Page 41 of What Happens In Vegas: Jessa & Jaxon
“Married?” My mother’s voice cuts through the room.
I wince, but keep my eyes locked on Jaxon’s.Stay focused, Jessa.
“Did she just say they’re married?” Jasmine asks nobody in particular.
“In Vegas!” Meesha adds, clutching her chest dramatically. “Lord have mercy!”
“When did this happen?” Dad demands, looking between Jaxon and me with wide eyes.
I take a deep breath, mentally filing away their questions for later as I maintain my focus on Jaxon. One task at a time. Right now, that task is convincing my husband I love him.
“Are you sure, JJ?” Jaxon asks, seemingly unperturbed by the family chaos erupting around us.
“I love our bickering. I love how safe you make me feel.” My words gather momentum, tumbling out faster. “I love how your eyes twinkle when you’re excited. I love waking up to your tender kisses and your...” I trail off when I see my stunned parents across the room, my mother’s hand pressed to her mouth. “You know what.”
Jaxon’s lips twitches, the first crack in his composure, and I press on before my courage falters.
“Oh, we know what,” Aunt Ruby mutters, fanning herself vigorously with a cocktail napkin. “Sweet baby Jesus, give me strength.”
I clear my throat, determined to regain control of this moment. “I love you, and you’ve become my entire world,” I say, as I placed the microphone down on a nearby table. Everyone had heard my confession, but anything else I needed to say was just for Jaxon.
“Excuse me,” my father’s voice breaks through, closer now. “But I think we need to discuss this marriage before—”
“Not now, Dad,” I say without taking my eyes off Jaxon.
“Not now?” Mom echoes incredulously. “Jessa Smith, you just announced you got married in Vegas while intoxicated, and you don’t think we should discuss it now?”
“Jamison,” I correct automatically. “It’s Jessa Jamison.”
A collective gasp ripples through my family members.
“When were you planning to tell us?” Mom demands, her voice rising an octave.
Jaxon turns to address my family. “I will explain everything in six minutes,” he states. His tone brooks no argument as he continues. “Right now, I need five uninterrupted minutes with my wife.”
The word ‘wife’ triggers another wave of murmurs, but Jaxon’s expression silences further objections. Even my father, who has never taken orders from anyone, responds to the unmistakable authority in Jaxon’s voice.
“Ten minutes,” Dad agrees reluctantly. “Not a second more.”
With our momentary reprieve secured, Jaxon turns back to me, his eyes bright with amusement. He takes my hand in his, warm fingers rubbing small circles with his thumb against my skin. The familiar gesture calms me.
“I love you, too,” he says, and my heart did a somersault, hope blooming where despair had taken root.
“Really?” The word escaped as a breathless question.
“Do you even have to ask?” His voice softens as the mask fell away completely. “I’m glad you finally came to your senses.” He pulls me closer, one hand rising to brush away a tear before his lips find mine in a kiss.
“I’m sorry it took me so long,” I whisper against his mouth, breathing him in.
“You don’t need to apologize, JJ.” His forehead rests against mine, our private bubble intact despite the crowd surrounding us.
“What about Alyxandra?”
Jaxon rubs the back of his neck, a sheepish smile crossing his face. “About that...”
“I need to hear this,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“Aly is the niece of Antonio’s assistant. She’s a drama student at the university.”
