Page 108 of Waging War
“Hazel!” Juliana shouts down the hallway. “Are you two boning in the closet?”
After carefully setting her feet back onto the floor, I pull her against me, holding her for just a second longer. She wraps one arm around my middle while resting her opposite hand over the scar on my abdomen.
I tuck my hell’s angel tight into my chest and kiss the top of her head. “I love you, Hazel. Never forget it.”
She pulls back, tipping her head up in between my palms. “I love you, too.”
I swallow back the intense emotion choking me and kiss those sweet, soft lips. “Be a good girl and go finish getting ready. I’ll meet you at the end of the aisle.”
She playfully jabs a finger into my ribs. “Sir, yes, sir.”
The door cracks open, temporarily blinding me as we step into the hall. Juliana holds the flowers and waves for Hazel to hurry. “Come on,chica! We don’t have all day.”
I smack Hazel’s ass and wink at Jules. “Sorry about that.”
Her hand cocked over her hip says she knows I’m not.
“I’ll see you.” Hazel smiles before taking off, and I ignore a wave of swelling male pride at the sight of her disheveled form.
I strut across the hall to wash up and splash cool water on my face.
Distantly, I hear a baby wailing, followed by the sound of panicked male voices.
“What’s going on out there?” I murmur before trotting back down the hall and outside. I round the corner of the building, squinting at the sun as I head straight for the source of distress.
It’s a beautiful day for a wedding. The wind is low, the sun is high, and the temperature is just right. All is well except for the baby wailing from where Derrick holds her beneath the shade of an oak tree.
Jack looks panic-stricken, pacing in front of Derrick, yanking at his light-blue tie. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ll just hold her while Cass walks down the aisle. It’ll make for cute pictures, right?” He turns to me. “Right?”
I clap a hand over both of their shoulders, chuckling at Derrick’s sad attempt to soothe Jack’s daughter.
“I don’t know what happened. She was just fine when I took her from Sasha, and then, out of nowhere, she started screaming.” He rocks her back and forth, cramming a pacifier into her open mouth.
This only makes her cry harder, and now the small gathering of people seated and waiting are starting to turn our way. Barely a month old, her little pink bow is crooked in her thin brown hair, and she’s missing a sock.
“Let me have her. I’ll sit with her during the ceremony, right up front next to you guys.”
I gather their little one in my arms, plop her halfway over my shoulder, and begin to pat her back.
“Shh,” I coax her. “It’s okay. Your favorite uncle is here.”
Derrick shoots me a glare, and I offer him a wink.
“Are you sure?” My brother’s face is pinched with worry. I know that more than anything, he wants today to be perfect for his soon-to-be wife.
My niece finally calms enough that she’s only making little gurgling noises. “I’m positive.”
Micah jogs over, wearing his classic bright smile. “Guys, let’s go! It’s about to start.”
Jack slaps my back. “I owe you one.”
The officiant calls for everyone to be seated, and shortly after, a soft melody begins to play over the speaker. Derrick and Jack make their way toward the podium that’s nestled between two large metal arches, which are covered in bright white roses. Rows of white chairs adorned with light-blue ribbons face the front, and more roses line the aisle that Cassidy is about to walk down.
I wave at Sasha when she trots up from the parking lot, dressed in her uniform. She grabs a seat at the back before gesturing to me, asking if I want to hand her the baby.
I shake my head with a smile. I’m perfectly fine right where I am.
Jack fidgets, straightening his suit and hair every minute that we wait.
