Page 92 of Mend a Heart

“Course.” The response was gruff, and Bodhi walked right over to grab Crew in a clench.

“I’m Daddy’s best man!” Pay announced, running over to crash into Mal’s middle.

“You bet you are,” Mal said, voice sounding a touch clogged. But he caught Hawk’s gaze over his son’s head and asked quietly, “Will you stand up with me and sign?”

Hawk understood the carefully worded request, and he gave his trademark half-smile and a quick nod.

The chatter rose again, and I took the opportunity to gaze up at Ville. He looked gobsmacked, like it was the last thing he expected to happen today. It probably was. I was surprised as well, but not entirely. It was very fitting that Mal wanted something low-key and family centric. And Crew would give Mal anything he wanted.

“You good, sugar?” I asked, not trying to keep the amusement out of my voice.

He blinked back to himself and then turned his gaze to me. “When we get married, there’s going to be more preparation than this.”

I stood quickly and stepped right into his space, heedless of the toddler’s dead weight on my shoulder.

“You wanna marry me, huh?”

“One day,” he assured me and kissed me.

Two hours later, the entire family and all the hands gathered to watch Mal and Crew say their vows. It was short and sweet, a promise to love and cherish each other until death separated them. The love shining out of them when they kissed had most of us tearing up.

Carter bent down and whispered something to Payton, who giggled and then yelled at the top of his lungs, “My Daddies are married!”

Nick apparently, had been in on it too, because he’d made a cake. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but it was tastefully decorated and had flowers on top instead of a more traditional topper. And Mom didn’t need to worry about pictures, because Ora was there with her camera. Fern’s girlfriend might not have technically been a professional photographer, but she was damn good, and the day would be immortalized.

There wasn’t any dancing, Mal didn’t want that, probably because Crew had no rhythm whatsoever and he didn’t want to be embarrassed. But there was music and laughter, plenty of food, and most of all celebration.

Ville couldn’t seem to keep his hands off me, either holding mine, or touching my back, or wrapping his arms around me. I wasn’t complaining. He could touch me any time he wanted.

That’s how Mom found us a while later, Ville’s arm over my shoulders after he’d pulled our chairs together. We’d been watching the newlyweds make the circuit and talk to everybody, and had just been waiting for our turn. But Mom inserted herselfinto my line of view, and once I caught the expression on her face, I straightened up.

“I will tell you the same thing I told Hawk,” she said, her tone no nonsense. “I want more notice when you two tie the knot.”

I scoffed even though I knew it was going to get me a stern glare. “Come on, Mom. This was very them. And you can’t deny that they're deliriously happy.”

“Yes, well.” She harrumphed and turned her glare on Ville. “You’ll be a good boy, won’t you, Ville?”

I spoke out of the side of my mouth, “Don’t fall for the honeyed tone.”

He ignored me completely. “Yes, ma’am.”

She nodded, her face breaking into a smile. “I knew I was going to keep you the minute I laid eyes on you.”

I leaned sideways, wrapping my arms around him. “Mine.”

“I’m aware, but you’re mine, therefore Ville is too. That’s how it works.” And then she flounced off, no doubt to impart the same warning to the rest of her children. If there was one thing Jenn Harrington hated it was being blindsided. I was certain it was because she always knew everything that was going on, and when she didn’t, she was mad at herself for missing it.

“Yours, huh?”

“Mine,” I repeated as I lifted my gaze to his. He was smiling, and I saw all the love and affection he had for me. I sighed contentedly. “But I’m yours too.”

“I love you,” he murmured and I had just a second to say the words back before he kissed me so that I felt his claim and his promise.

Heart full, I could not be happier.