Page 85 of Walkoff Wedding

My heart flips in my chest at the wistful, sad look in her eyes. Fuck. Reaching out, I take her hand in mine and lace our fingers together. “We should get some at the apartment porch. Next time it storms, we’ll go out there and listen.”

She looks like she may actually cry, and I open my mouth to apologize when she suddenly untangles our fingers and then flings herself across the console into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck and burying her face in it.

I slide my arms around her back and press my lips against the crown of her head. Neither of us speaks; we simply stay here, just like this, breathing together, holding on because it means more than words could.

After what happened this morning, I think we both needed this. I sure as fuck needed reassurance that she’s okay. I needed to just hold her.

“You’re the best husband in the entire world, Grant Bergeron,” she mumbles against my neck.

I took those vows with the intention of honoring them. For better or worse.

“Okay, so this one is from the time I entered him into a beauty pageant when he was… four? I think? And he won King. Look how adorable the little crown was with his little ringlets. He was so handsome in his little tuxedo. The best part was he didn’t take it off for two weeks after it was over. I had to toss it in the trash when he fell asleep one night.”

Addie’s brows furrow, her lips turning into the cutest fucking smile I’ve ever seen as she peers over the baby book at me.

My wife and mother are currently bonding over the most embarrassing baby photos from my childhood… and they just keep getting worse.

Mama giggles, covering her mouth as they flip another page together.

Truthfully, I don’t even care that she’s seeing my naked baby ass in a galvanized bucket bathtub in the front yard. Because if it makes her smile like this, she can look at them forever if she wants.

I’d do just about anything to keep that smile on her face.

Fuck, she looks happy.

She and my mom hit it off from the second they met, not that I was expecting anything less, and after dinner, they immediately pulled out the baby books. I expected Addie to want to head straight to bed after our exhausting day, but she insisted on staying up to visit with Mama.

So… here we are.

“Gosh, he was the most precious boy. Gave me a run for my money sometimes, but he was always the sweetest, sensitive kid,” she says, brushing her finger over the picture before lifting her gaze to me. “Anyway, just a mama getting all sappy over her baby boy who’s all grown up. Even though he’ll always be my baby, no matter how old or tall he gets.”

I laugh. “Mama, I’ve been a foot taller than you since I was twelve.”

“Twelve? That explains you being seven feet taller than me,” Addie interjects, unable to hide the shock from her tone.

My shoulder dips as I lift the beer to my lips and take a pull. “Nah, you’re just fun-sized, baby.”

Addie’s cheeks flame, and Mom’s brows arch, a silent question of what have I missed… but I’ll save that conversation for later. I could use her advice anyway… now that I know without a doubt that there’s no turning back when it comes to Addie.

“It’s pretty late. You wanna head to bed?” I ask my wife.

She nods, clearing her throat before turning to my mom. “Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Bergeron. For letting me stay at your lovely home this weekend and for being so kind.”

“Oh, honey.” Mama reaches out, placing her hand over Addie’s. “You are always welcome. With or without my son. Actually, I’d love to get lunch one day soon, just us. If you’d be up for that?”

She blinks. “Yes, of course.”

I drain the rest of my beer and try not to fixate on how much I love seeing Addie with the other most important person in my life. Bonding. How seeing her fit so comfortably in my life reinforces that I want more. For a second, it’s easy to envision a future just like this.

I watch as the two of them say good night, exchanging a quick hug and whispered words before Addie turns to where I’m still sitting on the love seat.

“I’ll be there in a bit if you wanna shower first?”

She nods, sparing me a small smile before heading down the hallway, leaving Mama and me alone. A few seconds later, the sound of the bedroom door shuts quietly.

“Grant Alexander Bergeron.”

I exhale, shifting my gaze to Mama, who’s leaning back against the couch, her arms crossed in front of her and shaking her head knowingly.

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