AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When he looks up at me, he croons and I sob.
“How does your mom look, buddy?” Lucas asks from the other side of the door.
Jadon rushes forward, wrapping his arms around my legs. “So pretty, but she’s crying.”
He says that, but then Jadon wipes his own tears away. Charity helps me kneel to his level. He might get mad at me one day for not having Lucas in our lives sooner, maybe not. He hasn’t really said anything about Ted since everything happened, so that door seems to be closed for him, thankfully. All this time, I have tried to remind myself that he’s the reason we’re here. He could have been more challenging, but just isn’t. He’s easygoing with lots of energy.
“Come on, Jadon,” Charity says. “Let’s give them a minute.”
I notice his hair is combed and styled to the side. “Thank you for making sure he was ready, Lucas.”
With my fingers around the door, he takes them and links them with his own. “Hi.”
If there’s a word for laughing and sobbing at the same time, that would be me at this moment. “Hi.”
“I was thinking about something today. I know the wedding doesn’t really matter, it’s just some expensive party, but I’m so grateful, Allie, that you’ll be walking down that aisle toward me.”
“It’s never felt so right, Lucas.” And I mean that.
His thumb slowly swipes across each of my knuckles, and I lean my head harder against the door.
“Listen, Allie. I just wanted to let you know that this changes nothing between you and me. We’re still the same, but I know marriage was important to you. If I know you at all, you need to stop freaking out about people watching you, though.”
He truly knows me.
“It’s the last step for us, you know? There won’t be anything standing between us anymore. No boyfriends or girlfriends.” Lucas squeezes my fingers. “No withholding sex anymore. That’s just rude and Jadon needs like twelve siblings, so we have to get started on that immediately after you say ‘I do.’”
I ignore that last part. “Are you mad about waiting?” As hard as it was, and he liked to tease, he was respectful of my wishes almost to a fault.
“No.” I can imagine the smile on his face now, by the tone of his voice. “It was a simple request. I’ll give you whatever you want, Allie. I can’t buy you some mansion or fancy car when the seasons change, or surprise you with a trip to Rome on a whim, but those aren’t things we want. We’re simple, Allie, and that kind of sacrifice was nothing, so don’t feel bad about it, because you’re worth waiting for.”
I might cry all over again. “You love me because I’m the economical choice?”
Lucas laughs, and I smile, wishing the ceremony would just get here already. “I love you because you’re you. But don’t think I haven’t arranged our private escape after the ceremony. Charity said you’re wearing your something blue and I’m going to find out what it is.”
My cheeks burn at his words and then my dad’s voice nearly sends me into a panic.
“Alright, Lucas. Back to your side of the hall. Go fix your hair; you messed it up already.”
Lucas squeezes my fingers one last time before he lets go. I push off the floor and stand up on my own.
“Just talking to my bride, Tom.”
“You have forty minutes left of your nonsense before you need to be serious. Go spend it with Joel and leave my daughter alone. You’ve corrupted her enough. Don’t ruin the wedding day.”
Lucas barks a laugh and leaves us. My dad has already been in here with me this morning, but clutches his chest when he sees me again. This time, with a full face and hair, and in my dress.
“I’m so glad I scared enough of those boys away from you. I didn’t have to deal with every version of Lucas Kennedy trying to sneak into your bedroom or calling at all hours of the night. I’m just glad you graduated high school before you gave me heart palpitations. It all turned out just fine, though. You’re good, your kid is happy and healthy, and now you get this little party. It’s called happily ever after, and you, sweetheart, got sunshine and rainbows today.”
I roll my eyes and he smiles down at me. “Thanks, Dad.” I don’t know where I would be if he didn’t step in for me.
“Alright, enough. Charity, fix her eyes. They look weird. Jadon, put the chocolate down. Your dad got that for your mom, and I know Joel already fed you enough cavities for the day.”
Chapter60
Joel
I’ve known Lucas fucking Kennedy since we had matching light up space ranger shoes on the playground. We weren’t always best friends, because he had all the kids in class following him around, while I was mostly in the corner on my own.
