Page 94 of Redemption

He nods and squeezes my thigh. “Does Lena or Sofia have Lucas?”

“They’re probably fighting over him right now. He’s a well-loved little boy.” A smile rises. “He’s going to be so excited to see you.”

“The visitations were a good idea. I’m not a stranger walking back into his life.” He kisses my cheek.

“We have now reached our cruising altitude. You are free to move about the cabin unless we hit some unexpected turbulence.”

Finn unsnaps my seat belt and his own. “Is the cabin door soundproof?”

I laugh. “I don’t know.”

“We’re gonna find out.” He gives me a wicked grin, and then his lips descend on mine.

The last twenty-four hours since Finn got out have been a whirlwind in the best possible way. I’ve had three years to plan our wedding, and I started with grand plans, but I realized I didn’t need something big and extravagant anymore. At one time, maybe I would have wanted a big venue, hundreds of people, a thousand bouquets of flowers, with decorations on overload.

Instead, we’re getting married barefoot, on the beach, with only our family present.

At noon, Finn sips his coffee on the couch and eyes me. “Shouldn’t you be doing something with your hair and applying makeup? Putting on a dress? Organizing the parade or whatever you told me you were doing?”

I laugh at his parade comment and gesture to my relaxed waves and everyday makeup. “I can’t get married like this?”

“You can, but the five hundred people you invited might be expecting the full Carys experience.” Finn smirks.

That’s right. At my last visit I told him I found whittling down the invites impossible, so I expanded the guest list. My lips twitch with amusement.

“Daddy, can I please have a drink?” Lucas wanders over to the couch with his plastic cup.

Lucas has called Finn his father since he started speaking, but there’s something about hearing it in this house that causes my body to glow with warmth. Since Finn arrived yesterday, Lucas hasn’t been far from his side.

“Sure thing, buddy.” He sets down his coffee, ruffles Lucas’s hair, and goes to the fridge.

“You’re probably right.” I stretch. “I should start getting ready. I wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone.”

“What am I supposed to wear? Is it in a closet or something?” He pours the milk into a cup and passes it to our son. Such a simple thing, but my heart constricts for the thousandth time since he’s arrived.

“Everything you need is in the spare room. Lorcan can show you when he gets back.”

“What’s he doing?” Finn asks, and he lifts Lucas into his arms at his request. He carries him over to the couch and perches him on his knee. The two of them sip their drinks and stare at me.

“Had to pick up a guest.” I head for the bedroom. “Should be back soon.” He went to collect the justice of the peace to marry us. Kim meets me in the hallway, a dress bag over her arm.

“Go-time?” she asks.

I grin. “I’m getting married,” I squeal and escort her into the master bedroom.

There we spend the next hour getting ready. Kim is the lowest-maintenance woman I know, but since I’ve hired a photographer, I’ve cajoled her into wearing some makeup. All of us will remember this moment forever.

There’s a knock on the door, and I peek out. Lena passes through two bouquets for Kim and me.

“So, you’re just going to walk out there and get married?” Kim’s skepticism is clear.

“Yep. I decided I didn’t need all the pomp and circumstance. The right man, the right place, and the right people. Lorcan has probably told Finn by now that it’s a low-key affair, right?”

“Oh,” Kim says. “I’m sure. I’m also sure he’s not going to believe him.”

I check my appearance in the mirror again. He likes my hair down, so I haven’t bothered to put it up, and instead it hangs in loose waves around my shoulders. My dress is my one extravagance. It’s a custom-designed masterpiece that fits me to perfection. “I guess he’s in for a pleasant surprise then.”

“This is really what you wanted?” Kim smooths down her gown, which is the one we bought in the nearest city a week ago off the rack. One of the perks of looking like a supermodel is the ability to throw on almost anything and have it fit.

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