Jameson

Charlie’s wedding is no joke the event of the year. Every player from leagues around the world is inside the Wells Fargo Center along with their dates. Despite choosing such a big venue for the reception, Charlie had insisted on getting married in a church. After the priest pronounced Charlie and Alex man and wife, we hopped back into the limo, stopping at a few different places along the way.

The photographer snapped a few pictures of us at Love Park and on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Lastly, we went to Dilworth Park, a large, open space with easy access to public transportation that runs along the west side of City Hall. It’s Charlie’s favorite place in the city. Before I had gotten so busy with work, I met her there once a month for lunch. It was always our thing.

Today was the first time in months that we had the chance to hang out at our favorite meeting place. Dilworth Park was also the place where Alex had skated onto the ice, accidentally exposing their relationship to the world. I remember thinking back then that he was the biggest asshole I’d ever met. And today I was the one who gave him his pep talk before I walked Charlie down the aisle.

I tried not to get too emotional as I held onto Charlie for dear life, hoping she wouldn’t trip and that I wouldn’t be the cause of it. Luckily, we made it to the altar without any casualties. I stood at her side, as she traded bizarre vows with Alex, which wasn’t all that much of a surprise. I’m happy the stressful part is over. Charlie can be herself and stop worrying about everything. She had me just as worked up over something happening.

As the man-of-honor, I did my best to make her day perfect. And by the looks of it, Regan pulled off the sports wedding of the year. Strings of white lights and beads are draped from one side of the ceiling to the other, which is a massive feat, considering the size of this place.

With the event center decked out in the finest crystal, high-end champagne, and food fit for a king, I am beyond impressed with Regan’s ability to throw one hell of a party. Originally, Charlie had wanted the reception on the ice. Instead, she settled for the basketball court the Sixers play on in season because of liability issues. Even I was wondering how we were going to have a wedding on ice without someone getting drunk and busting their head open.

Clinging to my side, Regan squeezes my arm tight, as we make our way to the dance floor. She looks gorgeous in the red bridesmaid dress Charlie had picked out for the girls. With only thin straps holding it in place, her breasts spill out from the silky material. I couldn’t get enough of Regan before we left the house. And I want her again.

I’m so happy to have Regan back in my life and living in my apartment that we plan to make our home for the next few years. We talked about the need to stay in Philly for the new company, but when it’s our time to start a family, neither of us want to raise a child in the city. There are so many changes happening for us all at once. All good changes, though.

Taking our places on the dance floor with the rest of the bridal party, I clutch Regan’s waist, pulling her toward me. She slips her arms around my neck with a smile.

“You did an amazing job with this place,” I say, whispering the words against her lips.

“I’m glad you think so.” Regan smiles before taking my bottom lip in her mouth.

Our kiss only lasts for a few seconds, the heat between us so intense that I have to peel myself away from her to come up for air. “I don’t think I can wait until we get home to have you again.”

She stares into my eyes and shakes her head. “You’re a bad boy, Jameson.” Regan leans closer, the noise drowning out her voice, so that only I can hear her. “My office is open if you want to sneak away for a while.”

“Now we’re talking,” I say, lifting her up from the floor, her heels smacking my legs in the process.

I set her back down, the warmth from her body heating mine, as I hold her close to my chest. When I first realized I would need a date for the wedding, I was only hoping to find someone to accompany me. I never thought I would bring the love of my life along for Charlie’s big day.

Scanning the faces of the crowd, I lock onto Charlie, who is dancing with Alex. She flashes a smile at me, looking so at peace and unlike the nervous woman I walked down the aisle only a few hours before. Alex hasn’t let Charlie go since he kissed her in front all our friends. If only they had more family.

But the one thing I’ve realized over the years is that family doesn’t have to be related by blood. They are the people who are there to support you when you need them most. I’m standing around my family and holding onto the woman who made all my dreams come true.

Dancing as if they’re at a club, Sydney grinds her ass on Carter, practically fucking him on the dance floor. Getting to know Sydney over the past six months has been interesting, to say the least. But Kennedy was always there to keep her in line. She’s the more reserved one, but I have a feeling her pregnancy had something to do with it. With Kennedy in his arms, Tyler whispers into her ear, rubbing his hand over her huge baby bump.

“You’re part of this weird ass hockey family now,” I say to Regan, glancing at our friends. “Are you sure you’re ready for a life of dealing with this crowd?” I’m completely joking, and she knows it.

“Of course.” She presses her lips to mine and kisses me softly. “There’s no family I would rather be a part of than yours.”

“What the hell!” Regan screams into my ear, just as something wet splashes my shoes and the bottoms of my pants. “Someone dropped their drink on me.”

Annoyed for Regan, I look down at the floor, now covered in some kind of substance. The people around us are just as confused by whatever spilled on the floor, soaking our feet. Then, I notice Kennedy with her hand over her stomach.

She stares at Tyler, her eyes widening in shock. “The baby is coming,” she announces.

Tyler doesn’t speak. Instead, he cups her face in his hands and kisses her. We’re all standing in Kennedy’s water that has just broken.

Sydney stops grinding on Carter. “She’s coming! Our baby girl is almost here.” Her voice projects over the music, pulling Charlie and Alex out of their martial bliss.

We crowd around Kennedy and Tyler to congratulate them before Kennedy finally tells Tyler that they need to leave to go to the hospital. For someone so calm on the ice, Tyler looks terrified, as he should be. I can only image how scary it must be to become a father. Even though I want it all with Regan, we are not there yet.

As Alex’s best man, Tyler Kane had given one hell of a speech. Now, he’s speechless, turning into a bumbling idiot before my eyes. He literally cannot formulate a single word that makes any sense.

“Don’t just stand there,” Kennedy says to Tyler.

Tyler spins around and walks away from Kennedy, as if he’s about to go get help, when he realizes that is not the answer. He needs to get her to a hospital, not hope the team doctor can deliver their baby. Stopping dead in his tracks, he runs back to Kennedy, about to grab her hand when he slips on the fluid and falls back on his tailbone.

Carter steps out from the crowd and holds out his hand to Tyler. “It’s okay, man, just fucking breathe already. Kennedy and the baby will be fine.”

Tyler shakes his head and actually allows Carter to help him to his feet. “I’m a fucking mess,” he confesses.

Carter smirks at him. “No kidding.” He slaps his big hand on Tyler’s back, moving him closer to Kennedy. “C’mon, we’ll take you guys to the hospital.”

“We’re going, too,” Charlie interjects.

“No way! It’s your wedding day,” Kennedy says, sucking in deep breaths.

“She’s right,” Sydney says. “You guys have people who came here to see you.”

“We’re a team,” Alex adds, “and we’re coming with you.”

Regan leans into my body to whisper, “I guess that means we’re going, too.”

I nod in agreement.

She clings to my side, and I rub my hand down her back, taking in the scent of her sweet perfume, as I kiss her hair. Our family keeps growing more each day. Tyler and Kennedy are first with their new addition, and next it will be Charlie and Alex. Everything is falling into place. Someday, not too soon, it will be my turn with Regan.

“I want this with you,” I say to Regan, following behind the group, as the guards usher us out of the building. “I want all of it with you.”

She smiles up at me and gives my hand a squeeze, telling me everything I need to know without words.