Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 105398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 527(@200wpm)___ 422(@250wpm)___ 351(@300wpm)
They offered “Armadillo Eggs” which were nice ways of saying bull balls. They also offered squirrel, possum, gator, and venison. I decided to go wild and try some of the gator while Ember stuck with the old-fashioned hamburger. Apparently, she had her first bout of queasiness, and just thinking about anything other than a burger made her stomach churn.
The ride back to the cabin was beautiful with the sun setting in front of us, and the love of my life at my back. I pointed out deer every couple of miles, and laughed at the squeal of happiness she would let out when she saw them.
Our next two days were spent reading, exploring, and making love. Our nights were spent playing cards, laughing, talking, and making love. Tomorrow was back to the real world. Too bad we weren’t aware that very soon, something so terrible was going to happen that would make us long for those two days back, just to know what goodness felt like.
Darkness was about to ascend on our world, and we needed something pure to hold on to.
Chapter 14
Why would you want to marry me anyhow?
So I can kiss you anytime I want.
-Sweet Home Alabama
Ember
We pulled up to Free, him on his bike, and me in my car. Instead of pulling around the garage to the houses in back, he pulled up to the bay door and shut the bike off. I pulled up next to him, and got out with brows raised.
He’d then taken my hand and led me into the office, and then out into the garage. All the lights were off, which was exceptionally unusual because normally at this time of day air wrenches were singing, tools were being dropped, hammers were banging, and a loud blaring of rock music played in the background.
None of that was happening today, which was downright freaky for three in the afternoon.
“What’s going on?” I asked curiously.
“Ember Leigh Tremaine, will you marry me?” Gabe asked into the darkness.
“I already said yes, weirdo. Why do you think I’m still wearing the ring?”
His laugh vibrated off the skin of my neck when he said, “I mean today, right now, as a matter of fact.”
At that statement, the lights flipped on blaringly bright, and I was presented with our friends and family in the shop. It was decorated in skulls, red, and black, just like I’d always wanted.
I turned from all of our friends staring expectantly at me back to Gabe, and then threw my arms around his neck.
“Of course, you didn’t even need to ask.” I said right before I kissed him.
“You’re supposed to kiss after you say, “I do!”” Jack yelled from across the room.
“Let’s go.” He said against my lips.
And so, we were married. By Elliott at that. Apparently, Dougie had dared him at one point to get licensed to be an ordained minister, and Elliott wasn’t one to pass up a challenge. Max had somehow pulled off getting a marriage license without the both of us present (Which was illegal since blood tests were involved, as well as both of our signatures, but hey, who was I to say anything here?) which made it all legal in the eyes of the state.
I got married in jeans and a t-shirt. The only thing missing were my parents, but I knew they were watching me with smiles on their faces.
Max walked me down the aisle. He held on to me tight, and gave me a bear hug before releasing me to Gabe’s arms. I ignored the “fuck up and die” look he gifted Gabe with, and smiled at Elliott who’d winked at me.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Everyone cracked up each time Elliott said something minister like. Cheyenne and Blaine were at my side crying their eyes out. Not sure why though, because there was nothing to cry about here. I was almost as happy as I could be; the only thing that could make it better was if my parents were alive.
We spent the afternoon eating, dancing, laughing, and carrying on. Kids ran around at our feet laughing and playing. I’d shared a dance with my husband, brother, and then every member of Free after that. I also might have slow danced with Cheyenne and Blaine, but I’d never tell. By that night, I was so tired that Gabe ended up giving me a piggyback ride back to our place. He dropped me on my feet right at the door, and then picked me up bridal style.
I looked into Gabe’s eyes as he carried me through the door to his house. They were soft and warm, full of love, and I never wanted to look anywhere else.
“I love you, Gabriel. This was the best day of my life.”
“It was a pretty perfect one for me, too. Thank you for saying yes.” He smiled.
“Anything for you. Anything.”
Unlike a normal wedding night, we spent the next few hours sorting through the enormous amount of baby paraphernalia. Gabe installed the car seat with only a little guidance from Sam. I sorted out the spare room, shoving all of my belongings out the door and into our room to sort through later.
“What’s in that box?” Gabe asked as he came into the room.
“All the newborn stuff you had to have.”
“I can’t wait for the baby to wear it. We’re gonna have to add on to the house like Sam did so we can have another room. There’s not enough room in this place.”
“Gabe, honey, Cora won’t be able to fit into any of this stuff. You bought it for no reason, and some of this is even for a boy!”
His gaze looked at me until the confusion that was on my face registered with him.
“You do realize that we’re having another baby, right?” He asked carefully.
The light bulb went off in my head and I started laughing. My brain was stuck in Cora mode, not on our own baby.
“Gotcha. Sorry, not sure why that didn’t register with me.”
We spent the rest of the night unloading, putting away, and organizing. This wasn’t the ideal wedding night, but it was perfect for us.