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Jake grimaced, but rubbed Buster’s head anyway. “I love you too, you big troublemaker.”
Buster barked and licked his face.
“Aww, he loves you too. We’re gonna be one big, happy family,” Frankie said in her puppy-talk voice, but Jake was dead serious in his reply.
“Yeah, we are.”
CHAPTER34
EPILOGUE
Dom tuggedat the bowtie that was attempting to strangle him. He hadn't worn one of these rigs in years. The fact that Jake had taken him out to get fitted for it meant it was a good one, but he was still uncomfortable as hell.
"Daddy, knock it off." Fi slapped at his hand and straightened the tie herself.
"I can't help it," Dom groused. "Damn thing is trying to kill me."
"No, it isn't. It's making you look handsome." Jo stepped up behind him and gave him a brief hug of support. She knew how nervous he was.
Today he was sending a daughter and a son off into wedded bliss. He had the privilege of walking both brides down the aisle. He was terrified he'd screw it up.
This was worse than having to film those crazy shows. This was real life and it would go down in the annals of family lore for decades if he tripped or stepped on someone's hem. Jo's hand between his shoulder blades helped center him. She knew what this was really about.
They'd started seeing a couples therapist in addition to their own separate sessions, so she had a better idea of where he was struggling and vice versa. It was the most they'd talked about things that really mattered in years.
It had come up last week that Dom was struggling with the regret that Gabe would not be at the wedding. That there were all these family triumphs he'd missed. That there was a person out there who would have been perfect for him too, who would never get to know him. The futility of Gabe's death still weighed heavy on his heart all these years later, and the load got heavier to carry around major life events.
"Remember, breathe through it, babe." Jo repeated their therapist's advice. She held her bouquet in front of his face. "Focus on the now. Smell the roses. The girls need you."
Dom hauled in a deep breath, grounding himself in the rich scents of the flowers and the soothing haven of his wife's voice. He nodded. "You're right. I've got this."
He looked around the master bedroom at the vineyard that had been converted to bride central. Natalie was getting her hair curled and tucked into some fancy mess low on her head. Frankie sat with her eyes closed and a drape over her blush pink dress, and some lady with purple hair was doing her makeup. Sofia, hair and makeup finished, was beginning the process of donning her gown. Even little Daisy was here, walking slowly around the perimeter of the room in her miniature version of Frankie's dress, practicing her flower girl walk. Thank goodness they hadn't put any real furniture in here yet, or they wouldn't all fit!
Jo stepped over to help zip Sofia into her dress, and one of the photographers Jake had referred to them began snapping pictures he knew would make Jo cry later. His baby was becoming a bride before his eyes. His heart pinched so he focused on his wife instead. She stood beside her daughter, a dress of shimmering champagne hugging every curve he loved to touch. He'd make sure to show her that later. Maybe in that fancy wine cellar in the kitchen…
Clearing his throat, Dom resisted the urge to tug on his tie again and looked around his feet to make sure there wasn't anything fragile or fabric before he stepped toward the door.
"You ladies seem to have everything under control in here. I'm just going to step out for some fresh air and see how the boys are doing."
Before they could protest, he was out the door and hustling down the hallway. He turned left at the stairs and went down to the tasting room, which had been designated as the gentleman's prep area. The bar had been stocked just for the occasion.
"Dom!" Adrian called from his seat at the bar. "How's my bride doing?"
"She's stunning and almost ready to go."
Enzo held up a bottle of beer and a red Solo cup. "What can I get you, Dad?"
"I'll have the beer. Thanks, son."
Jake turned from where he'd been talking on his cell phone and tucked it into his pocket. That boy never quit. Always hustling. Since he'd turned that hustle in service of his family, Dom couldn't complain. Hell, he'd been the same way. Trust Frankie to fall for someone just like him. Dom's chest puffed out with pride as he assessed the men in the room. He took a sip of beer to wet his throat that had gone suspiciously dry.
They were all wearing tuxes that seemed to effortlessly fit. Dom knew from his own fitting with Jake's tailor that it was anything but effortless. He also knew the ladies were going to swoon when they saw this crew standing up by the altar.
These men fate had brought into his life… Enzo, his son, always true to himself. Adrian, a son in his heart and today son-in-law, solid and trustworthy no matter what. And Jake, the man he'd trusted to solidify his legacy, bring the Valentis to the world, and now marry his youngest child.
Those damn tears pressed against his closed eyelids when he thought about Gabe, the fourth man who should have been standing at that bar. He would have joked with Adrian like they had back in the day, talked Enzo into taking a dare. And Jake? Well, Gabe would've kept an eye on Jake, just to make sure he was treating his best girl Frankie right.
As these men joked and kept their own nerves at bay, Dom just let the conversation flow past him, caught in his own thoughts.
