Page 114 of The Moments You Were Mine
“I know your father and Rafe talked to you when you were teenagers,” she said quietly. “I wasn’t thrilled about how they made you promise not to do something that everyone knew wasinevitable. But that was different, Parker. She was too young, and there was too much of an age gap between you then. Not in years, but in experiences.”
“I know,” I said, because I did. I understood fully why our fathers had warned me off. But I’d stuck to the promise for too long. I’d made the mistake of turning her down repeatedly, and it had sent her running back into JJ’s arms. I wasn’t sure I could forgive myself for that. If I hadn’t been an idiot, the baby inside her might have my DNA instead of his.
When I didn’t say anything else, Mom’s eyes softened. She placed a hand on my arm and squeezed gently. “Is this what Fallon wants? A quick Vegas elopement without her family standing up with her?”
I gave her a curt nod. “Yes.”
She stared at me for a long moment. She tilted her head and considered me. “I can see this as a typical Fallon move. She’s always tried to prove she didn’t need anyone, but this isn’t you. You live your life as a unit. Your teammates and your family would like to be there for you as you take this huge step.”
She was right. I’d never thought about getting married, but if I had, I would have wanted my people—the people I trusted with both my life and well-being—to be there with me. But the situation wouldn’t allow it, and that was the one piece I couldn’t tell her. No one could know the baby wasn’t mine. No one. Not even the people we trusted most.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not budging on tonight. This is the way we’ve chosen to handle it.”
“Handle it.” She frowned again. “Like it’s an assignment.”
Fuck. It was. But it also wasn’t. I inhaled deeply, moved closer, and dropped my arm around her shoulders. “I love her, Mom.”
Her eyes filled instantly. She nodded. “I know. Mothers know these things.” She patted my cheek softly. “Your dad is trying to make it home by tomorrow night, but he can’t see Adam at the prison until one o’clock. Wait one or two days more. Let him be here for both of you.”
“I’m not waiting for Dad. I’m not waiting for anyone. I promised her we wouldn’t waste another day. If we tell everyone, they’ll all demand to be here, and I’m done listening to anyoneelse’s demands when it comes to Fallon.”
She sighed almost wistfully. “That’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever said. It fills my mom heart with pride.” Then she grimaced and continued, “If I’m going to take the heat for knowing about this and not telling anyone, I better get it as right as I can. We’ll get the license and the rings after lunch, and then I’ll go with Fallon to pick out a wedding dress of some kind. If you don’t have your Navy Whites with you, youwillwear a tuxedo. I’ll at least have photos to give everyone when they scream at me. The chapel at The Fortress might not be available on such short notice, but I’ll make some calls.”
The Fortress was Marquess Enterprise’s hotel and casino here in Las Vegas. Designed to resemble the tidal island of Mont Saint Michel in France from the spirals and towers of the abbey at the top of the island all the way down to the sea walls, it dripped with wealth and sophistication.
Rafe had opened the casino about a year before everything had blown up on the ranch with Spencer’s murder. He still maintained a private penthouse at the top of the hotel’s tower that the family used whenever they were in Las Vegas, even though he and Sadie lived primarily in Tennessee.
Fallon’s relationship with her dad had improved in recent years, but for a long time, she’d thought she was nothing more than a duty to him.
Realization hit me in the chest like a bomb going off. This was why she’d given me yet another “out” on the front porch. She knew I loved her, just like her dad and stepdad had loved her, but she still wasn’t convinced that I wasn’t doing this out of duty. She was worried it was just another time she was someone’s obligation. For as long as I’d known she battled feeling this way, I should have picked up on it sooner.
The shit thing was, Iwasdoing it out of honor and duty, but it wasn’t the primary reason I was marrying her. The real reason was the truth that I’d told both my mother and Fallon. I couldn’t stand the idea of not waking up with her at my side. The only reason that mattered was that I loved her. Fallon needed to not only hear it in a way that made her believe it, but I needed to show her in a way that left it completely irrefutable. Somehow, before the end of the day, I had to convince her this was more about us than any damn obligation.
? ??
By the time Fallon came out of the bedroom, Mom and I had placed several calls to get the ball rolling on our marriage. My mother gushed over Fallon so much that she turned bright red, sending me desperate looks to save her. But I had no intention of stopping my mother from making Fallon feel as special as she deserved on her wedding day.
“I’ll follow you to the Marriage License Bureau,” Mom said. “And then Fallon and I will go find the perfect dress.”
She hustled out of the room to grab her purse and keys, and Fallon crossed the kitchen to slam me on the shoulder with a fist. She didn’t hold back, and it actually stung, but my only response was a grin.
“Shopping? Really? How did you rope me into this while I was out of the room?”
“Mom was right about one thing, Fallon.” I pulled her into my arms. “Even though we’re doing this fast, it doesn’t mean we can’t take a few minutes to do it right. Just make sure you don’t overdo it physically today.” I brushed my lips gently over the bruise at her temple. “I don’t want you relapsing.”
Plus, I had ideas for tonight. Our wedding night. Ideas that might just bring that flush back to Fallon’s cheeks for completely different reasons. Ideas that would have her crying out in bliss. The climax she’d had this morning was nothing. I could top that. Iwouldtop that.
“What are you and Theo doing while I’m shopping?” she asked.
“I don’t have my Whites with me, so I’m getting a tux,” I answered, but that wasn’t all I had on my list of things to accomplish. I hoped she wouldn’t be upset when she found out about some of it, but it would be too late at that point. And if worse came to worse, I’d dare her not to back down. The Fallon I knew wouldn’t. She’d raise that stubborn chin of hers and walk down the aisle just to prove she could.
Theo left his toys behind on the couch and joined us, glancing warily at Fallon and me wrapped up together. “Dog is bored.”
“Well, good thing we’re about to head out. We have a list of errands, and I’ll need your help keeping me on task,” I said. Itwas the same way I’d gotten through all the errands with him back in San Diego, by giving him his own job. I picked him up before wrapping my free arm back around Fallon’s waist and pulling the three of us together. “I have a very important question for you, bud.”
He tilted his head sideways. “Yeah?”
“I need someone to be my best man. That’s a friend who stands by your side when you get married. Would you like to be my best man?”
