by Ciara Shayee
Moving slowly, so, so slowly, he leaned in and let his eyes fall shut just as their lips brushed for the first time. This was real life, so there weren’t bursts of fireworks or colours exploding behind his eyelids.
What there was, was a deep sense of affection, of rightness, of being home, finally. A feeling of bone-melting, soul-warming love.
Laker’s lips couldn’t be stopped as they spread into a grin against Indie’s, whisper-soft and tender as could be. Warmth rose and encompassed them both. It overrode any nerves about this, their first kiss of what would hopefully be many. He felt giddy beyond belief as a laugh bubbled up his throat.
It retreated abruptly when he felt her lips begin to move. They were gentle and tentative, her breath slightly sweet from the lemonade she’d been drinking all evening. After a moment, she became more confident, adding more pressure and tightening her grip on him. Laker hummed against her mouth and felt his hands moving of their own accord; his fingers twined themselves in her silky curls, uncaring that they were undoing all of Debbie’s hard work teasing them into a neat style earlier in the day.
He was all-too-aware that this was most likely Indie’s first real, romantic kiss—he wanted to make it memorable.
He cradled her head like the most precious piece of glass, kissing her until they were both breathless and pressed together from their feet to their lips, panting and lightheaded. Then he chuckled, leaning back just enough to be able to grin goofily at Indie. “I love you, bella ragazza.”
She flushed under his heated gaze and pressed her heated face to his chest, beaming when she felt his still-racing heart and the rumbles of his chuckle against her cheek. His strong arms looped around her waist to hold her to him as Laker’s chin came to rest against the crown of her head.
They were peaceful and calm as they caught their breath, soaking up the comfort they freely offered to one another.
To know, see, and feel that Laker loved her was a revelation for Indie unlike any other. Reaching one hand up to idly trace her kiss-swollen lips with a finger, she smiled. Even during her two misadventures into sex, she’d never been kissed. She was glad. As she hugged Laker tighter and let her tongue dart out to taste him, smoky from liquor and sweet from his drink, Indie was immensely grateful that he’d been her first kiss. It was perfect in every way. He was perfect in every way.
She tipped her head back to see him. He looked blissful. Laker sported a wide, lop-sided, double-dimpled grin beneath a pair of sparkling, happy eyes. “I love you.”
He sighed a relaxed, relieved sound. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Indie barely had time to breathe before he scooped her up with a hand on each side of her waist, his loud whoop of delight eliciting a shriek of surprise from her as he swung her in circles around the room before bringing her slowly back down until their lips were level once again.
“Pie, mi amore, ti amo.”
He sealed his ‘I love you’ with a kiss.
~ oOo ~
“Indie? Indie, are you in here?”
Laker huffed against Indie’s lips and took a big step away from her. It killed him to do it, but he doubted she wanted Reagan busting them all but making out. And honestly, he’d like to discuss it with Reagan, get his permission to date Indie, rather than have him walk in on them locked at the lips.
She quickly smoothed her hair and licked her lips before calling out, “Right here, Dad!”
With Reagan’s footsteps fast approaching, Laker just about had time to shoot her a quick wink before her father reached the living area.
Reagan’s shrewd eyes bounced between his daughter and Laker. Her dress was rumpled and bunched oddly at her hips, and her face was flushed crimson as she looked everywhere but at him. As for Laker…his shirt was wrinkled, hair an absolute state, and he’d never looked guiltier than he did now with his Cheshire cat smile.
Reagan grinned. “You finally grew a pair, huh?”
He took great delight in the way the younger man attempted to sputter an explanation while Indie did an impression reminiscent of a goldfish.
“Look, you’re both adults. I’m not going to pretend I don’t wish you were still five and thought all boys had cooties, Indie, but I’m happy for you both. Okay? So just come here and give me a hug, and I’ll pretend I didn’t just bust you like a pair of misbehaving teenagers.”
Indie rushed into her dad’s arms and hugged him tightly. “I love you, Dad.”
Reagan returned Laker’s smile over his daughter’s head, feeling his eyes welling up just a touch. My baby girl is all grown up. “I love you, too, Indie.”
As she pulled away and stepped into the bathroom to freshen up before heading back downstairs, Laker shuffled his feet and sighed with a mischievous twist to his grin. “So…does this mean I can call you ‘Dad?’”
With a bark of surprised laughter, Reagan shook his head and adjusted his tie. “Like hell, son. You be good to my girl and my grandbabies, and I might just let you live. Capisce?”
Laker smirked, crossing the room to shake Reagan’s hand. He had no doubt in his mind that one day, he’d be shaking Reagan’s hand as he gave Indie to him at their wedding. For now, he’d settle for making a promise he was only too willing to keep. “I promise you I’ll take care of them, Ray. They’re my world.”
Reagan’s lips kicked up on one side, his eyes soft as he admitted, “I know they are, son. We have that in common.”
“Okay, are we ready?” Indie appeared in the doorway, bright smile firmly in place despite her lingering embarrassment.
Reagan and Laker nodded, following dutifully as she led them back down to the party.
~ oOo ~
They arrived at the ballroom just as Ryan and Grace began saying their goodbyes. The congregation moved into a large circle formation to make it easier for the newlyweds.
Marley and Bodhi were the first to spot Indie, Reagan, and Laker.
They bounded across the ballroom, Marley leaping into Laker’s arms while Bodhi asked his mamma to pick him up with a soft, sleepy, “Up, Mamma.” He clung to her like a baby monkey, settling his head on her shoulder with a lazy smile.
“Daddy, where’d you go?” Marley asked with a bashful smile.
Laker’s grin couldn’t have been wider, bookended by twin dimples as Indie patted her dad’s shoulder, quietly explaining what had happened earlier in the night when she saw the stunned look on his face at Laker’s new moniker.
“Mamma came to help me pick a new shirt, and Pawpaw came to find us because he thought we got lost,” Laker told her with a mischievous glint to his eyes.
Indie and Reagan both knew that wasn’t the truth at all, not that they’d say anything to Marley.
Marley sniffed at the reminder of her mishap, which had forced Laker to change shirts. She’d accidentally spilled orange juice on him, so he’d had to run upstairs for a fresh shirt.
It all worked out for the better, in the end, Laker thought gleefully.
“You and Mamma took a long time just to get a new shirt,” Marley said succinctly, not realising with all of her six years of wisdom that she was thoroughly embarrassing her mamma and daddy.
“It was a tough choice, Little Sweet,” Laker murmured, shifting Marley until she was dangling almost upside-down. Seeing an opportunity to distract her daughter, Indie leaned forward to blow raspberries on the backs of Marley’s exposed knees—her most ticklish spot. Marley’s loud squeals attracted more than a few laughs and smiles, the cameraman leaving his post beside Grace and Ryan to snap a couple of quick photos of her laughter-creased face.
When Grace glanced over toward Indie while Ryan hugged Jenna, she immediately knew Laker’s plan to tell Indie how he felt had been successful. And from the exultant smile on Indie’s face, she could safely assume her dear friend had finally come to her senses and admitted that she loved him, too.
By the time the newlywed Mr. and Mrs. McCabe reached Indie, Laker, Marley, Bodhi, and Reagan, they’d been joined by Sa
rah, Andy, Archie, Carl-Roman, and Chase—all of the children were fast asleep in the arms of an adult. Grace’s eyes instantly filled with tears as she pulled Indie into a hug, only just remembering to be mindful of Bodhi sleeping against his mother’s chest.
“I’m so happy you finally got your head out of your butt,” she sniffled, laughing aloud when Indie pulled back with a shocked smile.
“You knew?”
“Of course! Jesus, Indie—everyone knew!”
Ryan took Grace’s place with a quiet chuckle, kissing Indie’s forehead before stepping back to shake Laker’s hand. “Congrats, guys. It was about time.”
“Thanks, man.” Laker smiled down at Indie. “It definitely was about time.”
With a gleeful grin, Ryan looked between Marley and Bodhi before gently clapping his friend on the shoulder. “I didn’t mean you and little Indie, Daddy-O.”
“What? What do you mean?” Sarah asked, her gaze flitting between Ryan, Laker, Indie, and the kids. “Daddy-O…Oh! Oh…” She breathed out noiselessly, her eyes filling with tears.
Laker’s eyes were soft and teary as he nodded, answering her unspoken question as he looked at everyone in turn, his gaze landing on Indie last as she leaned into him, offering what little comfort she could when they both had their hands full. “I’m ‘Daddy’ now.”
A fresh round of tears and hugs were shared before Grace and Ryan admitted they had to be on their way if they wanted to say ‘goodbye’ to everyone before jetting off on their honeymoon.
Two sunny weeks at Laker’s house in Italy wouldn’t wait—their flight took off in a little over four hours.
“I love you guys. I’ll call you in the morning, okay?”
“Love you, too, Grace. Have a great honeymoon.” Indie hugged her best friend as tight as she could with one free arm. “I’m so proud of you, sis.”
Grace pulled back with tears in her eyes and a wide smile on her face. “I’m proud of you, too, sister.”
~ oOo ~
“All right, I’m off to bed.” Reagan’s moustache twitched as he fought a chuckle, his eyes dancing between a fidgety Laker and Indie. They were sitting a foot apart on the sofa in his living room, both with their hands in their laps and nervous expressions on their faces. “Remember…my room is right up there…” he trailed off, pointing at the ceiling above—where his bedroom was situated—before huffing a laugh and heading upstairs.
Laker and Indie sagged against the cushions as their heads tilted to face each other.
“He’s loving this, isn’t he?”
Indie snorted. “He sure is. He missed out on doing this until now. He’s going to make the most of it.”
“Great.” Laker’s plans to persuade Indie to stay up with him for a short—ah, who was he kidding? a long make-out session—evaporated into dust when she let out a loud yawn and then giggled as she wiped the resulting moisture from her eyes.
“I’m going to head up. Bodhi will be up in…oh, God, probably in about four hours.”
Laker grinned. Bodhi had made a habit of waking at six every morning just to chat to his teddies, and Laker knew it was going to be murder for Indie getting up that early after such a late night. “Tell you what…I’ll kip here tonight, saves walking back to Sarah and Andy’s anyway, and I’ll keep the monitor down here so I can come get him when he wakes.”
Indie’s smile was grateful, but turned calculating. “Laker…have you ever, um…” her cheeks tinted pink, igniting his curiosity. “Have you ever snuck out of a girl’s room before?”
“Uh, no, I don’t think so?”
“Well, seeing as today is a day of firsts…you want to sleep upstairs with us and sneak out before Dad gets up? Just sleep!” She flushed scarlet. “I mean…it’s got to be comfier than the couch, right?”
It was a pointless question where Laker was concerned.
Less than ten minutes later he found himself curling his arm around Indie as she made herself comfortable tucked into his side, her head pillowed on his chest, her calves wrapped around his legs further down the bed.
“Are you comfy?” He whispered.
“Very,” she murmured, hesitating for a moment before pressing a light kiss to the skin over his heart.
It didn’t take long for Indie to fall asleep. Her breaths evened out within minutes and fanned across Laker’s chest as he lay there, unable to sleep but wearing the biggest smile of his life.
He couldn’t help but replay his day on a loop in his mind.
“How’re you holding up, man? Cold feet?”
Ryan chuckled and caught the balled-up thermal socks Laker threw at him. “My feet are toasty warm, thanks! What about yours?” His waggled eyebrows told Laker his conversation with Grace a few days ago hadn’t stayed private.
The tips of his ears flamed. “That little imp told you, didn’t she?”
“Of course, she did! I know all about your plan to woo little Indie.” Ryan’s expression turned serious as he crossed the room and clasped his friend’s shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think you’ve gotta worry. She loves you, man. She just needs to realize it.”
“Thanks, Ry.”
Shaking off their emotional moment, Ryan and Laker shrugged on their suit jackets and headed downstairs. Andy, Archie, Reagan, and Mark were there waiting.
“Here you go, son. A bit of Dutch courage to get you through the day.”
Ryan was visibly flustered as Reagan shoved the glass of amber liquid into his hand. His eyes darted toward Peter—his soon-to-be father-in-law.
“Ah, I don’t think I should…”
Peter laughed. “Don’t you worry about me, son. You’re marrying a Davies woman. You’re gonna need that and more. Get it down your throat and don’t be such a girl.”
Ryan downed his drink with a grateful grin.
.
.
.
Upon arrival at the hotel where Ryan and Grace would shortly be married, Ryan had his first flash of nerves.
“What do you mean, the celebrant is running late? Gracie will have a shit-fit.” He turned to Laker. “Fuck, man, what do we do?”
Laker floundered under Ryan’s intense, worried gaze. “Look, I’m sure we’ll be able to sort it.”
Thankfully, their saviour arrived just in time to stop Ryan going on a nervous rampage.
Sarah sashayed into the room looking positively regal in her lilac dress—it had a pencil skirt and cap sleeves that flattered her figure perfectly. “Calm down boys. I’ve just spoken to Marge. She’s a few minutes away.”
“Thank fuck.”
Sarah lightly smacked the back of Ryan’s neck. “Less of the cussing. It’s a special day.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Sorry, Sarah,” he said sheepishly, rubbing his neck.
She beamed up at him—at least a foot shorter than Ryan’s six-four—and adjusted his tie. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. No—great. I’m excited.”
“I’m glad.” She went around and straightened all the men’s ties, finally pausing in front of her husband. “Hello, handsome. Are you keeping these boys in line?”
“Of course, my love,” Andy told her with a wink, leaning in to kiss her forehead once she’d righted his silver tie.
“Good. Well, I’m going back to the girls.” She turned to Ryan with the soft, maternal smile she so often wore. “Ryan, your Grace…” Sarah sighed dreamily. “She looks beautiful. You won’t know what hit you.”
.
.
.
Of course, she was right.
When Ryan set eyes on his bride for the first time…words didn’t describe how happy he felt. It was written all over his face though. Laker wondered if he wore his love for Indie so openly.
He’s had been unable to keep his eyes from her throughout the ceremony—unable to stop himself from picturing her as a blushing bride with himself as her doting groom.
She was so effortlessly beautiful. Ethereal, almost, in her shimmering gown wi
th her hair piled atop her head in a chocolate crown. Laker didn’t know the name of the style her dress was or the technical term for her hairstyle, but he did know how to describe the look as a whole. She was stunning. He’d never been so in love before and it both frightened and exhilarated him.
As for Marley and Bodhi…
His pride knew no bounds. Watching Marley gently lead her toddling baby brother down the aisle, both of them dressed to the nines in a pretty dress and a miniature suit, made his heart feel as though it was going to burst. Not for the first time, he wished they were his to be proud of and love. He wished they had his features mixed with Indie’s and were conceived with the love he had for their mother instead of the fear she must really have felt. Laker wished that when Marley misbehaved and Indie had to call her full name, it was ‘Marley Grace McKinley’ instead of ‘Ashby.’
Selfishly, he just wished they were his. In his heart, he felt like they were.
.
.
.
Daddy. I’m their daddy.
Laker couldn’t believe his luck.
Marley wanted him to be her daddy—her and Bodhi’s daddy—and now he was.
As he twirled Marley around the dance floor and blew raspberries on sought Indie.
Now, all he had to do was persuade her that they had to be a family.
A real family of four—Mamma, Daddy, Little Sweet, and Tesoro.
.
.
.
He couldn’t stop.
Her lips tasted sweet and he was already addicted to the sugar high.
Between increasingly heated kisses they took turns being the first to whisper ‘I love you’s,’ their hands gripping harder with each passing minute.
And it had been a few—minutes, that is.
Laker lost track of time somewhere between Indie trailing her fingers over his bare scar and admitting that she loved him.
Reagan’s entrance was like a bucket of icy water being thrown over them.
.
.