Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33919 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Lisa was speechless for a moment. There was the video apology, where he allowed himself to be vulnerable, not just to her but also to Pam. Speaking of Pam, she saw the other woman waiting at the gate, holding some beautiful red roses.
Adele gave her a nudge. She didn’t even realize she’d been so quiet.
“Yes,” Lisa said. “I … wow, I don’t know what to say.” She glanced down at her dress that was covered by a dirty apron.
Adele was already helping her out of it.
“I don’t have a dress.”
“If you want a ceremony later where you can wear your dress, then I’ll get you one,” Shadow said. “I don’t want to waste a moment not belonging to you.”
Adele leaned in close and whispered against her ear. “He’s afraid you’re going to realize he can be an asshole.”
Lisa laughed as Shadow shot her a glare.
“Sorry, dude, but it is true. Tell me I’m wrong?”
Shadow didn’t say anything for several seconds. “I’m also doing this because I want the pack and the world to know you’re mine, as I am yours.”
“I said yes,” Lisa said. “And I don’t need another ceremony. This is perfect.”
His pack, her friends, this was exactly how a wedding should be.
“That’s your cue to run, my friend,” Adele said. “To the top of the altar, to wait for her, not to run off. I don’t even think I’ve got control of my words anymore.” She shook her head, and Lisa laughed.
Shadow leaned in, kissed her cheek, and then ran toward the altar.
She saw there was a priest waiting.
“This is happening,” Lisa said.
“Yes, it is,” Adele said.
She turned toward her friend. “Did you know about this?”
“I didn’t exactly know this was happening, but I might have known something was happening.”
“I never thought you to be a liar,” Lisa said.
“I am, for a good cause.” Her friend winked at her, and then placed a hand on her back. “I’m also the getaway car if you need one.”
“Stop it.”
“I’m your last chance to ditch it for freedom, if you have any doubts.”
She didn’t have any.
Staring straight ahead at Shadow, she knew without a doubt this was the man for her. Regardless of how they had gotten to this point, the fact was they were here in this moment, and nothing was going to change that. She also didn’t want anything to change it.
Taking one step in front of the other, she walked toward Shadow, where she knew her life was going to be.
For better or for worse.
For richer or for poorer.
In sickness and in health.
She belonged to Shadow, and there was no one else she wanted.
Epilogue
Ten Years Later
“Dad!”
The yell came from upstairs. Shadow broke the kiss and stared down into his gorgeous wife’s face.
“Can I ignore it?” he asked.
“Ryan’s in my room. You told me he was never going to be in my room!” Their daughter, Laurie, screamed to be heard. Not that it was hard because there was no other noise in the house.
“We can ignore it,” Lisa said.
Shadow sighed and pressed his face against her neck, breathing in the scent of his wife.
“Mommy, I want a glass of water,” Sophie, their other daughter, said.
“Tell me again why we’re still having to babysit?” Shadow asked.
Lisa’s body shook beneath his. “Because they are our kids, and it’s what parents do.”
“Since when? You know, I could have the pack here in less than ten minutes, and then we could resolve everything. I’m just saying,” Shadow said.
Lisa got to her feet and tucked some of her hair behind her ears. She was even more beautiful now than ten years ago. Also, she was once again pregnant, with their fourth child.
Laurie was their eldest, then Ryan, followed by Sophie. Their three little devils. There was no way he was thinking of them as angels. Most of the pack adored them, but when it came to babysitting duty, there were no takers.
He had good kids, but like him when he was growing up, they liked to play pranks. The only people who could handle them were Pam and Adele, and he had a feeling it was because the two women knew how to pull pranks on his kids. There had also been a little incident one Halloween, but he never asked for details. What happened on Halloween, or with Auntie Pam and Adele, stayed just between them.
Also, Pam and Adele had promised him they would take them for a short time after Christmas, as he intended to spend his delayed anniversary with his wife.
“I’ll get the drinks. Do you want to settle whatever is happening?” Lisa asked.
He reached for his wife, pulling her into his arms. “I love you.”
Lisa laughed. “You’re going to help our kids, you’re not going into battle.”
“If that is what you want to put on my tombstone.”
Lisa kissed him. “I love you too, but a big, strong man like yourself can handle three little kids.”