I scrunched up my nose and looked down at her before lifting my eyes to her as I let Bayli back down.
“Let’s do this!” Alex called out as she waddled toward the house while holding Bayli’s hand.
As I watched two of my best friends walking away from me I couldn’t get the feeling of envy out of my system. I knew I wanted to wait for a baby but something had just washed over me and I found myself longing for one. I glanced back over to Jase. He was watching me intently. With a smile, I quickly caught up to Alex and Grace.
I could feel Jase’s stare and I prayed like hell he hadn’t seen my moment of weakness.
Jase
I couldn’t pull my eyes off of Taylor. I saw it in her eyes as she watched Alex and Grace walking off.
She wanted a baby.
“Jase, are you even listening to me?”
Turning back to Will, I laughed. “Yeah. Um . . . you said your dad would have the wedding present for Taylor ready in time. She’s going to love the desk for her office.”
Will glanced over to Noah and then back to me. “It’s gotten to you, hasn’t it?”
With a confused expression, I asked, “What’s gotten to me?”
“The pregnancy bug.”
I pulled my head back and laughed. “What in the fuck? No. Shit, y’all let me get through building a house and getting married before you have me with a kid.”
Noah threw his head back and laughed. “Oh man. Jase, do you really think you can fool us? We’ve stood right where you’re standing now. I’d know that look anywhere. You’re thinking baby.”
“Am not,” I shot back.
Noah turned to Will and raised his eyebrow as if exchanging some kind of secret. Will looked me over carefully. “Oh, yeah. I’m telling you . . . it’s in the water in Mason.”
My head snapped over as I looked at Taylor. She had her hand on Alex’s stomach. It felt like someone hit me in the chest with a post when I saw the tear roll down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, but I saw it in her eyes. In that moment I knew what I wanted.
“Oh fuck,” I whispered. “I’ve got the baby bug.”
Will and Noah both chuckled as Noah put his hand on my shoulder. Turning to look at them both, I couldn’t help but mirror their smiles.
Noah squeezed and shook his head as he said, “It’s a helluva good life.”
Will turned and looked at Alex. “It sure the hell is. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Peeking back over to the girls, all three of them were laughing. I nodded. “And it only gets better.”
I paced back and forth, wringing my hands together.
“You’re going to wear yourself out before the honeymoon night.”
My stomach was a mess. My nerves shot.
Turning to Walker, I flashed him a dirty look. “I’m nervous, asshole.”
He chuckled and punched me lightly on the arm. “I’ve been there, Jase. I know how you’re feeling. But think about your life before Taylor.”
I shook my head. “I can’t. I wasn’t alive before her.”
He lifted his brow and grinned wider. “And it only gets better from this point on.”
I blew out a quick breath. After all the years of staring at Taylor from afar and dreaming of being with her, pulling her in and pushing her away, we finally found ourselves where we were meant to be. I’m the luckiest son-of-a-bitch in the world. I’m marrying the love of my life. My best friend. “I can’t believe the day is finally here. That’s what has me so freaked out. Like if I dare to dream this is really happening, I’ll wake up.”
“Trust me . . . it’s happening.”
“Do you think Taylor’s nervous?”
He laughed and nodded his head. “Yes.”
I started pacing again. “I need to see her.”
“You will soon,” he said as he adjusted his tie.
I shook my head. “No. I need to see her now.”
Spinning around to face me, Walker’s mouth dropped. “Now? Jase you can’t see her before the wedding.”
The knock at the door had us both looking over at it. Luke, Grayson, and Noah walked in. I’d asked Rick to be in the wedding, but he had taken a new job that relocated him to Oregon and he couldn’t get the time off. It seemed strange at first that we were both moving on with our lives. I was happy for him though. Even happier he found someone he was serious about.
“I need backup.” Walker said.
Noah chuckled. “Why?”
Jerking his thumb toward me, Walker said, “He wants to go see Taylor. Now.”
Noah’s smile faded.
“Oh, hell no. Do you know how mad the girls would be if they knew we helped you sneak in a quickie!” Luke said.
Shaking my head, I replied. “I don’t want sex! I mean . . . that might help.” Holding up my hands, I motioned for myself to stop thinking like that. “No. No, that’s not what I want right now. I just need to talk to Taylor. It will be five minutes, no more.”
I glanced around the room at all four of them. We had all become really close in the last few months. It almost was like we had known each other our whole lives.
“Hell, I’m down for sneaking you in to a secret pre marriage meeting,” Grayson said standing tall and proud. “We’re going to be brother in-laws. We need to stick together.”
I pointed to Grayson. “See! Gray gets me!”
Walker moaned. “Shit. I guess that means I’m in.”
Fist pumping, I turned to Noah. “Hey, my wife is already pissed at me because she’s nine months pregnant. I have nothing to lose.”
Luke sighed and dropped his head. “Libby is going to kill me if she finds out . . . but I’m in. Brotherhood all the way.”
Will and Colt walked in and I couldn’t help but smile and say, “The gangs all here. Let’s plan this shit out!”
“Oh hell. We just walked in on something,” Colt mumbled.
Walker and I waited in the barn for Taylor.
“What if she doesn’t come?” I asked.
Walker looked at his watch. “Considering she’ll be right in the middle of getting ready, I’d be surprised if she comes.”
“Do Colt and Will have everything under control?”
Walker looked at his phone. “Yep. Amanda and your mom are currently heading over to see the made up mistake with the tents. They told them they were placed in the wrong location. Once they get there they’ll see they are in the right spot.”
Smiling, I replied, “Perfect.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. We still have to get her away from the other girls and the makeup and hair lady.”
“I have faith, Walker. I have a faith.”
“Glad you do,” he mumbled.
Luke came walking in with Taylor and my heart dropped. “Look who I found all alone in the house.”
Taylor smiled a brilliant smile as she walked up to me. “What in the world are you boys up to? There is so much chaos going on right now, I thought for sure Grace was about to go into labor.”
Luke laughed. “I told her Alex was having contractions. That cleared out Taylor’s room quick.”
Taylor focused on Luke. “Yes. Everyone started heading out of the room and Luke held me back. Once everyone was out of the room, we went down the back stairs where Noah and Gray were distracting everyone.”
I had to know. “How were they distracting them?”
Rolling her eyes, Taylor said, “Gray said something about you knowing some football player who was currently pulling up out front to surprise you.”
I nodded my head. “Nice.”
Walker slapped my back and said, “You have five minutes tops before we have to get you both back to the house.”
“Thanks. That’s all I need.”
Luke laughed. “Poor, Tay. Look what you have to look forward to.”
Taylor smacked him on the chest and told him to leave.
Making her way over to me, she pressed her lips together and gazed up at me through her lashes. ?
??Everything okay?”
“Everything is more than okay, but I had to talk to you about something.”
“It couldn’t wait until after the wedding?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Last night when we walked through the finished house and I saw how happy you were, I wanted to make you even happier.”
With the sweetest smile ever, her green eyes lit up as she replied, “Jase, I am the happiest I’ve ever been. There is nothing else for you to do except marry me.”
Taking a hold of her hands, I brought them to my lips and kissed the back of each. “There is something else. I didn’t want to wait until tonight or our honeymoon because I need you to know I’ve changed my mind on something and you have to know before we get married.”
Her smile faded some.
“Nothing bad, I swear sweetness.”
Relaxing her face a bit, a look of confusion swept over it. “O-okay . . . what is it?”
I swallowed hard and glanced down. Closing my eyes, I took in a few deep breaths. Putting my attention back on her, I smiled and said, “I want to have a baby.”
Widening her eyes in surprise, she asked, “Wh-what?”
“I mean, I don’t want to focus everything on that . . . I just want to stop not trying to have a baby and see what happens.”
Her eyes built with tears while her lips trembled. “Really?”
“If you’re not ready though, I’ll wait.”
She blinked and the tears were set free. Reaching up, I wiped them away. “Please tell me they’re happy tears, Tay.”
Throwing herself into my arms, she cried harder. “Very happy tears, Jase! Very happy!”
“I knew it!” Libby called out as Jase and I broke apart and turned to her. Meagan stood next her with her hands on her hips.
“You horny little bastard. You just had to see my sister before the wedding, didn’t you? And you have her crying!”
Meagan walked up and got in my face. “You are so dead.”
Taylor took my hand in hers and squeezed and I knew that was the farthest thing I was.
“You’re wrong, future sister-in-law. I’m so alive, I want to shout it from the rooftops!”
Taylor
I stood in the mirror and took in the sight before me.
“You’re lucky that little stunt you and Jase pulled didn’t set us back,” Lauren said as she pushed the last pin in to hold on my veil.
Liza smiled and shook her head. “My goodness. Taylor you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. Wait until Jase sees you . . . again.”
Giggling, my mother huffed as I turned to her. “Don’t be upset, Mom. It was important.”
“Nothing is that important to go to the lengths that boy did.”
Whitley agreed. “He could have simply asked to talk to you. We wouldn’t have denied him that.”
Amanda turned to Whitley. “My heart is still pounding thinking the tents were all set up wrong.”
Hiding my smile, I looked back at myself. My wedding dress was perfect. The strapless sweetheart neckline showed off my cleavage just like my mother said it would. The silver accent belt around my waist was beautiful and added the perfect touch to the lace and satin dress. Lifting my gown, I smiled at the brand new cowboy boots the girls bought me. They each signed the bottom of the boots and I cried like a baby at my wedding shower when I opened them.
My mother walked up to me and softly said, “Taylor, it’s time, sweetheart.”
Turning around, I looked around the room at the people closet to me. My mother and Whitley stood near the door and both looked beautiful.
Slowly moving my eyes around the room, I took in each of my best friends, all dressed in beautiful soft pink dresses finished off with cowboy boots.
Meagan. My beautiful sister and my best friend. I learned from her how to be strong.
Grace. The spit and fire of the group who looked beautiful with her hands resting on her ever-so-big pregnant belly.
Alex. The sensible one in our group. Her smile alone lit up the room never mind the fact that she was due in a week and was still her bubbly self.
Libby. Sweet beautiful Libby who had the biggest heart of all. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for any of us.
Lauren. The ever so happy and always positive best friend. She looked so beautiful as she stood there with her hands rubbing her unborn child. Lauren was the first to drop everything and come to your aide. I loved seeing how happy her eyes were.
Liza. The newest addition to my best friend circle. Anytime I needed advice, she was the first to offer it. She never left my side when Jase’s plane went down and I’ll never forget that.
Mireya and Bayli stood in front of their mothers dressed in beautiful little white gowns as they clutched onto their flower girl baskets.
Tears filled my eyes as I realized how blessed I was.
“I think we should get going now. Brad is waiting outside the door,” Jessie, said. She not only catered the reception, but she was also the wedding planner.
I stood there as each person gave me a kiss on the cheek. When I was finally alone, I took in a deep breath and blew it out as I tried to calm my nerves.
The door opened and my father walked in. Tears pooled in his eyes as he closed his eyes and shook his head before looking back at me. “My goodness. You are breathtaking.”
Blushing, I replied, “Thank you, Daddy.”
Walking up to me he took my hands in his. “I thought your mother was the most beautiful bride. You and your sister Meagan have proved me wrong. The three of you are . . . simply . . . flawless.”
“Daddy,” I whispered. “Don’t make me cry or Lauren and Meagan will have to do my makeup again.”
“Right,” he said with a nod. “I want you to know how happy I am for you, Taylor. I see the way Jase looks at you and he loves you so very much.”
“I love him.”
“I guess it’s time,” he said while he slowly blew out a breath.
“I guess so,” I answered.
He handed me my bouquet of white roses Alex made. They were wrapped in the same color fabric as the bridesmaids gowns.
I took my father’s arm and let him walk me down the stairs and to the car. The wedding was taking place at the lake on Layton and Whitley’s ranch.
My heart was beating so hard in my chest, I felt like it was rocking the car. We were the last to pull up. I looked out the window to see the girls walking down the aisle. I couldn’t help but smile when my eyes landed on Jase. He looked so handsome dressed in a black tux. The windows to the limo were tinted and no one could see me inside.
My father bumped my shoulder. “You ready?”
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my entire life.”
He got out and walked around to my door. A group of people gathered around and somewhat blocked the view of me as my father helped me out, adjusted my dress and held his arm out for me. When I slipped it around his, they stepped aside and Jessie ushered Bayli and Mireya down the aisle as everyone gushed about how cute the girls were as they skipped down the aisle literally throwing pink rose petals everywhere.
The music changed and the wedding march started while I locked eyes with Jase.
His smile was so big, I couldn’t help but giggle.
“I’d say he was happy by that grin across his face,” my father whispered.
“He looks so handsome,” I whispered.
I tried to pull my eyes off of him to look at our guests, but I was mesmerized.
It felt like forever by the time we made it up to the altar. My father lifted my veil and kissed my cheek as he placed my hand in Jase’s.
“Take care of my little girl.”
Jase nodded. “I will, sir. I promise.”
Walking up to the altar, Jase and I faced one another. “You’re so beautiful, I feel like I can’t breathe looking at you.”
My face warmed as I squeezed his hand. “Thank you. You look so handsome, I couldn’t take my eyes off of
you.”
The pastor cleared his throat and began the ceremony.
The whole thing was a blur. Jase and I stared at each other almost the entire time. When he finally announced us husband and wife, Jase cupped my face with his hands and smiled. He slowly pressed his lips to mine as everyone yelled out and clapped. Pulling back slightly from me, Jase winked.
Turning to face everyone, Jase held up our hands as if we had just won a race. We started down the aisle and off to the side where a few quick photos would be snapped before we headed to the reception.
Stopping, he pulled me closer to him and kissed me once more. “Do you know what makes me the happiest man in the world?”
Lifting my mouth up in a smile, I asked, “What?”
The back of his hand moved softly down my face. “Loving you.”
“You have no idea how much I love you,” I softly spoke.
“I think I do. Now kiss me before they start making us pose.”
And kiss I did. Luke cleared his throat as he walked by and said, “The photographer isn’t waiting patiently for the two of you to stop sucking face. Save it for later.”
We spent the next thirty minutes taking beautiful pictures as well as silly ones with our best friends and family.
Nothing would ruin this day.
It was perfect.
Beyond perfect.
Jase
I watched Taylor move from person to person wearing that beautiful smile of hers.
Lifting my beer to my lips, I slowly shook my head.
She’s my wife. Taylor was officially mine for the rest of our lives.
“You look happy sitting here staring at your wife.”
Lifting my gaze up, I smiled at my father. “I like hearing that.”
“I remember thinking the same thing when someone first called your mother my wife. I’m pretty sure my chest puffed up with pride.”
I chuckled and took another drink. “It feels like it took us forever to get to this day, yet, it feels like I just asked her out on our first official date. I blinked and here I am.”
My father took a seat next to me. “And the rest of your life you’ll feel like that. The day we brought you home from the hospital feels like yesterday. Watching you and your sister grow has been such a blessing, but at the same time makes me so sad.”