After the cake had been served, and while Avery and Cade shared their first dance as a married couple, Gabby sat back in her chair at the bridal party table near the front of the pavilion and sighed in utter contentment.
The day was perfect. Just perfect. The weather held out and the ceremony had taken place outside under a sunny, cloudless sky. The only thing cuter than Brent walking Hailey down the aisle was Hailey getting to Cade at the makeshift altar and launching into his arms. The whole group in attendance awed. Gabby had cried buckets when Avery made her way toward Cade, given away by her mother, and he’d pressed his hand to his heart with misty eyes.
God. Just...God. Was there anything more romantic than that?
They’d said their vows under a white lattice arch teeming with spring honeysuckle just starting to bloom. Hailey had spent most of the time in Cade’s arms, but she’d eventually climbed down and run around the lattice. Guests found that adorable, too.
Gabby, more than once, had flicked her gaze over to Flynn, wanting to see his reaction to parts of the ceremony. She’d always found his eyes right on her, an endearing half-smile curving his lips and utter adoration in his gaze. When tears had threatened again, he’d subtly signed, “Check your bouquet.”
And what he’d done was almost as sweet as all the love around them. Flynn had hidden tissues among her lilacs and white roses, knowing she’d get weepy. Sigh. They hadn’t had a chance to talk, but he’d watched her as though he had no other choice.
Once the bridal party did their dance in a few minutes, she’d pull him aside and they could set things right. Talk, like always. Unlike last night, he’d trekked her every move today from walking down the aisle to the photos afterward. His eyes told her everything, his soul wide open for her viewing. Whatever the reason, something had changed his mind about their relationship overnight. He no longer seemed concerned and doubtful, just anxious and optimistic.
They’d be okay. She was sure of it. There were too many years, emotions, and love between them for them not to last.
Even her bridesmaid dress was pretty comfortable, all things considered. Lavender and strapless, it was fitted around the bodice with a loose skirt that stopped mid-calf. Simple and chic. The white heels? Not so comfortable, but she’d kicked them off as dinner started and her feet had cried a thank you.
Cade spun Avery around the floor, gazing into her eyes. Avery grinned, wearing an elegant thirties-style slip dress. She’d opted for no veil, and her wavy brown hair was pinned in a pretty updo. Lilies and freesia were centered on the guests’ round tables with lavender votives flickering. Twinkle lights rained down from the rafters, setting a romantic ambiance of low illumination.
Zoe nudged Gabby’s shoulder from the next chair. “When you and Flynn tie the knot—and make no mistake, you will—please just elope.”
Gabby laughed. “No way. I’m going all out with all the frills. And stop acting badass or I’ll make my bridesmaids’ dresses pink tulle. You’re just as moved by all this adoring love as me.”
“Maybe. Just a little. Tell anyone and I’ll murder you.”
Slinging an arm around her friend’s shoulders, Gabby smiled. “Admit it. You have a gooey caramel center under your hard chocolate shell.”
“Take that back.” Zoe’s lips pouted. “And now I’m hungry again.”
She could go for another piece of cake herself. Marble with whipped frosting. So good. “I like your hair, by the way.”
Zoe had gone natural today. For the sake of wedding pictures, she’d said. Her light brown hair had chestnut accents and, like Gabby’s, was curled in a twist with loose strands. Zoe’s outrageous use of hair dye had been on a one-year streak, so the change was more jarring than if she’d used polka dots.
Gabby wasn’t the only one who’d noticed either. When Zoe had walked down the aisle earlier, Drake had stilled from his place at Cade’s side and looked like he’d forgotten how to breathe. Interesting.
Zoe shrugged. “Don’t get used to it. I’m thinking fuchsia tomorrow.”
The guests cheered as the first dance came to an end with Avery and Cade grinning through a kiss.
A DJ was set up in the corner at the front of the room on a small stage. Drake and Flynn stepped next to him. They’d loosened their ties and shed their coats, keeping the vest underneath. The sleeves of their white shirts were rolled to their elbows. Both were incredibly handsome all decked out.
Microphone in hand, the DJ addressed the crowd. “Could we get the bridal party on the floor?”
Brent held Hailey’s hand and swung it gaily on the dance floor. He watched Gabby and Zoe make their way over to join Cade and Avery. Gabby eyed Brent suspiciously, wondering what he was up to with that wicked, naughty look he was giving her.
“All righty,” the DJ said. “The groomsmen would like to do their toasts before the bridal party dance. Round of applause, please.”
Drake took the mic from him with a smirk. The room grew eerily quiet waiting for what he’d say. Drake hadn’t been a hermit, but he hadn’t attended a lot of functions since Heather had died. Not until recently, anyway, and he wasn’t a man of many words on the best of days.
Focusing on Avery, Drake cleared his throat. “I knew it would take a special woman to finally snag Cade’s attention. I just didn’t realize how special until you came into our lives. We all fell a little in love with you.” The room awed. “And though you alphabetized our office into order and I still can’t find my favorite scalpel—”
“Top cabinet in the surgery room,” Avery shouted, and the crowd laughed.
Drake lifted his hand as if to say, now you tell me, and the guests laughed again. “You stole all our hearts, Avery.” More aws. He turned to Cade. “I wish Dad was here to see this. He’d be damn proud of you. Many blessings, and I want more nieces. Hailey and Avery, welcome to the family.”
Zoe passed Gabby a tissue when her chest hitched in a sob. “Honestly, how are you not a prune from all this crying?”
Drake hopped off the low stage and hugged Cade, kissed Avery’s cheek, and fist-pumped Hailey. But instead of heading back up to help Flynn, Drake left him standing there, alone, mic in hand. The guests didn’t seem to notice at first as they were focused on Drake.
Gabby’s heart stopped as the room quieted and Drake stepped beside her. He was going to leave Flynn up there? With no translator? He’d be humiliated. His worst nightmare. Prickles of awareness skated up her arms. Flynn’s gaze was focused on his feet, a blush creeping up his neck. His hand shook.
She stepped forward to help him, but Drake stilled her with gentle fingers around her arm and shook his head. “Just listen, kid.”
What? Oh God. He was going to...talk? Why now? And for the first time in years, in front of all these people? Her gaze jerked to Flynn’s.
He offered her a small smile, letting her know he was okay before swallowing and looking at Cade. “I know this comes as a shock.”
Several gasps erupted behind them, and shock didn’t cover it. Pride warred with awe in her chest as guests murmured from their tables. Her jaw trembled open. She pressed her fingers to her lips while her limbs locked in stunned surprise.
“Cade getting married is quite a shock. I know the single ladies are weeping in their champagne.” The crowd laughed at his joke and Flynn looked down, probably not noticing as he collected himself. His eyebrows pinched together.
Though his tone had been a little higher than she was used to and his dialect slower, he was doing it. She didn’t care if he never spoke a word to anyone the rest of his life. She loved him just the way he was, quirks and all. He was perfect just as himself. But he set his jaw, seemingly needing to do this. And all she could do was tremble, feeling every nervous hum she knew he was exhibiting.
Hailey squealed and flapped her hands. She dropped Brent’s hand and ran to the stage. Flynn knelt to lift her, setting her beside him. She tapped his jaw like Gabby had seen her do last night. He held the mic to her mouth, and her squeal reverberated through the room.
Avery choked a sob from a couple feet away.
“Hailey says she’s excited to be here.” Flynn winked.
The guests, obviously touched, cooed. Gabby darted her attention to Avery and Cade, who watched, enraptured. Cade closed his eyes and kissed Avery’s temple, seeming to fight off emotion. Gabby was having a hard time herself. Throat tight and eyes wet, she slowly exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
While Hailey’s distracted gaze wandered the room, pinging everywhere at once, Flynn held the girl’s hand. “Unlike my little brother, I’ve known the love of my life for a long time.” Flynn’s gaze shifted to hers and held. “Gabby Cosette walked into my kindergarten classroom and I was smitten with one glance.”
“Holy shit,” Zoe breathed, waving her hand in front of her face.
Gabby passed her the tissue she hadn’t used yet, keeping her eyes on Flynn. Her heart tripped and her lungs stalled.
“For reasons I can’t fathom, she loves me back. And that makes me the luckiest man in existence.”
Aws from the guests caused a watery laugh to escape Gabby’s lips.
Flynn mouthed, “I love you,” as if just for her.
Oh God, oh God, oh God. He was killing her. She pressed her lips together, repeating the sentiment in sign language.
Flynn directed his attention to Cade. “Watching my brother fall in love for the first time was quite entertaining.” He smiled at Avery. “You can’t get much better than him, even if he’s more like a kid than Hailey.” More laughter. “I wish you all the happiness I’ve found.”
The guests cheered as Flynn handed the mic back to the DJ, who cued the bridal party’s song. Flynn hopped down and passed Hailey off to Brent, then hugged Cade. Drake pulled Zoe in for their dance, Cade with Avery, and Brent with Hailey nearby.
Gabby hiccupped as she waited for Flynn, more tears spilling down her cheeks. That man, that beautiful damn man, was hers. Her lungs wouldn’t work with the band clamping around her chest.
Flynn turned to her and the room spun. His forehead wrinkled, fierce devotion hungry in his eyes. He stood rigid for a beat as if he couldn’t believe his luck, couldn’t believe she loved him.
Then he stalked over and wrapped his arms around her, hauling her against his chest and off the ground. With her toes hovering above the floor, he crushed his mouth to hers, and she finally stopped trembling. Threading her hands in his soft, thick hair, she moaned while the song played an endearing melody in the fading background.
God, she didn’t think it was humanly possible to be this happy.
Tilting his head, he urged the kiss deeper, cupping the back of her head with one hand to hold her to him as if his emotions could no longer be reined. His deep groan reverberated through her chest. The kiss grew desperate as he stroked his tongue against hers, saying a thousand things without words. He loved her...missed her...would do anything for her...never would he let her go.
As if her kiss had calmed him, the nervous tension in his arms relaxed and he let her slide down his body. He pulled back to look at her, exhaling hard, lids heavy with desire. “I love you, Gabby. I love you so much I can’t think if you’re not in my vicinity.”
God. Swoon. She traced his lower lip with her thumb, her chest full to capacity. “I love you, too.”
He carefully set them in motion, barely moving in a slow circle for their dance. “I see you wore the waterproof mascara today. Good choice, my weepy sweetheart.” He swiped his thumbs under her eyes to catch the residual remnants of wetness, humor in his tender gaze.
“I’m a crybaby. Can’t help it.”
“My crybaby. I wouldn’t want you any other way. You carry your heart on your sleeve, in your eyes. Your emotions run deep and I love that about you.” He sighed. “I’m sorry about earlier. For doubting you, doubting us. It was stupid.” His arms squeezed around her back like an exclamation point to his statement.
Her heart was so heavy it ached. “I understand. You weren’t completely wrong in questioning things. The time apart made me really trust we are exactly where we should be.”
He offered a slight shake of his head. “I should’ve known, though. You never once gave me reason to doubt myself or us.”
She smiled, brushing her fingers over his smooth jaw. “You can make it up to me later. I’ll keep you in suspense on which panties I’m wearing.”
His laugh ended in a groan. “It’s the red pair, right? Please, Christ.” He sobered quickly, brows furrowed. “Was my speech okay? Did it sound all right?”
Framing his face, she stared into his eyes, willing him to see the emphasis she tried to project. “It was perfect. You were amazing. I know how hard that must’ve been, but you had nothing to worry about. I think I was more nervous than you.”
He grinned and kissed her forehead. “Do me a favor. Tell me when the song’s almost done.”
She offered him a confused smile, but nodded. Resting her cheek on his chest, she closed her eyes and breathed in his familiar scent, cozied into his strong, welcoming arms, and had everything her little fairy tale wishes desired. He kissed her ear and dropped his chin on the top of her head as they swayed.
Glancing around at the guests, she found her parents’ table near the front and locked gazes with her mom. Dad grinned from ear to ear. Rachel looked bored or irritated out of her skull, eyes rolled back in her head and fingers drumming the table. Mom gave Gabby a thumbs-up and, not that she needed her mother’s approval, a surge of happy filled her chest, anyway.
The lyrics of the song drifted through her head and she pulled away to look at Flynn. “Song’s about done.”
“How long?”
“Three, two, one...”
A squeak passed her lips as he bent her over his arm in a dip. Keeping her there, he leaned his face close to hers. “Always wanted to do that.”
Laughing, she stared into those gorgeous hazel eyes. “I didn’t teach you that move. You’ve been holding out on me.”
“You have no idea.” His nose brushed hers before he offered a quick kiss and brought her upright. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
Aw. “Thank you.”
The song changed, but they stayed where they were as other guests filled the floor. One track bled into the next, but he didn’t let her go and she had no interest in letting him.
“Hey, Gabby?” He swallowed and looked down at her. “About that pact you mentioned a while ago. The one where if neither of us is with someone by a certain age we marry each other.”
She totally forgot about that. Besides, it had only been a joke. “What about it?”
“There’s no need to rush if you prefer, but...if I were to ask you to marry me someday—and by someday, I mean soon—and I promised to say my vows aloud for the world to hear, would you say yes?”
Her chest pinched. God, this man. “No.”
He frowned, lips parting in disappointment.
“I wouldn’t marry you for a pact. I’d do it because I love you. And I wouldn’t say yes. I’d say, I do.” She smiled once he let out a relieved breath. “Flynn, I don’t care if you speak your vows or sign them. I don’t care if no one hears them but me.”
Pressing his forehead to hers, he drew a ragged inhalation and closed his eyes. “Love you, love you, love you.”
She waited for his eyes to open. “Love you, too. I think Fletch will be jealous, though.” She shrugged. “Just sayin’.”
Shaking his head, he laughed, eyes softening in affection. “He can be the best man. You’re mine.”
“Always have been.”