Page 69 of Until Waverly

The girl was smitten with her daddy.

I couldn’t blame her. So was I.

Obviously, there were days when I wished I could go back and change everything that happened between us. Had I just stuck around five more minutes... If only I’d shown him the original pregnancy test? As always, hindsight was twenty-twenty. I’d allowed doubt and jealousy to cloud my judgement. I’d allowed envy to shape how I reacted to an innocuous situation.

After the ugly fit I pitched inside Flame, I’d called Bridget and apologized for my rude outburst. She laughed and accepted my apology, then confessed she would have done the same if she saw another woman with her husband. Since then, Bridget had been by to see Alandria as often as she could, each time bringing some kind of trinket or gift, spoiling the crap out of Alandria.

Seemed like everyone in the family was doing so.

Though, I could say the same for Mack Junior-Junior. I was overindulgent with him. Figured payback was a bitch. I laughed to myself at the thought.

“Why do you look so smug?” Jackson teased.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” I said, rubbing Alandria’s back. “Do you need me to hold her?”

He shook his head. “I love carrying her in my arms. Just as much as I love holding you at night. You’re both my girls.” The love and affection in his gaze decimated me. I didn’t deserve his forgiveness or his love, but I damn sure wasn’t letting any of it go.

“I love you, Jackson,” I blurted as we moved up another spot in line.

He grinned. “Love you too, sunshine.”

By the time we got to the door, the butterflies kicked in. I wanted to push everyone aside and go first while also worrying if we were making the right decision. The idea of eloping sent a thrill through me while also scared the crap out of me. What would Daddy say? Or my mom? Would they be upset because we hadn’t invited them to join us? Were we supposed to keep this a secret?

“Hey,” Jackson said. “Don’t worry. We’ll be fine.”

Right. We were going to be okay. “Big wedding later. Once we’re settled.” I didn’t know if I was trying to agree with him or calm myself, but he chuckled and nodded along, like everything I said made sense.

“This will work. Promise.” He kissed the top of my head again while we waited for the couple in front of us to finish. The office was small, probably half the size of a courtroom. The door was hardwood, with frosted glass in the middle, keeping whatever happened inside private. “What would you like to do when we’re done here, Mrs. Banks?”

I liked the way the name rolled off his tongue. “Go home, Mr. Banks.”

“Home sounds like a lovely idea.”

When the door opened some time later, the anticipation and anxiousness hit me full force. The newlywed couple stepped out, both with giant smiles on their faces, both totally in love with each other. My heart soared for them while excitement joined the happy feeling, knowing we were next.

“Looks like it’s our turn, sunshine. Are you ready?”

Two years ago, I’d have said no way. Maybe even six months ago too. Today, after purging all the darkness from my soul while sitting in that courtroom, I was more than.

“Yes.”

As we crossed over the threshold, I paused. There sat my mom and dad, along with Ireland and Mack. Tears filled my eyes as I stared up at Jackson, then back at our family. How had he pulled this off? Had I really testified long enough for our whole family to show up? I stared at him again in shock.

“Well, come on, let’s not keep the judge waiting.” Jackson grinned. That Cheshire Cat smile of his, filled with glee, had me snorting. He totally planned this, and I hadn’t even known.

“How?”

He shrugged as we stepped into chambers. “I have my ways.” He handed Alandria to Ireland. “It’s a surprise, after all.”

“A huge surprise,” I murmured before hugging my mom and dad. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Jackson said he couldn’t delay any longer,” my dad grumbled.

I laughed. “Sounds like him.”

My father placed my hand on his arm. “We’re doing this right. I’m walking you down this aisle.”

“Oh, Daddy.” I kissed his cheek, tears brimming. “Thank you.”

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