“I will never love anyone the way I love you and I promise that my heart will be your home for the rest of our lives. I love you, Tate Ooooder, and there is no getting rid of me.”
Tate moved closer, running his hands down Audrey’s cheeks. Piper stole a quick peek out at the small crowd as her eyes met Erik’s, causing her to lose her breath. He sat in the last row, wearing a fitted blue tux. He still hadn’t shaved and his hair was longer, brushed to the side out of his eyes. He was intensely watching her every move and when he smiled at her she almost melted on the spot. She was aching for him and wanted to drop her bouquet and run into the crowd to be in his arms.
But first she needed to know if he wanted forever with her.
She listened as Tate said his own vows.
“You were sent to complete me, Audrey. No words could ever express how much I love you, how much my life would be lost without you. I love your kooky style, your loud personality, and most of all, how you believe in us. I love that you love me more than anything in the world and that you are making me a father. I wouldn’t be the man I am now without you. Audrey, I love you. Always have, and always will. It’s me and you and chicken for the rest of our lives, babe, so get ready for one hell of a ride.”
Audrey wrapped her arms around Tate, kissing him lavishly on the lips. The minister laughed as he threw his arms up in the air. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You can kiss the bride.”
“I think they’re ahead of you on that,” Lucas said with a laugh as Tate bent Audrey back over his arm, kissing the stuffing out of her. Piper giggled through a sob, wiping her face as she took in a deep breath. When another tweak came to her side, she hissed in pain as she slowly followed Fallon down the aisle to the reception. They had decorated an old barn in a vintage style, which was right next door to where they had the ceremony. As soon as Piper walked in the door she found the nearest seat. Plopping down she let out another breath before pulling out her phone to time her contractions by its clock. She wasn’t sure if they were real, but it seemed like they were getting stronger.
Surely, she wasn’t in labor. That was insane. She still had almost a month to go and there was no way that the baby was ready, but still, these contractions hurt more than anything she had ever felt before. Leaning back in the chair, she took in deep breaths as she looked around the room. Lights hung from the rafters of the barn, and on each table were big teal and white arrangements. It was beautiful and Piper was glad that everything had come together for Audrey. The bride had been a nervous wreck about the wedding details but Piper couldn’t see a flaw anywhere.
As her pain subsided, Piper slowly stood up. She was going to have to leave early if this shit kept up. She probably hadn’t drunk enough water today, or maybe she stood for too long, because being in labor was just absurd. It just wasn’t happening yet.
Moving through the crowd, she made her way to the bar, getting a tall glass of water and downing it before taking another. By her third glass, Audrey and Tate were taking the floor for their first dance, and as she slowly drank her water, she looked around the room for Erik. He stood with Shea Adler, nodding his head as they appeared to be in deep conversation.
Piper wondered why he hadn’t approached her yet. It made her feel like she wasn’t the first thing on his mind. Did he only want to talk about the baby and the future of their child, and not the future of them? Knowing she couldn’t wait much longer, she started for him. She’d had enough and she was ready to find out once and for all if he loved her.
* * *
Piper looked beautiful in the long teal bridesmaid’s dress. Her hair was long and sleek, reaching down to the middle of her back. She looked soft, beautiful, and he couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms again. He couldn’t take his eyes off her and as he sat in the back row during the ceremony, listening to his two friends unite, he found himself wanting that moment for him and Piper. It was crazy but he could see himself holding her hands, with Dimitri sitting at their feet as they exchanged promises of love to each other in front of all their friends.
He knew he was ahead of himself; he hadn’t even told her he loved her yet. But he could now see them as a family. He was done living life without her and he was ready to show her that he had changed, that she had helped him become the man he wanted to be.
What he didn’t expect was his hands starting to shake as he watched her cross the floor toward him. He had been confident the whole day, but now he felt like a nervous schoolboy, afraid of her rejection.
When she stopped in front of him, he reached for her and brought her in close, lifting her off her feet to capture her mouth with his. She made a little noise before his mouth smothered hers; he squeezed his eyes tight as her held her in his arms, his mouth moving along hers. He must have stunned her because for a moment he was only kissing her, but then she started to kiss him back. He felt like his heart was going to explode in his chest and he promised himself that he would never go another moment without the option of kissing her naughty mouth whenever he wanted to.