“Josie Moss, you will not trick me into going there.”
“Mom, I’m not,”
I lifted my left hand and showed her the ring Liam had given me. Well, it wasn’t pretty because at short notice he’d put it together out of items from Gran’s craft box.
“Who are you marrying…don’t tell me it’s a werebear?”
“If you mean Liam Quinn, yep he’s going to be your son-in-law and father of all your future grandchildren. Oh did I tell you Dad is in charge of the soccer club?”
My mother fell back on the couch.
“Well are you going to attend or not? Gran’s pretty excited about the whole thing, even having to stay in a tent overnight to get there.”
*****
Liam was right, what woman could resist being with her daughter on her wedding day. I never thought he’d use his skills as a Transporter to escort his bride and her family safely to Sanctuary but that’s what happened.
He couldn’t think of what to give me as a wedding gift but I know nothing would compare seeing my parents set eyes on one another again.
“Do I look alright? No, I don’t, there are bags under my eyes from sleeping on the ground in the tent. I knew I should have raised my head up more,” my mom said, as we got to the gate.
“You’re beautiful,” I told her. “Dad’s going to think so too.”
Liam did his secret tap-tap on the door and once again it was Miles who let us in.
“And you must be Julie,” he said, extending his hand.
She shook it but I could tell she was nervous as she checked out the place.
“Let’s get settled in because if I don’t hang my dress up I’m going to look like shit at the wedding,” Gran said.
“Mother, you’ll have to watch your language,” Mom said.
Miles laughed. “That’s okay, this is Sanctuary and swearing’s perfectly okay.”
Gran got hold of Miles’ arm. “Show me to my accommodation.”
They walked away and then Mom grabbed my hand.
“I don’t think I can do this after all.”
“Yes, you can and I’m going to take you to Dad’s house right now.”
I let Liam take our bags while I took Mom’s hand and we made our way to my father.
“He lives here?” she asked when we got to the house.
“Yep, and the painting you gave him is still on the wall.”
“That’s where we first made love…by that lake.”
I smiled and knocked on the door. A few minutes later, my father opened it for us.
He didn’t look at me but straight at my mother and I recognized the look of someone in love. I wouldn’t have known what that was until I met Liam. Each time he looked at me he had a sparkle in his eyes, just like the one I saw in Dad’s.
“Julie, is it really you or have I died?”
“It’s me, it’s me,” she sobbed. She fell into his arms and they hugged so long I thought maybe they’d both died at that very moment.
When they finally pulled away, tears filled both their pairs of eyes.
“Why don’t I give you two some alone time and I’ll come back in later. I have to go see what Gran’s up to anyway.”
They didn’t say anything, didn’t protest and my mom simply followed Dad into the house and I shut the door.
*****
When Liam, Gran and I got back, they were sitting on the couch. Dad’s arm was around Mom’s shoulders and they were laughing together. It was the happiest scene I’d ever seen.
“Nice to see you again,” Dad told Gran.
“I’m happy to be here and to see my girl reunited with the only man she’s ever loved.”
He turned to Mom and kissed her. “We’ll never be apart again. We’re family now.”
Gran put her arms through mine and Liam’s. “I don’t know about you but I’m ready to turn in for the night because we have a wedding first thing in the morning. You all ready to walk your daughter down the aisle?”
“I am and it’s going to be the second happiest day of my life,” Dad said. “And you know the rule, right? You and Liam can’t spend the night before the wedding under the same roof. So Liam you’re going to stay at Miles’ home and our little girl’s going to be with us. And Maggie, I’ve arranged for you to stay at an older werebear couple’s home and I know you’re going to love them.”
I hated the thought of being one night without Liam but tomorrow we’d start a new life together. I kissed him and Gran goodnight.
“You be good and get plenty of rest because the wedding night’s going to be the sexiest one of your life,” Liam whispered to me.
I waved him goodbye and thought maybe Dad would sleep on the couch and give Mom his room or even have Mom sleep in the spare room with me, but a little after ten they announced they were going to bed and proceeded to both head to Dad’s bedroom.
After turning in a few minutes later, I’d hoped to get a good night’s sleep. It was my last one as a single woman, but the noise coming from Dad’s room kept me awake.
“You’ve kept in such good shape and so flexible,” I heard Dad saying.
I wanted to laugh but didn’t want them to know I was eavesdropping.
“It’s the yoga,” Mom said.
“Whatever it is I love it. Come here Julie Moss and let me make love to you like old times.”
I heard her giggle and a few minutes later the sound of the bed creaking filled the silence.
“Oh Holy Cannoli, I’m coming,” Mom shouted.
I put my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud.
She moaned and groaned, called Dad’s name and then he shouted so loud I think most of Sanctuary must have known that he’d had found his release too.
There was silence for two hours. It was the only sleep I got because they started making love again and didn’t quit until it was almost time to get up for the wedding.
They didn’t look tired. They didn’t have bags under their eyes like me, the bride, but I didn’t mind because they looked so happy and in love.
After Dad zipped up Mom’s dress, he slapped her on the ass making her giggle again.
“There’s our girl and doesn’t she look so beautiful,” Dad said, when I stepped out in my white dress. “I hope Liam knows how lucky he is.”
“I think he does,” I said.
“Okay, then,” he said offering me his arm. “Let’s go walk down the aisle.”
Chapter Twenty
Josie Moss took my breath away in very much the same way she had when I’d first set eyes on her. I’d asked Miles to be my best man and I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw both Josie’s parents walking her toward me.
As she arrived at my side, I knew it wasn’t really allowed but I leaned over and kissed her.
“We’re here to join Liam Quinn and Josie Moss…” began the werebear overseeing the ceremony.
“Make that Josie Nolan,” her dad said.
“And Josie Nolan as forever mates.”
Forever mates, I loved the sound of that.
We wouldn’t be recognized as partners in the human society but here in my world, and now Josie’s world, we were one.
As the werebear waved the rings above our heads and announced we were now joined, I grabbed Josie and kissed her like I never wanted to let her go which I never did.
“Excuse me, we have an announcement to make,” said Josie’s father. “There will be a second wedding now to join me and Josie’s mother.”
Josie threw her arms around them and the three of them hugged.
After the ceremony and lots of family photos, the five of us sat down to a meal.
“Mom, you know I’m staying here in Sanctuary right?” Julie turned to Maggie.
“Of course. A woman’s place is by her husband.”
“We’re staying too,” said Josie.
I turned and looked at her.
“Look who’s going to be wearing the pants in your household,” said Maggie which
made us all laugh.
“We’re going to be a husband and wife team of Transporters,” said Josie.
“Guess you really are wearing the pants,” I said. “And I can’t wait to get them off you in about an hour’s time,” I whispered.
She squeezed my thigh.
“I’m staying too. I mean you’re my family and what would I do without you back in Bay Harbor,” Maggie said.
Josie kissed Maggie, then her parents and took my hand as we walked away to our honeymoon suite.
“I’m really glad you’re the one you came to arrest me that day,” I said.
“I am too,” she said, pulling out a pair of handcuffs.
“You going to use them on me?” I asked.
“Maybe. You going spank me?”
“Maybe.”
I winked at her and we both burst out laughing as we headed toward our future.
The End.
About the Author
Vanessa Devereaux is the bestselling author of eight plus books, including Who’s the Boss, Cater to Me and Seduced by a Cowboy. Her favorite stories to write are historical erotica and ones featuring either bear shifters or cowboys. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching aspiring authors. You can find out more about Vanessa at her Web site, www.vanessadevereaux.com and follow her on Twitter @vandevereaux
Other Books by Vanessa Devereaux
Masters of Pleasure-Lord Finley
Masters of Pleasure-Lord Sandford
The Bear Next Door-Forbidden Shifters
The Boss-Fantasy LLC
The Handyman-Fantasy LLC
Seduced by a Cowboy
Cater to Me
Masters of Pleasure-James
Masters of Pleasure-Ian
Calum-Cowboy Tough
Always a Thief
Upcoming Books by Vanessa Devereaux
Bearing It All-Forbidden Shifters
Sweet Seduction-Cowbear Haven
Aiden-Cowboy Tough
Big Bad Bear (Forbidden Shifters Book 3) Page 6