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Chapter Twenty
ARCHER
I wake up with Everleigh’s legs intertwined with mine. After she arrived the night before last, we decided to stay a couple more days to explore. We spent yesterday doing tourist things and shopping.
Then we celebrated all night long.
“Mornin’, hubby,” she murmurs with a sleepy grin.
I smile wide at the sound of that. “Good morning, my beautiful wife.”
Everleigh giggles. “Wow, that sounds so…”
“Weird?”
“I was gonna say amazing, but sure, let’s go with weird.”
I chuckle, bringing her mouth to mine. “Weird. Amazing. Unbelievable. Surreal.”
“All of the above.” She moans against my lips. “Everyone’s gonna freak out when they hear.”
“Do you think Tyler’s gonna kill me?” I ask.
She shrugs. “Should we FaceTime them and see?”
“Sure, might as well do it before we go home.”
It takes Everleigh ten minutes to find clothes and freshen up.
“Good to go?”
“Yep!” She grabs her phone and calls Gemma.
“Oh my God, finally!” Gemma’s face fills the screen.
“Hi!” Everleigh greets. “Where’s my brother?”
“Right here.” I hear his moody voice in the background, then soon, he’s next to Gemma.
“Cheer up, bro. We have some exciting news!” Everleigh’s bursting at the seams with happiness, and I love this look on her.
“You’re pregnant?” Gemma squeals.
Everleigh furrows her brows. “No!” Then she holds up her left hand and shows off her ring. “We eloped!”
“What?” Gemma screams at the same time Tyler yells, “You what?”
I wrap my arm around Everleigh and smile. “Guess that means we’re officially family now,” I tell Tyler, hoping he won’t lay me out for this.
“How in the hell did that happen? I mean, congrats! But oh my God, I didn’t see that comin’,” Gemma says, her mouth still open in shock.
“To be fair, I only suggested we look at rings. Ya know, give him a little hint, show him what I like. I didn’t expect him to get down on one knee and propose! Right there in the middle of the jewelry store.” She looks over at me and beams. “How could I not say yes?”
“But whose idea was it to get hitched in Vegas?” Tyler asks.
“It was a mutual decision. We were walking around and saw a chapel. Then looked at each other and said…why the hell not?”
“Uh…because you’ve known each other for less than a year?” Tyler interjects.
Gemma elbows him in the side.
“Excuse me, big bro. You eloped without telling a soul, making us believe Gemma actually married Robert! You two don’t get to say a damn word,” Everleigh remarks with a shit-eating grin. “You guys kept it a secret!”
“We had to! But that’s besides the point. Does this mean we’ll finally get a niece or nephew now?” Gemma lifts her brows, waiting for an answer.
“Let us enjoy being married for a bit, okay?” I interject.
“We’ve got time,” Everleigh adds. “Though according to my period app, my biological clock is ticking.”
Gemma giggles.
“Aside from you someday knocking up my sister, Archer, I’m happy for you two. My stance still stands, though.” He gives me a pointed look.
I break her heart, he breaks my skull. Got it.
“I knew you were adventurous,” Gemma tells Everleigh, then glances at me. “But I didn’t know you were such a risk-taker, Archer.”
“There’s no risk when you’re marrying the woman of your dreams. Only anticipation for what your futures hold.”
“Aww….” Gemma says.
“You’re too sweet, baby.” Everleigh leans in and kisses me. “And I agree. We’ve survived a lot together and have gone through more shit than most couples ever do. So, why waste time when you want the same things?”
“That’s true. Plus, when you know, you know,” I add. “I didn’t think twice about putting that ring on your finger.”
“Jesus, you two.” Tyler grunts. “You’re gonna be attached at the hips now, aren’t ya?”
Gemma smirks. “They already are. I’m so happy for you two. Seriously. I can’t wait to celebrate with y’all.”
“Speaking of, when are you coming home?” Tyler asks. “Mimi’s ready to send Sassy to the shelter if she eats one more shoe.”
Sassy has separation anxiety because even though she’s a little shit sometimes, she’s never chewed on our shoes before.
“Tomorrow. That okay, Dad?” Everleigh rolls her eyes. “We want one more honeymoon night.”
“We’ll eventually go on a real one,” I tell her confidently. She deserves more than just a couple of nights in a hotel room.
“Well, text me your flight times,” Tyler says. “Your clients are waiting.”
“I’ll be back at work the day after tomorrow,” I confirm. “Appreciate you taking them on.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome. Some of them have real foul mouths, though.”
I laugh. “Don’t I know it.”
We say our goodbyes, then Everleigh tosses her phone. “Everyone will know before our plane even lands.”
“That’s small-town living for ya.” I flash her a wink. “And good, I want everyone to know you’re mine forever. My wife. The future mother of my children. The love of my life.”
“You’re gonna get me pregnant with all this sexy talk,” she taunts. “But first, we better call Annie.”
