Chapter Thirty-Nine

Aiden

 

 

 

The summer flew by, and even though Anna-Marie was growing stronger, she was content to stay right where she was with Blake and me. What she wasn’t content to do was wait on a wedding, one she had her heart set on.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked Blake, who was stretched out across the bed, still nude from our morning love session.

She turned from her laptop, looking over her shoulder, and smiled. 

“I’m actually excited,” she gushed, scooting her laptop over so I could see the screen.

She was searching for dresses, all white, all gorgeous, and the thought of her wearing one made my heart swell.

“I’m excited,” she grinned and then pointed to a dress on the screen.

It had long sleeves made of lace, a long train that flowed at least ten-feet behind the bride, and a delicate design of floral lace and beading work.

“Do you like that one?” she questioned.

I smiled, leaning in for a quick kiss, letting my hand travel down the bare, smooth skin of her backside.

“You’ll look beautiful in anything you wear,” I sighed.

Liana and Anna-Marie were in high-gear, searching through vendors, selecting flowers, and of course finding their own dresses to wear for the big day. The date was set; now, it was all about details. I was finding that out quickly.

“Hey there,” Liam called into the house, Holly, the puppy, and Alyssa trailing behind him.

“It’s a cold one,” I smiled, watching them all unwrap from their winter garb.

“So, you talk to Luke yet?” Liam asked, sitting at the kitchen table.

Alyssa and Holly disappeared into the back bedroom where I quickly called to Blake to get dressed. I heard giggling down the hall as they must’ve caught her before she could cover up, and then the door slam, with giggles still sounding from inside, just more muffled.

Sam and Gunner pushed at each other, playfully trying to say hello. I watched as they ran through the dog door and into the backyard, both playing a bit rougher since it was so cold.

“I haven’t,” I admitted, sitting beside my friend.

“You need to call him, at least give him a chance to make arrangements to get here,” Liam said.

I felt guilty about asking Luke to be my best man again, especially since it was Liam’s sister I was marrying, again.

“I’ll call him this evening,” I promised.

“I want you to ask him to be your best man,” Liam said as if he could read my mind.

“I feel like you might be the better fit this time around,” I admitted.

“He was there for you from the beginning and even helped push you two together. He deserves the spot by your side,” Liam insisted.

He was right. Without Luke, I may never have gotten the nerve to admit how I truly felt. I might have allowed Blake to walk away, never looking back, and then what, ended up alone? I couldn’t imagine my life without Blake, without our strange little family.

“I think I’d prefer to give Blake away,” Liam offered.

It was as if a weight fell from my shoulders. They had been so tense from trying to figure out the right thing to do.

“That would be amazing,” I grinned, quickly grabbing a couple beers from the fridge.

“So, where is the wedding?” he asked.

“The small church where your parents married,” I said softly.

“Has Blake mentioned anything about them not being there?” Liam asked.

“No. But, she has mentioned you walking her down the aisle, but was afraid to ask,” I confessed.

Liam’s eyes welled up, and he shook his head before any tears dare fall to his cheek. He was a man, a SEAL; he didn’t cry. I knew it touched him, and the fact his parents wouldn’t be there was a painful topic for him, just as it was for Blake.

“Should I ask her?” Liam questioned.

“I think that would make it so much easier on her,” I agreed, clanking my beer into his for celebration.

“I’ll call Luke now,” I smiled, suddenly excited about the events.

I dialed his number and waited while it rang several times.

“What’s up?” Luke sounded elated on the other end of my phone.

“We set a date,” I announced proudly.

“Yeee-haw, that’s perfect. When’s the big day?” he howled.

“December thirty-first,” I noted calmly.

“Wow, a winter wedding. That’s gonna be beautiful!” Luke exclaimed.

“And, of course, I’d like to ask you to be my best man, again,” I chucked.

“I’d be honored, but I think you might oughta ask Liam this time,” he said quickly.

“No way, you did it once, you can do it again,” Liam yelled playfully into the phone.

“Oh, so you don’t want to do it. I’m second choice,” Luke teased.

“No. I have a much more important job to do,” Liam yelled back into the phone.

There was a pause, and then a deep breath.

“Yes you do, brother, yes, you do,” Luke sighed, obviously realizing what job that must be. “I’ll be there,” Luke promised, and then hung up once someone yelled they needed his help.

He sounded happy. I was happy for him.

“What’s the important job?” Blake asked, standing in the kitchen, leaning against the door frame.

“I-uh,” Liam stuttered and quickly moved to his feet.

He stood in front of his sister, his eyes wide and bright, and he was shaky enough for to me feel his nervousness.

“I was wondering if you’d allow me to give you away,” Liam said softly.

Blake’s eyes filled with tears as she threw her arms around her brother’s neck. She sobbed uncontrollably in his arms, and I knew it was partly due to joy, and partly due to the pain and relief.

When she finally pulled back, Liam peeled her from him and stared into her eyes sternly.

“You get all this nonsense outta your system now. I’m not gonna walk down the aisle with you wiping your snot on my sleeve,” he teased.

Alyssa and Blake both giggled, and Holly rushed to hug her dad tightly.

“I plan on looking good. I don’t need any of you ladies wallowing on me,” Liam teased with a wide grin.

That was it. The wedding date was set, and now it was just details. Lots, and lots of details.