The man seems obsessed and I’d love to know what the heck is going on there, but the little sneaks is tight lipped and hasn’t let anything slip, though I have seen the hot looks being passed between the two whenever Ronny thinks no one is watching.
As an added bonus, Trace seems to be actually trying to make nice with my other pal, but that could just have something to do with the fact that Ronny has dropped her bitch act and seems happy to just be herself.
Well mostly. Her and Miah still can’t resist sniping at each other at any opportunity.
“Thanks, Ma, but I am kind of hoping to have him present for the honeymoon,” I answer, throwing them all a saucy wink that gets them groaning and gagging.
“Oh, I almost forgot, honey! Mama wants you to have this back! It’s something blue and Jared can’t say no to that.”
I groan inwardly and close my eyes in defeat, opening only one in fear, because I know what’s coming and I don’t know how to refuse without hurting her feelings.
Jared was clear about this.
But then again, how can he really expect a greedy little lady like myself to pass up a perfectly beautiful blue diamond? That’s just unreasonable male posturing, if you ask me.
“Ohh, Jared is gonna be cheesed if you accept Mama’s ring, Paulie. It took Wyatt almost a month to get over his snit when I refused to take mine off, and I just know Jared will not take this kindly,” Ellie warns, ruining her words when she starts giggling and cooing to Alex about stubborn men and their insecurities when it comes to their women.
“Mama.”
“Now don’t you dare refuse me, Paulie, honey. I give all of my daughters a ring, and if you refuse it would just break Mama’s heart,” she pouts, causing Clari to snort water through her nose.
I’m vacillating about the whole thing when Ronny comes over and takes a look, whistling low under her breath.
“If she doesn’t want it, I am so there, Jude honey.”
“Not on your life!” I yell and the darn ring and chain are around my neck before I can take my next breath.
That sets them all cackling and I ignore them all to admire my bounty.
I love Jared’s ring, but this ring from Mama is symbolic of me belonging not only to Jared, but the whole family, and I need it.
With a last check, I turn to the girls just as there’s a knock at the door, and Tracy almost flies to open it, squealing like a teenager when Jace comes into view, smiling seductively at his woman.
“You ladies about ready to roll? I swear Jared’s going to wait about another five seconds before he comes up here himself and—”
He doesn’t get to finish, and I’m giggling hysterically when Jared shoves him out of the way, stalks to me, and hoists me into his arms.
“You’re taking too long, woman. Let’s go get married so we can have that honeymoon.”
The others are giggling and I hear a few choice words from Jace that he isn’t getting to walk me down the aisle as Jared takes the stairs at almost a run and bursts into the back yard to the chorus of male cheers and a few backslaps that have me rolling my eyes.
Ronny is right, they are all Neanderthals.
He carries me all the way to the altar and only releases me long enough to bend and fix my dress before pulling me against his chest and signalling for the judge to begin.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of the good Lord Almighty to witness the joining of Jared and Paulette…”
I hear the words and see nothing but Jared and know that all he sees is me at this very moment. There’s a lot of laughter and cheering when the poor man finally pronounces us man and wife, and my husband kisses me so sinfully that I hear the judge clear his throat a few times before just giving up and joining Pop and the others.
“I’m yours now, Cupcake,” he whispers, kissing me again.
“And I’m yours,” I whisper back against his lips, loving the way he always knows what to say to make my heart melt.
“Come on, you pussy, let us get in there for a second to welcome our little sister into the family,” Jace grumbles and I giggle when he pulls me away from Jared and into a bear hug that has my husband snarling violently.
Wyatt’s grinning when he does the same, and I feel a twinge when he leans down and whispers into my ear.
“Good choice, honeydew.”
“I know,” I whisper back, loving that he’s as happy about this all as I am.
Jared soon has me back and all to himself when everyone starts trailing into the house for the feast of delicious food that Mama spent all morning preparing for us.
This may not be the big society wedding my own mother always envisioned, but I feel so blessed right now that I honestly cannot imagine anything else than the fairy-tale wedding I’m lucky enough to have got.