“Almost done, Dad.” I slide the end of the dark blue tie through the knot and pull it tight. Perfect.

He turns to the mirror and adjusts his jacket, then fusses with the knot again.

“It’s straight,” I say. “Quit messing with it.”

Alex pats him on the back. “Caleb’s right. You look great. Are you nervous?”

Dad blows out a breath, still eying himself in the full-length mirror in his guest bedroom. “Don’t think I’d be human if I wasn’t nervous. I’m about to get married.”

Alex and I are both dressed in suits and ties, as is Weston. Our brother-in-law sits in a chair next to the guest bed, a little pink bundle in his arms. He has his six-month old daughter, Audrey, cradled in the crook of his elbow while he feeds her a bottle.

The wedding is here, at my dad’s house, so it’s not formal. Dad and Jacqueline have both been married before, and neither of them wanted a fancy wedding. But they did want a way to celebrate their marriage with their adult children—and grandchildren.

There’s a knock and Kendra pokes her head in the door. “Are you guys ready?”

I put my hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Let’s do this, Dad.”

We walk out to the backyard where the guests are waiting in folding chairs. It’s a small gathering—a few of Dad’s old friends, some of Jacqueline’s friends and family, and several people from the physical therapy office where they met. Thankfully the weather cooperated, and the sun is out, with just a few wispy clouds in the blue sky.

Someone starts the music, and Weston goes first, carrying Audrey, sound asleep in his arms. I’m next, then Alex, and finally my dad. He walks with his back straight, and although he’s leaning on his cane, his stride is sure. I feel a little choked up seeing him walking so well—up the aisle at his wedding, no less.

The women come out the back door. First Gwen, Jacqueline’s daughter, followed by Kendra. Mia pauses to adjust her glasses and rests her hand on her very pregnant belly before walking up the aisle.

Behind Mia is Linnea, holding Charlotte’s hand. Her blue dress drapes over her body beautifully, showing the swell of her belly. She’s not as far along as Mia—who scared the shit out of everyone at dinner last night by having regular contractions for an hour. But the curves of her body have changed, and she’s visibly pregnant.

My beautiful wife, pregnant with my baby.

Charlotte is wearing a pale pink dress with a big bow in the back. Someone curled her hair and she has the pink butterfly hair clip Jacqueline gave her as a flower girl present. She was extremely excited to add yet another run as a flower girl to her resume—her fourth, if you count Kendra and Weston’s impromptu wedding. Which of course, Charlotte does.

Linnea and Charlotte come up the aisle, hand in hand, and I can’t stop smiling at my beautiful girls.

The bride appears at the back in a long, strapless dress. Instead of white, it’s turquoise with layers of purple in the skirt—colorful, and very Jacqueline.

It’s a nice ceremony—short and sweet. Which is good, because Audrey wakes up before it’s over and Weston has to walk up and down the side of the yard with her so she’ll stay quiet.

When it’s over, everyone stays for the reception—which is simply a lot of food and booze in the backyard.

Linnea and I sit with Charlotte at one of the tables set up for guests. Mia waddles over with Alex right behind. He holds her chair while she carefully lowers herself down.

“This kid must be ten pounds by now.” She winces and shifts around, like she can’t get comfortable.

Alex takes the seat next to her and draws his eyebrows in. “Really? You still have a few weeks before your due date.”

“I’m exaggerating, but he feels huge.” She presses down on her belly. “I think his butt is right here.”

Charlotte giggles. “Can I feel the baby?”

“Sure, Bug,” Mia says. She shifts again and blows out a breath while Charlotte goes around the table to sit next to her. “Right here.”

Charlotte puts her hand on Mia’s belly and her eyes light up. “I can feel him!”

Kendra and Weston sit down. Audrey is awake, but no longer fussy. Weston takes her from Kendra and perches her on his knee, facing out so she can see. Her little bit of brown hair is tied in a ponytail on top of her head—Kendra calls it her whale spout—and she has gray eyes like her dad.

“Linnea, how are you feeling?” Kendra asks.

“I feel good most of the time,” Linnea says. “Just tired.”

“When do you have an ultrasound?” Mia asks. “Are you finding out if it’s a boy or a girl?”

“Yeah, we have a lot riding on this,” Kendra says. “The girls finally outnumber the boys in this family. Are you keeping our streak alive?”

“Actually, with Audrey, and now Gwen, girls are ahead by two,” Mia says.

“True,” Kendra says. “But I still want to know.”

Linnea and I smile at each other. We had an ultrasound a few days ago, but we haven’t told anyone. Charlotte knows, because she came with us, but she’s good at keeping secrets.

“You know, don’t you?” Kendra asks. “Come on you two, tell us.”

“Bug, do you want to tell them?” Linnea asks.

Charlotte smiles. “I’m getting a baby brother.”

Mia and Kendra both “aw” at the same time.

I kiss the back of Linnea’s hand, just below her ring. We had a small wedding—Linnea didn’t want a lot of fuss. Charlotte stood with us, holding both our hands, as we said our vows in front of our friends and family.

Linnea’s parents flew out for the wedding and to their credit, they were pleasant guests. I don’t think I’ll ever be their favorite person, but they seem to be doing their best to love their daughter for who she is. They doted on Charlotte, and I have to admit, it’s hard not to feel some affection for people who love your kid.

I put my hand on Linnea’s belly and she covers my hand with hers. I always love touching her, but since she got pregnant, I can’t keep my hands to myself. If I could have my arms wrapped around her every minute of the day, I would.

Life is still busy. My schedule is hectic and the pressures of my job are still there. But I’m no longer facing it all alone. From the moment Linnea walked into our lives, she fit like she was always meant to be with us. Like she was meant to be with me.

Things don’t always turn out the way we plan, and sometimes we have to travel a dark road to get to our destination. But I couldn’t have imagined a better life than this. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.

* * *

Turn the page for a special bonus chapter. Just a little something I wrote as a treat for my readers, featuring a certain cocky asshole we all know and love. Enjoy!

Want to read more about the Lawson family? to get Her Best Friend, a short story about Caleb’s daughter, Charlotte.

Keep reading for a preview of .