Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“Seeing this smile on yer face does my heart grand. And now for the love of God I can get some peace and yer ma will shut her fucking gub about finding ya a wife,” he says with a huge smile.
I roar with laughter and tug him into a hug. He has no idea how much his words mean to me. I’ve been waiting all day for my past to creep in and smother me. However, the thought of my soon-to-be wife has kept me grounded.
Yes, I was in love with Sasha, but I was a young lad with little to no experience. I don’t know that I was ready to be a father. Sasha had been older than me and had experienced way more than I had.
Things are different with Danika. She is my now. I don’t know what I would do if I lost her. I wouldn’t recover as I did before.
“I love ya, son. Yer going to make a grand husband,” Da says in my ear and pats me on the back.
“Thanks, Da. I’m glad yer here.”
While I didn’t have time to round up my entire family, I’m happy Ma and Da could make it. In all honesty, I don’t think it’s wise to broadcast that Danika and I are getting married. I still have questions about what Freddie knew.
However, if I didn’t tell my ma, she would have killed me. I think my ears are still ringing from the call I made last night—or should I say early morning—after Danika fell asleep.
Ma screamed so loud with excitement; I was sure she was going to wake Danika through the phone. I had to climb out of bed and move into the common area to finish the call. From there, I began to make all the arrangements for our wedding this evening.
I had been confident I would get her to repeat the words this morning. When they slipped from her lips with ease, I was able to breathe and relax. Had I lost the bet, Ma would have killed me. I was ninety-nine percent sure I had nothing to worry about.
Da looks down at his watch. “Looks like it’s time.”
I turn for my clan ring and slip it on my pointer finger. For once, I’m placing it on for my good fortune. We all wear our rings for family weddings, christenings, and to honor the dead who have passed on into paradise.
Today, my father and I will bear our rings to welcome my wife into our lot. Danika will be a McGowan before the night is over. The thought brings a smile to my lips.
“Aye, I’m ready. Let’s go.”
***
How did I think I was going to have a wedding without my family? I don’t know why I was so surprised to walk into the room I booked for the ceremony to find not only my brothers, but their wives and sons. Cass and Joe were also among the bunch.
My sister has a scowl on her face as if she plans to batter me after the wedding is over. I’m happy to see her and wish her lads were here as well. It is as I stand here waiting for Danika to arrive that I realize how important this night is to me.
“Don’t worry, we’ll forgive ya,” Jonah says as he stands beside me.
“Speak for yourself,” Jack grumbles. “He was going to get married without us. I don’t know if I’m more hurt or surprised.”
“If ya knew all the details ye would all understand. I will tell ye all later, but I don’t think anyone outside of this room should know about us until I have some things figured out.”
“I told ya he had a reason,” Raymond says.
“Aye, well, I would like to hear it before I forgive him,” Jack says.
“And ya will. Now shut yer gub. Here comes the bride,” Jonah says.
I snap my head in the direction of the doors Danika just came through. I can’t breathe. She looks absolutely exquisite.
Her dress is simple yet elegant. The seams seem to shimmer and catch the light. The small detail highlights her figure and the fit of the gown. She looks like she’s glowing from the inside out.
I know right away this is the softer side of Danny. The side only I get to see. The part of her I plan to cherish for the rest of my life.
As if reading my mind, she locks eyes with me and her entire face lights up. I can’t help but return the smile. I didn’t think I could love this woman more than I already did, but the moment she smiles at me with excitement and hope in her eyes, I fall all over again.
She’s so complex and loving. Our talk last night revealed so much more to me. For every ounce of strength she possesses, she has an even amount of love and softness.