Page 204 of Destined Lovers

“Ready, Mrs. Buckley?” He whispers, and I feel his lips curve into a smile.

“Aye, you know I am.” Smirking because he has no idea what I’mreallyready for.

Declan lifts his champagne, and we all follow.

“To my wife, Hanora Buckley.” He announces, and as expected, the room is stunned, silent from shock. Then in slow motion, I watch each of their faces catch on, and the room is instantly filled with roars of happiness and gasps of surprise.

My smile is stretched as wide as my face, and tears of joy fill my eyes.

This crying shite is worse now that I’m pregnant; if being this emotional lasts for the next nine months, it’s going to kill me.

“You’re married?” Sadie shrieks, and I nod, too emotionally overwhelmed to answer.

She starts to walk toward us, and I put my hand up to stop her. I know she wants to congratulate us, but this is more important.

“Two more toasts are in order, and I want to say them before I break down into a bubbling mess,”

I look out into the group of the best freaking people in the world. Who would have thought I would have been here, supported by all these people, even just a few months ago?

They took me in from the second they met me, accepting an instant friendship thrown upon them, and loved me from day one.

I lift my glass, “My first toast is to you lot, sláinte!” they all look around at each other.

“To us!” They shout.

“I wanted to say a quick thank you to each of you. I promise I’ll make it short, so we can stop with the dreaded speeches and can have some freaking fun.” They all smile, and some chuckle.

I smile up at Declan and look into those majestic eyes that have guided me through so much in my life.

“I love each and every one of you dearly. I’ll admit that the first time I met you, Jackson was instantly my favorite. I smile over at my friend, and he shoots me another wink.

“I wasn’t sure I loved you, Wills…or Belle for that matter.”

“Me?” She gasps, affronted.

“I love you now, of course. You put everyone before yourself and are the best aunt to Charlie and Chloe. I found we are so similar in ways that I didn’t know what to expect. Two girls speaking their minds could have turned out to be a disaster.”

“True,” she shrugs.

“But Wills,” I look him dead in the eye. “Never change. I know we all give you shite over your crazy behavior. You love hard, and I will never fault you for that.” He tips his head, and I can see him gulp, holding back.

“Marco and Lola, and of course Evelyn, I won’t forget her even though she had to leave. I’m sorry for grouping you as one, but you’re a unit I love dearly. The stories of your crazy antics, especially your dates, Lola,” She grins, “Kept me thoroughly entertained the last few months. So thank you,”

I look over in the other direction, to the men who protected me the past months, “I’ve already said my thanks in private to each of you,” I cover my heart, “But thank you again. You all hold a special place in my heart. Especially you, Jamie,” I wink, and he groans. Danny and Max bust out laughing, and it’s hard for me not to join along.

“Hey, what about me?” Charlie calls as she peeks around Jackson’s legs.

“Well, we all know you and Chloe are my favorite,” her eyes sparkle with joy.

“We are?”

“Of course, I love you very much.”

“I wove you too, Auntie Pip.” She blows me a kiss, and Sadie sniffles beside her.

I lift my glass for the last time and turn my attention to my love.

To the man who has been my guiding light throughout my life, who will undoubtedly make the best father in the entire world.

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