Epilogue
Jax stood in front of the large fireplace at his parents’ house, listening to his dad and Alexander talk about some new drug that was on the market. He was only half paying attention as their family and friends filled up his parents’ living room. They’d borrowed some chairs and set them up in the living room for people to sit on during the small ceremony, and almost all of them were full.
His dad had built a fire earlier that morning to warm the room. It was a good thing, too, since every time the front door was opened cold air wafted in from outside and crept into the living room. Not that Jax needed the extra heat. He was sweating under his suit and it had nothing to do with the temperature in the room. He was nervous, plain and simple. Not about marrying Gabby—he couldn’t wait for that—it was more that he wanted this day to be perfect for her and was afraid this rushed wedding wasn’t going to live up to her expectations.
He had no rational reason to think that, however. Gabby had insisted a small wedding was exactly what she wanted. She didn’t want to wait the year or so it would take to pull off something more extravagant. In her mind, they’d wasted enough time and, in that respect, he couldn’t disagree with her. They had wasted too much time and it was entirely his fault.
Pushing the self-loathing aside, he focused on the present. Gabby had been right when she said they both needed to forgive each other and themselves. Living in the past didn’t solve anything and would only hinder their future.
Thanks to both of their mothers, they’d somehow managed to put together a wedding in a little over a week. They’d both fully embraced Jax and Gabby’s engagement and jumped in with both feet to help however they could. He still wasn’t sure how they’d done it. All the talk of cakes and decorations and seating had made his head spin.
His gaze fell on the Christmas tree a few feet away. Usually his parents’ Christmas tree was decorated with various ornaments from his childhood. But since this was a special occasion, his mom had insisted the tree needed to look the part. It was covered in a mixture of silver, gold, red, and white and looked as if it had come right out of a magazine.
A flash of red caught his attention and he zeroed in on it. The sound of female laughter filtered in from the hall a moment before Grace moved into his line of sight.
The only family member who’d been a bit skeptical was Grace. When they’d told Gabby’s mother, Caroline, she’d just smiled and said she knew it would all work out eventually. Grace, however, had looked at them both as if they’d lost their minds. He knew it was out of fear he’d break her sister’s heart again, and to be honest, he couldn’t blame her. It wasn’t as if he didn’t deserve her skepticism.
In an effort to mend fences, Jax, Gabby, Grace, and Alexander, whom Jax was still trying to get to know, all went out to dinner two nights ago to clear the air. He wasn’t sure everything was peachy keen now, but at least he was confident Grace knew his intentions when it came to Gabby and Taylor were honorable.
Grace strolled into the living room holding Taylor’s hand. His daughter looked adorable in her fancy dress—the perfect little flower girl. He only hoped her dress made it through the ceremony without her getting something on it, a rather large accomplishment for a three-year-old.
“Gabby’s still getting ready and Taylor was getting restless. I told her we’d come see what her daddy was doing.”
Without comment, Jax lifted her into his arms and settled her onto his hip. “Have you been helping Mommy get ready?”
Taylor nodded and proceeded to launch into all the ways she’d been helping her mother.
“I should probably get back to Gabby,” Grace said. “When I left they were putting the finishing touches on her hair.”
Alexander extended his hand to Grace and she took it. He pulled her close to him and whispered something in her ear. Jax didn’t hear what was said, but whatever it was had Grace blushing. She nodded and walked away.
He didn’t get to think about it for too long before Wes, one of his cousins, headed toward him. Jax smiled as he neared. He lowered Taylor to the ground and then embraced his cousin. “It’s good to see you.”
“Same here. It’s been years.” Three years to be more precise. When Jax had left he’d cut himself off from everyone except his parents.
He felt a tug on his pant leg and looked down. Taylor was staring up at him. “I’m gonna go help Mommy.”
Jax nodded and she was off.
Wes chuckled. “She’s growing up.”
“Yeah.”
Wes started talking about sports, always a popular subject with him. Football, basketball, hockey . . . it didn’t matter. He could talk for hours and still not get tired. A half hour later, he was still standing there talking sports. He and Wes had been joined by another one of his cousins and three of his uncles. Jax wasn’t a big sports fan himself, but the conversation had helped get his mind off his nerves.
His father came up beside him and clapped him on the back. “Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen, but I believe we’re about ready to get this show on the road.”
As soon as the words were out of his dad’s mouth, all the anxiety returned.
Soft music began playing, signaling to everyone it was time to take their seats.
His dad moved to stand beside him, taking his position as Jax’s best man. “Nervous?”
Jax glanced over at his father. “Is it obvious?”
Nate Brooks chuckled. “Only to those of us who’ve been in your shoes. You’ll be fine as soon as you lay eyes on her.”
Nodding, Jax took a deep breath and tried to let the music soothe him.
Several minutes passed and the song changed before he saw that flash of red again. Grace came into view, Taylor once again at her side. Bending down, Grace whispered something in his daughter’s ear.
What followed had everyone cracking up. Taylor took the little basket full of rose petals she was carrying, walked about halfway down the makeshift aisle, and dumped the entire thing onto the floor. She ran back to Grace and, loud enough for the whole room to hear, asked “Did I do it right?”
Grace bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to laugh. “You did great.”
She took his daughter’s hand and they both made their way down the aisle to stand on the other side of the minister.
Again, they waited. Eventually the song changed, and then he saw her. All the air rushed out of his lungs as he took her in. She wore a long white dress with long sleeves and her hair was pinned up, exposing her neck. His heart pounded as she walked toward him, arm in arm with her mother.
She stopped in front of him and he didn’t hesitate to grasp her hands. His father had been right.
***
The ceremony was short and simple. Afterward, they took a few pictures and joined their guests as they all filled their stomachs with food.
It was a great time, but by eight o’clock Jax and Gabby were both ready for some alone time. Gabby’s mother, Caroline, was taking Taylor for the evening so they could be alone on their wedding night. They were all going to meet back at Jax’s parents’ house the next morning around ten for brunch and to open presents.
After saying goodbye to everyone and giving their daughter a lot of extra hugs and kisses since they wouldn’t be there to tuck her in that night, Jax and Gabby headed back home. He parked his vehicle in the driveway and went to help his bride from the car. As soon as she was on her feet, he pressed her warm body against his and gave her a lingering kiss.
She released a sigh that sent a shot of heat straight to his groin. “We should get inside.”
Gabby ran her hand down the front of his coat as she gazed up at him with a wicked gleam in her eye. “I think that’s a very good idea.”
He took a step back and reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together, and they made their way up the sidewalk to the front door of their home. His hands shook a little as he unlocked the door, and then turned and lifted Gabby into his arms. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck as he carried her into the house.
Once inside, he lowered her to the floor so he could shut and lock the door. By the time he was finished, she’d already removed her coat. He quickly removed his own and put them both away in the closet.
Jax was putting the second coat on the hanger when he felt Gabby’s hands on his stomach, precariously close to a part of his anatomy that was growing by the second.
“It was a lovely wedding,” she said, her breath ghosting along the back of his neck.
He swallowed, trying to keep his head about him as all his blood was rushing south. “Yes, it was.”
“I’m glad we didn’t wait.”
“So am I.” He didn’t dare move or he would jump her right there. Which, considering she was now his wife, wasn’t out of the question, but he’d wanted something a little more romantic for their first time as husband and wife.
She ran her lips along his neck, sending shivers down his spine and making him rock hard. “I’m going to go freshen up. Can you get us a little snack? I was so busy talking to people I didn’t eat all that much.”
“Sure.” He wondered if she heard his voice crack.
Jax felt her mouth curve into a smile. “I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”
Gabby moved away and he watched her disappear down the hall.
Taking several deep breaths, he tried to center himself. It was their wedding night and he wanted it to be special for her. So after putting together a plate of cheese, fruit, and crackers, along with a glass of white grape juice for both of them, he carried everything into the bedroom and began getting things ready.
He could hear her moving around in the bathroom, so he knew he had a little time. Setting the food and drinks on the nightstand, he went to the closet where he knew she had some candles. As he was pulling one off the shelf, it dropped to the floor and he bent to retrieve it.
That was when he saw a large box. It was partially open and appeared to contain books. He was about to dismiss it altogether—Gabby liked to read as much as he did—but something stopped him. Before he could think better of it, Jax flipped the cardboard flap out of the way so he could get a good look at the books inside. The four on the top were all the same. Not just the same author, but the same book. A book that he recognized.
Picking one up, he gave it a closer inspection. It was a romance novel from G. E. Lewis. The same romance novel his mother had been reading the night Jax and Gabby had come home from their date at the zoo.
G. E.
Gabrielle Elaine.
Her reaction to his mother’s question about the book’s author filled his memory and everything fell into place.
G. E. Lewis was Gabby. His Gabby.
He heard her enter the room and twisted, book in hand, so he could face her. All thoughts of the book he held went out the window as he took in his beautiful bride. She wore a white lace corset with white thigh-high stockings and garters. His mouth watered and kneeling instantly became uncomfortable. He stood, trying to get a little more room in his paints.
“What do you have there?” she asked as she walked farther into the room.
“What?” He blinked and followed her gaze down to the book in his hand. “Oh. I was looking for some candles and found your box of books. How come you never told me you were G. E. Lewis?”
She was in front of him and he couldn’t resist touching her. Her skin was soft and smooth beneath the lace. As good as she looked in the outfit, he couldn’t wait to peel it off her.
After taking the book from him, she placed it on the dresser nearby and reached for the buttons on his dress shirt. “I don’t know. Maybe a part of me was worried about what you’d think if you realized what type of books I write. Especially after what your mom said.” She gazed up at him. “You seemed embarrassed.”
“Well, yeah. Because she’s my mom. I don’t want to think about my parents doing that stuff.”
Gabby giggled as she popped the last button on his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. “I see. So it doesn’t embarrass you that I write sexy romance novels?” She scraped her teeth over the skin right below his collarbone and his cock twitched.
He dug his fingers into her hips and pressed her closer, letting her feel what she did to him. “Not at all. Especially if I’m the one benefiting from your creativity.”
“Hmm.” She hooked her finger under his belt and began backing toward the bed. “How ’bout we see how creative I can be tonight with my new husband?”
Jax lifted her up and tossed her on the bed. She landed on the mattress with a bounce.
He removed the rest of his clothes and climbed onto the bed to hover over her. “I’m all yours, wife. Let your imagination go wild.”
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