Page 81 of Landry

“Fine. Fine. Let’s get this over with. I have a tee time in thirty minutes.” Judge Theriot laid his hand on the binder. “Well, get on up here.”

Camille, her heart racing, wearing a light blue sundress and carrying a bouquet of daisies, moved forward holding Ava’s hand. Ava held Billy Ray’s, and Billy Ray held Landry’s.

“Do you have your own vows, or do you want me to read what I have?” the judge asked.

“Please, sir, read yours,” Camille said. “We don’t want to keep you long.”

“And we have a party to get to at the Crawdad Hole.” Gisele raised a hand. “Hey, Uncle Theriot.”

The judge’s eyes narrowed. “That you, Gisele?”

“Yes, sir,” she said.

“Didn’t you get married not long ago?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” she said.

“And why didn’t you ask me to officiate?” he demanded.

“You were gone to Pebble Beach that weekend, or I would’ve asked. I had Deputy Shelby Taylor do the honors.” She tipped her head toward Shelby, holding a wriggling Jean-Luc in her arms.

Remy took the child from his mother.

Gisele’s uncle stared at her for a long moment before he harrumphed. “Young people. Always in a hurry.” When he turned his attention to Camille and Landry, his gaze went to Ava and Billy Ray, and his brow dipped. “And why are these children in my courtroom?”

Ava grinned. “We’re getting married today.”

“Uh, sir,” the court reporter said. “You’re performing the marriage ceremony, and then you’ll conduct the adoption ceremony. Mr. Laurent is adopting Ms. Catoire’s daughter, Ava.”

“What about her son?” the judge asked.

“He’s my foster son.” Landry dropped Billy Ray’s hand and slipped a hand over his shoulder. “We’re waiting for all the legal paperwork to get done, then we’ll be back for Billy Ray’s adoption. In the meantime, he’s fully part of the family.”

Ava grinned up at Billy Ray. “He’s my big brother. I always wanted a brother. Now, I have one.”

The judge cleared his throat. “Then let’s get down to the business of marrying these two adults so you can be one happy family.”

Gisele and Amelie moved up to stand beside Camille.

Simon and Rafael stood beside Landry.

The remainder of Landry’s team of Bayou Brotherhood Protectors and Camille’s friends stood among the benches behind them.

Camille and Landry stepped forward.

Landry took Camille’s hands in his and stared down into her eyes.

The judge opened the book the reporter had handed him and read aloud, “Landry Laurent, do you take Camille Catoire to be your lawfully wedded wife from this day forward, to have and to hold, in good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health; will you love, honor and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?”

Landry stared down into Camille’s eyes, his shining with love. “With every breath I take, sir.”

“A simple I do would suffice,” the judge murmured.

Landry grinned. “I do.”

Camille Catoire, do you take this man?—”

“She does,” Ava said. “She loves him.”

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