Emmett
The next week was a whirlwind, and in that time, we’d managed to empty out the front room. We had scrubbed and cleaned and decorated and managed to move in a huge arbor where we were going to stand for the ceremony. I’d moved out the sofas and put them in the garage until we were done, opening up the space. With the kitchen and formal dining room right there, it was the perfect set up for a wedding. Her house was as big and fancy as any church or venue could have been, and this way, when the wedding was over, I wouldn’t have far to go for the reception, which we were having catered by our favorite restaurant where we got engaged.
After a long week of working and spending every waking moment together, Autumn had been stolen away by Kaye and Pen. I was informed that I wasn’t allowed to see her before the ceremony.
“Are you sure I can’t just go ask her a question?” I asked Kaye. The woman shook her head, her smile wide and toothy.
“No, you’re not allowed. I’ll be glad to send a message if you need it.”
“You should bring a pad and paper then because it might be private.”
“She’s not delivering your dirty notes,” Paul said. “You’ll have all next week to be as nasty as you want.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “And so will we.” He gestured in Kaye’s direction.
Her cheeks reddened. “You’re impossible. I already told you, you’re sleeping out in your house, and I’m taking the guest room alone.” My brother had been coming on hard and heavy, but Kaye had too much class for that.
Paul belted a laugh as she walked away.
“Thanks,” I said. “Now I can’t send a love note to my bride.”
“You’ll say it in your vows.”
I paced back and forth, thinking of the last time I was all done up for a wedding. Back then, I’d walked Autumn down the aisle and gave her to Jason. As much as I wished I had never done it, I would do it all over again. By doing that, I made it possible for Penelope to come into my life, and even though I spent years thinking I’d made a mistake, the little girl allowed me to forgive myself.
I had told Autumn that I would talk to her about having a child of our own, and now that we were taking this step together, I knew I was ready. Pen would always be mine, and by having a baby together, maybe it would be the perfect way to bond the three of us even tighter.
There was just one more thing I had to do. “Is Mr. Cooke ready yet?”
Paul shrugged. “I don’t know. Do you want me to go find him?”
“Yes, if you would. I have something I need to talk to him about.” I paced the floor, growing more nervous by the minute.
“Are you going to take that job he offered?” Paul asked.
“No, I’m not.” I had made up my mind that Autumn was right. I didn’t need the promotion.
“Then maybe you should wait until after the ceremony. I mean, we have over an hour to go still, and I’m not sure he’s going to be too happy with you after you refuse him.” Paul gave a half-hearted laugh and then walked to the mirror by the door.
“He’ll understand. And if he doesn’t, he can get over it.”
Paul’s expression clouded with concern as we stared at each other’s reflections. “What’s brought this on?”
“I can’t take on something like that when Autumn wants to expand the family. She’s been talking about babies so much lately, and I think I’d like to give her one.”
“No, man. Enjoy the honeymoon first.” He brushed off his cuff and then straightened his tie in the mirror.
“She won’t like the long hours anyway.”
“Did she say that? Did you even mention it to her?”
“No, I didn’t want to upset her or get her angry with her father.”
“Then you don’t know what she thinks. What if she likes the position you’re offered?” He did have a point. With me taking on the position, she and I would have more time together at work, but there was a possibility for less time at home.
“Just get her father, please.” I didn’t want him to talk me into changing my mind, and I knew I needed to tell him as soon as possible. Besides, it would be a load off walking down the aisle with that off my mind.
“Fine.” Paul stepped out into the hall before disappearing behind the door.
A few minutes later, he returned with Mr. Cooke. “Your brother said you wanted to see me?”
Paul stood behind him, shaking his head and mouthing the words, “don’t do it.”
“Yes, I did. Paul, if you could please excuse us. Maybe go and check on the girls?” Paul left hesitantly, and once the door was closed, I turned to face Mr. Cooke, who was standing at the window.
“What’s this about? I hope you’ve decided to take me up on my job offer.”
“Actually, sir. I don’t think I will.”
Lance seemed surprised. “I’m afraid I don’t understand how you have come to this decision.” The disappointment set in his brow.
“I want to give Autumn a family. She’s actually been talking a lot about having another baby, and if I take on this job, it will take me away from everything. I don’t want to miss out on my time with Pen. It’s bad enough that I had to miss the first years of her life.”
“I can understand that, Emmett. And believe it or not, I respect it. I just really wanted you to say yes.”
“I know, and I appreciate the offer. You’ve been so good to me and my brother that I don’t even know how to repay you.”
“You don’t owe me, Emmett. And as for paying me back, it’s me who owes you the debt of gratitude. You’ve been there for my daughter her whole life, and I know you’re going to make a good husband for her. You’re also going to be one hell of a father to Penny and to your own children.”
“Thank you for understanding.” I reached out for his hand, but he pulled me into a tight hug instead, a gesture which brought tears to my eyes. I choked them back, and when he pulled away, he wiped his own eyes.
“No problem, son. If we’re all done here, I’ve got to go and check on my daughter.”
“They won’t let me see her. So, would you tell her I miss her?”
“Will do. Everything looks amazing by the way.” He walked out of the room and then went down the hall to the master bedroom where Autumn and the others were supposed to be getting ready. I looked in the mirror by the door and let out a long, cleansing breath as the stress from the job offer lifted off of me.
I straightened my tie as Paul came back into the guest room. “The caterers had a minor hiccup. Someone forgot to bring the cooler of chicken, but someone’s going back to the restaurant to get it. They’ll still be on time, but they wanted you to know.”
“That’s fine. If that’s all that goes wrong today, it will be a miracle. Did you check on the girls?” I wished I could see Autumn and how she looked, and the vision I had in my head of her was of her eleven years younger, with her long, princess-like wedding gown and the innocence of youth in her eyes.
“Did Mr. Cooke flip out?” Paul put his hand on my back.
“No, he didn’t. He’s disappointed but understands. I explained my reason. I guess the old man has really changed for the better.”
“Talk about change. Look at us.” He pointed to our reflection. “We’re actually more like brothers than ever.”
“Yeah, did you ever think you’d be my best man?”
“Nah, I never thought anyone would marry your sorry ass.” He nudged my arm and then chuckled.
“I certainly didn’t think I’d ever get to be with Autumn, and Pen was unexpected, too. I don’t know how I got so lucky, Paul. I haven’t been in love with anyone else my whole life, and now I get to marry her.”
“Didn’t you mess around in the military? I mean, shit. It’s not like you saved yourself for her.” He rolled his eyes and then walked over to the bed and sat down.
“I didn’t save my body, no. But yeah, I saved my heart. You’ll see. You’ll give yours to someone too. Maybe Kaye?”
“I don’t know. Kaye’s quite a woman, but I’m not sure that she’s going to be the kind who can put up with me. I’m kind of an ass at times.”
“She might be just what you need to make you not be such an ass.” I chuckled and walked over to my suit, which I hadn’t wanted to put on too early.
“Maybe. I do like her a lot. If she sticks around, I’ll treat her right.”
“Does Autumn have her dress on yet?” I asked.
“No, we’ve still got thirty minutes.”
“Dammit. I’m going to go crazy if I don’t see her soon. I’ll give you a hundred bucks if you can distract Kaye long enough for me to sneak in and see her.” I thought it might be too much to ask to have her come to me.
“I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not making any promises. And only because Kaye looks really hot in the dress she’s wearing. I’d like to peel her out of it.”
“Go grab her and find a closet,” I called while he walked out.
I couldn’t think of anything more perfect than having my brother there with me on my wedding day, and I knew I wouldn’t want it any other way. I couldn’t help but think of my father, who had passed away in the home a few months earlier. He wouldn’t have come to my wedding, and he’d been so bad off that I was glad he was no longer in pain, but it would have been nice to have my parents there, both Mom and Dad. Then they could see what a wonderful woman I was marrying, see me and Paul as friends, and see what we’d made of ourselves.
I hoped he could distract Kaye, but I didn’t hold my breath. Kaye was going to be a tough nut to crack.
The door opened, and Paul stuck his head in. “I’ve got someone special for you.” He was all smiles, and I thought for a moment he’d pulled it off until Penelope walked in, shaking her finger at me.
“Mama says you better behave in here and that if you try to get Uncle Paul in trouble with Kaye again, you’re going to be in big trouble.” She looked like a little princess with her pale pink dress. She was a little angel. I was not only lucky to have such a gorgeous fiancée but a beautiful daughter as well. She walked over and took my hand.
“Why aren’t you dressed yet, Daddy? You can’t get married in those pants.” She looked at my joggers which were my favorite comfy grays she’d seen me in a million times.
“Is your mother in her dress?”
“No, but they’re about to put it on. She was finishing up her hair. She’s got on makeup, too. She looks really pretty, and Paul said you don’t deserve her.”
“Oh, he did, did he?” I chuckled, and Paul shook his head innocently. He was at the door but stood against the jamb.
“I said no such thing.” He grinned. “I’m about to go down and check on the chicken.” He pulled the door shut, and then Pen spun around in a circle.
“How do I look, Daddy?”
“Beautiful. You look just like your mother did when she was your age. She had the same blond hair and the same bright blue eyes. She would pick flowers and put them in her braids, and whenever she saw a butterfly, she’d chase it.”
“And you loved her even then?”
“Even then.”
The door opened, and Kaye stuck her head in. “There you are? Come on, Pen. We have to help your mother get in her dress, and I need you to help with her shoes.”
“You better get dressed too, Daddy.” She went to the door with Kaye, who was nodding.
“Yes, stop pouting that you’re not getting to see her and get dressed so you can.” The two giggled as they pulled the door shut.
I got to my feet and hurried up to get dressed. I wanted to be in place so I could watch her walk down the stairs. This time, her father would give her away, and with any luck, she’d remember her vows.
Once I was dressed, I had a little time, so I went down to find my brother and get into place.