Eight Months Later

Blake fidgeted in the back of the room, tugging once again at his aqua-blue tie. He was pretty sure it was trying to choke him to death.

Danielle smacked his hand. “If you touch that tie one more time, I’m going to get out my taser and give you a jolt.”

“You wouldn’t.”

She arched a brow. “Try me. Now let me fix it. Again.”

“Daddy! I’m a princess!”

Caroline came barreling into the room wearing the poofiest dress he’d ever seen. It was the same shade of blue as his tie and happened to match a certain princess his daughter still hadn’t grown tired of. “Really, Danielle? Really?”

“You said she could be involved. And she’s four, of course she picked the princess dress. Are you kidding?”

He never should have turned the two of them loose together to go dress shopping. He’d already let his daughter decide he’d be wearing her favorite shade of blue at his wedding. He should have left it at that. The two of them together were a menace.

“Do you like it, Daddy?”

She looked up at him with her big brown eyes and he melted. Grammy and Aunt Paula had taken her to have her hair done with them that morning and she looked like an angel. “You’re beautiful, baby girl.”

He knelt down in front of her and she plowed into his arms. “I love you, Daddy. You look like a prince.”

“Thanks, Mouse. You ready for our big day?”

She nodded. “We’re getting married!”

They certainly were.

Familiar butterflies danced in Blake’s stomach and he couldn’t bite back his grin. He’d not been this happy in a long time and to have all of his family here with him changed everything.

“Okay, people. It’s time.” Danielle clapped her hands together and began to direct them all into their positions.

Blake stood and clasped Caroline’s hand in his.

Linc and Blake had decided to trust the planning of their big day to Danielle. He couldn’t have the area’s best event planner in the family and not let her work her magic. She’d promised to keep things simple, and Blake knew she wouldn’t let him down.

They followed her to the room where they were holding the ceremony. The building she owned in downtown Havendale had three stories and they were utilizing all of them for their wedding. His parents were waiting for them by the doorway.

“Oh honey. You look so handsome.”

“Thanks, Mom. You look amazing, too.” She wore a navy dress that matched his navy suit. His dad’s suit was the same pale gray as the one he knew Linc had on, but his tie was the same Elsa blue as Blake’s.

His dad pulled out his handkerchief and dabbed at his eyes.

“Don’t cry, Jeep. We have to marry Linc so we can dance and have cake.”

She had priorities.

“Okay, Caroline. It’s your turn. You remember your job?”

“Yep,” she said. “I drop the flowers and walk straight to Uncle Micah. Daddy will be right behind me.”

“That’s right.”

She took the basket of white petals that Danielle handed her and stepped through the doorway. The entire room let out a sweet aww at the sight of her. They gave her a minute to get down the aisle, then Danielle directed them to step through the door behind her.

Blake stood between his parents and caught his first glimpse of the day of his groom. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was. The past few months had been a whirlwind, but once they’d gotten over the issues they’d created for themselves, everything settled into place.

Linc’s eyes were locked on him and Blake thought his cheeks might break with the width of his smile.

“God, he’s gorgeous,” Blake whispered.

“No kidding,” his dad answered.

Blake laughed and glanced over at his dad. “Really, Dad?”

“What? I’m not blind. Even I can see the man is a looker.”

“I think what your father is trying to say is that you chose well.”

“I love you both. Ready to give me away?”

Melissa scoffed. “We’re not giving you away. You’re giving us Linc as a new son. Bartletts don’t give anyone away. You know that.”

He did. Very well.

They walked down the long aisle surrounded by family and friends. Micah had agreed to be his best man, while Abe stood up with Linc. Even Uncle David had gotten on board. He’d managed to get his license to perform marriages in Florida and was serving as their officiant.

When they reached the end, Linc reached out his hand. Blake happily slid his into it and they stood side-by-side with matching smiles. The words passed in a blur. He couldn’t look away from Linc’s eyes, even as he recited the vows his uncle read out to him.

“And now, I am proud to announce you married. You may kiss your husband.”

Blake’s eyes welled with tears as Linc leaned in and captured his lips.

The crowd cheered and Caroline began tugging at their lapels before they’d even broken apart.

Linc scooped her up and she planted a kiss on his cheek.

“We’re married!”

“Yes, we are,” Linc said.

He reached over and grasped Blake’s hand.

They walked back down the aisle as a family and escaped into one of the side rooms to allow their guests to go upstairs to the reception. They had to go back for pictures, but Danielle had promised him she’d make them quick.

Blake’s dad stuck his head in and grinned. “Hey Mouse, want to come with Jeep?”

She nodded and wiggled her way out of Linc’s hold.

“We’ll give you guys a minute. Danielle made me swear to tell you not to mess up your suits.”

He grinned and grabbed Caroline’s hand, leading her out of the room.

“I swear, it’s like they think we can’t keep our hands off each other,” Blake complained.

“Well, they kind of have a point.”

“Maybe a little.”

“Remember when Aunt Paula walked in and—”

“No, no, no. We promised to never mention that incident again. She should have knocked.”

Linc grinned. “I might have a solution to that.”

“What?”

Linc reached behind him and grabbed a large tube, wrapped in a bow. “Happy wedding day, Blake.”

“What did you do?” He ripped the bow off and pulled open the tube.

Inside was a roll of blueprints. He’d seen enough of them in his time at Bartlett Construction to know exactly what he was looking at.

When he unrolled them, though, the image he saw was all Linc. He’d drawn their dream home, complete with them standing in front of it, pushing Caroline on a swing. He’d even added a dog, which they’d promised to get Caroline once they were back from their honeymoon.

“You like it?”

“I love it. It’s perfect, Linc.”

“I bought the property for us when you agreed to marry me. Uncle Henry has the crew ready to go on the foundation. We’re just waiting on your approval to start.”

“How did you guys keep this a secret from me?”

“It was hard. But we have a great family and they wanted to help me surprise you.”

Blake dropped the plans and wrapped his arms around Linc. “I love you, Lincoln Coleman.”

“Lucky you do since you just married me. Can’t get rid of me now.”

Danielle knocked on the door before pushing it open. “Photographer is waiting. And your kid is demanding cake so you’d better come on before someone caves and gets her a piece.”

Linc laughed and stepped back. He straightened Blake’s suit. “We’re coming.”

They made it through the photos with limited fuss. Caroline hammed it up once the photographer informed her that she was performing her duties as princess of the day. After their grand entrance, Blake let Danielle guide them through all the moments. When the lights dimmed for their first dance, he eagerly walked onto the cleared dance floor with his husband.

Linc held him close as the music began to play. “I can’t believe we did it.”

“We did indeed,” Blake said. He grinned as Linc tugged him closer.

“You think Danielle will kill me if I steal you away after this?”

“Probably so. We haven’t cut the cake yet and the tantrum she’ll have to manage from Caroline will not be worth it.”

“Hmm. Okay, after we cut the cake then.”

“Impatient?”

Linc grinned. “A little. Can’t wait to get my hands on you. Make love to my husband for the first time.”

Blake leaned in and kissed Linc quickly. “You’re cute.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Hey, if you want to deal with the wrath of my family, be my guest. I’m not that brave.”

“Dammit. Neither am I. So how long before we can escape?”

Blake shrugged and reached up to cup Linc’s cheek in his hand. “Not sure. But I bet if we get everything checked off Danielle’s to-do list, she’ll help us escape and then defend our honor.”

Linc grinned and spun them around as the music continued. “And then I can take you home?”

Blake nodded and leaned in to kiss Linc again. He never got enough. When he pulled away again, he lowered his head to Linc’s shoulder as they swayed together. Linc pressed their cheeks together and he began to hum along to the music.

He’d not pictured his life turning out this way, but now he couldn’t imagine it any other way.

“Daddy!”

Caroline ran across the dance floor. Blake stopped and scooped her up before Linc pulled them both close.

“Love you, Mouse.”

“Love you, Daddy. Love you, too, Linc. Can we have cake now?”

Linc grinned and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Yeah, baby girl. We can have cake now.”