Page 90 of Damien
Gasps can be heard all around.
“Holy shit, they’re getting married,” Davis mutters.
“If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck,” Derek says under his breath.
But what gets me is the elated expression on Dani’s face. I’ve never seen her happier than in this moment. I’d never dream of taking it away from her.
“Surprise!” she shouts, then quickly adds, “With our crazy schedules, we didn’t want to make a big deal of things. Soooo…” she exaggerates, “We’re having a small private wedding here, then a reception tonight at the Glass Museum in Tacoma.”
Looking to my parents and grandparents, there’s not an ounce of shock on their faces. Clearly, they’reallin on this. But I don’t begrudge them.
This obviously is important to Dani, and I’ll never complain about her happiness.
“We’ve got less than an hour to get the rest of these photos taken,” Stacey announces. “Then a few more guests will arrive, and we’ll get this party started.”
I barely have time to check in with Vanessa and Jules as I’m ushered from photo to photo, with the soon-to-be bride and groom. When I finally get my chance to have a solo picture with my sister, I lean in and hug her fiercely, though I’m careful not to wreck her dress.
“Congratulations, Dan. I’m happy for you.”
“I’m so glad you could be here with us,” she says as she squeezes me in return.
“You know, all you had to do was ask, and we would’ve been here anyway.”
Dani’s eyes dance as she grins from ear to ear. “Where would the fun be in that? Besides, we didn’t know if we could pull it off, until everyone agreed to come.”
We pose for a few photos, then she gushes, “I can’t wait to meet Vanessa and her adorable daughter Julia.”
“If you’d been at the house last night, you would’ve,” I counter.
Dani sighs dramatically. “I know. But you know me and secrets. This was so hard to keep under wraps.”
“Okay…” I drag out, hoping she’ll explain.
“Every time we’ve set a date to get married, something came up. The minute we had all of our family committed to be here, we decided to kill two birds with one stone.”
“Great analogy for a wedding. I thought you were the romance writer. Nothing sounds more romantic than killing more than one bird by stoning it to death,” I deadpan.
Rolling her eyes, she smirks. “You know what I mean. Today will be so crazy… so promise me, you’ll have to bring the girls back up for a football game once the season starts, and I can get to know them better then.”
“I’m sure I’ll be bringing her around plenty—if all this,” I point around the crowd, “doesn’t scare her away.”
Looking to Vanessa and Jules who currently are occupying their time away from the crowd by skipping rocks into the sound, Dani says, “They’re adorable.”
“They’re special to me… that’s for sure.”
“Look at the camera,” the photographer calls out as she clicks away, taking multiple photos as my sister and I smile.
Once we’re done, Dani moves on to take photos individually with the rest of my brothers.
It’s then I notice Dani and Luke have hired a crew to set up chairs for guests as well as brought some food for us to munch on while we wait. Right before more people arrive, Dani disappears so she can make her official appearance as the bride.
Walking to the shore to check on Vanessa and Jules, I can’t help but wish this day happens for us, sooner than later. I know she’s in school and has dreams she needs to accomplish on her own, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to start my forever with her as soon as possible.
Hell, I’m not even sure when I went from being a perpetual bachelor to wanting a life like this with her, but hearing their laughter echo off the water is exactly the reason why. Somehow these two have burrowed their way into my once-stony heart, and I’m sure I never want to let them go.
Walking up behind Vanessa, I slip my arms around her waist and pull her close. Whispering so only she can hear, I let her know just what she means to me. “God, I love you, Van. I’m so glad you’re here with me.”
Leaning into my chest, she laughs lightly. “Okayyyy… what’s gotten into you?”
