Page 98 of Holly Ever After

Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pull her close and address the open-mouthed crowd gawking at me. “At least now you can envision the groom too.”

It takes exactly ten seconds until Mark’s face is in mine. “Let go of my sister and take two steps to the left.”

“Mark, stop it,” Holly pleads, but I knew this was coming.

Dipping my chin, I step away from Holly. “It’s okay, baby.”

I’m hardly able to finish the sentence when Mark’s fist connects with my jaw.

The room erupts as I clutch my throbbing cheek and stand upright, working my jaw back and forth. To be fair, he could have hit me harder.

Slapping me on the back, he pulls me into a hug. “Had to be done, brother.”

I hug him back. “I know.”

“Don’t fuck with her,” he warns.

“You have my word.”

Holly fuses over my swollen face as the room falls into another tense silence.

“It’s about fucking time,” my mother mutters, sinking into the chair. That tongue of hers is a permanent thing as of late. “It took you both long enough.”

Laughter ripples through the room as my mother’s comment breaks the tension.

Holly's father chuckles. “Merry Christmas everyone.”

Holly shoots me an apologetic look, her hand gently cradling the sore spot on my face. “I'm so sorry. I didn't think he'd actually do it.”

“I think I deserved that one,” I admit, smirking despite the pain. “Happy Birthday by the way.”

Another blush. She’s fucking breath-taking.

“Thank you.”

Karen, grinning from ear to ear, approaches us with a tray of drinks. “Well, since we have that sorted, how about a toast to the new couple?”

Mia, who's been watching the entire scene wide-eyed, finally pipes up, “Does this mean Uncle Sean marry Aunt Lolly?”

Holly's blush returns in full force as she tucks her face into my shoulder, and I laugh, pulling her close.

The room cheers as Karen raises her glass, “To Sean and Holly, may your love be as strong as that punch.”

As the night wears on, Holly and I steal glances at each other, our hands finding each other's under the table. The veil may have been a joke, but there's no mistaking the certainty I felt in my chest at the sight of her, the unspoken promise between us.

I’m going to marry that woman one day. One day soon.

We may not have planned to reveal our relationship tonight, but in a way, it's fitting. Surrounded by the people we love, the ones who will always have our backs, we're creating our own little world, one where we can be ourselves, no secrets or fear.

The future may be uncertain, but as long as I have her by my side, I know we can face anything.

∞∞∞

As I sit on the couch, nursing my drink and nursing my sore jaw, Holly sidles up to me, sitting on the arm of the chair.

“Your mom seems to be doing good.”

I glance over at my mother who is smiling down at Mia as she shows her the new toys she got for Christmas.

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