Page 93 of Primary Seduction
A knock rang out and Jocelyn poked her head around the door. “Time to giddyup!” She laughed. Max rolled his eyes and shook his head. “What?” She looked at him innocently. Jocelyn had decided to take care of Max this morning, and Harper was with Trent.
“Sometimes I wonder about your age,” he replied smirking.
“Not much younger than you, stepdaddy!” she joked.
Max stopped. It was stupid but he just realised what marrying Trent meant. He was gaining two daughters. Two daughters.
“Sorry, Max. I won’t joke about it again.” Jocelyn sounded upset.
He walked to her and hugged her tight. “Don’t be sorry.” He let her go and looked at her. “I’m stupid. I’ve just realised, I’m gaining two daughters.” He smiled at her. “I have two daughters.” He hugged her again, then pulled back, seeing tears running down her face. “Oh, sweetheart, you’re ruining your makeup.” He went and searched for a tissue.
“So worth it,” he heard her say. He walked back to her with tissues, trying to help clean her face. “It’s okay, I’ll go check it in a minute.”
“I love you, Juice. As much as I love your father.” He hugged her again despite her laughter at his using her nickname and felt her wrap her arms around him tightly.
“I love you, too, Daddy.”
“God, now you’re making me cry!” He pulled back, wiping his eyes.
Ginny pushed through the door, eyes wet too. “It’s time.”
Max sniffed, wiped his face and straightened his jacket for the tenth time. “I’m ready.”
They had agreed to not see each other before the wedding but with a little twist. They had spent the night together but had parted ways at eight this morning. It was now nearing one and Max wanted nothing more than to see Trent. He was bundled into the wedding car Tom had insisted on paying for and sped off.
After arriving, he was taken to a small room to wait, and Jocelyn said she was going to go see her dad, and then she’d be back. He was alone with his thoughts and memories again. At least until there was a knock at the door. “Come in.” He looked up and saw Harper standing hesitantly in the doorway. “Come here, Button.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.
“Ti amo, babbo,” she replied.I love you, Daddy.
He swallowed hard at hearing her call him Daddy. “Ti amo, figlia,” he replied, wetly.I love you, daughter.She pulled back in surprise. Max shrugged. “I’ve been learning a few words. I thought it might help you.” Now it was her turn to tear up. “Stop! I can’t have you and Jocelyn look like I’ve made you cry!” He laughed.
“Thank you for making my dad so happy.”
“You don’t need to thank me. He’s made me just as happy. You all have.”
They hugged again, and then Ginny was back saying it was time to go. Harper quickly ducked out to go back to her father, and Jocelyn came running down the hall as they were heading to the registry office. She linked her arm through Max’s, and they waited for the door to open. Janie was stood in front of them ready for her flower girl duties, and Max quickly leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Max’s breath caught when the doors finally did open, and he saw Trent standing at the front of the short aisle. He smiled at the most gorgeous man on the planet. The music began, and he walked the last few steps as an unwed man.
****
Max and Trent stood at the entrance to Crush, welcoming everyone as they entered, hugs and handshakes all around. When he saw Charlotte enter, he enveloped her in a hug, which she reciprocated. They clung to each other for a while before Max pulled back. “Thank you for coming,” he said sincerely. When he’d sent the invite to her, he really hadn’t been sure whether she would come or not.
“How could I miss my baby brother getting married?” she said with a tremulous smile. “I’m sorry Mark isn’t here.” She didn’t need to say more. Her husband was a good man, but he took Max’s parents’ side on the whole “gay” thing.
“It’s fine. You’re here, which is more important. Thank you.” He hugged her again, then introduced her to Trent. “Charlotte, this is my husband, Trent. Trent, my sister Charlotte.”
“Nice to meet you, Charlotte.”
“You, too, Trent. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll see you both later.” She walked off straight to the bar.
“Maxy!” He turned at his nickname and braced himself when he saw Livvy running towards him. He caught her up in a hug, almost toppling when she wrapped her legs around him too.
“Jesus, Livvy! Give a man some notice.” He laughed.
