Page 80 of Where We Found Our Home
I would take the craziness of the past eight months over the months of Eddie’s bullshit any day though.
We’ve come a long way in the past eight months. Ciara released her debut novel, and it was a huge hit. Sales definitely increased even more when a news article connected her with the story about Eddie Brighton. At first, she shied away from making any statements to the public about it. She wanted to move on with her life, but then she realized that there are probably a ton of women and men out there who are suffering at the hands of unstable psychopaths like him, and she wanted to help them in any way she could. I’ve never been prouder of her.
The man who gave Ciara’s therapy file to Eddie was arrested. Ciara still admires Dr. Goodwin and would recommend her to anyone, but after everything that happened, she felt more comfortable finding a local therapist here to start over with. She still had a lot to work out with her need for control and feeling unworthy of saving. She also had to cope with the fact that she killed Eddie. I felt no remorse whatsoever for the fact that he was dead, and I know she didn’t either, but she struggled with the fact that she was responsible for a loss of life. She’s come a long way in that regard, and her nightmares are almost non-existent at this point.
I started seeing a therapist myself. I needed to speak to a professional about my guilt over everything with Erica. A lot of my insecurities about that situation came back with a vengeance when I almost lost Ciara. The guys all supported me in my journey with therapy, another reason why I’m proud to have all of them stand by me today.
Michael and Carter make their way into the room. They were wrangling the kids together for their duties. Nevaeh insisted on being the flower girl, as if there was another option. Malcolm and Niecy are the ushers, and they are taking their roles very seriously.
“Okay, everyone’s set,” Michael tells me as he adjusts his tie.
“Let’s go get me married.”
“You nervous?” Isaiah asks, standing by my side as my best man.
“Not at all.” It’s the truth. I’m excited to see Ciara walk toward me, but I’m not nervous at all. I’m just ready to get started with the rest of our lives.
Nevaeh skips down the aisle, making a show of tossing the white flowers on the ground. She almost manages to steal the show, and I have the biggest smile on my face as she skips toward me. She stops in front of me and motions for me to bend down to her level. I do and she plants a big kiss on my cheek.
“I love you, Linky. I can’t wait for Ciara to be my auntie.”
“I can’t wait either, Short Stack.” She bounces off to her seat.
Ciara’s bridesmaids make their way down the aisle, one by one. Reggie, Nina, Sasha, Simone, Sarah, and Brittany last. Ciara refused to decide who would be her maid of honor so she told them they had to decide amongst themselves. They decided to have a battle of movie knowledge—Nina’s idea. Brittany won, and on a Harry Potter question no less. I’d expect nothing less from my beautiful bride and her band of misfits.
Finally, Ciara steps out arm in arm with her mom, and I’m stunned speechless. She looks absolutely stunning. Her dress has a V-neck cut that exposes the curves of her breasts. The top of her dress hugs to her body perfectly before fanning out to a floor length gown, covered in lace that makes her look like a goddess. I’m a lucky-ass man.
She makes it to me and grabs my hand. Angela kisses one of my cheeks and pats the other one with her hand before turning to hug Ciara and sitting in her seat by Nevaeh.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“You look beautiful.” Her brown cheeks blush.
My dad is officiating the wedding for us. He was ordained online and is very proud of himself for doing so. He takes us through the ceremony and then, just like that, we’re married.
When it’s time to kiss the bride, I take full advantage. There are cheers everywhere, and I keep going until Nevaeh yells that we’re gross. I laugh and pull away.
“You’re starting off this marriage by being extra, I see,” Ciara smiles.
“I’m just starting it the way I want it to last, Mrs. Cole.”
“I do like the sound of that.”
Ciara
Holy. Shit. I am a married woman. If you would’ve told me a year ago I’d be celebrating my wedding right now, I’d have told you you were crazy.
As much as the entire wedding planning process overwhelmed me, I have to say the moms did their thing. Everything is so gorgeous, and I’m honored to be here with these people who own my heart and this man who owns my soul.
The moms set up a cocktail hour just for Lincoln and me so that we could eat in peace before having to mingle all night long. We used that time to do umm…other things. So now I’m starving, but I’m in too good of a mood to be hangry.
I spot Nina across the room, checking in on Jada and Logan. I turn to Lincoln and kiss him on the cheek. “I’ll be back.”
A lot has happened over the last eight months. I’m an actual published author now. My mom moved to Austin to be closer to me and her “future grandkids,” who don’t exist. Not that we don’t want them. We talked about it and we definitely want kids, but now that we’re not living in fear anymore we want to just enjoy each other, drama free, for a little bit.
A lot of good has happened, but a lot of sad too. Both of Nina’s parents tragically passed away in a train accident on their way to New Orleans. Nina became the sole guardian of Logan and Jada, and it’s been a tough adjustment for all of them so far.
