Page 121 of Finding Redemption

“I know. I’m afraid I’ll fuck up and hurt him,” she says.

“You won’t. Now, no more crying because once this starts, we’ll all be crying.” I stand, holding my arms out for her. “And, instead of just a brother, you now have a sister.”

She throws her arms around me, holding me tight. “You look gorgeous. I love this dress. Give Ry a message for me.” She leans in to whisper in my ear. I have to giggle because it’s so them.

“You’ve got it.” I straighten her eyeliner and turn toward the door. “Should I let this bunch in?”

“Yeah, just tell them to not say a word.” We laugh together.

I quickly close the door behind me. “All right. She’s good. She’s asked if you go in, don’t talk. Be normal.” I step away from the door for a couple of ladies to go in.

I find my way back to Walker and Riley, who’s pacing like his bride-to-be. “Hey, guys.”

Riley hurries to me with Walker by his side. “Would she see you? What did she say? Is she okay?”

“Hold up. Take a deep breath.” He does as I ask. “I have a message for you.”

“Oh, hell, no. Not a message. What? Oh, God, don’t say it. Tell me?”

I can’t help but giggle. “She’s coming and trouble’s coming with her.”

His furrowed brows raise to his hairline. He smiles as tears streak his face. “Thank you.” He squeezes me. “I’m so happy my brother has you.”

Walker reaches around, taking me by the hand. “Go get your own and stop pawing on my woman.”

“She’s ready,” Maisyn announces, coming around the corner.

“Take your place. Come on, baby. I’ll show you where to sit.” Walker takes me by the hand, leading me into the venue.

27

The raised floor in the middle of the ballroom will serve as a dance floor after the ceremony. The chairs will join tables as the reception kicks into gear. The room is decorated in a winter theme with a black-tie flair. It is New Year’s Eve after all.

I stand beside my brother as he takes his vows with the love of his life. Reese and I stare at each other, locked in our world, and my heart thunders in my chest. I hear Riley and Ava’s words, yet Reese is the only thing I can see.

“Riley, I’ve made every mistake a person could in a lifetime. Yet here you are proving I’ve done something right. You’ve never seen anything but me, even when I couldn’t. Twice in my lifetime, I’ve gotten it right. Once was my daughter, the other was you. For the first time in my life as a mother, I can look at my daughter and tell her to find a love that loves you the way your poppa loves me. Thank you for loving her like she was your own. Thank you for never giving up on me, no matter the trouble I’ve gotten myself into. I could never ask for a better person to spend the rest of my life with. I love you.” Riley catches a tear as it falls from Ava’s eye.

“Ava, I’ve loved you for so long, I’m not sure where I stop, and you begin. You’re a part of me, ingrained in my heart forever. I don’t know where we’re going but I do know with you by my side, it’s gonna be a helluva ride. Thank you for allowing me to be Andi’s poppa. She’s the other girl that could compare to you. Andi and I are two lucky people. We have an amazing love with someone who would move heaven and hell for us. You’re my kind of trouble. I love you.” Ava holds Riley’s hand like a lifeline.

“With the powers vested in me by the State of North Carolina and God the Father, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” the minister announces.

Riley takes Ava into his arms and kisses her breathless.

My heart pounds in my chest. My little brother has loved this girl his entire life. A love that will withstand time. I want a love like that. As I think it, gazing at Reese, she mouths to me, “I love you.”

My knees go weak. “I love you,” I answer, my chest tightening.

I follow Riley and Ava down the steps, never taking my eyes off Reese. I stop, unable to leave her behind. Taking her by the hand, I pull her to me, brushing her lips with mine before kissing her. “I don’t want any love, Reese. I want one, just like ours.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Walker.” She stands on her tiptoes, kissing me again. As the room clears, we stand in each other’s arms, not willing to stop this moment.

The reception is in full swing when we decide to join them. I grab a glass, ready to toast Riley and Ava, when he stands, asking for everyone’s attention. “Hello, good people. Ava and I would like to thank you for being here with us today. We thought there would never be a time we would be happier, but we were wrong,” Riley says.

“We were because we have so much more to celebrate today. As you can see, we’ve decorated in a winter blue theme. I mean, it is New Year’s Eve and winter but blue also represents little boys. And we are thrilled to announce Storm Ivan Pennington will be joining our family in late June.” Ava’s face glows as she latches onto Riley, their love never more apparent than in this moment.

As the applause dies and our parents settle back into their seat, Torrie stands to make her maid-of-honor speech. Torrie is Brannon’s wife, Andi’s father.

“Ava, Riley, we are so happy for you both. Although Ava and I had a rough start, I know I would never have made it here without your friendship. I’m thankful to be raising your beautiful daughter with you. As you told me early on, she’s a lucky little girl, having two mothers instead of one. That’s when I knew you were a special person, deserving of an incredible love. Congratulations, Ava and Riley.” Torrie raises her glass, and the crowd follows.