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“Thank you,” I whispered, trying to control the lump that attempted to clog my throat.
When she stepped back, Mom took her place. “I know this week wasn’t quite how you envisioned everything, and I’m so sorry for that. But as I look at my beautiful girl right now, nothing else in the world matters. All I care about is your happiness.”
“I am happy, Mom. I never thought this day would come, or that it would be Cannon I shared it with, but once I fell in love with him, there was never anyone else I could see myself sharing my life with.”
“He doesn’t know how lucky he is.”
I carefully shook my head, making an effort not to shift my hair in the slightest. “He knows.”
“Yes, he definitely knows,” Dallas murmured softly with a smile.
“He’s been dreaming of this day for a lot longer than anyone realizes,” Violet agreed. “Cannon has made a million mistakes along the way, but he’s going to dedicate his life to making up for every single one of them, Piper.”
“There’s nothing for him to make up for,” I assured her. “The past is firmly where it belongs. Where he and I are concerned, there is only right now and our future together.”
Chapter 8
Cannon
Closing the ring box, I handed it to Jagger, who carefully tucked it into the inside pocket of his black tux jacket. “You lose these rings, and you’re dead to me.”
My best friend smirked and patted his pocket. “I’m sure I can handle this important mission.”
Giving him a stiff nod, I turned back to the mirror and straightened my jacket. Behind me, Trinity appeared with a lint roller, making sure everything was perfect before stepping away. It was nearly time, and with each second that ticked away, my hands began to tremble. So close. Piper would be my wife soon. I just had to be patient for a little longer.
Jagger squeezed my shoulder. “You can do this, bro. You’ve come this far and not fucked anything up.”
“Great pep talk, Jags,” Trin said with a sigh. Standing behind me, she met my gaze in the mirror. “That girl loves you so much, she nearly killed her own brother a week ago. Get your shit together, and don’t pussy out. Because if you fuck up today, there are about two hundred people in the Observatory waiting to murder you.”
My lips twitched at the hardness in her tone. “You scare the hell out of me sometimes, Trin.”
“Good.” She winked then stepped back. “I have to go take my seat. Jarrett has Avalyn, but she won’t sit still for him for long. Remember what I said.”
“Are you going to hold me down while they kill me?” I called after her.
“No,” she said as she opened the door. “Shaw already called dibs on that. But I’ll be getting a few punches in.”
As she stepped out of the room, Dad and Liam appeared in the doorway. “It’s time, boys.”
“Shouldn’t you be with Piper?” I asked Liam, nervousness filling me once again.
“They’re finishing up with her dress,” he said as he crossed the threshold. “I wanted a moment of your time before the ceremony.”
Gulping, I nodded and waved him over.
Liam squared his shoulders and met my gaze. “Everything that happened last week—”
“It doesn’t matter—”
“It does, son,” Liam spoke firmly. “I want to personally express to you how sorry I am for what Asher did. His actions nearly cost you and Piper something that not everyone is lucky enough to experience. All his anger and misguided bullshit sent him down a path that has caused everyone pain. If he had succeeded, this day might not have even taken place. For that, you have my sincere apology. My son has a lot to make up for, but I feel like it should start here, with me. I raised him. Somewhere along the way, I failed him, and in doing so, I failed Piper and even you.”
“I can’t accept your apology,” I told him honestly, and his shoulders drooped. “I can’t accept it, because I feel like you have nothing to be sorry for. We all know that I wasn’t the best person growing up. I still struggle with not being a jackass most days. But I’m learning, and I’m trying. For Piper’s sake, as well as my own. You did nothing wrong, Uncle Liam. Just as my parents did nothing wrong with me. I made bad choices, many of them that ruined occasions and even lives along the way. Asher made his own mistakes. He and only he will have to face the consequences. I wish I could tell you how to fix all this, but the truth is, I have no way to undo the pain he caused. If Piper walked in here right now and asked me to put it all behind us, I would. But she’s hell-bent on keeping her brother as far away from our lives as possible. Should she ever change her mind, I’ll willingly follow her lead. But until that happens, Asher is dead to both of us.”
Liam’s throat bobbed, but he nodded his understanding.
“That doesn’t mean she wants to cut you and Gabriella out of our lives. You two have always been there for her, for both of your children. Between you and Gabriella, and my own parents, we have great role models for when we have our own babies. Don’t beat yourself up, thinking you didn’t do a good enough job. You can’t control what your adult children do, sir.”
“I should go,” Liam rasped. “My little girl is waiting for me to walk her down the aisle. But there is one more thing I need to say.”
