“Remember what comes after marriage, Sierra,” he said in a teasing tone. “I’m not too young to be a grandpa.”
I laughed even though my belly tightened at the prospect of being a mom. “One thing at a time, Dad.”
His eyes gleamed. “We’ll see.”
“How about you marry me off first? Then we’ll talk babies. In a couple of years,” I informed him.
He sighed. “I guess I can live with that.”
“Didn’t I tell you she couldn’t get married until thirty? I mean, I know you only passed calculus because of Sierra, but I thought you could at least do simple math. You’re a bit early.”
Nick was teasing—I was killer at calculus. And a cocky grin formed on my face even though I was nervous as hell on the inside.
Not that I had any idea why. Sierra and I’d been together for two-thirds of my life. Hell, I barely remembered the time when she hadn’t been there. This was just another normal day at the beach.
Except that it wasn’t. This day was monumental. It signified the beginning of everything I’d ever wanted. And, for some reason, it was…daunting as hell.
But probably not for the reasons you might think. I wasn’t worried about having a ball and chain or anything like that. No, I was fucking terrified out of my mind that, after thirteen years, Sierra was finally going to wise up and realize she could have any man in the world. Why would she want me?
Just as quickly as that stupid thought had come, a plethora of memories hit me like a tidal wave, drenching me with a flood of emotion. In my mind, I saw Sierra, eight years old, standing at the top of the steps, the prettiest girl I’d ever seen. I could hear her teasing me about Michelangelo. Then it was the image of Sierra in her homecoming dress, stopping my heart and tightening my pants from the sight of her all dressed up for me. Sierra launching herself into my arms and telling me that she loved me for the very first time. A million I-love-yous followed, and I heard each and every one loud and clear. And then I saw Sierra, sweet and sensuous, writhing beneath me as I made love to her, right there at that very spot. The sound of her panted breaths as she whispered my name played on repeat in my mind, and if it hadn’t been for Nick placing a hand on my shoulder and shaking me out of my reverie, I might have gotten hard all over again.
I laughed, all the fear draining from my body. Sierra was mine. She always had been. Always would be. Just like I was hers—for now, forever, and whatever eternity awaited us on the other side.
Where she went, I’d follow.
Always.
But enough with the mushy stuff.
“And I’m pretty sure I told you no way,” I finally answered, lifting my chin and setting it in defiance at my soon-to-be father-in-law.
Nick laughed, clapped me on the shoulder, and squeezed. His smile softened, as did his eyes. “You’re the only one I’d ever allow be the exception to that rule, Jeremy. I hope you know that.”
I returned his smile. “I appreciate that, sir.”
For as long as I can remember, he’d been Nick to me. Not Mr. Sullivan or sir, but in that moment, it’d felt right.
He nodded his appreciation. “I always wanted a son, and God changed my mind when he blessed me with two beautiful daughters who grew up to be two beautiful women. But, today, I’m gaining a son, and I couldn’t be happier. Because that’s what I consider you, Jeremy. A son,” he told me.
“Does that mean I can finally call you Pops?” I asked, grinning at the memory of the first—and only—time I’d tried calling him that.
“Absolutely not,” he responded with his own smile.
I ran a hand through my hair. “Look, Nick…I have to thank you.”
He started to hold a hand up, but I continued.
“You’ve changed my life. Not only did you create the beautiful girl I’m about to marry, but you took me in when you didn’t have to. I wouldn’t be standing here, about to marry the love of my life, if it weren’t for you and Vicky. And I know I don’t say it as often as I should, so thank you. Truly,” I said.
“Thanks aren’t needed, Jeremy. Just be good to my girl.”
“There’s no other option,” I replied.
“Then what’d you say we have a wedding?” Nick said, glancing at his watch. “You ready?”
“I’ve been ready for longer than you want to know.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Probably a good thing,” he responded. Then he walked through the gazebo and down the walkway to where he was about to lead his daughter to me.
To her future.
Our future.
As cocky as I’d been, I wasn’t prepared for the moment Sierra came into view. I was nearly knocked off my feet, ass in the sand, as soon as I saw her. I don’t know what it was. Every single day, I’d looked at Sierra and marveled at how beautiful she was, but this was different. She was dressed in a flowing, white gown that perfectly molded to her curves. Her smile was radiant as she approached. The white hibiscus flower in her soft, flowing hair gave her the appearance of an angel. My heart leapt into my throat, and I couldn’t believe it. This was my bride.
I was undone.
When Nick gave her a kiss on the cheek then stepped to the side to join our families, I barely registered he was even there. My eyes were locked in on hers, and I’m not ashamed to admit that they might have been swimming with the manliest of tears.
“Beautiful,” I whispered then leaned down and captured her perfect, pink lips with mine. I just couldn’t help myself.
A throat cleared, and I pulled back. She was smiling up at me, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“I think the kiss is supposed to wait until after the ceremony,” she teased.
I grinned. “Do I look like I care?” Then I turned to Chris, who’d gone online and gotten ordained for this. “Make it quick, man.”
And quick is what he made it. I was dying to kiss Sierra again by the time we got to the vows. When Sierra had insisted we write our own vows, I wasn’t sure what the hell I was going to say. I sat for hours trying to form the perfect poetic words, and frankly, I sucked at it. So after too many hours wasted and sheets of papers balled up, I decided I’d wing it.
“Banks, you’re up first,” Chris said in his usual laid-back style.
Taking Sierra’s hand in mine, I peered down at her, waiting for the nerves to come. This was it. I was finally saying my vows, and in just a few short moments, she would be my wife. But the nerves never came. All I felt was love. Excitement. Joy. And impatience. As much as I loved Sierra in that dress, I wanted to see her out of it. To slowly slide the zipper down as I kissed her bare shoulder…
I was getting ahead of myself—and getting hard in the process. Which Sierra noticed. Her eyes grew wide as she bit her lip. I leaned forward and placed my mouth just above her ear.
“Not helping, baby. You know what that lip bite does to me.”
Her sharp intake of breath was the perfect opening for my vows.
“First,” I said, taking a moment to glance from Chris to Sierra, “I promise to never grow a mullet again without your permission.”
Chuckles sounded all around us, and Sierra’s shoulders shook with laughter.
“Hey!” Chris exclaimed.
I shrugged. “Sorry, man. Wife trumps best friend every single time. No more dares without Sierra’s approval.”
“I think I like where this is going,” Sierra quipped.
Wanting to get to the good stuff, I squeezed her hands and sobered up a bit. “God, I can’t believe we’re finally here. On this day. On this beach. In the very spot we met. It’s so surreal, and if I could spend hours explaining why and how I love you, I would. The truth is…it’s actually pretty simple. I love you, Sierra Sullivan, with every fiber of my being, and I always will.”