Breathe With Me(75)
“Then what’s wrong with you?”
“I want to marry you!”
We all sit in stunned silence, watching as Sam’s mouth gapes open in surprise.
“You don’t want to get married, I get it.” Now he throws his glasses on the table, and the misery in his eyes brings tears to mine. “You’ve been saying for almost two years that you’re happy with the way things are, and we don’t need a piece of paper to let everyone know that we love each other. Fine.”
He throws his hands in the air, then shakes his head. “I’ll take you any way I can get you, Samantha, and that’s the fucking truth. I love you, every damn day, I love you. I’m never going anywhere. You’re it for me. But I do want to get married.”
“I don’t want babies,” she whispers, her lips barely moving. Leo laughs and shakes his head.
“We’re still on the same page there, these baby making machines are filling this family full of kids just fine without us adding to it, and people get married without having kids every day. But I get it, sunshine. It’s not what you want.”
“But it’s what you want.”
He just nods and clenches his eyes shut. I glance up at Mark to see his eyes riveted on his sister and Leo. The girls around us are sniffling, trying to do so quietly, but doing a bad job of it and all of us are quiet as Sam and Leo have their moment.
“Then let’s do it.”
“What?” Leo’s head whips up again.
“Let’s get married. We’re in Vegas for Christ’s sake.”
“This isn’t funny.” His voice is angry again.
“I’m not trying to be funny.” She’s watching his face and a smile slowly spreads across her beautiful face. “Let’s get married, baby.”
“Why? And if you say because I’m moody and you’re trying to placate me, the answer is fuck no. I already told you, this isn’t an ultimatum.”
“Because I love you, every damn day.” She climbs into his lap and buries her face in his neck. “Because I want you to be happy, and because I’m just with you for your money.”
That makes us all smile and Leo lets out a small laugh then holds onto her tightly, almost desperately.
“Really?”
She nods.
“When?”
“Today.”
His jaw drops and he grips her shoulders to hold her away so he can see her face. “Today?”
“Why not? We’re here. The people we love are here. Even the band is in town. We can do it tonight. Is this why you’ve been so moody? So distant?” She nuzzles his nose with hers and cups his face in her hands.
“I always work a lot.”
“Yes, but you’re not always a grouchy ass about it.”
He sighs and tips his forehead to hers. “I guess it’s been on my mind a lot lately. It feels right to take this step with you.”
“I’ve been scared that you wanted out, but didn’t know how to tell me.”
“Never,” he says fiercely. “I don’t ever want to think about the possibility of not being with you. Nothing matters without you, sunshine.”
“Honestly, I’ve just been so happy with the way things are, getting married really hasn’t been on my radar.” She grins widely and traces the tattoo on his upper chest with her fingertip. “But now that you mention it, I’m all for it. Let’s do it.”
“Mom and Dad aren’t here,” Mark says immediately.
“If this is what you want to do,” Luke begins and when I look over at him I’m stunned to see tears in his eyes, “I can have Mom and Dad here in about four hours. I’ll make the call.”
“What do you say?” Sam asks, smiling at her man. “Will you marry me today?”
“This is so us,” he whispers with a shake of the head. “Don’t you want to do all that girly planning stuff?”
“Nope.” She grins and kisses him hard on the lips. “I have my favorite shoes with me, my family is here, and I’m ready.”
“Then let’s do it.” Leo turns to look at Luke. “Make those calls. I have some to make too.”
“I’m on it.” Luke rises but instead of pulling out his phone, he walks around the table to kiss Sam’s head. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Get Mom and Dad here so I can get married.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Wait, what about the kids? They’re with your mom and dad,” Natalie reminds her husband.
“Mom and Dad will take them,” Caleb says immediately. “That won’t be a problem.”
“Oh my God!” Jules exclaims. “We’re planning a wedding!”