Six months later…
“My turn,” Nancy Holt announced. “Give me that sweet baby.” She reached out and took Sophia from Tavis’s arms.
He smiled at Ryker and Ajax’s foster mother. Mom to everyone in the room really. She was one of the best women he’d ever known in his life. Nevertheless, he liked to hold Sophia. She made his heart swell. Like her mother. He rarely handed her over to anyone.
Colette set a hand on his shoulder and rounded to face him. “I don’t think Nancy is going to drop her, Tavis.”
He nodded, forcing his brow to unfurrow. “I know that.”
Colette chuckled and pulled him down to sit at the huge butcher block table in the Holt kitchen. This table had fed many a foster child over the years. It kept a lot of secrets too considering how many serious conversations had been had while seated around it.
The volume in the room was high since every employee of the Holt Agency was currently on the farm. They weren’t the only guests. Colette’s parents were also in attendance. Her father had spent the afternoon riding around the land on horseback with Frank Holt, a man who was the only father figure Tavis had since his own parents were deceased. Ever since Tavis had joined the rest of his team in opening the Holt Agency, Frank had taken Tavis under his wing. So had Nancy. They were good people.
When Frank and Nancy had suggested Tavis and Colette hold their wedding on the farm, it had been a no-brainer. Colette hadn’t wanted something flashy. She hadn’t wanted the entire world to know. She’d wanted a simple wedding out of the public eye, and she’d bounced with excitement when the idea was presented six months ago when the two of them had come to visit before heading to Baltimore where Colette would finish her PhD.
“I can’t get over how much this precious little gem looks like you, Tavis,” Nancy cooed, never taking her eyes off Sophia as she cradled Tavis’s angel in her arms.
Tavis smiled as Colette gripped his thigh under the table.
“She really does,” Colette’s mother agreed.
Tavis wasn’t sure how much Carolyn Loughlin knew about Joseph Rhineheart, but he suspected nothing. Not even the name.
Tavis didn’t need to glance at Secretary Loughlin to know the man would be subtly grinning. Tavis was biased of course, but he really did think Sophia looked like him.
“I’m not sure how I feel about this beard you’ve grown,” Ajax joked from across the table. “I guess taking care of a baby night and day doesn’t leave much time for shaving.”
Colette tipped her head back and gave his beard a tug. “I like it.”
“Of course you do,” Serena agreed, swatting playfully at her husband. “It’s sexy.”
Ajax’s eyes went wide.
Serena rolled her eyes. “Don’t get your feathers in a ruffle, big guy. Your smooth face is sexy too.”
Laughs erupted around the table.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married tomorrow,” Xena exclaimed, clapping her hands together. She and Ryker lived here on the farm, and she’d taken on the task of helping with all the wedding arrangements, mostly through Tavis while Colette was buried in her studies.
Colette would smile sweetly at Tavis every time he came to her with a question about the wedding and say, “You know I don’t care. Whatever you want is fine. As long as you’re the groom, our friends and families are there, and the paparazzi can’t get on the property, I’ll be the happiest woman alive.”
Damn, he loved her. He couldn’t stop staring at her sitting next to him. His heart was full. His entire team was seated around the table. Keene, Larson, Heath, Kenner, Holden… Their given names anyway. He knew them all as Gramps, Keebler, Pitbull, Viper, and Loki. Ryker and Ajax rounded out the eight of them. Trek and Birdman. Grant had also joined the Holt Agency, but he was deep in an assignment and living in D.C. with his wife, Caroline, so he hadn’t been able to attend.
Tavis was blessed beyond his imagination. So truly blessed.
The wedding had been perfect. Not a single glitch. Colette was the most beautiful bride Tavis had ever seen. She was glowing as he watched her make her way around the room, ensuring she personally greeted every single guest and made them feel welcome.
Colette’s mother was holding Sophia who wore a gorgeous fluffy dress that was nearly a replica of her mother’s. It had been an extravagance Tavis had insisted upon. He’d wanted his daughter to make the entire room ooh and ah over her.
He couldn’t wipe the grin off his face as Ajax joined him where he leaned against the wall. He was soaking in the room, committing this day to his memory. These people who were his family and closest friends.
Now that Colette had finished school, they would be moving here to the farm. Turned out she loved it here. The Holts had offered them a piece of their land to build a house on. Ryker and Ajax lived on this land too. It was so peaceful. Relaxing. Nothing like the bustling city that Colette hated. She was anxious to kick public life to the curb.
Colette would be working for a private medical company, most of which she could do from home for now. Tavis hadn’t gone back to work yet. He was taking his time. Enjoying every moment of Sophia’s life. That sweet cherub owned his heart. She truly did.
Ajax chuckled.
“What are you laughing about?” Tavis asked Ajax.
Ajax shook his head, still grinning. He glanced around, perhaps making sure no one else was in earshot. “Just thinking about Sophia. I’m a bit surprised is all. Wondering how you’ve managed to pull the wool over so many people’s eyes.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about, Birdman.” He kept his face straight.
Ajax narrowed his eyes, smirking. “I don’t buy for one moment that you fathered that baby.”
Tavis lifted his brows. “No idea what you mean. My name’s on the birth certificate. You’re pretty good with math. Checks out just fine.”
Ajax shook his head slowly. “I know you, Bones. I’m not shocked you fell head over heels in love with Colette. She’s fucking amazing. But I know you didn’t sleep with her the night you picked her up at the airport.” He glanced around again and spoke his next words at a mere whisper. “Good thing Joseph Rhineheart looked a lot like you.”
Tavis simply shrugged and clapped a hand on Birdman’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t spread that story around. You’ll sound loony.”
Ajax made a motion to zip his lips. “You’re a good man, Bones. One of the best.”
“I love that woman and that baby more than life. They’re both mine.”
“I can see that.” Birdman tugged Tavis in for a man hug and then let him go. “Lucky bastard.”
“I sure am.” Tavis found Colette’s gaze across the crowded room and grinned from ear to ear as he headed toward her. He needed to touch her again. Remind himself she was his. Thread their fingers together. Hell, he needed this silly reception to be over so he could haul her to their hotel and ravage her sexy body all night long.
Her parents were staying with Frank and Nancy Holt for another day, enjoying the relaxation of life on a farm while babysitting their grandchild.
Tavis had tried to talk Colette into a week in the Caribbean or some other warm, relaxing spot, but she’d turned down every suggestion. He couldn’t blame her. Sophia was wrapped as tightly around her finger as his. There would be plenty of time in the future for honeymooning. Right now, neither of them wanted to risk missing a milestone. What if Sophia cooed in a new tone or smiled crookedly or crawled or something and they missed it?
Nope. One night was all they were going to take for now, and Tavis intended to make sure they returned completely exhausted tomorrow.
It was time to get out of here. He wrapped his arms around his wife and pulled her into his chest, loving the way she fit there now that the baby was no longer between them. “Mrs. Neade, it’s time to go. Say goodbye.”
She giggled. “Okay.” She rose up on tiptoes and kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you too. And I want to show you how much. If we don’t get out of here in the next five minutes, I can’t promise I won’t start showing you in front of an audience.”
She giggled again and hugged him tight.
God, he loved the feel of her arms around him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His world couldn’t be more perfect.