“Psst,” Zoann called. “Get back in formation, Antichrist. You’re fucking up Kendall’s wedding.”
Roxanne went to the side with the girls while Mort stomped to an empty chair, got it, and brought it to her, pointing.
She flipped him off.
“Madame, please,” Father Wilkins called, nodding to the crucifix behind them.
Roxy slapped Mort’s hand. “Then tell this motherfucker to leave me alone!”
“Roxy!” Megan cried, as the doors opened and Sloane and the mini orchestra started the grand notes of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March. Everyone stood.
Kendall appeared with Brooks at her side and everything else became white noise to Johnnie. Wearing a silk and chiffon wedding sheath, Kendall was stunning. A glittering tiara held her veil in place. It covered her face and hair, but Johnnie saw her hold tighten on Brooks and knew Kendall was nervous.
Finally, she reached Johnnie.
“Who gives this woman in marriage?” Father Wilkins asked and looked at Brooks expectantly.
In turn, Brooks looked toward all the women.
“We do,” they chorused, and Kendall burst into tears.
Brooks looked at her and lifted her veil, kissing her cheek, just as a father would.
“You’re well loved, my dear. Remember that and be happy.” He turned to Johnnie and held out his hand. “Take care of her.”
“Always,” Johnnie responded, taking her trembling hand into his own and raising it to his mouth to kiss it. “From the moment I met you, gorgeous, you were mine. Never doubt that and never forget that.”
As he led her to stand before the priest, Kendall whispered, “We’re having another baby.”
He grinned at her, happy at her news but also, “Always having the last word, Attorney Donovan.”
She giggled. “Always, my love.”
Serendipity had brought her to Christopher five years ago.
Thinking about the first time she’d ever gazed at her husband, Meggie watched Dr. Will glide the transducer over her belly to discover the sex of her new baby. Thanks to Thomas Nicholls, Meggie had run for her life. Run to her father. Instead, she’d met the man who’d come to be her everything. Her friend, lover, protector, the father of her children, and the man of her dreams.
Who could’ve foreseen that Thomas’s actions—Meggie’s decision—would’ve started a domino effect that revealed the evilness lurking within the club? That evilness had killed her father, mother, mother-in-law, brother, sisters-in-law, and nieces by marriage. Not to mention bringing down Sharper Banks and his mega church.
That night, when fate had intervened and had Christopher saunter into her life, Meggie didn’t know that she had been the key to so much. Daddy had been dead a year, but the club had been broken, warring within. Those against Christopher had worked to resurrect Logan Donovan, who, in turn, had brought in Cee Cee Caldwell. They were two of the vilest men who’d ever walked the earth.
Meggie hadn’t known it then, but now she knew they’d been after her. Big Joe had made it to where he controlled the money so he’d controlled the men. Except, her daddy had put the place housing money and drugs in Meggie’s name, unbeknownst to her.
With his death and her chance meeting with the man who’d killed him—the birth of that man’s son—Meggie had almost been responsible for everyone’s downfall. But she’d survived and become stronger for it.
Her man, her Christopher, opened her eyes to a whole new world and gave her life new meaning. Thank you, Daddy. No one but Big Joe could have led them to each other. Of that, Meggie felt certain.
“Are you ready to find out the sex of your newest baby, Meggie?” Dr. Will asked, serene in her own pregnancy. Her long braids were up in a ponytail, her brown skin glowing with health and happiness.
Her nurse, Viola, handed her another container of gel.
Meggie was beyond thrilled for her OB. Babies were such awesome little beings.
“Wait, let me call Christopher.” He was at home with the kids. With Bunny pregnant, she wasn’t feeling well, so he’d changed plans to accompany Meggie and turned into babysitter for the day. She pressed the number one on her phone. “Hey.”
“Hey, baby.”
His voice came loud and clear. Until the day she died, his sexy timbre would affect her. Into eternity, she’d adore and cherish Christopher. “Dr. Will is about to tell us the sex of the baby.”
She wanted another girl. Her and Rebel were sorely outnumbered by all the testosterone in the house. This was her last chance to rectify that.
“Ready?” Dr. Will asked.
Viola smiled between them.
Swallowing, Meggie nodded. “Ready. You, Christopher?”