Page 111 of Matrix

“Oh, shit. He’s got baby skills too. Somebody patch his ass in,” Scar jokes.

“When are we voting on him?” Reaper asks.

“No business talk today,” Scar admonishes.“We’re here for Matrix and Daisy. Everything else can wait until next week.”

“Sounds good, pres.” Tucker sits on the couch with Robert. The baby still hasn’t made a peep. That’s amazing. The prospect really does have a way with kids.

Nina pokes her head out from the hall.“Guys, Daisy says if you don’t move your asses, she’s going to make me untie the corset and let it out. She’ll regret that. She really doesn’t want a baby bump in her pics.”

“Then she shouldn’thave let Matrix knock her ass up before the wedding,” Talon says teasingly.

“She didn’t even know she was pregnant until we’d already booked the wedding planners. The show must go on.” I grin.“But yeah, let’s go. I don’t want my wife to be mad at meduringthe wedding. That wouldn’t be the best start to a marriage.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” Nina smirks.

“Two minutes.” I hold up two fingers.“Then they should start the wedding march song. I just need to haul ass to the front of the aisle.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Nina says before vanishing down the hall.

“Let’s go,” Scar says.

As rehearsed, I lead the way.

Outside, the sun’s shining down from an endless expanse of deep blue sky. Fluffy white clouds float by on a gentle breeze. The freshly cut grass in the garden is a vibrant shade of green. It starkly contrasts with the huge white tent filled with guests. Laughter and chatter come to a halt as people realize I’m walking toward them. My heart pounds against my ribs, but I can’t stop grinning. I’m about to marry the most stunning woman in the world before our friends and family. It’s going to be perfect.

I make it to the front of the aisle without tripping over my feet. The other guys from the club link arms with their assigned bridesmaids. Scar and Julia start the procession, followed by Nitro and Holly. Talon accompanies one of Daisy’s best friends, while Reaper escorts another woman Daisy has known for years.

When the music for the wedding march begins, I remind myself not to lock my knees. I read a huge list of shit not to do on your wedding day. Passing out made the top of the list. When I first read it, I wanted to know what kind of pussy passes out at their own wedding. Now, I get it. This shit is stressful—in a good way. I certainly don’t want to faint like a little bitch and fuck this up for Daisy.

A smile spreads across my face as I anticipate the arrival of my bride. When she steps into view, she takes my breath away. She’s positively ravishing in her strapless white gown. It’s very tight on top, showing off her best asset before tapering to her tiny waist. I don’t see any baby bump. I don’t know why she’s so paranoid about it anyway, but whatever. Women are very picky about stuff like this. Although I can’t understand it, if Daisy wants to hide the pregnancy, so be it. Everyone’s going to do the math anyway after she has the kid. They’ll know. But if she wants perfect, baby-bump-less pics of our wedding, then she’ll get them. Whatever she wants, I’m going to give it to her.

Her long, brown hair is tied with two white ribbons. Seeing those ribbons gets me so fucking hard. I’m sure the bulge in my pants will end up in the pics. I can’t wait to tear that dress off her and take her to bed.Down, boy!

“You’re drooling,” Talon whispers under his breath. The other guys try not to laugh while the girls skewer them with death glares. Fortunately, no one’s looking at us. All eyes are on my woman.

Walking down the aisle in front of her, Angie tosses red rose petals along the walkway. She’s a vision of innocence and purity in her pink flower girl dress. Her blonde hair is tied up in a neat bun. She gives me a shy smile as she walks in front of her sister. I smile back. She’s still dealing with a lot of anxiety because of what happened to her, but her parents found a good therapist. Angie sees her twice a week, and she’s already doing a lot better than she was after we rescued her.

As Angie steps out of the way, Daisy reaches the front of the aisle. I hold out my hand to her, and she takes it and steps up onto the platform. Doc got his minister’s license so he could marry us. He’s officiating the wedding, but I don’t even hear a word of it. I can’t stop staring at my soon-to-be wife.

My heart feels like it’s going to burst. Daisy’s eyes twinkle as she gazes into mine. It’s as if she has a special secret just for me. I can’t wait to find out what she’s thinking.

Doc finishes talking about the power of our love and the promises we will make to one another, then he turns to me.“Matrix, please share your vows with Daisy.”

“Today, I stand before you, before God, our family, and friends; and with all the love in my heart, I make a solemn vow that I will love you for the rest of our lives. Your presence in my life is a gift, and I’m so grateful for it. Your beauty radiates from within, and it touches my soul. You are my sunshine, my comfort and refuge, and my soft place to land. I feel blessed beyond measure that you have chosen me and that I get to spend the rest of my life with you.

“From this day forward, I vow to be your best friend and confidante. I promise to cherish and honor you, to be faithful and loyal, to never take you for granted, and to never stop taking you out on long rides through the mountains.”

I pause as the guests chuckle.

“I pledge to love you through any challenge we face. You were there for me in my darkest times, and you never turned your back on me. I’ll never stop loving you, and I’ll strive to be the husband you deserve.”

I wait for a beat before continuing. Daisy and I debated this next part, but ultimately, she decided it would be good to include it.

“I also vow to be your partner in parenting. I’ll be the best father I can be to our children, loving them and protecting them, teaching them and encouraging them, and always being their rock and safe haven. I will be there for them in all of life’s adventures, and together with you, we will raise them to be compassionate and kind, courageous and wise. I love you, Daisy. Now and forever.”

A wave of emotion washes over me. Having a family and children always seemed like an impossible dream, but now, I’m living a miracle. I can’t believe how lucky I am, and it’s all because of her.

“Daisy, please share your vows with Matrix,” Doc says.

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