Now And Forever: Novella (Canyon Creek, Co. Book 5.5)

by Lori Ryan

  Becca held up her hand touching their bracelets to one another.

  “We’re bracelet Twinkies.” Becca smiled, staring at the hands. “That’s what my mom used to call us.”

  “Twinkies?” she asked.

  “Yeah, if we wore the same thing, like shoes or headbands or bracelets. The way Twinkies have two in a package.”

  “Twinkies.” Devlin nodded, grasping Becca’s hand and holding it tight. “Let’s go, Half Pint.”

  Becca stared up at her, smiling. “I love you, Aunt Devlin. Thanks for letting me throw flowers.”

  “Thank you, sweetie.”

  They began to walk toward the door that led to the backyard where the wedding would be held.

  “You don’t have on any shoes,” Becca said, her voice raised in alarm.

  “My shoes didn’t fit. My feet are too big because of the babies. I had Lauren paint my toes pretty so I could walk barefoot.”

  Becca giggled. “That’s funny.”

  Devlin shrugged.

  Becca released her hand and set her basket of flower petals on the floor.

  “What are you doing?”

  Smiling, Becca kicked off her own shoes and hiked up her dress. She tugged underneath and pulled down the tights she was wearing, tossing them next to her shoes.

  “Aunt Mia painted my toes last night.” Becca held up one bare foot and wiggled her toes. They were a pretty pink.

  Devlin lifted her skirt and held up her foot next to Becca’s small one, wigging her toes, too.

  “Toe Twinkies?” Becca said, staring up at Devlin.

  Devlin laughed, pulling her close. Suddenly all of the worries and insecurities she’d had about marrying Max disappeared as she thought about forever with this man, with this family.

  “Toe Twinkies.” She agreed. “For life.”

  Chapter Eight

  Max stood in front of the altar he and Shawn had only recently finished. It was draped with gauzy material and flowers Lily and Daisy had adorned it with.

  He looked out over the crowd, a small one, intimate, the way Devlin wanted. Only friends and close family were with them today, seated in their backyard. The sun was just beginning to lower, casting a warm glow. Soon he and Devlin would be bathed in sunlight.

  A wave of nervousness crashed over him. He’d been so sure of marrying Devlin, and he still was, but being here today, standing in front of all these people, he couldn’t help but wonder if he had the ability to be everything she needed—as a husband and a father. Suddenly he wished he had someone to stand up here with him. His father.

  They had decided not to have bridesmaids and groomsmen, but it would be nice to have his brothers by his side.

  As if reading his mind, Grant walked down the side aisle and around to him, squeezing his shoulder. “You okay man?” he whispered, “you look like you’re going to pass out.”

  Max shook his head, trying hard to swallow despite his dry mouth. “I’m good,” he croaked out. “What are you doing up here?”

  Grant held up a ukulele.

  Max stared at it in confusion. “What the hell do you have that for?”

  “It’s your wedding present. From your wife.”

  Before Max could ask any more questions, Grant walked off to the side and positioned the small guitar under his arm. His brother nodded at someone behind the guests, then began strumming.

  Max’s gaze traveled to the rear of the yard, close to the house, on top of the raised balcony. Lily turned and stepped inside the sliding glass door, waving someone on.

  Becca suddenly appeared and Max’s face split into a huge grin. His nerves dissolved.

  Becca looked adorable in the one-of-a-kind dress designed by Holly. Her hair was in a half-pony where the top was pulled into a pony tail and the back left down—a term he only knew because of his cousin Mia, the hairstylist. Apparently Becca had asked for this design a few days ago. She wanted to look like Belle from, surprise, Beauty and the Beast.

  Grant began to sing softly. Max turned and stared over at his brother in surprise. Since when could Grant sing? And damned if he didn’t sound good, really good.

  Grant smiled and shrugged.

  Max recognized the tune, Can’t Help Falling in Love with You, originally recorded by Elvis Presley. The song had been redone by so many artists over the years. It was one of his father’s favorite songs to play for his mother, aside from any Bon Jovi song.

  Max listened to the lyrics, so poignant and so true. Of course this was Devlin’s gift to him, and a gift from his father.

  Some things were meant to be.

  Max watched as Becca stepped down the porch, her dress swishing around her tiny body, hair glowing in the late afternoon sun. He had to admit, Becca looked even prettier than Belle, and suddenly Max felt sorry for his brother, Jake. He’d be chasing the boys off with a stick in another ten years.

  Becca tossed the rose petals they’d put in her basket as Daisy had taught her last night.

  Max bit back a laugh as he watched his small niece concentrate on tossing just the right number of petals with each handful. She was her father’s daughter.

  Becca finally made her way to the end of the aisle, coming to stop just in front of him. She looked up at him expectantly as if waiting to speak.

  He leaned down. “What is it, Half Pint?”

  “Aunt Devlin can’t wear her shoes today because her feet are too big,” she whispered. “So I took mine off too. We’re toe Twinkies now.” She lifted her dress and sure enough, her feet were bare. She stared up at him, again waiting.

  “Oh, yeah, I guess I should probably take mine off too then, right?”

  Becca smiled and nodded.

  Max toed off his shoes and pulled off his socks, tossing them to the side, much to the amusement of the guests. He wiggled his toes in the grass. “Better?” he asked.

  “Yep.” She crooked a finger and he leaned even lower. “Thank you for being my uncle, Uncle Max. I love you. And so does Aunt Devlin.” She kissed his cheek.

  “The pleasure of loving you is truly all mine, sunshine,” he said, tucking her to him and kissing her cheek. “And you look even prettier than Belle,” he said.

  She giggled.

  “Okay, go on, stand right over there.” He nodded to the other side of him. “You’re my best girl, remember?”

  She nodded and practically skipped to the other side before turning to face the house. Her smile grew even wider and Max followed her gaze.

  His breath caught in his chest like he’d taken a direct hit from a 300-pound defensive lineman.

  Devlin stood at the top of the balcony, staring down at him, eyes locked on his.

  The rest of the world faded away and all he could see was her, the mother of his children, the woman who’d finally agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. How had one night together turned into a lifetime?

  Grant continued to sing as Devlin made her way down the aisle, her smile so wide he thought her face might break in two. He felt his own expression match hers.

  When she stopped in front of him, she extended one hand just as Grant finished the chorus.

  She gripped his hand tight. “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi. You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  He saw his father’s wedding ring hanging from Devlin’s neck and reached out to touch it, as if the band held the spirit of his dad. Max’s mother had told him she wanted Devlin to wear the ring today as her something old and something borrowed. The ribbon holding the ring in place was her blue, and the bracelet he’d given her earlier today was her something new.

  “It feels like your dad is here today with us now, doesn’t it?” she asked.

  He nodded, unable to speak.

  She looked down at his feet. “You’re not wearing any shoes.”

  He lifted his head, thankful to see her smiling. “A little birdy told me this was a shoes optional affair.”

  She laughed, gripping her dress with her other han
d, her bouquet bunched in her fist. One foot peaked out from under the hem. “They’re a little swollen.”

  “I love your feet.” He leaned in closer. “They’ll look even better thrown over my shoulders tonight with my face—”

  Someone cleared their throat—the minister who had quietly moved in front of them.

  Devlin squeezed his hand, the look of desire in her eyes so palpable he was afraid they might both explode. Yeah, tonight was going to be fun.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”

  With those few words, any remaining nerves vanished. He’d never heard anything more beautiful.

  “I couldn’t help falling in love with you,” he whispered.

  “Me neither,” she said. “Me neither.”

  Chapter Nine

  Devlin stared up into Max’s hazel eyes. They were greener today, in the bright sunlight.

  “Max, please take Devlin’s hands in yours,” Pastor Ron said.

  Devlin turned and handed her bouquet to Becca, then took Max’s outstretched hands.

  The pastor ran through the normal vows, ones that brought Devlin comfort for some reason. As they’d agreed when she’d accepted Max’s proposal, they’d removed any reference to “obey.” Max thankfully agreed with that.

  “Devlin,” Pastor Ron turned to her, “will you take Max, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”

  Devlin’s heart pounded in her chest. This was it. Could she?

  Max’s eyes widened the longer she took to answer.

  She turned to Pastor Ron. “May I say something first?”

  Pastor Ron stared from her to Max and back. “Um, sure, yeah, I guess. Max?”

  Devlin swallowed hard as her gaze returned to Max.

  He stood motionless. She could hear the rustling of their guests. This was unusual to say the least, but her heart needed assurance.

  “Go ahead, Minx.” Max smiled as if reading her thoughts.

  “Well,” she cleared her throat, “you know this is all new to me, trusting a man with my heart.”

  Max nodded.

  “I, um, I just wanted you to know…”

  Her gaze went from Max’s out to the crowd. They sat quiet, fear etched on their faces, as if she was going to run.

  Max squeezed her hands and she turned to stare up at him. His eyes were still green. They hadn’t darkened in anger the way her father’s might have. He wasn’t upset, he was used to her skittish ways.

  “You know I’m not the easiest person to live with.”

  He smiled.

  “And with these two munchkins in my belly, I’m thinking I won’t be any easier for a while…maybe years…decades.”

  Max nodded, his grin never fading.

  “So, I just needed you to know.” Her eyes met and held his. “Because, well, for years I worked hard to never be controlled by a man. And then…then there was you. And…” God she was rambling.

  She swallowed hard, Max standing tall yet not intimidating, like her father always had been.

  “Well, my mom said love isn’t about changing someone. It’s about being changed because of their love. That’s what you’ve done for me Max. You never tried to change me, and by doing that, you actually did change me.” How could she express how much he meant to her, to the babies, to everyone here?

  “I just want you to know, today and always, that you have my heart, Max, completely. As much as I fought to keep it. I trust you, with everything.” Tears slipped past her lids and slid down her cheeks.

  Max reached out and wiped them away.

  “I just need to know,” she paused.

  He stared into her eyes, his own wide.

  “When I crank the thermostat down to sub-arctic temperature and I’m freezing you out of the house, will you still love me?”

  Max barked out a laugh, as did the rest of their guests. “Yes, Minx.”

  She smiled. “Okay. Well…um, when I leave my shoes all over the house and you trip on them, will you still love me?”

  “Yes. Although, it looks like maybe for the next few months we won’t be wearing any.”

  She laughed and her anxiety faded away.

  “What else do you need to know to be mine forever?” he asked.

  “When my face is covered in wrinkles and my boobs are down to my knees, will you still love me?”

  “That’s a good one,” she heard someone from the crowd say.

  “Yes.” He laughed. “Absolutely. I’ll buy you wrinkle cream and super supportive bras. What else?”

  Her throat went dry and she bit her lip to keep from completely breaking down. Her next question was the one she feared he may baulk at. No, she told herself, he just couldn’t.

  He slid one finger under her chin and lifted it. “What is it? Just ask me.”

  She whispered this part, not wanting everyone to hear. “When I let my past get in the way and my head starts telling me stupid stuff, like, Max doesn’t really care about you, he just wants to control you…” Her voice broke and she couldn’t go on.

  “I will still love you, Minx,” Max said. “The thing you don’t know is that you have my heart, too. And I don’t want it back because I think you’ll take really good care of it.”

  “I will,” she whispered. “I promise.”

  He nodded and leaned down, kissing her softly on the lips even though the pastor hadn’t told them to do that part yet.

  “Now,” he pulled back and stared down at her, “I have a few questions of my own.”

  Her head darted between Max and the pastor. “But, you already said yes, didn’t you?”

  He ignored that. “When I forget to put the lid down, will you still love me?”

  She laughed, releasing his hand to cover her mouth.

  “When I get tons of hair on my back and you’re embarrassed to go to the beach with me, will you still love me?”

  She giggled and nodded. “Yes,” she said through her hand.

  “When my knees give out and I can’t walk any more, will you push me in my wheelchair?”

  For the first time, she saw the fear in Max’s eyes. It was a serious question hidden under the joking demeanor. He didn’t want to be a burden to her.

  She grasped his hands and stepped closer. “I’ll buy us matching scooters.”

  “With turbo engines?”

  This was why she loved this man. Because even in the midst of her fear he could still make her laugh. And he wasn’t too bad on the eyes.

  She slid her hands up his chest and wrapped her fingers around his neck. “Yes. I promise. I will love you even then.”

  Max leaned down, about to kiss her, and she closed her eyes.

  “Hold on,” Pastor Ron said.

  The entire crowd burst into laughter.

  “Sorry, padre,” Max said, looking anything but sorry. “Continue.”

  “Well, it sounds like your vows are pretty solid, although unconventional. I think it’s safe to say you’re quite committed to one another, for the long haul.”

  Devlin stared up at Max, smiling as she nodded her head. “As long as we both shall live?”

  “As long as we both shall live,” he said. He leaned down and kissed her, long and hard.

  “I guess I don’t need to say you may kiss your bride. The only thing left to say is, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  The guests erupted in cheers and whistles but it all faded away as Devlin melted into the arms of the man who’d changed her, in the best of ways.

  Chapter Ten

  Max and Devlin stood by the cake near the reception area.

  Shortly after they’d walked down the aisle, Lily and her sisters had magically transformed the backyard from a wedding ceremony venue to a reception area. Ivy, Sally’s daughter who was a chef, had made an amazing dinner.

  For someone who only wanted a small ceremony, De
vlin was thankful for all the work Max’s family had put into making this day so special. Again, she had to wonder why Sally’s daughters didn’t move here and open up a wedding and event company. She knew it would save Valerie and Maggie a lot of time and effort having to hire out to other independent businesses when they held weddings at the lodge.

  “You ready to cut the cake?” Lily asked.

  Devlin’s stomach flipped. It wasn’t just a wedding cake, it was a gender reveal for the family. As much as she’d fussed early on that she didn’t want to know what they were expecting—as long as the babies were healthy—something inside her had changed. She was now excited to find out, but nervous, too.

  “Yeah,” Max said, his hand at the small of her back as he led her toward the cake sitting on a table decorated with the same kind of lace as her wedding dress. God, these girls were good.

  The cake itself was two tiers, white with hand-made burgundy posies scattered about.

  Devlin glanced around for Sally, who stood off to the side.

  “Sally,” she called over, “this looks beautiful.”

  She smiled but it looked forced.

  “What’s wrong with your aunt?” Devlin asked Max.

  Max leaned close. “I heard Warner asked her to marry him.”

  “Again?” Devlin asked.

  “Yeah. And she said no.”

  “Again.” Devlin could understand Sally’s hesitancy. Her first marriage had been even more abusive than Devlin’s parents. Sally’s ex-husband had physically and verbally abused her for years before she mustered the courage to get herself and the girls out of that relationship.

  “Maybe seeing you happy will help her,” Max said.

  “Warner’s good for her,” Devlin said. “I have a feeling he’ll wear her down.”

  Max’s eyes scanned the crowd. “I’m not so sure. I think he took off shortly after the ceremony.”

  “Oh, no,” Devlin whispered.

  “Okay, let’s get going,” Lily interrupted coaxing them to the table. “Remember, cut right here so everyone can see what color the filling is.” She turned to face the crowd. “Okay, everyone, gather around. They’re about to cut the cake. We’re going to find out if the twins are boys or girls.”