“How did that go?” I ask softly.
“Not like I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“I thought they’d say it was my fault. Yell at me. Hell, I would have.” He shakes his head and clears his throat. “But they all said that they knew it wasn’t my fault, and that they wished me nothing but happiness and peace.”
“They sound like good people,” I whisper.
He nods and glides his knuckles down my, watching my lips as I lick them.
“I’m so sorry I ran, Legs.” He exhales and leans in to rest his forehead against mine. “I was so afraid.”
“Why?” I ask.
“Because I was afraid that I would eventually disappoint you. I figured that you and the girls deserved someone who hasn’t been to hell and back and has the baggage to prove it.”
“Oh, Caleb,” I murmur and drag my fingertips down his cheek. “It’s us who doesn’t deserve you.”
He shakes his head but I cover his lips with my fingers before he can interrupt.
“I’m so proud of you. From the minute I met you, I’ve been proud of you. Not many can do what you’ve done, Caleb. I’m sorry that you have demons, that you lost your men in that mission, but that doesn’t make you less of a man, any more than my baggage from my first marriage makes me less of a woman.”
I sigh as he sweeps his hand up and down my back, soothing us both.
“You need to know, we’re a package deal, Caleb. My girls and I are a team, and if you want to be a part of my life, you have to join the team, not just me.”
He frowns and stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Brynna, you don’t have to remind me of that. I’ve never given you any reason to think that I don’t want your girls.” He kisses my forehead before smiling softly down at me. “They asked me if I was gonna come home where I belong. I told them that was up to you.”
“They love you, you know,” I murmur. “They were devastated after you left. Maddie cried for days. Even Bix couldn’t console her. We adopted him permanently, by the way.”
He nuzzles my nose with his own and then backs away before kissing me, watching me closely.
“I love the three of you with all my heart, Brynna. Your girls may not have come from me, but no one will ever love them more. Let me give all of you my name. Marry me.”
I swallow and my jaw drops in shock. My damn eyes are leaking again, but I can’t move to brush the tears away.
“I want to adopt them,” he continues. “Seeing you there in that hospital made everything crystal clear for me. The thought of ever losing you is like a knife twisting in my soul. I want more babies with you. I want to give you everything you’ve ever wanted.”
I continue to silently cry and watch his handsome face, his deep blue eyes are moist and full of emotion, and I know without a doubt, he is meant for my girls and me.
He’s ours, and we are his.
“You are my happy, Legs. Marry me.”
I smile slowly and cup his face with my hand. “We would be honored to marry you, Caleb Montgomery.”
He smiles widely and leans in to kiss me. Gently. Tenderly. Lovingly.
“Love you so much,” he whispers against my lips, sending tingles through me.
“Love you too, stubborn man,” I whisper back and kiss him, sweeping my lips over his, enjoying the way his stubble feels against my face.
“Keep kissing me like this,” he murmurs and kisses a trail down my jawline to my neck. “And I’ll forget that you were in an accident the other night and have a concussion.”
“I missed kissing you,” I mutter.
He pulls back and cups my face tenderly in his hand, staring down at me longingly. “God, I missed it too. I missed you.”
“Thank you for coming home.”
“You’re gonna marry me.” He smiles proudly.
“We are,” I nod and smile back. “When?”
“As soon as possible. There’s no need to wait.” He shrugs and frowns. “How big of a wedding do you want?”
“I’d love it if it was just our family,” I confess with a shy smile. “Something small and intimate with the people closest to us sounds perfect to me.”
“Hell, we can do that tomorrow.”
“Well, I would like to buy a dress, and the girls will want pretty dresses too,” I remind him.
“Two weeks?”
“I guess I’d better call Alecia the Montgomery party planner extraordinaire and start making plans.”
“Tomorrow,” he agrees. “For right now, I just want to hold you.”
“Good plan.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Mommy! Look how pretty I am!”
I turn from the mirror where my mom is zipping me into my own dress to admire my daughters in their little ivory dresses with pink sashes and pink roses in their dark hair, both smiling so proudly.
“You are both beautiful,” I announce and kiss both of their cheeks. “Caleb is going to be so excited when he sees you.”
“He’s wearing a suit,” Josie informs me with a giggle. “He looks really big in it.”
“The man has the broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen,” Mom agrees with a chuckle.
“I think they’re ready,” Stacy announces as she walks into Steven and Gail’s formal living room, which has been dubbed the bride’s dressing room for today’s event. “Oh, honey, you’re so beautiful.” Her eyes fill with tears and I shake my head adamantly.
“No! No, no, no! No tears today. My makeup is done and I’ll look all red and stupid if I cry, and if you start I will too.” I pull my sweet cousin into a tight hug and fight tears.
“You know, this means we’re really sisters now. Who knew we’d end up marrying brothers?” She giggles as she pulls away and smiles happily. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Thank you.”
“Come on!” My dad calls as he steps in the room. “They’re not going to wait forever.”
“Oh please,” Mom waves him off with a roll of the eyes. “She’s the bride. They’ll wait as long as she wants. Where are they going to go?”
“I’m ready,” I assure them as I turn to take one more look in the mirror. The dress I chose is a simple ivory gown. It’s strapless and form-fitting, but has rouching all the way down to my feet, which are in pink satin Louboutin’s, a gift from Natalie and Jules.
Those girls and their shoes.
My hair is up in a twist at the base of my neck, and I’ve decided to forgo the veil.
I want to see him clear as day when I walk out there before our family and pledge myself and my children to him.
“Okay, I’ll see you out there.” Mom kisses my cheek and smiles wide before leaving the room.
“Here we go.”
Stacy leads us to the back door, and I take a moment to peek out at the beautiful back yard I’m about to get married in. Steven Montgomery’s yard is always lovely, especially in the spring. The fresh scent of lilacs fills the air. Seattle weather had mercy on me today and the sun is out with a light breeze floating through, making it perfect.
Alecia has outdone herself, as usual. She managed to get my favorite restaurant to cater, and they are set up and ready to go under the cover of the patio. Steven’s sound system has been wirelessly piped outside and At Last by Etta James has just started to play.
The family is seated in white folding chairs in the center of the yard in a semi-circle, and everyone is here. Leo Nash even returned late last night from his tour schedule so he could attend.
“Okay, girls, follow me.” Stacy winks at me and clenches her pink-rose bouquet in front of her as she sets off down the yard, and the girls follow, side by side, also clutching small bouquets rather than baskets of petals. When Caleb sees them, his face breaks out in a wide smile and he winks at the girls as they stand off to the side.
“Ready, baby girl?” Daddy smiles down at me.
“Absolutely. Let’s go.”
We step out
side as everyone stands and smiles at us, but I only have eyes for my handsome man. His gorgeous blue eyes are soft and happy as he watches us approach.
“Nervous?” Dad whispers to me.
“Not a bit,” I whisper back.
“You may be seated,” The justice of the peace, Brian Parker, announces.
“Beena!” Olivia announces from Luke’s lap, making us chuckle.
“Yes, Brynna is pretty,” Luke murmurs.
“Who presents Brynna to Caleb?” Mr. Parker asks.
“Her mother and I do,” Dad answers, kisses my cheek and joins my hand with Caleb’s before taking his seat.
I pass my bouquet to Stacy and stand facing Caleb. He winks at me, making me chuckle.
“We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Caleb and Brynna in marriage, but we are also here to celebrate the union of a family.”
I swallow hard as I watch Caleb’s eyes.
“The sacred vows about to be exchanged are not just between Brynna and Caleb because you will not only be a new couple, you will be a new family. So, Madeline and Joseline, will you please join us now for the special family rites of this wedding?”
Caleb and I step back as Josie and Maddie approach, standing between us. Caleb pulls two necklaces out of his jacket pocket. They are platinum chains with heart pendants that have today’s date inscribed on the back.
As he drapes the first necklace over Maddie’s neck, his strong voice fills the air with the vows he’s written for each of them.
“I love you, Maddie, and I am devoted to making your life full of happiness and accomplishments, nurturing your creativity, encouraging your independence and making sure you always know what a gift you are to this world.” He kisses her forehead and she smiles up at him happily before admiring her pretty new necklace.
My eyes fill with tears as he turns to Josie.
“I love you, Josie, and I am devoted to making your life full of happiness and accomplishments, ensuring that you thrive to your fullest potential and that while you reach for the sky, you remain grounded by the love of our family and our home.”
There are many sniffles coming from our family now as Caleb kisses Josie’s forehead and then turns back to me.
“Girls,” Mr. Parker begins, “Please come stand by me as we marry Mommy and Caleb. We want you to have a front row seat.”
Maddie tugs on the hem of his jacket, and Mr. Parker looks down at her with a smile. “Yes, sweetie?”
“His name is Daddy now,” She whispers loudly so everyone can hear, making us all laugh.
“Of course,” Mr. Parker laughs. “Excuse me.”
“Caleb and Brynna, please join hands and face each other. Josie, do you have the ring for Daddy?”
Josie hops up and down and opens her hand so Caleb can have my ring. I gasp when I see it. We picked the rings out together, but seeing my ring, with the two bands that twist together, signifying our girls, coming together at the center with a beautiful princess-cut diamond takes my breath away.
“Caleb, please place the ring on Brynna’s finger and repeat after me.”
Caleb looks into my eyes as he repeats our vows. His own eyes moisten and it’s enough to send a tear falling down my own cheek.
“I give you my promise to be by your side forevermore. I promise to love, to honor, and to listen as you tell me your thoughts, your hopes, your fears and your dreams. I promise to love you deeply and truly because it is your heart that moves me, your head that challenges me, your humor that delights me and your hands I wish to hold until the end of my days.”
He brings my hand to his lips and gently kisses my knuckle, just above my ring.
“Maddie, do you have the ring for your Mom?”
Maddie grins and opens her hand, revealing Caleb’s ring, a simple thick platinum band, that has my name inscribed inside.
“Brynna, please place this ring on Caleb’s finger and repeat after me.”
Holding Caleb’s hand in my own, I repeat my vows to him, the same he just spoke to me.
As I step back, Mr. Parker finishes our short ceremony.
“May all your days be filled with joy and happiness. It is my honor and great pleasure by the power vested in me by the state of Washington, that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride.”
Caleb steps forward, cradles my cheek in one hand and wraps his other arm around my waist and pulls me to him.
“I love you, Mrs. Montgomery.”
He slips his lips over mine, and he kisses me softly, sinking into me slowly and nibbling my lips thoroughly, not caring that our nearest and dearest are all looking on.
Finally, Mr. Parker clears his throat loudly and Caleb laughs as he pulls back and kisses my forehead.
“It’s my pleasure to be the first to introduce Caleb, Brynna, Maddie and Josie Montgomery!”
“Yay!” Josie exclaims and our family jumps to their feet, applauding. Jules and Natalie are wiping tears. Leo is whispering in Sam’s ear and then places a sweet kiss on her neck, making her grin softly.
“Let’s eat!” Will announces right before he gathers me up in a big hug and twirls me about. “It’s about time,” he mutters with a wink.
Before I know it, I’m passed about from brother to brother, caught up in hugs and kisses.
“Congratulations, sweetheart,” Luke murmurs and kisses my cheek.
“Thank you,” I reply with a grin.
This is more male attention than I’ve ever had in my life.
Dominic gathers me close for a hug. In the three months that Caleb was gone, Dom has worked hard to get to know all of us and he’s been a welcome addition to the family.
“You deserve to be this happy,” he whispers to me.
“Hey, get your own girl,” Caleb growls and pulls me out of Dom’s arms with a mock glare.
“You’re the one who left your new wife all alone minutes after marrying her,” Dom taunts him and I can’t help but smirk.
“I will cut you. Wedding or not,” Caleb threatens but Dom throws his head back and laughs hard.
“Yeah. You scare me, brother.” He pats Caleb’s arm and smiles warmly. “Congratulations. Oh, I brought this.” He raises a bottle of wine from next to his chair and smiles. “For you.”
“Oh, thank you so much!” I accept the heavy bottle and admire the pretty label. “Yours?”
“Of course,” he smirks.
“Alecia,” I catch the event planner’s attention as she passes by. “Dominic brought this. I’d like to use it for the toast, please.”
The pretty blonde takes the bottle from me and her eyes go wide when she reads the label. Her wide brown gaze find Dom’s.
“This is a rare bottle of wine. You have good taste.” She smiles at me and walks off toward the house. “I’ll see to it.”
“I love her,” I sigh as I watch her walk away. I would never have been able to pull this wedding off without her.
Suddenly, When The Stars Go Blue begins to play through the sound system and Caleb kisses my hand and then searches the yard. “Well, Maddie and Josie Montgomery, I think it’s time we dance.”
The girls giggle as Caleb lifts them both, one on each arm, and takes them out into the grass where he sways around, talking and laughing with our daughters.
“I’ve never seen him this happy,” Jules murmurs as she and Natalie join me, one on either side of me.
I grin and continue to watch the three most important people in my world.
“He’s gonna be an amazing dad,” Natalie agrees. Suddenly it occurs to me that they’re both sniffling, and I look back and forth between them, laughing.
“You two are so sappy!”
“I can’t help it!” Jules wails and wipes her cheeks. “It’s these damn hormones.”
“I hate being pregnant,” Natalie grumbles, but smiles when she rubs her round belly. “He’s making me all emotional.”
“It’s a boy?” I ask excitedly.
Natalie smiles
and nods happily. “We just found out yesterday.”
“Oh my God, that’s so exciting!” I wrap my arms around her in a big hug.
“I need a hug too!” Jules exclaims and hugs us both.
“What is happening over here?”
We pull apart to find Nate, Luke, Will, Matt and Dom watching us with confused looks.
“We’re happy,” I respond with a shrug.
“Why do girls always cry when they’re happy?” Mark asks as he approaches with a loaded plate.
“Dude, you got food?” Will asks and takes off running toward the house.
“We won’t see him for a while,” Meg smirks and hands me a glass of champagne. “Have you seen your cake?”
“Yes, it’s so pretty!”
“Did the owner of Succulent Sweets in downtown do it?” Sam asks, her blue eyes excited. “Cause if she did, I may eat it all.”
Leo laughs at her and shakes his head. “We just had cupcakes from there this morning.”
“Don’t judge me,” she responds with a scowl. “That woman is really talented. Baking is an art form, you know.”
“What’s your favorite flavor?” I ask her and glace over to where Caleb is still laughing and dancing with the girls. Now Bix is barking and bouncing around them in his black bowtie, getting in on the action.
That dog is never far from the girls.
“Chocolate,” Sam responds automatically.
“I went with chocolate in one tier and lemon in the other,” I respond.
“Yes!” Leo pumps his fist and high fives Sam. “That’s our other favorite.”
“You guys are a hot mess,” Jules shakes her head at them and then seems to reconsider. “Wait. There’s chocolate? You can’t hide chocolate from the pregnant chicks!”
“It’s over there,” I point to the table under the patio where our beautiful two-tiered cake is set up and the baker, Nicole Dolan, is fussing over it. “Have you guys met Nic?”
“No, get her genius self over here,” Sam responds.
I wave to Nic and she grins and joins us in the grass. She’s a petite brunette with her hair in a short asymmetrical bob. Her eyes are bright green.
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