Elisa glanced back and forth between Charlotte and me, her expression confused. I wanted to take the lead in the conversation, but Charlotte placed a hand on my arm and whispered, “Let me.” I nodded, appreciating Charlotte’s gesture.
“Hey, Lissa.” She gave a little half wave and a slightly sheepish smile, then rushed over to throw her arms around Elisa.
“What are you doing here?” Elisa asked, her brows furrowed. “Aren’t you supposed to be finishing your paper this weekend? Charlotte, please tell me it’s already done!” At the end, she was practically screeching in alarm.
“Keep your panties on, Lissa.”
I smiled, remembering Elisa using a very similar phrase the day before. It was cute how Charlotte imitated her older sister.
Charlotte took Elisa by the elbow and led her over to the couch as she explained, “I convinced the professor to give me an extension, considering the circumstances. He was a pain in the ass about it at first, but I can be very persuasive.”
“Circumstances...?” Elisa was clearly becoming even more lost as to what was happening.
“Well, when Brysen called to tell me you guys were getting married—we’ll discuss why I didn’t know you were dating anyone, much less engaged later—” Charlotte gave her stern glare, “I wasn’t going to miss my big sister’s wedding.”
Elisa laughed and waved her off. “For crying out loud, Charlotte. We got engaged two days ago. I hardly think you’re in danger of missing the wedding.”
Charlotte grabbed her hand. “Holy fuck, Liss! I could see this rock from space!” Elisa turned a charming shade of pink—a blush I knew would spread over her entire body. I contemplated kicking Charlotte out for an hour so I could indulge in a morning fuck, but we had too much to do.
I decided it was my turn to step in; she was taking too long to explain. “Did you bring it?” I asked Charlotte as I approached them and sat at Elisa’s side.
“Bring what?” Elisa piped up.
“Mom’s dress,” Charlotte answered, almost reverently.
“What dress—wait, mom’s wedding dress?” Elisa looked a little shell-shocked. She could see where this was heading, but apparently, she didn’t believe it.
“Charlotte, would you give us a few minutes please? Elisa will meet you down at the spa in an hour.”
Charlotte looked like she wanted to argue, but raising a single eyebrow, I made it clear it was not a request.
“Go ahead,” Elisa told her. “Brysen and I obviously need to have a conversation.”
Once Charlotte left the room, I did what I’d needed to do since I saw her standing in that doorway. I dragged her into my arms and kissed her deeply, only coming up for air when I knew I was on the precipice of not being able to stop.
I took advantage of the daze I’d put her in and started explaining. “Elisa, I invited Charlotte, Maddie, and Caleb here to attend our wedding.”
Elisa laughed and shook her head. “Brysen, I think the engagement was enough, we don’t need to get married now just to prove something to my ex.”
My temper boiled at the assumption that the dipshit would have any relevance in my wanting to marry her. I kept it in check and continued. “I’m marrying you today for no other reason than I cannot wait to begin my life with you. You are my everything, baby. I need to know you are mine forever, and to make damn sure everyone else knows it. I want to call myself your husband, to come home to you as my wife every night, and be a father to our children as soon as possible.”
“But,” she paused, her brown eyes wary and unsure.
“What, baby?”
She glanced away and bit her bottom lip, distracting me with the desire to have it in my mouth instead.
“We...um,” she cleared her throat, “we haven’t even said ‘I love you’.”
Holy fuck. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t told her. I could have sworn I’d said the words the night before. Then I remembered, I’d spoken of being in love, but had not come right out and said it.
I grasped her chin and forced her eyes up to meet mine. “You’re right. I’m sorry I didn’t make this more special, baby. I honestly meant to tell you last night. I love you. From the first moment I saw you, I was bewitched and fell head over heels. Every day, I think I couldn’t possibly love you more, then I wake up and find I was wrong. Every time you laugh, every time you fall apart with my name on your lips, I am tethered that much tighter to you. I will love you forever, Elisa, and I want forever to start today.”
Her eyes had become wide as saucers, her mouth parted, and that blush I loved so much spread across her freckles.