Page 210 of Broken
Stryker pulled him in for a hand-clasp hug, then gave Ethan a high-five. “The guys have been filling me in. You kicked some serious you-know-what.”
“I did what had to be done,” Prescott replied.
First, Prescott helped Ethan into his white dress shirt and black pants, clipped on his black bow tie, and helped him into his jacket. “You’re looking sharp. Go check yourself out,” Prescott pointed Ethan toward a full-length mirror.
Prescott changed into his black tux while Stryker, Jericho, Cooper, and Rebel kept Ethan entertained.
When the guys were ready, Hawk presented Ethan with a kid-sized aluminum suitcase, the words RING SECURITY on the front and back.
“Ethan, you have a very important job,” Hawk said, looking sharp in his black tux. “You have to carry this when you walk down the aisle.” He offered it to Ethan.
“Fank you,” Ethan said, taking it from him.
“Do you remember what to do?” Hawk asked.
“I walk down the aisle to Uncle Prescott.”
“Good job, bud,” Hawk said.
“What about the rings?” Rebel asked.
“I’ve got them,” Prescott replied.
Knock-knock.
Prescott opened the door. “Hey, Mom, don’t you look beautiful. You need Nicky?”
“Actually, can I borrow you for a minute?”
“Yo, Rebel, can you hang with Ethan?”
“I got you,” Rebel replied.
Prescott pulled the door shut behind him, then joined his mom on a couch in the newly-designed rec room filled with light furniture, a billiard table and a ping pong table.
Like the bridesmaids, his mom wore a full-length black dress. Her hair had been styled by the pro Addison had hired, and she was wearing more makeup than usual.
“You look great, Mom.”
She smiled. “Thanks, honey.” I want you to have something that’s been in our family for a long time.” She pulled out a ring box, but she didn’t open it. “When your dad—your biological dad—proposed to me, he gave me an engagement ring that had been handed down to him from his dad. The ring goes back four or five generations. When he passed away, I wore it until Dad and I started dating. It made me sad to take it off because I loved your father, but I knew that I had something very special with Mason.” She opened the ring box.
Inside sat a large, emerald-cut diamond flanked by smaller emerald-cut stones, in an antique-looking setting.
“It’s beautiful,” he said.
“The stone is four carats, total carat weight is around five and a half. My feelings aren’t hurt if you or Jacqueline don’t like it. It’s a family heirloom, and I was waiting for you to find your person.” Her mom smiled. “I’m so happy you did, Scotty.”
“Thanks, Mom. I would love for Jack to wear this, but it’s up to her.”
His mom handed him the box, then rose. “I’ll see you out there.”
After pushing off the couch, he hugged her. “Thank you for the ring.”
She smiled at him. “I’m very proud of the man you’ve become, Prescott.”
His mom vanished up the stairs, and Prescott slipped the box into his pocket. Time to get his brother married.
With the small suitcase clutched in Ethan’s hands, Prescott lifted him into his arms. “You ready to get Uncle Nicky married?”
