Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Nodding, I squeezed my legs around his hips. “There’s your date. Now please make love to me.”
Gannon’s mouth covered mine, and we slowly made love until we both found our release at the same time.
Much later, after gently cleaning me, Gannon slid under the covers and drew my body against his.
“We’re really going to do this?” I said in wonder, tracing my finger up and down his arm that held me close.
“We’re really going to do this.”
I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep with a grin on my face.
Gannon
Adelaide and I sat next to each other with her mom and dad on one side, and my parents on the other.
Adelaide’s mom cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, did you say you’re getting married on October thirty-first?”
I peeked over at my mother, who was using her thumb and index finger to pinch the bridge of her nose. Things were not going as Adelaide and I had planned, that was for sure.
“I don’t see anything wrong with that date,” my father stated, shrugging his shoulders.
Keegan nodded and pointed at him. “I’m with Ken. I don’t see any problem with it. Did you know it was the Irish who brought Halloween over to the Americas in the first place?”
“I didn’t know that,” my father replied with interest.
Keegan nodded, and I swore his chest expanded a little. He was about to launch into what I could only imagine was a full-blown story about the Irish and All Hallows’ Eve. Thankfully his wife spoke before he got the chance.
“No, you cannot get married on Halloween, Adelaide. Why would you want to get married then? Not to mention, it’s on a Monday this year.”
Adelaide sat up a bit straighter and smiled. “We were thinking of a late-afternoon wedding, so the reception would be at night. Make things spookier.”
My mother and Barbara exchanged a look before my mom tried another approach. “What about a Christmas-themed wedding?”
“We don’t want to wait that long to get married,” I said before Adelaide could reply.
“It’s not like I’m going to have orange and black for my colors.” Adelaide drew in a breath and exhaled. She sounded close to defeat, but I knew she wasn’t quite ready to give up yet. “Mom, Janet, I’ve always wanted a wedding on Halloween, and you both know this. I’ve mentioned it so many times before.”
Barbara sighed. “In high school, when you were like sixteen. I figured you’d grow out of it.”
Adelaide’s features tightened slightly. “Well, I haven’t. We’re not asking for your permission to have the wedding on that day. We’re not asking anyone to help pay for it anyway, though I’d love it if you’d both help me plan. But if you can’t get past the date, then I don’t know what to say. It’s our wedding, and that’s when we’re getting married.”
I felt my chest expand with pride. Goddamn, I loved this woman. Her strength and conviction were such a turn-on. She wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she wanted, even it meant going against her parents. Well…her mother, since Keegan was already onboard.
“I think the kids should be allowed to pick whatever date they want to get married. And like Adelaide said, it will be fun,” Dad agreed.
My mother smiled and reached over to pat Adelaide’s hand. “I’m sorry, sweetie. Your mother and I were just thrown for a moment when you said you wanted to get married on Halloween. We’re here to do whatever you’d like us to do. We truly want to be a part of your special day.”
Mom quickly glanced at Barbara, who nodded back. “We’re thrilled with it. As long as you’re not going with orange and black.”
Adelaide looked at me and a brilliant smile spread across her beautiful face. I leaned over and kissed her. “I told you it would be okay,” I said.
She nodded, then looked at both moms. “Dress shopping first.”
“Oh, but we need to get a venue, don’t we? That time of year, planning something outside could be tricky,” Barbara said.
“And this is where the conversation gets boring,” Keegan muttered.
Barbara smacked him on the shoulder. “Nothing about your firstborn daughter’s wedding is boring. Take that back right now, Keegan Bradley.”
He held up his hands in surrender. “I take it back! I take it back!”
Dad chuckled until Mom shot him a warning look, and then he quickly sobered up.
Adelaide pulled out a notebook and a folder. “We’ll be having the wedding at French’s Point.”
“Oh,” my mother gasped. “That place is beautiful.”
Adelaide smiled. “I know. And I also know it’s the end of October and weather could be an issue, but they have a gazebo that overlooks the bay. I really want to have the wedding there. The reception we can do in their sail-cloth tent and provide heating lamps if need be. And, if the weather proves to be a no-go, we can move the wedding into the tent as well.”