by Anne, Melody
“We’ll see whether Chloe takes it or throws it back in my face, then know whose is better,” Brandon said.
“I can’t believe you bought a ring. I guess you have fallen,” Hudson said. He seemed a bit panicked.
“What’s the matter?” Noah asked.
Hudson’s face grew pale. “It’s like a marriage flu,” he finally said without any humor. “Three of you have succumbed to it. I’m a bit worried I might be next.”
There was a pause before his brothers laughed heartily, even Crew, who was supposed to be the most rational of the family. He was a psychiatrist, after all.
“You don’t catch a marriage bug,” Crew finally said. “If you don’t want to get married, then don’t do it. People take marriage far too cavalierly. I think there’d be a lot less divorce if couples took more time getting to know each other. Marriage shouldn’t be done impulsively.”
“Do you think I’m being too impulsive?” Brandon asked.
Crew thought for a moment, then smiled. “No, I don’t. I’ve been watching you and Chloe dance around each other for a couple of years now. I think I might win the bet.”
Brandon’s eyes narrowed. “What bet?”
Crew smiled. “You had to know we’d be betting on how long it would take, especially when Joseph paired you up with Chloe.”
Brandon should’ve been annoyed that anyone would dare play matchmaker on him or that any bets would be made. But he was so in love with Chloe he couldn’t find even an ounce of irritation.
“I don’t care,” he finally said. “I’m too happy to care about how it began or who had a hand in it.”
“What are you happy about?” a loud voice asked.
“Are you eavesdropping?” Brandon asked Joseph as his huge uncle joined their circle.
“It’s not eavesdropping at my own party,” Joseph said with a stern look. “I know your mama taught you better manners than that.”
Brandon could’ve drawn this out and teased his uncle more, but he was in too good a mood to do that. Instead, he beamed at his uncle.
“I was just telling my annoying brothers that I don’t care how Chloe and I came together—I’m just glad we did.”
Joseph’s grin was brighter than the sun as he clapped Brandon on the back. “I’m very glad to hear it, boy,” he said. He then looked around the crowded room. “Where is Chloe?” He paused and looked some more. “It appears all of your women are missing.”
This made the brothers laugh. “We were wondering that ourselves,” Finn said. “But they’re together, so it could still be a while.”
“Yes, I remember those days. My Katherine still makes me wait on her, and let me tell you, the wait is always worth it,” Joseph assured them.
“Yes, it truly is,” Noah said.
“The music is beginning in a few minutes, so the second they enter, you can parade them around the dance floor. I plan on doing that with Katherine any minute now. There’s no place I enjoy being more than in my wife’s arms.”
“I don’t think she can fit you in her arms,” Finn pointed out.
“Well, it’s a good thing my arms are big enough to carry us both,” Joseph said. He looked over their heads, his eyes finding his wife. Brandon had definitely noticed over the years that Joseph was always well aware of his wife’s location.
“If my love is even half as strong as yours when we’re in our last days, I will call it a success,” Finn said.
Joseph lost his smile as he glared at his nephew. “Are you saying I’m in my last days, young man?”
Finn laughed. “Not at all, Uncle. I think you’re immortal,” Finn said as he held up his hands in surrender.
“Very good retreat,” Joseph told him.
“They’re here,” Brandon whispered, his eyes glued to the door that the three women had just stepped through.
Maybe it was his imagination, but it felt as if the entire room stopped speaking, and the world stood still as Chloe, Brooke, and Sarah moved forward. The world should have stopped at their presence. He’d certainly forgotten how to breathe, let alone how to speak, at the sight of Chloe.
She was stunning, unlike anyone he’d ever seen before. He’d been around the rich and famous, even royals, and the world’s most elite on a regular basis, but her beauty outshone them all. She had such a pureness about her it was simply breathtaking.
She moved forward in a shimmering silver gown that curved to her body before flowing out at the floor. She was free of jewels, her hair the only accessory she needed. She had a confident smile on her lips, and her teeth were gently biting into her bottom lip. He wanted to replace her teeth with his lips, to brush her pouting mouth with his tongue. He wanted to take her somewhere private and, at the same time, show her off on his arm.
She filled him with so many emotions he wasn’t sure which he should act on. But that was one of the reasons he loved being with her. She was unpredictable and beautiful, and she stimulated him in so many ways. She was his—and he was most certainly hers.
He started moving forward before he even knew what he was doing. He couldn’t stand to be away from her for even a moment longer. He could only assume his brothers would be doing the same as him.
They stopped in front of each other, their eyes connecting, and all felt right in the world. Tonight would be the night. He had no doubt about it.
“May I have this dance?” he asked. Chloe looked at him with a deep blush on her cheeks that fascinated him. She was confident, there was no doubt, but she was humble as well. He loved every aspect of her personality.
“There’s nothing I’d like more,” she quickly replied.
He took her hand and led her to the floor. The music had barely just begun, but he’d pull her into his arms whether the band was playing or not. He couldn’t bear to not hold her for a second longer. The sigh that fell from her lips as she snuggled against him nearly dropped him to his knees.
They finished the song and kept dancing into the next one. When she leaned back and looked at him, he knew he wasn’t going to spend another night without her. Some might try to tell him to give it more time, but he knew where he was supposed to be.
With her. Always with her.
“You take my breath away,” he told her. They stopped moving, just standing there in the middle of the dance floor, not caring if anyone was looking at them. This moment was for them and only them.
“I can say the same about you. That tux looks pretty dang hot on you,” she said.
“I can clean up okay,” he told her. “Though I definitely prefer my jeans.”
“I prefer my sweats,” she whispered. “But I’ll have to admit it feels nice to get all dressed up once in a while.”
He leaned down and kissed her, unable to stop himself. It seemed he wasn’t able to keep from touching and kissing this woman on a minute-by-minute basis.
“You do realize you’ve completely taken my heart, don’t you?” he asked, pulling her closer.
“That scares me a little,” she finally said.
“Why would it scare you?” he asked.
“Because I’ve never had a successful relationship. What if this fails?” she said. “I grew up knowing everything had to be perfect—everything I did had to be right. What if this all goes wrong? What if it’s too messy or complicated? There are so many people involved. I could fail them all.”
He was quiet for a moment as he looked at her, loving her even more than he had five minutes earlier. She was everything to him. She would be for the rest of his life. He’d help her see that. He’d help her see that even her perceived weaknesses were actually strengths.
“For one thing, you have had two very successful relationships,” he told her as he turned her to look at her two best friends, who were currently dancing with their husbands. “They love you and would die for you. That kind of loyalty isn’t inspired in many people.”
She smiled as she looked at him, her eyes filling with tears. He cupped her cheek. “And for another, I
, for one, am glad you haven’t had a lasting relationship with another man, because then you wouldn’t be here with me. You are loyal, passionate, and loving. And the fates have somehow smiled upon me and brought us together. We’ve been together long enough for you to know how in love with you I am,” he said, looking deep in her eyes. “Just look at me, and see if you can find an ounce of deception in my words. I love you. There isn’t anything I won’t do for you—ever. Give us a chance to truly shine together, and let me show you what my love means. Let me show you how messy can be perfect.”
Chloe’s eyes filled the rest of the way, and tears flowed down her cheeks as she gazed at him. Hope sprang into her expression, and he knew he was doing the right thing. It was all about timing and speaking the truth.
He dropped to his knee and pulled out the box that had been in his pocket for weeks. He’d looked at the diamond a thousand times. Her eyes widened as her lips parted. He was barely aware of the music stopping or the eyes that were all on them. He didn’t register Joseph’s huge grin as he fist-bumped his brother George.
“Chloe, you’ve brought joy and hope to my heart. I can’t picture my life without you. Please, take away my suffering and marry me,” he asked.
She didn’t take her eyes off him. And he didn’t look away from her. He wanted her to see the truth in his eyes. Besides that, he was holding his breath as he waited for her answer. She was either going to trust him or not. But he knew he wouldn’t give up, even if her answer wasn’t yes on this night. They were meant to be together, and he had no doubt that wasn’t going to change.
After what felt like an eternity, she nodded as the tears continued to flow. Brandon jumped to his feet and pulled her into his arms, then lifted her high off the ground and locked his lips to hers. She fell into his kiss, and he knew this was truly the best day of his entire life.
He wasn’t sure how long their kiss went on before he noticed the sound of applauding around him. He reluctantly pulled from Chloe, whose cheeks turned scarlet as she realized they weren’t alone. Both of them had completely tuned out the rest of the world for this precious moment. Brandon took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger, the gem sparkling brightly in the perfectly lit room. He turned toward the swarm of people, his lips turned up so much his cheeks were beginning to ache.
“She said yes,” he said. Their friends and family erupted into applause all over again. His brothers came over and clapped him on the back before giving him hugs while Sarah and Brooke engulfed Chloe in a group hug and squealed.
All the air was sucked from Brandon’s body as Joseph enveloped him in a hug so tight he was wondering if he had a few cracked ribs when his uncle let him go.
“You’ve done very good, son,” Joseph said.
“Yes, I have,” Brandon agreed.
Chloe looked up, and their eyes met again. They pushed past all the people offering their congratulations and fell into each other’s arms again. He couldn’t quit smiling as they gazed at each other.
“I love you, Brandon,” she told him. It was the first time she’d spoken the words, and that was when he knew how powerful those three words truly were.
“I love you, Chloe,” he said, then kissed her again. The cheering of their friends drew them apart. “Is it time to leave yet?” he asked.
She laughed with pure joy. “Not a chance. I just got engaged. I’m going to enjoy my five seconds of fame as the belle of the ball tonight.”
“As you wish, my princess,” he said with a bow that had her laughing.
He might have been joking, but he truly did mean the words. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do or give to this woman. And their journey together was only just beginning.
Her mother stepped up to her, a smile on her face. “You look absolutely radiant,” her mother said.
Chloe wrapped her arms around her mother in a messy, hard hug. “I feel amazing,” she said. “I love him.”
“That’s more than obvious, darling. I’m glad you have found yourself. I know I haven’t always communicated in the best way, but your father and I both want you to get all of your dreams.”
The words obviously shocked Chloe. Brandon knew her mother had never said anything like this to her before, and he was sure she didn’t know how to reply.
Her father saved her from having to do so. He took Chloe from her mother and gave her a hug.
“Your mother couldn’t have said it better. Watching you this past year has made us realize we’ve made many mistakes in life. One thing we got absolutely right was in having you and seeing the beautiful, talented woman you’ve turned out to be. We’re very happy for you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” she said. Brandon knew she’d always called her parents by their formal names of Mother and Father. He was glad to see that tight hold loosening. Formalities had been instilled in Chloe since she was a very young child.
“Mr. Hitman, can we ask you some questions?” a reporter said as she pushed her way in, having zero issues with any sort of boundaries. Before Chloe’s father could say anything, the woman continued. “This veterans facility is making news all across the globe. Will you be hosting some cooking shows in the fabulous kitchen to bring more awareness to the project?”
A camera crew was on the edges of their group, their lenses focused on Chloe’s famous father. Chloe smiled proudly at the man she’d been lucky enough to grow up with. She was obviously in shock when he spoke.
“Tonight is all about my daughter and her soon-to-be family, who have put their hearts and souls into this project. My daughter, Chloe, designed this kitchen and will be the one hosting some cooking shows here. I couldn’t be more proud of her.” He turned and winked at Chloe. “The show is all yours,” he finished. Then he took her mother’s hand and moved out of view of the cameras.
Tonight was a night of firsts for all of them. Chloe’s parents had told her they were proud of her. And then they’d given her the credit she hadn’t known she’d wanted, but Brandon knew it meant a lot to her. She was proud of this project he’d had to drag her into. She looked at Brandon, who smiled down at her.
Then she faced the cameras and smiled. “Let me tell your viewers how best they can help . . . ,” she began.
This journey they were on was only just beginning. He couldn’t wait to see where the road would take them next.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Three months later
“I can’t believe this day has arrived. It seems to have taken forever and yet gotten here in the blink of an eye,” Brandon told Crew as they got ready. His other brothers were in and out of the room. It all seemed a bit of a blur.
“I can’t believe she hasn’t wised up and left you,” Crew said with a grin. “Of course, it’s not too late. You might be standing at the head of that aisle with birds chirping.”
The smile fell from Brandon’s face. “I don’t even know how I’d handle that,” he admitted.
Crew laughed. “That was a very bad joke. It’s more than obvious how the two of you feel about each other. Nothing will stop this marriage from happening.”
“I’ve never loved someone like this. It’s both awing and terrifying at the same time. I don’t know how people get through the loss of loving this much and then losing the person.”
Crew patted him on the back. “Maybe I’ll find out what it feels like someday—to love, not to lose,” he clarified.
Brandon assessed his brother. “You’ve changed a lot over the years,” he told him.
“Yeah, I have. I think we all have,” Crew said.
“Is there something that’s made the change?” It was nice for Brandon to focus on something other than himself. He was nervous—but not to be marrying Chloe. That was the best decision he’d ever made. He was just anxious to say I do.
Crew shook his head and gave Brandon a crooked grin. It might’ve worked on someone who didn’t know his siblings as well as Brandon did, but they couldn’t easily fool each other. But before they could delve further into i
t, Crew clapped him on the shoulder again.
“We’ve got to set aside all of this sappy stuff. Today is a happy day. You’re marrying the perfect woman for you—hell, for most men,” Crew said, quickly pulling himself together.
“I agree with you on that. Just know if you ever need anything, I’m always here for you, just as you’ve always been there for me and the rest of our brothers,” Brandon said.
“You’ve already proven that time and time again,” Crew responded.
They didn’t often hug, even though there was no shortage of love, but right then Brandon hugged his brother. He was grateful for Crew and for all of them. Just as they parted, Finn, Noah, and Hudson walked in.
“What’s going on in here?” Noah asked.
“We’re just being reminded why we’re so lucky to have the family we have,” Brandon said.
“I can easily toast to that,” Hudson said. “Not to get too sappy, but since you started it, I can’t imagine a better life.” He paused, and none of his brothers interrupted. “We’ve been blessed time and time again. We were saved from our horrific father without inheriting any of his traits, were given the most amazing mother in the world, and now have this extended family. We should never forget that we have so much more than so many others. I know I do sometimes, but I never mind being reminded.”
“I’m thankful for Joseph and thankful for everything. There’s nothing in this world I couldn’t handle as long as I have you guys there and, of course, now my beautiful wife and kids,” Finn said.
“I love that the women we’ve been lucky enough to marry have added so much to this family, taking nothing away. I didn’t know life could be this good,” Noah added.
“To family, to friends, and most importantly to Brandon and Chloe. May their marriage be as strong today as it will be in fifty years. And may we all be there for one another the rest of our lives,” Crew said.