Page 156 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“We’re getting married.” If her smile gets any bigger, it will swallow her entire face.
“Let’s go.” I lead her through the double doors and down the aisle, with Kara and the assholes following us, then we all squish into a row and wait for our names to be called.
“Rafe is going to be so mad that he missed this,” Kara whispers at my side.
“Who do you think is in Sweetbriar planning the party with the Scuttlebutts?” I whisper back.
Charlotte leans over my lap. “You were both so sure I’d say yes?”
Kara snorts. “Lottie, you already said yes. This is just a formality.”
She stares up at me. “Rafe didn’t want to be here?”
I shake my head. “He’s had enough courtrooms lately. I did invite him though, and he said he’d rather plan the party because he won’t be able to contain his emotions. And I know the party will be something from my nightmares, that’s why he wanted to do it while I was away so I couldn’t say no.”
My future wife pats my knee as if she’s consoling an errant child. “Sounds like it’ll be perfect then. A neat and tidy wedding to represent you, and a wild all-night celebration to represent me.”
There’s not a chance in hell we’re partying all night with the Scuttlebutts or anyone else. We have a baby to make, or at least to practice for, and I’m looking forward to all the practicing.
Before I can say anything that will probably get me into trouble, our names are called. We rise as one and walk to the front of the room.
“It is my understanding that you are here to be married and for an adoption. Is that correct?” The judge’s voice is a slow roll of words that grate on my last nerve. When I originally met with him it was an exercise in patience waiting for him to finish one fucking sentence.
But it was worth it, and all it took was a donation to his son’s election campaign. Luckily for both of us, his son appears to be one of the good ones, so it wasn’t an issue.
“Yes, sir.” Charlotte beams at my side. I might be seeing things, but I could swear she has a glittering halo all around her.
“And is it true, Mr. Wilder, that before we proceed, you would like to offer your future bride a gift?”
Lottie stiffens next to me as I release her hand. My neck is hot, and my tie seems to be pinching tighter, but I nod.
This went a lot differently in my head. I forgot that there would be all these people around.
“Thane? W—what’s going on?” She casts a curious smile around the room as I reach into the interior pocket of my suit jacket and retrieve the folded letter.
“Charlotte, I’ve been screwing up since the moment I barged into your life. I will most likely always act first and think later when it comes to you, and that’s a trait I’m still not sure how to handle. But more than anything, I want you to know that I respect you.”
“Thane.” Tears pool at the corners of her eyes, and Rowan sneaks up behind her to hand her a tissue.
“I love you, Charlotte. You’ve opened the box I had shut myself in all my life. You lifted me from the darkness and showed me that someone could love me exactly as I am. You’ve never tried to fix me. You’ve never made me feel broken or like half a man when I get overwhelmed. You’re the first to guide me to gentleness when my tone doesn’t fit the situation, and I’m so very sorry that I ever made you feel as though I didn’t believe in you.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve never felt that way, Thane.”
“I shouldn’t have interfered in your company, Charlotte.” My palms sweat, and I glance at the judge. I wasn’t exactly on the right side of the law when I hacked into her company, but the judge has no way of knowing that. Hopefully. “From this day forward, I promise to communicate with you to the best of my ability. I promise to always try to be a better man. I promise to apologize when I make a mistake.”
Jesus. My skin is shrinking around my bones, but I grit my teeth and push on.
“I’ve been making lists, Lottie. Lots of lists, actually, because I want to show you that we will always be partners. I will always see you as an equal, and I will always support you and your dreams as you have supported me. I wanted to give you something. Something that shows you more than my stunted words that your dreams are my dreams.”
She reaches up and cups the side of my cheek. I lean into her warm, soft palm, soaking in her strength, her kindness. Her love.
“Nothing seemed big enough or good enough though. So, I want to give you my baby.”
“Ah. What?” The judge blusters, and I shoot him a glare.
“Thane, what are you talking about?” she whispers. Her eyes flash from side to side. Is she panicking?
“Um, Thane?” Kara nudges me in the side. “I think ‘your baby’ needs a little clarification.”
