CHAPTER FIFTY
Together, they pounded on Beckett and Gia’s front door intermittently ringing the bell until they heard footsteps. “Jesus, what the hell are you two doing here?” Becket yawned. He was shirtless and his pajama pants were untied. Gia was behind him wearing one of his law-school t-shirts. Her hair was a crazy snarl of curls.
“We need your help,” Eva told them.
“I used up all my lawyering last night into this morning,” Beckett grumbled.
“We don’t need your lawyering. We need your mayoring,” Donovan grinned. “We’re getting married.”
“Congratulations,” Beckett yawned and began to shut the door.
Donovan slapped a hand on the wood. “Today. We’re getting married today. You’re officiating.”
Gia, suddenly awake, launched herself at Eva. “You’re getting married?” she squealed.
“What’s going on?” Evan grumbled from the foot of the stairs.
“Your Aunt Eva and Donovan are getting married.”
“Yippy.” Evan yawned and headed for the stairs.
“When and where is the ceremony?” Gia demanded.
“This morning at Donovan’s place,” Eva announced.
Donovan squeezed her shoulder. “This morning at our place,” he corrected.
“Oh, my God! This is so exciting! Wait.” Gia froze. “Does this have anything to do with any lingering effects of the planetary crossing?”
Eva grinned up at Donovan. “Even if it does, we’d be crazy not to.”
“Ugh, fine. Let’s get this over with,” Beckett sighed.
Gia slapped him in the chest. “Get excited about this immediately, Beckett, or I won’t be having lunch with you for the rest of the week.”
“Lunch means afternoon delight,” Eva translated for Donovan.
“Right now I just want twelve hours of sleep. Is that too much to ask?” Beckett muttered.
Gia stood on tip toe and whispered something in his ear. His eyes opened the whole way. “Okay! Let’s get this show on the road!” he announced.
“Dress code is casual,” Donovan told him. “But I really need you in at least a shirt.”
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An hour later, Donovan, in his dress uniform, paced back and forth in front of his own porch steps. His father dropped a hand on his shoulder. “You’re wearing ruts in the grass, son.”
Donovan stopped and then began fidgeting with his tie. “She’s coming out right? She didn’t come to her senses and change her mind?”
“She’ll be down in a minute. Your mother just texted.”
On cue, the front door opened, and Donovan nearly jumped out of his skin. His mother, still in her deputy uniform, and Phoebe, in a dress she threw on after Eva and Donovan woke her and Franklin up, stepped out onto the porch.
“She’s ready,” Phoebe grinned.
“Places everybody.”
They stood in a semicircle facing the house. His friends, his family. People he had known and loved his entire life. They had his back when times were tough and stood up for him during the good.
Carter and Summer, each juggling a twin beamed at him. Jax and Joey stood with arms around Reva and Caleb, a united unit, a family finally. Beckett stood next to Donovan. He was the only one who bothered with a suit. Gia and Emma were anxiously peering over Niko’s shoulder trying to give him advice on angles and lighting. “This damn town is turning me into a wedding photographer,” Niko complained.
“Shut up and capture my beautiful baby sister on the happiest day of her life,” Emma sniffled.
“Anything for the mother of my child,” Niko winked.
Evan and Aurora passed their baby sister Lydia back and forth. “Everyone just keeps getting married,” Evan rolled his eyes. “Can’t anyone just date anymore?”
“I can’t wait to get married,” Aurora sighed. “I’m going to have a huuuuge dress and a giant cake!”
Niko’s parents, still glowing from their impending grandparenthood, held hands and stood close in the morning chill.
The quiet moment was broken by a police cruiser fishtailing up the lane, lights flashing. The car slid to a halt, and Layla hopped out from behind the wheel. “You didn’t think you were doing this without us, did you?”
Colby jumped out of the passenger side and opened the back door. Minnie in her rumpled Sunday best stepped out. “You better not have gotten married yet!” she said, pointing a finger in his direction. “I work for you for five years, and I get a text from your bride-to-be?”
He owed Eva big time. It seemed like his bride was a fast learner when it came to sharing. He never would have heard the end of it from Minnie if he’d neglected to invite her to his wedding.
“I thought you all would be sleeping off last night,” Donovan admitted.
Colby slapped him on the back. “We wouldn’t miss this for anything.”
Layla punched him in the arm. “I promise I won’t spread it all over town if you bawl like a baby,” she said, loyally.
“She won’t, but I will,” Minnie sniffed.
“Thank you for being here,” Donovan said, drawing Minnie in for a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t insist on it myself.”
“Well, don’t let it happen again,” she said primly.
He would have answered, had intended to, but the front door opened again. Eva in russet red beamed on her father’s arm. Together they descended the front steps stopping in front of him. The morning sun shone like fire on her hair. She was beautiful, glowing. And she was his.
“Family and friends, we are gathered here today to join Eva and Donovan in marriage. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” Beckett asked.
Franklin held out his free hand to Phoebe who took it and joined them. “Her mother and I do,” Franklin answered.
Emma’s sniffle turned into a wail. “Hormones,” Niko whispered in apology.
Eva’s parents kissed her and hugged her, and Phoebe wiped the single tear that escaped Eva’s eye.
“Good luck,” Franklin whispered to Donovan, shaking his hand firmly.
And then he was handing Eva over to him and Beckett was talking again. But all Donovan saw was Eva. His bride was smiling up at him as if he had given her all the happiness in the world. He wasn’t even aware that he was moving until he felt her lips under his. He kissed her with everything that he had, everything that he was. Today, on this frosty morning, was the beginning of their lives together. A new chapter.
“Hey, we didn’t get to that part yet,” Beckett said, prodding Donovan in his shoulder.
“I guess I got carried away.”