Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“Yes, I’m a very lucky girl.” With her arms full, she whispers, “I’ve been thinking September for our ceremony.”
I’d take her down to the courthouse tomorrow if she’d let me, but she deserves all the things we were robbed of the first time around. Even if it was technically not official, we’ve created a life as if it were. But I owe her the traditions she dreamed of as a little girl. “You sure you want to wait that long?”
“Four months will fly by.” She lifts her head with puckered lips. I’ll oblige her every want and desire. It’s not like I don’t benefit. “I promise.”
40
Shane
I let her go once. I won’t make that mistake twice.
This part of the beach was as close as I could remember to where we had the graduation bonfire years ago. We were fresh from the graduation ceremony and drinking beers. I don’t remember anything about that night other than I kissed Cat Farin. And now, fourteen years later, I’m marrying her. For real this time.
With Luna holding Clara on the left and Laird holding Kick on the right, I walk up the aisle, stopping to kiss my mom and shake my dad’s hand before he brings me in for a hug. “Proud of you, son.”
I don’t get to see them much, but it feels good they made the trip and got to meet their grandkids. “Thanks, Dad.”
Kissing Kick’s head and then Clara’s, I stand beside Laird and wait for my bride to arrive. He says, “Hope you’re prepared.”
Prepared for what?
The music starts, drawing my eyes up the aisle to see Tommy with my bride on his arm. “Fuck.” I dip my head and squeeze my lids tight. I don’t know why they’re watering all of a sudden.
“Yep,” Laird says, handing me a tissue. “It happens to the best of us. And you’re the worst.” He laughs under his breath.
“Fucker.” I drop my head again and wipe my eyes before balling it up and shoving it in my pocket. Holding my head high, I don’t want to miss a second of this beauty walking down the aisle to marry me.
I may be the king of the stage, but Catalina was always the queen of my heart.
Stepping forward, I take her hands and lean in to kiss her on the cheek. I’ve had children with this woman, but for some reason, we were told to keep it clean at the altar. We’ll see.
She checks on each baby before taking my hands and standing before me as I stand before her.
The rules are followed. I make sure I do for Cat’s sake.
I slip the platinum band around her finger. I didn’t write vows. I wanted to speak from the heart, so I say, “We were meant for each other. I knew that the moment I laid eyes on you. But I was no good for you at eighteen. We would have broken up and never looked back. So I can’t regret the time lost, the years I didn’t get to love you. I can only make up for them. Every day. Every hour. Every minute. I promise to be the man who’s earned his place in your life.”
My gaze travels to her mouth and the lips I can’t wait to kiss—this time as my wife. Officially. Looking into her eyes, I see the beginnings of her tears. I don’t want her to cry, not over me. Not even if they’re happy tears. I only want to see her smile. “I swear to love you with intention, fiercely protect you and our family, and to be there, to be present in our lives as we change and grow, and bloom in new directions. I will always be your biggest cheerleader and shine the spotlight on you whenever I have the chance. I’ve said it before, but I’m well aware that I’m the most fortunate man alive because I get to be called Nurse Cate’s husband and the father of her kids.” She sniffles, blinking away tears. “I love you from the depths of my soul, babe. Marrying you is the honor of my life. And it’s just fucking sexy that I get to call you my wife.”
She laughs, wiping under her eyes, but Kick starts to cry. I get it; no kid wants to hear his dad calling his mom sexy. Laird peels off to calm Kick back to sleep.
Cat slips the band on my finger. It’s not confining like I expected. Holding my hands, she says, “I didn’t dream of a better life. I had already created that on my own. I dreamed about having a family and being loved so completely that I wouldn’t remember my life prior. And then destiny brought you into my life and already had us married.” She takes a breath. “I could say I’m married to Shane Faris, and everyone would know who I’m talking about. Or I could say I married the love of my life, the man who held my hair through the early stages of pregnancy and my hand when I was upset. A man who went out of his way to make a plan because I adore them, made a weekend schedule of activities that I love, but also pushed me to be brave in new experiences. He looks at me like I saved him when I’m convinced he saved me. He’s generous to a fault and . . .” She comes closer, and whispers, “Magical with his tongue.”