Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Callum steps inside, taking in the chaotic state of my room with a smirk. “Damn, this place is a mess.”
I shrug, pulling on my jacket. “Didn’t have time to clean up.”
“Yeah, from the looks of it, you’ve definitely had your hands full.”
“You have no idea.” I grin and open the door wide. “Let’s go get our brother married.”
We walk briskly down the hallway to Paxton’s room. Callum knocks and then opens the door.
“They’re here,” Tripp announces, glancing up from his phone.
“Must be nice to be on your own schedule,” Shepherd comments dryly, sipping from a bottle of water.
“Don’t be jealous just because we can still sleep without a crying baby waking us up,” I tease, giving him a friendly slap on the back as I pass by.
Paxton emerges from the bathroom, looking slightly overwhelmed. “Well, at least you guys made it before I say my vows.”
I grin and pull him into a quick hug. “I can’t believe you’re getting married today. You’re about to be someone’s husband.”
He chuckles nervously, adjusting his jacket. “Yeah, I can’t quite believe it myself. I mean, I know it’s happening, but it still doesn’t feel real.”
“Oh, it’s real,” Callum chimes in, giving Paxton a playful hug. “You’re about to hand your balls over to Hartford forever.”
Paxton laughs, shaking his head. “Thanks for the reminder, Callum.”
We share a collective chuckle, the air filled with excitement and anticipation as we prepare for the big moment.
Paxton smiles, stepping in front of the mirror. “If she wanted my balls I’d gladly hand them over.”
“She’s had your balls since middle school, who are you kidding,” I tease.
It’s a joke, but really she has. He dated, but he was never serious about anyone. He always carried a torch for Hartford.
“Are you ready?” Shepherd asks, fixing Paxton’s bowtie.
“I don’t care about the wedding. This is all for Hartford. I’m excited for our marriage.” He swats Shepherd’s hand away when he tries fixing his hair. “Stop it.”
“So you’re excited for the marriage? What’s that even mean?” I ask, curious about where he was going with that.
“Hartford wants this day and I’m cool with it. I’ll always give her what she wants, but I don’t need it. I want to build a life together. I want to buy a house, maybe get a dog. I want to take vacations, have BBQs, and spend time making memories. I want to have babies. Give August some cousins to play with. I want to grow old with her and spend every day telling her how damn lucky I am. That’s what I’m excited for. Today is for Hartford, every other day is for me.”
Well, damn, that’s not what I was expecting. We all joke and tease each other so often that it’s rare we share things like this. It’s kind of nice.
And cue the tears. My parents walked in while Paxton was talking and my mom is now touching the corners of her eye with a tissue.
“Well said, son,” my dad says, giving him a hug. “I’m proud of you.”
My mother is more dramatic and grabs him, holding on tightly like she’s afraid to let go.
“Mom, he’s getting married, not moving out of the country,” I say, laughing.
She lets go of him and shakes her head at me. “You hush. This is my first baby getting married. I’m allowed to be emotional about that.”
“You’ve got plenty of others to push into marriage, don’t waste all your tears,” Tripp says, earning a smack on the head from our father.
She rolls her eyes and focuses back on Paxton, running her hand down the lapel of his tuxedo jacket. “Everyone is going to tell you today how lucky you are to have married Hartford, but I want you to know that she’s lucky too. You’re an incredible man, Paxton. The only thing I’ve ever wished for my children is to find happiness in this life and you’ve found that. It’s sad letting you go, knowing things are changing, but it’s even more exciting. Watching your son become successful in every aspect of life.” She wipes her eyes again and smiles. “Remember we are always here for you and we’re so happy to add another Atwood to the family.”
He wraps her in a tight embrace, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you,” he murmurs, both of them fighting back tears that threaten to spill over.
“Damn, is it going to be this mushy all day?” Tripp quips, his voice breaking the tender moment.
Before anyone can respond, Callum smacks the back of Tripp’s head lightly, eliciting a yelp of surprise. The tears we’ve all been holding back transform into laughter, filling the room with a warmth that only family can bring. It’s moments like these that remind us of the unspoken bond we share—the way the Atwood’s can turn any situation into a reason to laugh.