by Andria Large
“To love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part.”
When Tucker finishes, Duke hands me Tucker’s ring and reiterates what he said to Tucker, and I place the ring on his left ring finger and hold it there while I recite my vows.
With a huge grin, Duke says, “By the power vested in me by the Internet, I now pronounce you husbands! You may kiss the shit out of each other!”
Tucker and I laugh as we wrap our arms around each other and try to kiss around our smiles. It’s kind of difficult.
“I am proud to present to you, Mr. and Mr. Parrish-McCoy!” Duke exclaims as we turn to face the crowd for the first time as a married couple. And yeah, we hyphenated our names.
The crowd erupts, whistling and hollering and throwing rice at us as we walk back down the aisle hand in hand. I can’t stop the pure joy pouring out of me right now. We make our way up onto the back porch. I grab Tucker by the face and kiss him again, this time with tongue. The catcalls are immediate. We’re interrupted by an ecstatic Duke, who crashes into us, wrapping his arms around both of us in a group hug. He lets out a whoop, then declares it’s time to party. Everyone cheers and I shake my head. We’re all screwed.
TUCKER
THE CATERING crew Regina hired takes over after the ceremony to move around chairs and set up the table. Everyone hangs out on the back porch while waiters walk around with hors d’oeuvres and champagne. One long rectangular table is set up and given a centerpiece, which consists of multitiered glass cylinders with lit candles down the middle of the entire table. When we are all called to sit, everyone makes their way to the table. There are no assigned seats, since it’s such a small crowd. Dennis and I sit in the middle, right in front of the arbor. The DJ also gets set up on the porch and turns on some nice dinner music while we eat.
We have a delicious three-course meal ahead of us, or at least that’s what we’ve been told. As everyone is finishing up their salads, Lizette stands and taps her butter knife on her wineglass to get everyone’s attention. As the conversations die down, I turn slightly in my chair to look up at my sister-in-law, who is standing next to Dennis.
“Since Duke already said his piece during the ceremony, I think it’s only fair I get to say a little something.” She smiles and places her hand on Dennis’s shoulder. “Dennis and I didn’t have the greatest childhood. I relied on him to basically keep me alive. He’s served as my brother, mother, and father for as long as I can remember. When I turned eighteen and was able to move out of our parents’ house, he joined the Marines. He wanted to make something of himself and to become a better provider for me. He ended up doing multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. When he finally came home for good, he was a changed man, mentally and physically. I didn’t know this guy. What I did know was that he wasn’t my brother who signed up to join the Marines all those years ago.
“The day I met Tucker was the first time in years I saw Dennis smile and laugh. Slowly, I watched as my brother came back to life, and I started to recognize him again. I got to see the light brighten in his eyes that I thought was gone forever. His laugh became more and more frequent; it wasn’t just a distant memory anymore. I have only one person to thank for returning my brother to me, and that’s Tucker.”
Lizette’s eyes meet mine, and she gives me a watery smile. My throat clogs with emotion, and I try to swallow past the lump. Fuck my emotions today; they’re all over the place.
“Tucker, I love you and appreciate you more than you know. I’m so honored to be able to call you my brother-in-law. I could not have asked for a better person to be the one to take care of my brother for the rest of his life. Congratulations, and I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness. Cheers.”
Lizette raises her glass, and everyone follows suit, clinking their glasses together before taking a sip. I stand, along with Dennis, and hug Lizette and tell her how much I love her as I blink back tears.
When we sit back down, Dennis’s hand finds my knee under the table. I glance over to find him smiling adoringly at me. I lean over and give him a light, lingering kiss. Throughout dinner, the conversations are happy and joyous. I’m having a hard time listening or getting involved in any of them because my focus is solely on Denny. I can’t take my eyes off him. His beard is trimmed up nice, his green eyes are sparkling more than ever, the smile on his face seems to be a permanent fixture, and his dark hair is freshly cut and slicked back, making him look suave. His large hand remains on my thigh for the remainder of dinner, making me think about getting him out of his tux sooner rather than later.
After dinner, the DJ plays some dancing music, starting with the Cupid Shuffle. Line dances always get people onto the dance floor. Well, it gets Duke onto the dance floor anyway. For some odd reason, he knows the dance and is dancing on the lawn by himself. Eventually, the ladies go and put him out of his misery by joining in.
About an hour into the drinking and dancing, Regina proclaims that it’s time to cut the cake. As Dennis and I make our way over to the small round table on the porch where the cake is set up, I glance over at him. He’s got a devilish grin on his face, so I know he’s planning on smashing the cake into mine. We stand next to each other and hold the knife together as we cut the bottom layer of cake. We cut two pieces and each take one. Everyone is standing at the bottom of the porch stairs yelling for us to smash the cake in each other’s faces. I turn to Dennis, cake in hand, and can’t help but laugh at the mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I’m going to kick your ass,” I warn him.
“I’d like to see you try,” he goads.
Stupid me unknowingly put my back to the stairs. I should have known better because the next thing I know, someone is grabbing me from behind, smashing my own cake-filled hand into my face just as Dennis smashes me with his. The place is roaring with laughter as I sputter. I swipe the cake from my eyes to find Dennis doubled over, laughing hysterically. When I turn to see who fucking grabbed me, I find Duke standing there with an innocent look on his face.
“What?” he asks, as if he did nothing wrong.
“You dick! I’m going to kick your ass for that!”
He bursts out laughing and takes off down the stairs. I try to go after him but end up slipping on icing and falling flat on my face. Son of a bitch! I roll onto my back and just lay there, covered in cake and icing. Dennis comes over, tears streaming down his face as he tries to breathe. He’s clutching his stomach as he laughs harder than I’ve ever seen him laugh before. It looks good on him.
“Are… are you okay?” he asks, gasping for air.
“Peachy,” I mutter dryly.
He holds out his hands for me, and I take them, letting him drag me to my feet. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” His laughter slowly dies, but the giant smile on his face stays.
He wraps his arm around my waist and leads me into the kitchen. He walks me over to the sink and looks through drawers until he finds a dish towel. He turns back to me, blinks, and then bursts out laughing all over again.
“Mmm-hmm, keep it up, Chuckles. See if you get any tonight,” I mumble, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Aw, come on, you have to admit that was really fucking funny.” Dennis grins, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Damn, I love seeing him so fucking happy.
I cock an eyebrow at him that has him snickering. He starts wiping the cake and icing from my face. I watch him as he does so. “I love you,” I blurt.
His eyes flick to mine. The smile on his face softens as he says, “I love you too.”
When he finishes cleaning off my face, avoiding my mouth completely, he tosses the towel on the counter and presses himself against me. I drape my arms around his neck as he brushes his lips over mine. I suck in a sharp breath and wait for him to do more. Dennis drags his tongue along my bottom lip, licking away the icing he left there.
“Mmm, you taste delicious.” His voice is low and seductive, sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. My cock hardens in
an instant, and his obviously does too, as it’s now tucked firmly against mine between our bodies.
He presses his lips harder against mine and swipes his tongue into my mouth. I hum my approval and glide my tongue along his, tasting the sweetness of the icing. The kiss turns heated very quickly, and soon I’m panting as Dennis kisses his way down my neck.
A throat clearing has us both whipping our heads around to the back door. Beau is standing there, eyebrow cocked with Gia in one arm while he covers her eyes with the other hand.
“Not the time for that,” he scolds halfheartedly. “Still have more partying to do.”
Dennis and I groan in disappointment.
“Sorry. You might have gotten away with it had this one not pooped.” Beau chuckles as he walks through the kitchen and out of sight up the stairs.
Dennis sighs and takes a step back. Both of us have to readjust the tents in our pants.
“To be continued.” Dennis scowls.
I grunt in agreement, then take my husband’s hand and lead him to the door so we can enjoy the rest of our reception with our friends and family.
Epilogue
Ten years later
TUCKER
“BABE! WE’RE gonna be late!” I call up the stairs of our two-story home.
“I’m coming!” Dennis yells, racing down the steps a minute later.
He looks nice in his dark jeans and blue polo shirt. He grabs his wallet, phone, and the keys I’m holding up on his way to the garage, where we get in the car. Dennis backs out a little faster than I’m comfortable with, but, hey, we’re running late.
“She’s gonna kill us if we’re not there in time,” I mutter, sending my husband of ten years a sideways glance.
“I’m sorry! I had to take a dump. I’d rather not shit my pants when we go out,” Dennis huffs.
I chuckle and drop my head back to the headrest. “Yeah, I’d rather you not do that either.”
About nine years ago, Dennis and I decided to leave New York City and follow Beau, Lizette, and Gia to New Jersey. Beau and Lizette wanted a more suburban atmosphere to raise Gia in. When Dennis asked about moving so we could be closer to them, I was all for it. It actually put me closer to Selene, Max, and my dad—who ended up moving to Philly to be closer to them too. Selene and Rhys divorced shortly after Dennis and I got married. Selene got remarried two years later to a really nice guy who loves Max like his own. Rhys and I are still on the outs, but my dad told me that he remarried too.
We found a house two blocks away from Beau and Lizette. I was able to find a new job in the area almost right away. Dennis, on the other hand, had other ideas. He wanted to open his own business. He was done working in a bar as a bouncer. So with the help of Duke and me, he opened up a self-defense studio. He trains everyone, from young kids to women and men of all ages. It’s great for him. He knows how to fight and he’s patient, which makes him a good teacher. He’s had the business for eight years now, and it’s doing fantastic; every class is full, and he’s constantly getting new clients.
Duke and Arianna are still in New York because her cupcake shop is booming there and it would be silly for them to leave. But it’s okay; we see one another plenty with weekend trips twice a month.
We pull into the school’s parking lot and park. Luckily it doesn’t seem like we’re the only ones running a little behind; there are some other people making their way into the school auditorium. We look around until we spot Lizette and Beau, who saved us seats close to the front. We sit just as the lights turn off and the curtain comes up. We clap as the cutest little kids make their way onto the stage. They are dressed in costumes for Little Red Riding Hood.
I spot our girl, who is playing Little Red, and catch her eye. She gives me a huge smile and a small wave before she has to turn back to say her lines. It’s funny how kids this young can be so dramatic. The play is only twenty minutes long, but it’s cute as shit and totally worth sitting through. When it’s over, the kids line up across the stage and take a bow. Me, Dennis, Lizette, and Beau all stand and cheer, clap, and whistle for the cutest little girl with the curly brown hair.
After the curtain closes, we make our way backstage with Lizette and Beau. It’s a bit hectic back there with all the parents looking for their kids. We finally see her when she calls, “Daddy!”
She races toward us and throws herself into my arms. I scoop her up and give her a big bear hug. “Hey, sweetie! You did great up there!”
“Thanks!”
I then hand her off to Dennis, who gives her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Yeah, Addison, you were fantastic!”
“Thanks, Daddy D.”
Addison Parrish-McCoy is our bubbly, little six-year-old princess. We had her via surrogate. We mixed our sperm together, so we’re not sure which of us is her biological father. And honestly, she has features from both of us. Her eyes are actually a greenish-blue and are the most stunning set of eyes I’ve ever seen. She has brown curly hair and the cutest little nose. She’s on the taller side for her age and skinny as a rail. We like to call her String Bean, which she detests. She’s beautiful and no matter what, she’s mine.
She’s got an extremely outgoing personality, and she’s pretty damn funny. She calls Dennis Daddy D, and I’m Daddy T. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks and does her own thing, which is something I love most about her.
“Hi, Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Beau,” she says as she gives them a hug.
“Hey, cutie,” Beau says, giving her a hug and a kiss on the top of her head. “You did awesome.”
“Totally! I love your costume,” Lizette adds.
“Thanks! Where’s Gia and Boo Boo?”
“They’re still in school,” Beau tells her.
She frowns. “Dang.”
Boo Boo is Beau Jr. Addy came up with the nickname when he was born. She was only one and a half and couldn’t really pronounce Beau too well, so she called him Boo Boo and it stuck.
“Don’t worry. You’ll see them later. They are going to come over for dinner,” Dennis tells her.
“Yay!” She jumps, pumping her fists into the air.
“Come on, let’s sign you out and get outta here,” I say, dropping my hand to the top of her head so I can steer her in the direction of her teacher. She giggles the whole way.
DENNIS
AFTER A dinner of pizza and chicken wings, the kids race off to go play while the adults stay at the table to chat and drink beer. Tucker and I are now in our midforties. Even though we’re older now, and we’ve changed in many ways, we’re still fucking hot as hell for each other.
My hair is starting to gray, and Tucker, the bastard, doesn’t have one gray hair yet. I’m getting suspicious, though; I think he’s dying it behind my back. Neither of us is as muscular as we used to be, but we’re still fit, especially for our ages. And of course, we’ve got more creases around our eyes and mouths, but I like to believe that’s from all the laughing and smiling we do, not because we’re older.
Seven years ago, when we finally decided to have a kid, I was still afraid I wouldn’t make a good father because of my issues with PTSD and depression. But after not having any problems with either for a couple years, I realized they were under control, and if we were going to have kids, we needed to do it before we got any older.
As soon as Addy was born, though, I knew I was going to be the best father ever. I promised myself and her that I would do everything I could to give her the perfect life. I think I’ve done a pretty good job so far. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without my partner in crime, Tucker. He’s an amazing father too. And together we make an even better parenting team.
I still find it hard to believe sometimes that this is my life. When I first came home after losing my leg and Zara, I figured I’d never truly be happy again. Now, here I am, married to my best friend, raising a beautiful daughter, and I could not be happier. I have Tucker to thank for a lot of that. I would not be here without his constant love and support. I was a
t war—not only physically but emotionally too—for so many years. Then I met Tucker and found my forever.
ANDRIA LARGE is a traditionally published and self-published contemporary romance author. She doesn’t always follow the rules, so you will find both M/F and M/M books mixed into some of her series.
Henry from the Beck Brothers Series was the first book she self-published. Not expecting anything to really come of it, she was shocked to find the book caught wind and readers were asking for more. Writing books was not something she had set out to do. She wrote stories for herself, as a hobby. Now that it has become her career, she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Andria grew up in Philadelphia, but now lives in New Jersey with her two daughters and wonderfully supportive husband, who frequently accompanies her at signings. The events that she attends every year are one of her favorite things about being an author. She loves meeting and conversing with her readers, but also enjoys finding new ones.
Andria considers herself open and friendly, so feel free to send her a message if you have a question or just want to chat.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.AuthorAndriaLarge.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AndriaLargeAuthor
By Andria Large
From War to Forever
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.