Page 116 of For You

“You knew that soon, huh?”

He nodded. “Before she died, my mother told me I’d know the instant I met my bride. Like Joel did.For her, you’ll be willing to open your heart.For you, I was willing.”

I blinked, the tears in my eyes dimming my view. We stared at each other, swaying in time with the song playing in the background. Our first dance as husband and wife. Naturally, it was Lena Clarkson.

Movement from the side of the room caught my attention, and I spotted one of our nieces, Kennedy, giggling as her father spun her around. My heart swelled.

“That’ll be you soon.”

Micah’s face, which had already looked elated, opened up even more with pride and joy swimming in his eyes.

“Your sperm would be the one in one hundred to overwhelm my poor IUD.”

“Less than one in one hundred, baby,” he reminded me.

Boy, that was a surprise. After feeling unwell for weeks, I took a trip to my new OB/GYN down in Harlington to find out that I was expecting. I had to have the useless thing removed that same day. Micah was thrilled when I told him.

“Patience did a hell of a job marrying us, huh?”

I nodded, looking over at my friend turned cousin-in-law. As a non-traditionalist, I’d asked her to be our officiant at the wedding. It took some prodding, but she came through.

“Our families keep growing.”

“Do you wish your grandfather was here?”

I looked around at our guests. Micah’s brothers and Joel were there. All of them had been his best men. Then there were his cousins from Williamsport and all their families. They were enough in and of themselves to fill out most of the ballroom we rented for the reception. My parents were there, and a few friends and former coworkers. Micah’s entire team from LS, of course, including Leona, who retired a couple of months earlier. I’d taken on her role as office manager, happy to go to work every day with Hound and Micah.

Last but not least, Micah’s cousins from out west. Chael along with the rest of the members from Micah’s moter’s family. Though, he was the most imposing of the group, all of the men on that side of the family were at least six-four with dark eyes. They all were captivating in their own way. There was something almost animalistic about that side of the family.

Somehow, I convinced Micah to train me to become a PI myself. He insisted I’d never use it once I earned it, but I had other ideas.

“We should go circle the room,” I commented as the song ended.

Micah brought my hands to his lips before strutting across the floor with my hand in his. We were reaching the table where Micah’s father and brothers sat when a couple of people pushed through the closed door.

I glanced up to see security coming over to us, followed by two women. Peering over the guard’s shoulder, I smiled.

“They’re on the list,” the guard informed Micah.

“Lena,” I said, moving closer to pull her into a hug. I’d invited Lena Clarkson to the wedding, even though she’d been radio silent for months. “Rayven,” I greeted, looking over at her bodyguard and cousin. “You made it.”

“Who’s this?” one of the men questioned.

I widened my eyes when Gabe, the one I believed to be the most laid back of the three, stood and pushed Ace aside, away from Lena, extending his hand. “My future wife.”

I peered up at Micah. Grinning down at me, he shrugged. “Guess we’ll see what happens next.”

The End