Page 82 of Landry

The judge gave Ava a side-eye and then glanced at Camille, cocking an eyebrow. “Do you?”

“I do,” Camille said, her lips curving on the corners. “I love this man with all my heart.”

“With the power vested in me by the state of Louisiana, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Landry gathered Camille in his arms and kissed her gently as if she were the most cherished person on earth.

Her heart swelled to near bursting.

Applause erupted around them.

Judge Theriot banged his gavel. “Quiet in the courtroom. We aren’t finished here.”

Camille turned and held out her hand to Ava, urging her to step forward. Once she had, Camille stood behind her with Billy Ray, took his hand and whispered, “It’ll be your turn soon. I promise.”

Billy Ray nodded. “This is Ava’s day.”

The judge cleared his throat. “Usually we just sign papers, but I believe this young lady deserves a little more ceremony.”

Camille smiled. “Please, your honor.”

The judge nodded.

Landry dropped to one knee and took Ava’s hand.

“Landry Laurent,” the judge said, “do you take Ms. Ava Catoire-DeSalle as your lawfully loved daughter to love, honor and cherish for as long as you live?”

“I do,” Landry said. “I promise to always love her to the moon and back.”

The judge stared down at Ava. “Ms. Ava Catoire-DeSalle, do you want this man to be your daddy?”

“I do!” Ava wrapped her arms around Landry’s legs. “I love him more than all the stars in the sky.”

“By the power vested in me by the state of Louisiana, you can now call him daddy. I now pronounce the four of you family. Now get out of here. You have a party, and I have to change and play golf. I wish you all the luck and love.”

Camille curled an arm around Billy Ray, while Landry lifted Ava into his arms. He wrapped his other arm around Camille and pulled her and Billy Ray into a group hug.

“I love all of you,” Landry said.

“Me, too,” Camille seconded.

“Me, too,” Billy Ray and Ava said as one.

Her heart full to the brim, Camille helped Landry start to escort their family of four out of the courtroom and into their lives together.

As they neared the door, a woman with curly auburn hair and hazel eyes burst through the door.

“Gisele!” she called out and scanned the faces of the people leaving the building. When she spotted Gisele, she rushed forward and started to fling herself at Camille’s friend.

Rafael stepped between them. “Gisele, do you know this woman?”

The woman glared at Rafael, “Of course she does. I’m her cousin, Holly Hazard.” She lifted her chin toward Gisele. “Tell him.”

Gisele sighed. “I know her. She’s my cousin, Holly Gautier. She changed her name to Hazard because she believes she’s cursed.”

“I thought getting away from Bayou Mambaloa and moving to Atlanta would rid me of the curses, but I was wrong.”

“Why?” Gisele frowned. “What happened?”

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