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Her face lights up. “Thank you.”
“But that isn’t the only reason why you are here today.” She looks up at me and then to Aiden with confusion. We both smile down at her, reassuring her that it’s okay. The pastor talks again and she looks at him. “You’re here because you are very important to Addison and Aiden. They would like to tell you something.” She nods her head.
We stand in front of her and kneel. Aiden helps me down because of the confines of my dress. I adjust myself, making sure everything is still in its place.
“Lexi,” I start. “I can’t imagine a life without your bright smile and beautiful voice. You have lit up my world, helping me in so many ways.” Tears roll down my cheek.
“You helped me, too, Addie,” she says, her eyes filling up with tears. I’m sure she doesn’t even know why.
“Tater Tot.” She looks at Aiden. “Before I met you, I didn’t even think I wanted kids. But now I’d be happy to have ten just like you.” Oh, God. Stop with the ten! I glance at Aiden and narrow my eyes. He laughs out loud. “Lexi, the love we have for you is unconditional. We want you in our lives forever, and we would be honored if you would be our daughter.”
“Do you mean you want to adopt me?” she says, jerking her head in my direction. I nod as my emotions take over. My face twists, as I’m sure I’m about to ugly cry. “So, you’ll be my Mommy and Daddy?” That did it. I choke on my tears.
“Yes,” I cry out. “If you’ll have us.” Aiden sniffs and I look at him. Tears run down his face. His lips curl up to a smile.
Lexi jumps into my arms almost knocking me over. Aiden wraps his arms around Lexi and me as we embrace. “Yes, yes, I want that,” she cries into my chest.
I pull back and wipe the tears away from her face and kiss her forehead. I watch Aiden’s hand reach into his pocket as he pulls out a ring.
“Lexi,” the pastor says. She looks up at him with red eyes. “Aiden has a ring that represents the love between all of you. There are three hearts on the ring, each representing one of you. They are interlinked with no end. That means your love will go on forever. Can you hold out your hand?”
She sticks out her hand and looks at Aiden with anticipation. We had the ring custom made so we know it will fit her. As Aiden slips it on her right-hand ring finger the pastor says, “Lexi, do you take Addison and Aiden to be your mother and father.”
She bounces on her toes again. “Yes.” Aiden pushes the ring on her little finger. We know the ring won’t fit for very long, but she can do whatever she wants with it when she outgrows it. It’s more the gesture than the ring.
“Aiden and Addison, do you take Lexi to be your daughter? To love her unconditionally and give her a home she can call her own forever?”
We both look at Lexi and say “I do” at the same time.
“Aiden and Addison Roberts, I now pronounce you parents,” he says joyously. Lexi jumps up and down, hugging both of us. Everyone gets to their feet, cheering and clapping again. Aiden helps me off the ground and then picks Lexi up. With his other hand, he links it through mine.
“I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts…” the pastor says loudly over all the loud cheers. “…and Lexi Roberts.” Now the crowd is roaring. Music fills the air and we make our way down the aisle. People pat us on the back or squeeze our hands as we walk past them.
I hear Cherrie say, “I think everyone needs to refresh their makeup,” as I pass her. I laugh and nod. Although, I’m sure it’s a lost cause for me. I’m on an emotional high, and I’m not coming down anytime soon. The pieces of my puzzle have just been glued together.
Chapter twenty-seven
The DJ announces each couple in our wedding party. We’ve just spent the last hour taking pictures, and I’m tired. My feet hurt and I’m dying for an alcoholic drink or a nap. Neither would be a good idea right now. We’re standing behind a closed curtain, waiting for our turn. Except for glimpses, I haven’t had a chance to see under the tent. The sun is slowly melting in the sky, leaving behind a beautiful pink sunset as a backdrop to our reception. You can hear the frogs down by the lake starting to come out and play.
“I can’t believe you did all this,” I say, looking at Aiden, running my hand up his lapel. He looks gorgeous in his tux. He’s loosened his tie already. I’m sure he’s ready to lose the jacket, too.
“I can’t believe you doubted me.” He puts his hand on his heart and drops his head to my shoulder dramatically.
“Thank you,” I whisper in his ear and then nip his earlobe. “It was amazing.” I kiss his neck and run my hand up through his hair. I can feel the movement of his chest increase as I kiss him along his jaw. His hands glide down my sides before wrapping around me. He pulls me into his hard body and tilts his head to find my lips. Warmth spreads throughout my body. A moan slips from my mouth when his lips trail down my neck to the hollow spot behind my ear.
“Fucking hell, I want you so bad right now,” he growls into my neck. My whole body shudders. “When I saw you standing there waiting to walk down the aisle, I about lost my shit and ran to you.” I giggle. I can imagine him doing that. “And now I have to wait for who knows how long before I can have you.” He stops his assault but his hold on me is tight. I can tell he’s trying to regain control.
“They are about ready to introduce you,” Ava says, coming from behind the curtain.
Aiden takes a deep inhale and exhale. “Give me a minute,” he says to her from over my shoulder. “I guess I shouldn’t go in there with a hard-on, huh?” he whispers in my ear. I look up to the sky and laugh. When our eyes meet, he leans his forehead against mine. “I love you, Mrs. Roberts.”
I smirk. “You like the sound of that, don’t you?”
“There isn’t a better sound.” He flashes his signature sexy half-grin. “Except when you’re screaming my name,” he adds.
“Are you ready yet?” Ava asks, impatiently. Aiden moans.
“When is Katie moving here for good?”
