Page 165 of The Risk Taker
“You mean you finally found someone you approved of? Thank God, because dating with you all interfering all the time was a heap of fun.” She rolls her eyes and my father chuckles again.
I stay quiet, watching them, soaking in the moment where we’re just us, the way we always were. We’re having more and more of these moments. And I live for each one.
My father looks at each of us in turn, and he smiles.
“Let’s get you married now.”
“You got the rings?”
Molly nods seriously, uncurling her little fist and showing me the silk Beaufort Diamonds ribbon that’s tying the bands together.
“And you remember which one is which?”
A little wrinkle appears between her brows as she considers my question, then nods again.
“Good job, Sweetheart.” I kiss her on the cheek, and she breaks into a grin.
I smooth her curls down, but they bounce straight back to where they want to be. I bite back my smile, straightening her hair clip instead. It’s one of my mother’s. Seeing Molly wearing it today brings a pang of bittersweetness to my chest.
Mom would have loved to have seen this today. She would have sat in the front row and smiled through the entire thing. Seeing how happy we all are today would have meant everything to her. Because despite what happened, and the mistakes she made, she loved us. And we loved her. She was still our mom. And she’s not the villain in all of this. No one is. We all carry around a darkness inside us. But it’s being with those we love that shines a light on the shadows and stops them from ever taking over.
Being with family.
I straighten from where I’m crouched beside Molly and smile at Jude’s mom as she walks up the aisle.
“It’s almost time.” Her eyes light up with joy. She takes me in, dressed in my tuxedo. “Jude’s been waiting for this, Slade.”
“Me too,” I say as she leans close, and I kiss her on the cheek in greeting.
I know what she means. Jude’s been waiting for this day ever since Callum stole it from her. To walk down the aisle to a man who truly loves her. A man who would die for her.
I intend to be everything she needs and more, just like she is to me.
Jude told me Callum moved to a hospital in Boston after Kelly dumped him. He left without saying goodbye. Probably the best thing he’s ever done for Jude. And the bravest thing he’s ever done for himself. I’m not sure I could have held back if I’d ever seen him again.
“You deserve this,” Clara says softly, her eyes still holding mine with that unwavering love and warmth that a mother has.
My throat goes scratchy, and I attempt to clear it. “Thank you,” I rasp. “I wouldn’t… we wouldn’t…” I take a deep breath. “You saved me twice. After the fire. Then when I met your daughter.”
“Jude, our very own Saint of lost causes,” she says softly.
“Exactly.” I swallow, fighting the growing ball lodged in my throat.
Clara rests her hand on my arm. “You’re going to make each other very happy; I know it.”
“I’ll try my best for her every day, I promise you.”
She moves to take her seat and my heart hammers.
Any moment, she’ll be here.
My Saint Jude.
Denver leans in beside me. “Breathe,” he instructs. “You too,” he adds, looking at Sullivan on my other side.
Sullivan adjusts his bow tie, his Adam’s apple flexing as he clears his throat. “I’m fine.” He bends and lifts Molly into his arms. “Daddy’s fine, isn’t he, Sweetheart?”
“Daddy happy,” Molly says, putting her thumb and forefinger on either side of Sullivan’s mouth and pulling it into a cartoon grin.
