Page 64 of A Very Miller-Cooper Life

The hole in my heart from Carter’s news closed slightly from Ronan’s admission. Being a parent was funny that way. I took Ronan’s hand and kissed the top of it. “I’m so happy for you. Do you remember what you told your mama the first time we met Mallory?”

Ronan nodded enthusiastically. “Of course. I told her I was going to marry that girl someday.”

“You sure are.” I smiled contentedly as I let Ronan’s words settle and watched Carter laugh along with her sister and uncle. She was going to be okay. We all would.

Chapter 16

Reagan

A little less than a year after Ronan told Charlie he was going to propose, he did it while on vacation with Mallory. Two and a half years after that, it was finally his big day. In that time, he had also hung up his football cleats and taken teaching classes, so he could become a physical education teacher. A few months after the wedding, he would be starting as a teacher and coach at the middle school in their hometown.

That wasn’t what we were celebrating today though. Today we were celebrating the love he and his soon-to-be wife shared. I couldn’t help but beam with pride as Charlie and I walked our amazing son down the aisle. We each gave him a hug then sat in the front row. I turned to watch Carter and Olivia walk down the aisle, both wearing light blue bridesmaid’s dresses. Carter’s long hair was pulled up in a simple updo and Olivia’s hair was falling by her shoulders, styled in a way that showed off the blonde pieces underneath.

When the music changed, we all stood. Mallory looked absolutely breathtaking. She was wearing a princess style ivory gown with very intricate beading. Her hair was half up and her smile was wider than I had ever seen it before. I quickly turned my attention from Mallory to Ronan so I could catch his reaction to seeing his bride for the first time. He chuckled through his tears as he stared at Mallory, his eyes wide as if he was worried he would miss a pivotal moment if he blinked.

The officiant was someone they had gone to college with who became ordained just so she could do their wedding. Having the ceremony performed by someone who knew them both so well made it extra personal. It was perfect, and therewasn’t a dry eye in the room. At least, I had to assume there wasn’t. I couldn’t exactly see through my own tears.

After the ceremony, it was time for pictures. I held Charlie’s hand as we waited patiently for the new couple to finish their pictures with Mallory’s family. Once it was our turn, I stood by Ronan with Carter on my other side and Charlie stood between Mallory and Olivia.

After taking a few pictures, the photographer excitedly showed us her favorite one. As I stared at the picture, all of our memories from the past twenty-five years came flooding back. It honestly felt like just yesterday that we brought our three kids home from the hospital with no clue what we were doing. Somehow we had helped to shape them into upstanding individuals. Sure, Olivia had yet to stick with a job for more than six months, but in the little bit of time she was with each company she put all of her heart into her work. She also knew how to still have fun on top of working hard, which was something I was hopeful Carter would figure out. Carter had a great job and was ridiculously successful, but as far as I knew, she hadn’t dated anyone since Marcie broke up with her after college. According to Olivia, she hadn’t even done anything casual.

“That one is definitely getting blown up and hung above the fireplace,” Charlie said from over my shoulder, bringing me back to the present moment.

“No doubt. We all look so happy.”

Charlie gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and rested her chin on my shoulder. “That’s because we are.”

“We sure are.”

The reception was a blur of toasts, dancing, and drinks. Charlie and I laughed together as we stumbled back to our hotel room at the end of the night. “I’m way too old to be drinking like this,” Charlie said as she struggled to unlock the door.

I took the key from her and somehow was able to get the door opened even though I was just as drunk as her. “Nonsense. Are you even old enough to drink?”

“Ha. Good one,” Charlie said as she pushed me backward.

When the backs of my knees hit the bed, she pushed me onto it and crawled on top of me. I lifted my eyebrows at her. “If I knew this was where the night was heading, I would have left the reception earlier.”

“No you wouldn’t have.” Charlie loosened my bow tie then leaned down to pepper kisses along my neck that already had my body buzzing.

“I would’ve thought about it at least.”

“Do you think about this often?” Charlie slid her hand down my body, then unbuttoned my pants and slipped her hand inside, immediately running her fingers over my already-wet center. I bit my lip as the spot she was touching pulsed against her fingers.

“Only every single day,” I said once I remembered Charlie’s question.

She continued to move her fingers over me as she leaned in and took my ear between her teeth. The whispered words that followed caused goosebumps to pop up all over my body. “What do you think about?”

“I think about how sexy you look all the time, even when you’re not trying. I think about how your body just keeps getting better with time. I think about the way your touch still drives me wild and how I hope there never comes a day when you stop touching me.”

Charlie massaged my clit with her thumb, causing my body to feel as if it was on fire. “Don’t worry. I don’t plan on ever stopping. I love touching you.” As if her words were a lie, she removed her thumb from my clit at that very moment.“Although, there is one thing you didn’t mention thinking about.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” I asked as I tried to maneuver my body in a way to get her fingers back on me.

Charlie sat up and pulled off her underwear, then hiked up her dress. She grabbed my hand and brought it to her own center. “Touching me,” she whispered seductively.

Once I began to run my fingers over her, she finally touched me again as well. I mimicked her motions, running my fingers through her folds as she did the same to me then giving attention to her clit as she massaged mine.

I moaned as Charlie pushed a finger inside of me, then once again when she pulled it out. “More,” I gasped while I struggled to catch my breath.

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