Page 39 of Til Death Do Us Part

“Cheers!” the group cheered, raising their glasses.

Pulling Everly to my side, I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. Nothing too scandalous with everyone around us.

One by one, people came up to greet Everly and wish her congratulations. I had no idea Luke was going to out us like he’d done, but as the women gathered around her, I could see Everly start to relax and enjoy the camaraderie.

Slapping Luke on the back, I came in for a hug. “Happy birthday, big bro.”

“Thanks. It’s nice you’re here. I hope even with you living eighteen hundred miles away, you’re not a stranger. I miss my family.”

Hugging him tighter, I promised him I’d be around more. I knew he’d been lonely living here and working all the time before he met Alex, but hearing him say the words made me feel guilty for not reaching out more.

“Even though I know you didn’t mean to get married when you did, I think she’s a good fit for you. The way she puts a smile on your face like I haven’t seen since you were a child makes me happy.”

“She does make me happy. Without her, I’d be lost in Oasis with only work to occupy my time. When she told me she thought she was pregnant yesterday, I’ve got to be honest, at first I didn’t want it to be true, but when she came out of the bathroom crying, I realized there was a small part of me that wanted to be a father. I know I’m young, but I think I want to start a family sooner rather than later. I’ve got mom and dad and you as role models on how to be the best parents ever.”

Grabbing me by the shoulders, Luke turned us so our backs were to everyone mingling around the area. “It means a lot to me, you saying that, but I think you should spend this time getting to know Everly and having fun. Travel the world and make sure to always have Fairlane as a pit stop. Enjoy being a newlywed before you give yourself over to sleepless nights.”

“You’re right. When Everly informed me how long we’d have to go without sex, I couldn’t imagine not being able to worship her body for that long. Even so, we might be the only ones with kids for a while whenever it does happen for Everly and I.”

Liam and Stella had never even so much as been in a serious relationship and it didn’t seem to be a high priority. While I wanted to find the right girl for me, I hadn’t been thinking about marriage. Maybe our family wasn’t like regular people and we never really had a serious relationship until we found ‘the one.’ Still, I was disappointed Liam and Stella couldn’t have made it for Luke’s celebration. I wished they put Luke’s happiness as more of a priority. The last time they’d even tried to see him was for Luke and Alex’s wedding, and I knew they wouldn’t be traveling to see me, Everly, or a baby when the time came.

Mom and Dad were coming in a couple of weeks and were planning on staying for a month. Last night when they’d called Luke to wish him a happy birthday, I heard in their voices how disappointed they were to be missing the festivities.

I’d thought about telling them about the pregnancy scare but thought I’d wait until they were here, and how we decided in the next couple of years we wanted to start our family. I planned to bring Everly with me when I came back close to when they’d be heading back to Stockholm for them to meet her. Mom was already dying to meet her new daughter-in-law.

“Too bad the whole family couldn’t be here,” I muttered as I turned back around to find where Everly was. I spotted her immediately. She was laughing with Alex and her friends as if she’d been friends with them for ages.

“Yeah, but it is what it is. I’m used to it by now.” Pulling me into a side hug, he watched Mason and the kids play with Holden and Prue’s dog. “Maybe one day, you’ll move here.”

I wanted to say one day he, Alex, and the kids could move to Oasis, but I knew it wouldn’t be anytime soon. There was no way Mason’s biological dad would let him move. He’d never let them be happy like that.

“Maybe one day. Has Alex’s ex given you guys any problems about her pregnancy?”

“Not much more than snide comments. He knows I won’t put up with his bullshit so he’s been…tamer, I guess is the word I’d use. The only time he’s usually a problem is when we go to LA for the summer or wherever for a shoot.”

“What an asshole.”

“You don’t have to tell me. I just hate it for Alex and Mason. He’s the best kid I know, and I hate when I see the sadness his dad puts in his eyes when he shows how little he cares. On that note, I’m going to go check on Gracie. I don’t trust that damn monitor.”

I laughed at him because he was constantly checking on her, but it was sweet. He loved his family, and I knew he’d do everything in his power to keep them safe.

“I’ll see you later,” I called as I headed toward my wife, but got stopped by Jenner, Luke, and Alex’s friend.

“Hey,” he clapped me on the shoulder, “I heard you joined the club.”

Turning to him with my face knitted in confusion, I asked. “What club?”

“Waking up married in Vegas to a total stranger.” He smiled his megawatt Hollywood smile at me.

“I heard, and from the way you two were wrapped around each other earlier, I’d say it’s going pretty great for you.”

“Hands down, Abbi is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Seems the same for you as well.” He smirked.

“I’ve got no reason to lie to you. I didn’t know it was possible to fall in love with someone in three months, but I have. The thought of her ever leaving my side makes me sick to my stomach. I’d fight the hounds of hell for her.”

“Make sure she knows that and show her every day how much you love her. Your brother is a good example.”

Luke was the best example. He’d found his home in Alex and there wasn’t a day that went by he didn’t show her how much he loved her.

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