Page 128 of Maizy the Bear Charmer

She wanted to toss her bouquet in the air and run to them right then but she kept moving forward, passing within a couple of feet of them on the aisle. Her entire backside felt very warm as she moved up the center aisle, envisioning them staring at her ass and her legs. She wondered if Spencer had noticed her heels yet. He seemed to get a charge out of seeing her in high heels and she enjoyed indulging him.

She made eye contact with Patrick and smiled at him, feeling for the poor guy. They’d kept him and Beck, who looked ready to pass out, waiting a few extra minutes, which must’ve been nerve-wracking for them.

Maizy took her position next to Grace and the kids. She reached out to PJ and he slipped his hand in hers. Hopefully he’d be distracted enough by the ceremony and wouldn’t be antagonizing Rose Marie. He patted his vest pocket, where the wedding bands were all located, and gave her a gap-toothed grin.

Jayne followed Maizy up the aisle, smiling when Toby loudly squealed, “Mommy!” from his father’s arms and waved at her. “Pretty, Mommy!” Seth looked like he was fighting laughter as he put his finger to his son’s lips.

PJ tugged Maizy’s hand and whispered, “You’re really pretty too, Aunt Maizy. I meant to tell you that earlier.”

She winked at him and blew an air kiss as she turned to look out at the guests.

Spencer was snapping a picture of her with his phone, while Cody kept his gaze trained on her, and Heath bit his lower lip like he wanted to eat her up. Warmth filled her at their attention. Rachel and Charity slipped into seats with their husbands and a hush descended over the group as the processional music changed and swelled in volume.

She watched Patrick and Beck and knew the second Lucy made her appearance because their reactions were so clear. Beck’s jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. Patrick blinked and stared as he swayed on his feet for a few seconds. Beck whispered something and Patrick put his hand to his mouth to cover his reply to Beck. Maizy couldn’t understand what he said but it was clear both men were enthralled as Lucy strolled up the aisle on her father’s arm as if she had all the time in the world.

A triumphant smile curved Lucy’s lips as she watched her men. Her wedding dress was made of ivory silk topped with lavishly embroidered and beaded lace. Her pearlescent skin showed through the long lace sleeves and shoulders of the high-waisted dress, which dipped to a deep V at the neckline. The hemline of the dress barely reached midthigh, with the luxuriant lace extending in a scalloped edge beyond the hemline a few inches. Topping the short skirt of the dress was a billowing tulle overskirt that reached the ground and floated diaphanously around her legs with each step, parting occasionally in the center to reveal her long, shapely legs and her ivory satin platform pumps. The silver locket glittered at her throat in the dappled sunshine.

The guests stood as Lucy and her dad reached the center aisle and Maizy turned her attention back to Patrick and Beck as they watched their bride approach. If it was possible for peace and passion to both reside in a person’s mind at the same time, that’s what she saw in her brother’s eyes as he gazed at Lucy.

She felt for Beck, having to restrain himself for the sake of those guests who were not necessarily privy to the polyamorous nature of their relationship and not being able to be an active participant in the outdoor ceremony. He would have his moment soon. This ceremony, performed by a minister, married Lucy to Patrick. The binding ceremony that would occur under the guise of wedding photographs in the house would be conducted by Ethan Grant minutes afterward, binding the three of them together.

Lucy’s father escorted her to the edge of the portable stage as the minister and Patrick moved forward to meet her there.

Mr. Carter presented his daughter to Patrick, did his part in the ceremony, and then gave her a kiss on the cheek and joined his wife at their seats. Patrick took a second to whisper something to her. In her heels, she was eye to eye with him. He stroked her temple and gazed at her for a second before they followed the minster back to the center of the platform. Jayne stepped forward and Lucy handed her the bridal bouquet before she turned to face her husbands-to-be.

Witnessing the adoration in Patrick and Beck’s eyes, and despite all the worry and struggles she was going through, Maizy prayed fervently that someday she might reach a similar moment with her bears. As the minister spoke to the assemblage, Maizy made eye contact with Cody, Heath, and Spencer. Warmth filled her at the combined heat of their gazes and she wondered what they were thinking.

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