Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“Do I, squirt?” Rhonny asked.
“Yes!” Em said.
“You do look very pretty. I feel like a protective father. Where’s my shotgun?” Trent teased, sort of.
“Oh, whatever! And you’re looking pretty good there yourself, Dad! You too, little Emmie,” Rhonny said.
“Yes! Daddy looks pretty, too!” Em said, beaming up at him. She was about the cutest, sweetest thing he’d ever seen, and she couldn’t contain her excitement about the night.
“Guys, look how handsome Hunter looks,” Sophia said. Hunter walked past Sophia, wearing his suit with the tie knotted perfectly and his hair gelled in place. Hunter barely moved as he walked forward, so not to mess up his hair. Trent grinned. He looked very handsome all made up. They all did and he chuckled because everyone now stood in the middle of his small bedroom staring at one another.
“Hunter man, you look great! Now does anyone need to go to the bathroom before Gage gets here?” Trent asked.
“No, Auntie Crazy made us go,” Em said.
“Well, that’s some good lookin’ out, Sophia,” Trent said, giving her a high five as the doorbell rang.
“He’s here!” Em shrieked, her little heels clicked on the hardwood floor as she ran to the door.
“So much for them remembering our talk about being quiet and good tonight,” Sophia laughed as Hunter hightailed it out of the room, still trying to move his head as little as possible as he speed-walked to the door. Rhonny followed Hunter to the living room.
“You look nice, Trent,” Sophia said as he shrugged on his tux jacket. “I’m glad to see you happy.”
“Thank you, I am happy. Nervous about it all, but I’m trying to go with it,” Trent said, looking in the mirror one last time.
“You should, he seems into you,” Sophia said, propping her shoulder against the door frame.
“Which doesn’t make any sense,” Trent said, adjusting his dress shirt before he picked up his wallet and phone from the dresser.
“It makes every bit of sense!” Sophia started, but Trent effectively cut her off.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come? It’s not too late.”
“No, I have to go back to work. It’s month end. I just wanted to help get everyone ready and take pictures.”
“Thank you, Sophia. The kid’s look incredible. I wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without your help,” Trent said, and he could hear Gage’s voice in the hallway.
“Daddy, come on. Gage is here and has a surprise!” Em yelled down the hall.
“It’s so good to see them excited like this,” Trent said softly as he approached Sophia.
“Trent, they’re great kids. You’ve done such a wonderful job.” Emotion high in Sophia’s voice, she reached out to hug Trent, kissing him lightly on the lips. Em’s shoes clicked on the hard floor, running his way.
“Go, Trent,” Sophia whispered, smiling with tears in her eyes.
“Daddy, come on,” Em said, pulling at his hand.
“Em, you have to settle down,” he said, taking her hand and letting himself be pulled from the bedroom. The minute he stepped out into the hall, his eyes made contact with Gage. The sight took his breath away. Gage looked stunningly handsome in his tuxedo. His perfect blond hair looked newly trimmed and neatly in place. His face appeared freshly shaven, and the black tux looked made for his body. He was the most striking man Trent had ever seen. A slow smile came to Gage’s lips, transforming him into a man more handsome than he was a moment earlier.
He forced his eyes away from Gage to his family. Em made it back in front of Gage, beaming with excitement. Rhonny stood close by, her hand on Hunter’s shoulder and Hunter looked up at him, standing so quietly still, his hands in his slacks pockets and a smile on his upturned face. Trent’s eyes darted back up to Gage. Emotion swelled in his heart. This time of year was usually such a hard time to manage for them. They all tried to put on a brave face as Lynn’s death loomed over them. Now, in a few short days, Gage took away all that pain, giving them something fun and hopeful to have in their lives. Trent forced himself forward, willing himself not to let the emotion coursing through him show on his face. Instead, he hoped Lynn was here with them now watching them with as much pride as he felt so deeply in his heart.
“Good evening, you look stunning, Mr. Cooper,” Gage said, reaching for him, bending in for a sweet soft kiss.
“Thank you, you look handsome,” Trent replied, his voice cracking a little as he spoke. He turned his eyes away quickly, afraid they were betraying the emotions running through him. “You all look really nice.”
“Daddy, let’s go! Gage has surprise for us outside.” Em squealed.
“Yes, indeed I do. Let’s be gone,” Gage said with a smile and took the few steps back to the front door, opening it wide. The kid’s went first out the door, then Rhonny and Trent followed. The kids got to the first step and stopped, before dashing out, forgetting they were dressed up. Rhonny did about the same thing, but Gage pulled Trent back for another soft kiss.
“You look, gorgeous. I knew you would, but yet again you’ve captivated me, body and soul, handsome,” Gage whispered after the kiss.
“Daddy, it’s a limo,” Hunter yelled.
Trent could hear Sophia behind him snapping pictures, and the kids were back up the steps, pulling him out into the yard. His eyes registered the long black stretch limo in his driveway. A driver stood outside the far back door, waiting on them, and most of the neighborhood stood outside watching to see what was happening in their little piece of the world.
“Go, Trent, I want to get the kids’ faces,” Sophia said behind him. He looked back and Gage was shutting the front door. A giant smile plastered across his face. The kids raced across the yard, looking at the car from every angle. When Trent made it over to the car, the driver opened the door.