Page 174 of Already At Risk

I pulled Chloe in for a hug this time, trying to be cognizant of the wedding dress and bridal bouquet, but truthfully not really giving a damn. “I care about your mom and you so fucking much, Chlo. And I always will.”

“I know,” she whispered into my chest. “I’m gonna keep London, you know. You worked so hard for me to be Chloe London, so I’m gonna keep it. Oliver’s okay with that, and it’s what I want. To be like Mom, and Eli, and you. Even though I love Oliver so much, too.”

I never imagined that my heart had the capacity to feel this goddamn full, and I clutched Chloe tighter, even as the music that was our cue began to play.

“As long as that’s what you want,” I said, feeling like all my vital organs might burst out of my chest.

“It is,” Chloe confirmed and then pulled away, holding out her hand.

I inhaled, steadying myself, and took it. “You ready, Champ?”

She nodded, an excited gleam on her face. “So ready, Dad.”

We only took one step down the aisle before my gaze foundNatalie, standing at the end of the front row of guests, looking stunning. It had been thirteen years since she’d walked down the aisle to me, sunflowers in her hand, honey hair framing her gorgeous face, and now here we were again. Her watery eyes brimmed with overflowing emotion as they flicked between Chloe and me. So much love, so much pride. God, I adored this woman and the life we’d created. More and more every single day.

When we reached where she stood, Chloe and I paused, as was planned, and I leaned forward, brushing a kiss on Natalie’s wet cheek.

“It started with just the two of you, and that’s the way it should end, too,” I murmured.

Natalie swallowed hard, her emerald eyes brimming with tears as she switched places with me, giving Chloe a hug and then taking her arm. They stared at each other for a long moment without saying anything, and then finally, Natalie’s eyes found their way back to me.

Like they always did.

“No, Cam.” Her smile made me feel like I was floating. Anytime she looked at me, really. “It’s just the beginning, didn’t you know? There’s still so much more left to come.”

And as usual, she was right.

THE END