Your Fierce Love (The Bennett Family #7)(83)

"Fine, I'll leave you two alone, but just for ten minutes."

I admire my asymmetric, braided bun in a sideways mirror.

"Thanks, Mom."

Once we're alone, he closes the distance to me, slowly looking me up and down. My dress is magnificent, a princess-style white gown with a satin and lace bodice, and a voluminous skirt-satin only. I won't deny I feel a bit like an elephant, what with my middle looking as if I swallowed a football, but that doesn't keep me from grinning like a lunatic. I understand what Alice meant at her own wedding about not being able to stop grinning. Too much excitement and happiness bubble inside me for a simple smile to do them justice.

"You look beautiful, Clara." Taking my hand, he lifts it, kissing my knuckles. "I wanted a few minutes alone with you."

"Great minds think alike."

"Mom driving you crazy?"

I shake my head, whispering, "Not at all."

Biting the inside of my cheek, I fight against the wave of emotions...and lose. Everyone warned me not to cry because I'll ruin my makeup, but I'm a pregnant woman getting married. It'd be weird if I weren't crying. Still, I'm determined to keep the tears at bay for as long as possible.

"You know how much I love your family, and I'm very lucky to have all of them in my life. I like being smothered and loved, and everyone meddling in my business."

Blake smiles, resting his hands on my bare shoulders, his thumbs pressing gently just where the fabric of the bodice meets my skin.

"You've lucked out, because I'm going to smother and love you for the rest of our lives, and my family will meddle for that long as well."

"Ah!"

"What's wrong?"

"Beanie kicked hard. I think he loves romantic promises."

Taking Blake's hand, I put it exactly where Beanie kicked, on my lower left side. He's still now, but then … . 

"You make me the happiest man, Clara. The happiest. I can't believe I'm so lucky to have you. I promise I will take care of you, of our family. Any fears, I'll be right here, fighting them with you. Any dreams, I'll fight for them next to you." Tap, tap, tap. Beanie kicks almost every third word, until I get misty-eyed and Blake's voice becomes hoarse with emotion. "This is my promise to you, and to our son."

"And I promise to always be all the things you need, even those you don't know you need. The partner in crime, the shoulder you lean on. The one person you come to and open up to no matter what. I will take care of and spoil you. Both of you."

Beanie kicks harder, right where his dad's hand is on my belly, as if he knows we're talking about him. Blake lowers himself on his haunches, kissing my belly.

"Don't worry, buddy, I'll teach you all the tricks about how to marry a great woman."

"What would you have said if we'd had a girl?"

"I'd have told her no man will ever be good enough for her."

"That's a double standard if there ever was one."

Blake rises, touching my nose with his. "I can't wait for you to fight me on it."

There is a knock at the door, and Nate's voice reaches us. "Clara, it's time."

"Come on in, I'm ready."

Nate steps inside, beaming, offering me his arm. He's the one walking me down to the altar and giving me away to Blake, who leaves the room as someone calls his name in the distance.

***

My heart pounds so hard during the ceremony that I have trouble hearing everything the minister and Blake are saying, but of course Beanie sets me straight as soon as my husband speaks his vows, because he kicks like nobody's business. Even though we're in a church full of people, and though we're only supposed to be holding hands during the vows, I place Blake's palm on my belly so he doesn't miss all the tap-dancing Beanie's doing. By the time the ceremony ends and Blake kisses me, we're both teary-eyed.

The party stretches until the early hours of the morning. The guests leave in small groups, until there's just very close friends and family left. The sheer number of cousins the Bennetts have is mind-boggling. So far, I've been able to chat only with the Connor clan-mostly with Landon-but I can't wait to get to know the rest better too.

"Well, I think Beanie's gonna be a tap dancer," I say, dropping in a seat at one of the large round tables where most of the family gathered. "He's been active all night."

"You two still haven't decided on a name?" Sebastian asks.

"No, but we really don't need your assistance," Blake informs him. Then raises a finger in warning toward Logan, who just opened his mouth. "Or you, Logan. You named your son Silas. You don't have a right to vote."

"Ours are named Will and Audrey," Sebastian remarks.

"Don't think I forgot you wanted to name poor Will, Seamus. I have a good memory, brother."