Page 54 of Intertwined Hearts

“I’ve known for a long time she was the one for me.”

“You thought that with the girl before Jackie. What was her name? Sonya? Tonya? Sadie?”

“Sophia, Dad. At first I thought that, but, eventually, I woke up. It didn’t take too long for me to know she was all wrong for me. But with Jackie, I had a good gut feeling about her since the day we met.”

“I felt that way about your mother. I knew the moment I saw her. My friends told me I was crazy. They said there was no such thing as love at first sight. They said we’d never last. But I told them what they were saying was all a bunch of hogwash. And it was. I proved them all wrong. Not only have we lasted, we are still madly in love with each other after all these years. It wasn’t always easy, but we knew we’d never give up on each other. What we had, well, we couldn’t just throw it away.”

“I want that, too, Pop. I want a love like you and Mom have.”

“You may just have it, Son. Just don’t walk away at the first sign of trouble. Stick it out, try your damnedest to make it work. If it doesn’t, well, it might not have been what you thought.”

I had never told my dad about that asstard, Landon. If ever there was a time to decide whether to run or stay that was it. Jackie needed a lot of strength to get through that, and I stayed because I wanted to be her rock. I couldn’t fault her for any of his douche-baggery. She wasn’t responsible for his idiotic ways. She was his victim. I was just so happy we were able to get through it and were a better team for it.

Now we were here, ready to get married. When the clerk’s assistant let me know we were next, my stomach began churning like a volcano about to erupt. I couldn’t explain why. I hadn’t thought I was nervous.

Jackie

I stood on shaky legs and walked into the room where I would become Hunter’s wife. I’d always dreamed of marrying prince charming. A wonderful, handsome man who made me feel safe and loved. In less than half an hour, my dream would come true.

Even though we had decided to marry at the courthouse, Hunter’s parents, along with Jeff, Nikki, and their kids all came to the ceremony. Abby was our flower girl. She was older now and really just needed to toss a few flower petals on the floor. We also brought in a photographer. He was the same photographer they had hired to be at the grand opening of the gym in a few days.

“This is it,” Nikki said. “Last chance to run.” She chuckled.

“I’m not running anywhere except into Hunter’s arms.”

“You guys make such a cute couple. I can’t wait until you have babies.”

I had to bite my tongue. Hunter and I were trying to wait until I got through my first trimester before telling anyone the news. Dr. Allen had recommended we wait.

“Come on, dear,” Hunter’s mom said.

All three of us were led by Abby as we walked into the ceremony room. It wasn’t a great venue by any stretch, but it was fine for us. Neither of us wanted a huge, formal wedding. I would have preferred to have gotten married by a clergyman, but Hunter was adamant that he didn’t want that. He was against formal religion. So this was our compromise for everything about the wedding. When it was all said and done, what mattered was the marriage license.

Jeff sat with their sons, Alexander and Aiden, and was joined by Nikki and Abby. Hunter’s parents took their seats as I took my final steps to stand beside Hunter. Then the deputy clerk began the service.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I thought the ceremony might last a half hour. It only took twenty minutes, though. That was fine with me. Ten more minutes would have meant the deputy would have been dragging it on unnecessarily. When he said he pronounced us man and wife, the tears I had been fighting to hold back were free-flowing. Hunter used the pad of his thumbs to wipe them from my face before lowering his mouth onto mine.

Everyone gathered around us. They hugged us and offered their congratulations.

Hunter’s mom and dad were staying at our place for the next week and a half. They were going to be there to meet their granddaughter when she came home for the first time.

Chapter 41

Jackie

“When is the baby going to come, Aunt Jackie?” Abby asked.

Hunter and I had tried to convince Jeff and Nikki that we’d let them know when we got home from picking up Elisa so they could come over, but Nikki isn’t the most patient person, and she insisted on being at the home with us. That’s my best friend. That’s why I loved her. Hunter and I sat hand in hand, and Nikki was so close to me that if she had moved another inch closer, she’d have been on my lap.

“She should be here soon, Abby,” Jeff said. He wrapped his arm around her. He was holding a sleeping Aiden, while Abby snaked her arms around his and clung to him. Alexander had found the toys and was playing quietly.

“Any minute now, Abby. I’m as anxious as you. Won’t it be fun to have a cousin to come play with?” I asked her.

“Yeah. I wish Bianca and Briana lived closer, but Elisa will be a nice cousin to play with. Will she be a tiny baby?”

“Elisa’s almost three. She’s younger than Alexander and Gracie, but older than Aiden.” Gracie was Sky and Hope’s daughter, and Abby’s younger sister.

Abby appeared to have lost interest. She made her way over to Alexander and picked up a few of the toys he had been playing with, causing him to scream.

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