The last six months have gone by quickly and so much has happened. After Hadley’s father was removed from the family, Gerrick stepped up and took his place. There was some rumbling amongst the family, but he proved that he was the right person for the job weeks later, and has held a strong position ever since. I don’t have to like what he does, but I no longer judge him for it. It would be hypocritical of me, seeing as I am marrying his sister.
Us getting married, well that was my girl’s idea. We had come to Solana Beach two weeks ago, to visit Sophie and the boys before Hadley couldn’t travel. She loves the house and the beach so I had Hawke fly us to the main land and we’ve been here ever since. During our first week here, we were walking along the beach at sunset when Hadley dropped to one knee and asked me to marry her. Initially, I thought she was in pain so I dropped down in front of her to make sure she was okay. I didn’t hear what she said, only catching on when she held out the ring and repeated the words. I was speechless, but found my voice quickly to say yes.
Turning as the music starts, a hand clasps my shoulder in support and I catch Stephen grinning at me. He and Hadley clicked straight away and deep down, I think she has been good for him. My girl told me they spoke about Sherlyn and I won’t deny I was worried to begin with, but when you see these two together, it removes all doubt. When he is joking with Hadley, you see glimpses of the Stephen from before and it gives me hope that he’s going to be okay. It was a no brainer that he needed to be my best man, and he accepted straightaway. The fact that he did, blew me away.
My sister makes her way toward us, a smile radiating on her face. She looks beautiful and if the reaction from Ben beside Stephen is anything to go by, he agrees. Man, those two have it bad. Emerging at the top of the staircase is my stunning wife-to-be. How she managed to get up all those stairs without tiring herself out is beyond me, but she has and now she is making her way toward me as well. Standing beside her with his arm linked with hers, is Gerrick. He was the only one Hadley has told about the pregnancy and the wedding. In her eyes, she has no other family except him, and now mine.
Stopping beside me, the chaplan does his thing and asks who will give this woman to this man. Gerrick steps forward at that and tells him, he does – making my precious one smile. Under her veil, I can see a lone tear slide down her cheek as she kisses her brother and thanks him. He touches her cheek through the veil briefly and whispers you’re welcomed before stepping back and taking his place with my parents.
All I can think of as the chaplan says the words that will bind us together forever is how lucky I am. When he says the words, I now pronounce you husband and wife, and tells me I can kiss my bride, I lift Hadley’s veil. Pulling her to me, I kiss the life out of her.
There are cheers and whistles around us as we pull away from each other. Holding my wife’s gaze, I mouth the words thank you and lead her toward her new family.
The End
After the Dust Settles (California Dreaming Book 3) Page 16