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Two hours before the ceremony, Trees was ready and pacing the floor impatiently, Laila’s simple wedding band jingling in his pocket, burning a hole.
Trees texted her. Let’s get married now.
She sent back a laughing-crying emoji. No, my love. Two o’clock. I am still getting ready.
You’re beautiful as you are. I just want you to be mine.
Very soon.She sent him a heart and a kiss emoji, then followed with another text. Then tonight, you are mine.
Amen to that.
Since returning from Mexico and finally getting free of the cartel, Laila had blossomed. Sure, she’d missed her sister when Valeria had decided to take Jorge and return to St. Louis. But that had prompted Laila to come out of her shell and make friends, first with Tessa, then with some of the other wives.
She had also taken in the briefcase of money Federico Chavez had handed her and funded causes like drug rehab centers, women’s shelters, and counseling for cartel victims. The only funds she had used for herself were for college, which she would start after the baby was born. Laila wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to do with her degree, except help children who had been the victims of assholes like the Ramos brothers.
Trees thanked God every day that Laila’s personal nightmare was over. Sure, he’d put Hector six feet under while helping Zy and Tessa rescue Hallie from her abductors—and thankfully the little girl didn’t remember anything. But Victor had been another matter.
A few days after leaving Victor to Chavez’s dubious mercy, his corpse had turned up, horribly mutilated. Laila had breathed a sigh of relief. News reports had expressed horror about the brutal torture Victor Ramos had endured, but Trees considered it karma. Laila hadn’t been able to look at the pictures, but Trees had, and he was still convinced that, despite Victor having all the dangling parts of his body severed before death, that he’d still had gotten off easier. After all, Victor had suffered for mere days. Laila had endured six long years.
His phone buzzed again. I love you. Laila sent more heart emojis.
I love you, too.He wasn’t much for emojis, but he sent a heart back, along with an eggplant, a honey pot, and water droplets. Their wedding night was coming up, after all.
She sent another laughing-crying emoji.
Trees checked his watch again and almost groaned. Fuck, it was taking forever to marry this woman.
Finally Nash and Wade showed up at the church with his parents and sisters. He was not only grateful to see his family but damn glad to have something to take his mind off his impatience.
“Hey, Mom and Dad. Wow, Kellyanne and Wren, you’ve both grown up.” He opened the door wide for them, marveling. Wren had been little more than a baby last time he’d seen her. “Thanks for coming early.”
“Do we need to talk you off a ledge?” Kellyanne teased.
“No. I just… This needs to hurry up.”
His mother laughed, her eyes seemingly brighter now that her hair had gone silvery. “We’re so thrilled for you, son. And you look so handsome in your tuxedo.”
He had worn a monkey suit a handful of times in his life, and rental shops always had fits when he walked in, but he’d had to admit he’d cleaned up pretty well. “Thanks.”
His dad hugged him, then clapped his shoulder. “You ready for marriage and all it comes with?”
“I am. Laila and I are beyond excited.” He’d tell them they were about to be grandparents again later. He already knew they’d be thrilled.
“Lots of compromising…” his dad said so cheerfully, he obviously loved married life.
“I’m learning that. Laila has already seen fit to redecorate the house to make it ‘homier.’” Trees grudgingly admitted he loved everything about it. Barney especially appreciated sleeping indoors more, the upgrade in his food, and the extra love. She was going to make an amazing mother.
“Seriously, you look so happy.” Kellyanne kissed his cheek.
“Congratulations.” Wren did the same.
He hugged them all, then his family filed out and took their seats.
Time flew in a blur of activity then. Everyone was busy, except his brothers, who slumped in the corner and tried to sleep off their hangovers. The reverend came in, and they shook hands. Then Zy took Laila’s ring and slipped it into his pocket before they all headed to the altar.
Finally, Laila was almost his.
The little white church was full of flowers and cheer as music started. Hallie and Jorge toddled down the aisle together, dressed so cutely their guests oohed and laughed. Tessa’s daughter threw pink rose petals, smiled like the ham she was, dancing to the altar. Jorge followed in his little tux, ring pillow in hand, looking deer-in-the-headlights as he headed to the front, where Kata and Tara Edgington waited for them both with pieces of candy and high-fives.
Once the children were settled in the front row, Kimber walked down the aisle in a delicate V-neck dress in a shade somewhere between pink and beige. Tessa glided to the front of the church, dressed similarly, except her gown was draped across one shoulder, leaving the other bare. A glance at his best friend told Trees that Zy only had eyes for his wife, and their love for each other was palpable. Finally, Valeria made her way to the altar in a strapless dress of the same color, holding a bouquet of soft summer flowers—and finally looking at peace.
Then the music changed again. Everyone rose. Trees held his breath, his heart chugging wildly.
The most beautiful bride ever walked toward him, a vision in dark curls, white lace, and a smile of radiant joy. She beamed with love. He could feel it in the way she looked at him as she approached, one graceful step at a time, never taking her eyes off his.
God, he felt so humbled, his devotion for his bride so thick it almost choked him.
Finally, Laila stood before him, fitting her hands into his, trusting him with her body, her heart, and the rest of her life.
In front of their friends and family, he vowed to love, honor, and cherish her, forsaking all others for the rest of his life. Trees didn’t think that would be hard. He was already doing it happily.
Laila spoke the same words in return, tearing up as she bound her future to his.
They exchanged rings. He was gratified that Laila’s fit her finger perfectly, and he was touched to find her hand shaking as she slid the titanium band onto his finger while swearing she would love him until the end of time.
Then finally, the minister told Trees to kiss his bride.
