Maizy the Bear Charmer(Diving Creek Ranch 16)(116)

On cue, they began the processional with the change in the music and the wedding got under way. When Grace and the kids reached the halfway point, Maizy stepped onto the porch at Rachel’s direction and moved forward. This was the hard part for her because taking her time in the slow methodical march down the aisle didn’t feel natural. She tended to hurry wherever she went. She breathed deep and thought of her men, wondering what they’d think when they saw her, and tried to get into the spirit of the occasion and enjoy the ritual.

She looked up as she came within view of the assemblage and smiled when she caught Rose Marie sticking her tongue out at PJ and he returned the gesture. He seemed to enjoy pushing her buttons.

Maizy scanned the crowd and spotted her bears when they turned in their seats and all three of them reacted to her appearance. Spencer jerked his sunglasses off and stared with intense golden eyes. Heath grinned and looked like he wanted to get out of his seat and go to her as he lifted his smartphone to take her picture. A slow, sexy smile crossed Cody’s handsome face as he licked his lower lips and his bedroom eyes told her exactly what he was thinking. If her lipreading skills were any good, Heath said, “Baby, dayum!” before he shook his head like he was dazed.

She wanted to toss her bouquet in the air and run to them right then but she kept moving forward, passing within a couple of feet of them on the aisle. Her entire backside felt very warm as she moved up the center aisle, envisioning them staring at her ass and her legs. She wondered if Spencer had noticed her heels yet. He seemed to get a charge out of seeing her in high heels and she enjoyed indulging him.

She made eye contact with Patrick and smiled at him, feeling for the poor guy. They’d kept him and Beck, who looked ready to pass out, waiting a few extra minutes, which must’ve been nerve-wracking for them.

Maizy took her position next to Grace and the kids. She reached out to PJ and he slipped his hand in hers. Hopefully he’d be distracted enough by the ceremony and wouldn’t be antagonizing Rose Marie. He patted his vest pocket, where the wedding bands were all located, and gave her a gap-toothed grin.

Jayne followed Maizy up the aisle, smiling when Toby loudly squealed, “Mommy!” from his father’s arms and waved at her. “Pretty, Mommy!” Seth looked like he was fighting laughter as he put his finger to his son’s lips.

PJ tugged Maizy’s hand and whispered, “You’re really pretty too, Aunt Maizy. I meant to tell you that earlier.”

She winked at him and blew an air kiss as she turned to look out at the guests.

Spencer was snapping a picture of her with his phone, while Cody kept his gaze trained on her, and Heath bit his lower lip like he wanted to eat her up. Warmth filled her at their attention. Rachel and Charity slipped into seats with their husbands and a hush descended over the group as the processional music changed and swelled in volume.

She watched Patrick and Beck and knew the second Lucy made her appearance because their reactions were so clear. Beck’s jaw dropped and his eyes went wide. Patrick blinked and stared as he swayed on his feet for a few seconds. Beck whispered something and Patrick put his hand to his mouth to cover his reply to Beck. Maizy couldn’t understand what he said but it was clear both men were enthralled as Lucy strolled up the aisle on her father’s arm as if she had all the time in the world.

A triumphant smile curved Lucy’s lips as she watched her men. Her wedding dress was made of ivory silk topped with lavishly embroidered and beaded lace. Her pearlescent skin showed through the long lace sleeves and shoulders of the high-waisted dress, which dipped to a deep V at the neckline. The hemline of the dress barely reached midthigh, with the luxuriant lace extending in a scalloped edge beyond the hemline a few inches. Topping the short skirt of the dress was a billowing tulle overskirt that reached the ground and floated diaphanously around her legs with each step, parting occasionally in the center to reveal her long, shapely legs and her ivory satin platform pumps. The silver locket glittered at her throat in the dappled sunshine.

The guests stood as Lucy and her dad reached the center aisle and Maizy turned her attention back to Patrick and Beck as they watched their bride approach. If it was possible for peace and passion to both reside in a person’s mind at the same time, that’s what she saw in her brother’s eyes as he gazed at Lucy.

She felt for Beck, having to restrain himself for the sake of those guests who were not necessarily privy to the polyamorous nature of their relationship and not being able to be an active participant in the outdoor ceremony. He would have his moment soon. This ceremony, performed by a minister, married Lucy to Patrick. The binding ceremony that would occur under the guise of wedding photographs in the house would be conducted by Ethan Grant minutes afterward, binding the three of them together.