Page 96 of Hold You Close
Morgan squeals. “Yes! Finally he gets his head out of his butt.”
London shakes her head with a smile. “I need a maid of honor, would you be willing to stand beside me?”
Morgan’s eyes widen and tears start to form. “Really?”
“Who else would I pick?”
“I would love to,” Morgan says as she wipes her tears. “Mom would be so happy right now.”
London’s gaze meets mine and I can see the emotions swimming. “Yeah, she would.”
“Enough of this sappy crap,” Chris cuts in. “It’s time to be happy.”
“Let’s go make it so London can never run away from me again,” I say as I scoop Ruby up in my arms.
“Please, you don’t control me.”
I pull London to my side. “We’ll see about that tonight.”
Her lips touch my cheek and then we march into the crappy little chapel.
We fill out the paperwork, go over the questions, and London and Morgan pick out the limited decorations they have available. I stand here, staring at her, wondering how the fuck I got so lucky. I always said I wouldn’t get married again. I made that mistake once, and repeating that error wasn’t on my agenda, but this feels so right.
London is the person who makes my life make sense. On one hand, she’s irritating, nosy, knows everything, and God forbid she’s ever wrong. On the other hand, she’s beautiful, funny, loving, smart, and she’s usually not wrong, which brings me back full circle. I just know I can’t live without her. I did that for too long, and I won’t do it again.
I love her more than anything.
I need her, and now I’m going to have her.
She turns to look at me from over her shoulder, her lips quirking up into a soft smile, but her green eyes are filled with love. She winks, and then goes back to pointing into the glass case.
Chris nudges me. “I always knew you loved her.”
“Yeah?”
Kids think they know everything. They don’t know shit.
“You were always so angry, but Dad used to say that when you’re that mad at someone, it’s because you care so much you can’t explain it, so you become angry.”
My brother-in-law was always filled with philosophical shit, but once again, he had a point. “He might just have been right.”
Chris nods. “He would tell me that after he fought with Mom.”
“They fought?”
Sabrina always made it look like their marriage was perfect. He doted on her. She praised him. It was maddening because who the fuck could live up to that? Not me. They complemented each other in every way. I swear, it was scary at times. I never saw David get irritated with her. Sabrina was always laid back and I never saw her snap at him like London does at me for things like chewing too loud.
“Are you serious? Mom was always yelling at Dad and he was great at sign language,” Chris laughs. “I remember asking Dad what that finger meant and he told me it was the sign for love. So I walked up to Mom and did it. She was so pissed.”
I let out one loud laugh and smile. I can see my sister not taking that well. “You know that Aunt London and I love you guys, right?”
“I do.”
“Good. We’re going to fight and have stupid moments. I’ll probably push her in the pool a few times, and Lord knows she’s going to bitch at me, but I promise you three that we’ll always find a way to work it out. This wedding is sudden, but it’s been a long time coming, if you know what I mean.” I want these kids to know this is forever. There won’t be another big disruption because London isn’t going anywhere. I’ve loved her my whole life and now she’s going to be mine.
“I get it. I think it’s great,” Chris says.
“One more thing.” I clear my throat. “I need a best man . . . are you up for it?”
