Jessie lifts his hands up in surrender. “Sheesh, what is it with these overly possessive men?” He turns in a circle, looking for his next victim. “Cotton candy, how about you? Are you going to show me the love I deserve?” He delivers his charming grin to Ronnie next.
“Sorry, handsome.” She simply lifts her left hand, showing him her engagement ring and tattooed ring.
“Ouch, my poor heart.” He presses a hand to his chest, then walks over to my girl. “I guess it’s just you and me.” He wraps his arms around her neck from behind as she laughs and blushes.
“Aren’t you worried about that?” Ford says, still at my side.
I chuckle and shake my head. “Nah, if she were to leave me for someone, which she won’t,” I point out, “it would be Julian.”
“HA! I highly doubt that.” He laughs.
I don’t prove my point to him, nor do I tell him that Julian said the exact same thing earlier. All I do is smile and shrug, then head over to my girl, butting Jessie out of the way, just asMarianne and Josephine enter the room with trays filled with drinks for everyone.
Marianne comes over to us and hands Aubrey her smoothie. Her eyes light up as she takes it and turns in my arms with a smirk. “How did you know I was craving this?”
“Because I know you.” I kiss the tip of her nose and smile. When she faces forward once more, I move my hands from her hips down below her stomach, supporting the weight in my hands by lifting up slightly.
Aubrey melts against my chest with a satisfied moan as one of her hands reaches back and cups my nape. “Oh, that feels amazing,” she murmurs.
A few gasping sounds fill the room and when I look away from Aubrey, I find Cecilia, Morgan, and Emma with their mouths hung open.
“This… this is a thing!?” Emma’s eye practically twitches as she turns to Greyson. “This is a thing, and you didn’t do this to me while I was carrying your sons!?” She smacks him in the arm with a huff. Honestly, I’m surprised his arm isn’t blue by this point.
“I have to admit, I’m a little jealous right now,” Morgan says, sitting down with her daughter in her lap. Clay sits down beside her with their son, apologizing and kissing her cheek.
“Same here,” Cecilia agrees, nodding her head. “I think it’s safe to say Shane wins man of the year.”
“Hey! What about me?” Silas whines behind her.
“Yes, honey. You’re amazing too.” She rolls her eyes. “Always needing attention, I swear,” she mutters and we all laugh.
“So, Ronnie, have you set a date yet?” Morgan turns her attention to Veronica.
“Yeah, because we can’t start planning baby Brey’s wedding until you’re hitched,” Emma adds as she sets Maddox down into his baby rocker and takes a margarita from Josephine’s tray. Shetakes a huge swallow and moans. “God, how I’ve missed you, alcohol.”
“Wait, you’re allowed to drink while breastfeeding?” Aubrey questions as she watches Emma take another gulp.
She shakes her head. “No, but I stopped breastfeeding them. They’re now on formula. It was way too much to breastfeed both on top of taking care of Gracie. Even when I pulled my milk it was just too draining. The formula saves me a lot of time and hands. I just plug them up and pass them off to whoever is near me.” She laughs.
“Must we have this conversation? Not all of us are interested in maternal responsibilities,” Julian mumbles annoyedly.
“Actually, can we please keep this conversation going? I’m suddenly very interested in lactation. Tell me more.” Jessie grins mischievously.
“Anyway!” Emma’s eyes widen as she ignores Jessie’s comment. “So, when will it be, babe? You can’t keep us waiting forever.”
“Ugh! Do we have to do this right now? Aren’t we here to celebrate their engagement?” Veronica points to us. “Not talk about my wedding.”
“We are.” Aubrey rubs her hands over her belly as I continue to hold it up for her. “But I do kind of agree with them. I wouldn’t feel right having my wedding before yours.” She smiles sympathetically at Veronica.
She covers her face with her hands and groans. “Look, I don’t know, okay?” Letting her hands drop, she looks at everyone in defeat. “If it were just me, I’d elope. Heck, I’d even get married right now in that backyard.” She points out toward ours. “I don’t want a big church wedding. I don’t want it to be a big deal, even if it is.”
Ronnie turns to face Gabe, addressing him alone. “I want to marry you, Gabriel. So, so badly. But it doesn’t feel fair, and I hate feeling this way because I know how much it means to you.”
He wraps his arms around her shoulders, one hand holding the back of her head as she rests it on his shoulder. “I know, Vixen. I’m not mad, I understand this isn’t easy for you.”
Noah takes a step closer to them, his hand gliding down her arm until it reaches her hand, and their fingers intertwine. “We love you, Kitten, and we know you love us, too. We’re sorry if it feels like we’re pressuring you. Just take your time and we’ll do it when you’re ready.”
“Actually, why don’t we do it today?” Cecilia speaks up, grabbing our attention. “John married us, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind doing yours too, right?” She looks back at Silas who nods in agreement.
