the best things about my over-the-top, loving, considerate husband is he loves me in the bright, loud moments and in the dark, quiet ones too. I usually need him most somewhere in between. Where I’m lost, and he always helps me feel found.

Dom

It turns out Ellie meant it when she said she was going to marry me. Because months after my birthday and the promise she made at the piano bar, I woke up to a surprise vow renewal ceremony being set up in our backyard and Luca in a white button-up, khaki pants, and suspenders.

Fucking adorable.

I watch as my parents play with Luca in the backyard. He moves from seat to seat, testing each one before running circles underneath the flower archway set up in front of our willow tree at the end of an aisle formed only by rows of folding chairs and two strips of raked leaves and small pumpkins.

“You really had no idea?” Ellie asks, biting her lip and wringing her hands together, drawing my attention away from the window.

She’s stunning in a cream sweater dress that hugs every one of her delicious curves with a swooping neckline and brown, leather boots.

“I can honestly say you shocked this husband of yours more than you ever have before,” I say before taking her fidgeting hands in one of mine and using the other to lift her chin so I can kiss her.

“Even that time I pulled out the nipple clamps?” she asks, mumbling loudly against my lips, making me laugh.

“Ellie,please. I do not want the image of Dom wearing nipple clamps in my mind before I’m expected to perform,” Chris chastises.

Chris has been ordained since we got married, having performed our first ceremony and apparently about to perform our second.

“They weren’t forme, but maybe later…” I say, pulling Ellie flush against me by her hips, digging my fingers in just a little.

She laughs and pulls me down by my neck for another kiss.

“Only if you behave today,” she says.

“Okay, I really don’t need to hear this,” Jake says as he walks in with a simple bouquet of wildflowers, handing them to Ellie.

“Yes, we fucking do. Keep going. Then what’s going to happen?” Dee asks, leaning against the kitchen counter, resting her chin on her fists, propped up on her elbows.

“I vote for a blindfold,” Abby says, before sipping from her champagne glass.

“Oh yeah, then handcuffs,” Bec adds, clinking her glass against Abby’s as they lean back against the island.

“What are you guys reading this month?” Aiden asks with mock outrage, but he’s not a good actor. It’s clear his interest is piqued as he winks at Bec and she winks back before biting her lip.

“I think I just threw up in my mouth,” Jake says, dramatically leaning over the kitchen sink.

“Show some compassion, Jake. They’ve got a kid. It’s not like you don’t already know they’re banging. Besides, the mom and dad of the group deserve some freaky time. You need me to watch little man, so you can go…you know?” Dylan asks, making his eyebrows dance.

“I’m pretty sure this is the second time this year I’m going to ask us all to have better boundaries,” Carissa says, fighting a laugh.

“I’m with Carissa,” Evie pipes in as she gives Aiden a disgusted look. “Stop eye-fucking Bec in the kitchen, Aiden. You’re around people, you know?”

“Ugh, I’m too single for this.” Dee sighs.

“Well, when you’re ready, baby, I’ll be available for your ceremony too,” Chris says with a smile.

“You’re hired,” she says, kissing his cheek before opening the sliding door to our backyard. “All right, you crazy lovebirds, it’s time.”

---