by Kaylee Ryan
I reach for Knox and he jumps into my arms. “We love you, Kendall. We want you to have our last name. We want Knox to be a big brother.” She laughs through her tears. “Make our little family complete and marry us?”
Her smile is blinding. “Yes!”
Knox claps and squeals with delight, seeing Kendall smile. She launches herself at me. I wrap my arms around her, catching her in my embrace.
I will always catch her.
Chapter 42
Kendall
Did you know that in the fine state of Illinois a retired judge can marry you, as long as they weren’t discharged for any disciplinary actions? Did you also know that my grandfather is a retired judge?
Today is my wedding day.
The night Ridge and Knox proposed, I immediately called my family, who of course already knew. I asked Grandad to marry us and he agreed. Ridge and I talked about when we wanted to get married. His only stipulation was as soon as possible.
So here we are, four weeks later, the week before Thanksgiving, and we’re getting married. I’ve never been one for flare, so I wanted something small and intimate. We’re actually at the lodge up at the lake that Ridge and I went to back in July. Our parents and grandparents, his sister, Dawn, and of course Kent, Mark, Seth and Tyler are here. That’s it. Small and intimate, just the way I wanted it.
We decided that we wanted our parents to stand up with us. Odd, yes, but how do you choose from your friends? Not to mention that our parents have been married for years and are still just as in love. It’s inspiring. Dad gets to pull double duty, as he’s also walking me down the aisle.
“You ready, Kendall?” he asks.
“Yes!”
He chuckles. “Let’s get you married.” I link my arm through his and we head down the small walkway that leads me to Ridge and Knox. We decided that Ridge would hold Knox, because he’s an important part of today as well. When we reach them, Knox reaches out for me and I feel the tears start to burn the back of my eyes. I hug my dad and he holds on tight. “I’m so damn proud to call you my daughter.”
That does it, the tears starting to fall in earnest. “Love you, Daddy.” I may be adopted, but it’s never felt that way to me. I understand why my birth mother gave me up, and I respect her for that hard decision she had to make. I’ve never had the desire to seek her out, because I have my parents,’ the man and woman who raised me. I hope I can be that person for Knox.
“K. K.” Knox reaches his little arms out for me again, so Ridge laughs and hands him to me. This makes our little man happy, as he rests his head on my shoulder.
“You’re breathtaking,” Ridge says, his voice echoing throughout the room. He grins when the guys yell out about him being whipped, and the women “ooh” and “ahh.”
I love our family, our friends, and this life we’ve made with each other.
Ridge and I opted for traditional vows. I don’t need sweet words to know he loves me and is devoted to me. I feel it in my heart and in every touch. Every second, every minute, every hour, every day I feel his love for me.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” Gramps says.
Ridge grins and moves toward me. This catches Knox’s attention, which lifts his head and points at Ridge. “No, no,” he says.
The crowd laughs, as does Ridge. Reagan steps forward and holds up Knox’s favorite stuffed teddy bear, and he reaches for her with a smile. She winks at us and walks away with him. Before her back is even turned, Ridge pulls me to him for a soul-searing kiss. “I love you, Mrs. Beckett,” he says against my lips.
Mrs. Ridge Beckett.
Holy shit! We did it!
The reception was dinner with our loud boisterous group. Knox stole the show and of course ate up all the attention. He’s actually going back home with my parents’ tonight. Mom and Dad are both really excited about it. Ridge’s parents offered as well, but he thought it was important that Knox get to spend time with both grandparents. Since his mom keeps Knox during the week, this was a solution that everyone thought was a good compromise. Not to mention his parents rented the same cabin they had a few years ago for their anniversary. Sounds like Ridge and I won’t be the only Beckett partaking in extracurricular activities this evening.
“You ready to kick them out?” Ridge whispers in my ear.
“Yes,” I say as he trails his lips up my neck.
“Good. Let’s go say good-bye to our boy.” My heart soars. From the minute he proposed, Knox became ours and I couldn’t be happier. I couldn’t love that little man more if I had given birth to him myself. I still go through periods of guilt over Melissa, my sister, sometimes feeling like I’m living her life. I can only hope that she’s looking after us and knows I love both of them with everything I am.
We find our parents sitting in the sunroom. Knox is curled up on my mom’s lap and looks to be close to sleeping. That is until he sees me. “K,” he says, his little voice laced with sleep. He holds his arms out, and I don’t hesitate to take him from her and pull him into arms.
“Hey, buddy.” He lays his head on my shoulder, and I snuggle him close. “You’re going to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa.” My parents’ insisted that’s what he calls them. Not that he can call them anything yet, but he will. They’ve accepted him as if he were mine, not that there was ever any question. Look what they did for me.
“Hey, bud, can Daddy get some love?” Ridge asks rubbing Knox’s back. Sleepily, he leans into Ridge, who pulls him into his arms. “We did it, little man,” he whispers to Knox. “We married Kendall. She’s ours now.”
My heart can’t take it. This man.
Ridge and I say good-bye to Knox and our parents, which just leaves our friends and his sister. I assumed we would drop subtle hints, but that’s not at all what happens.
We enter the cabin from walking Knox and our parents out and Ridge simply says, “Out.”
“Ridge!” I smack his chest.
He grabs my arm before I can pull it away and pulls me to him. “I want some time with my wife.”
“I don’t know, man. I thought we could hang out, maybe play some cards or something,” Kent teases him.
“Yeah, you know, celebrate your nuptials and whatnot,” Seth adds.
Mark and Dawn are curled up in a chair laughing. Reagan is in another and Tyler is sitting on the floor, leaned back against the chair leg. They haven’t come out and said there’s something going on, but any fool could see that there is. Not to mention Tyler’s calmed down a lot. He only has eyes for Reagan, although I’ll give him an A for effort in trying to hide that little detail from his best friend.
“Really? You fuckers wait until the day you get married. Payback’s a bitch,” Ridge pouts.
That has everyone laughing. Tyler and Mark stand, taking his words to heart I’m sure. They both seem to be ideal candidates for the next in line for holy matrimony. Seth and Kent stand to leave as well. Each of the guys gives me bear hugs and kisses on the cheek, which has Ridge growling at them. I also hug each of the girls, as does Ridge after the manly handshake/hug/pat on the back thing he does with the guys.
The door is barely shut when he bends and lifts me in his arms. “Now the real party begins, Mrs. Beckett.” He kisses my temple and carries me off to the bedroom.
It’s fitting to consummate our marriage in the same place we first made love. That’s how I knew getting married here was the right choice. It’s where we became one for the first time, and where we’ll continue with the next phase of our future.
Chapter 43
Ridge
I can’t get her to the bedroom fast enough, having barely held it together all night. I wanted to share this with our family and friends, but what I really wanted—what I needed—was to make love to my wife.
My wife.
She’s mine. Forever, she’s mine.
I carry her to the bedroom and set her on her feet next to th
e bed. Although we planned this wedding in less than a month, Kendall was able to find a dress that’s kept my cock hard since the moment I first saw her in it. It’s form-fitting like a glove around her curves and short, showing off those long legs of hers. And although she’s a vision in it, I want it gone. I want to slowly peel it from her body and sink into her. The image of her today, when she appeared before me, will be one I will take with me to the grave. The moment she became my wife.
“You take my fucking breath away, Mrs. Beckett,” I say, running my lips over her bare shoulders.
“You don’t look too bad yourself, Mr. Beckett.”
“Turn for me, baby.” She does as I ask, and I stop her once her back is to me. She left her long hair down, so I sweep it to the side over her shoulder and kiss the nape of her neck. I trail my lips down her back until I reach the zipper. Time to go.
I slide it down. “Arms up, sweet girl,” I say next to her ear. She complies and the dress falls to the floor. My mouth drops open when I see nothing but a white lace thong. “Mrs. Beckett, if I had known that was all you had on under that sinful dress, I would’ve kicked our guests out as soon as we said ‘I do.’”
She chuckles. “Surprise.” She turns to face me and I take in the beauty that is my wife, sweeping my eyes over every inch of her. When I reach the thong, my chest tightens as I see ‘Mrs. Beckett’ stitched into them in lavender—her favorite color, our wedding color, marking her as mine. I had intended to rip them from her body, but not now. I need these, not only as a memento of this day, this moment, but I like to see her labeled as mine. I make a mental note to find out where she got them and get her more.
Mrs. Beckett.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” she says as she begins to unbutton my shirt. I grip the sides and tear it open; I need her, and this is taking way too long. She laughs as buttons flutter across the hardwood floor. She pushes the shirt off my shoulders as I unbutton my khaki pants and let them slide to the floor. Pulling my arms out of my sleeves and tossing the shirt behind me, she kneels before me and slides my boxer briefs down. When I kick them off, she looks up at me, blue eyes blazing with love as she takes the tip of my cock into her mouth. Reaching out, I have to grab ahold of the dresser to keep from falling on my ass. This woman.
“Not like this,” I say as I feel myself getting closer, chasing the release that her warm mouth is pulling from me. “Not tonight. I need to be inside you.” She slowly releases me with a pop and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. I almost lose my shit at the sight of her.
My wife.
“On the bed,” I tell her. She doesn’t hesitate as she turns and climbs onto the big four-poster bed, her ass swinging, tempting the hell out of me. I follow after her and nip her right cheek.
“Gah!” She laughs.
Will it always be this way? Will we always be able to laugh in the bedroom? Will she always feel like what’s keeping me centered? I sure as hell hope so. I will fight like hell every day to make sure of it.
She falls to her back, reaching out to run her fingers through my hair. She loves it, and I keep it a little longer for that purpose—whatever my girl wants.
I bend down and kiss her. “I love you, Mrs. Beckett,” I say, slowly pushing into her.
“Love you too,” she breathes as she takes all of me.
I lock my eyes on hers and slowly make love to my wife. I didn’t think that this, being inside her, could ever feel better than all the times before, but it does. This time, it’s different; I can’t explain it, but I feel it. The way our bodies are joined as one, the way her back arches off the bed, her feet digging into my ass, her nails digging into my back. Her eyes, those baby blues that hold my stare as I continue to thrust in and out of her. It’s all different, better, and I’m rocked to my core.
My sweet girl.
My wife.
“Ridge,” she moans, and I thrust harder as we chase our release together as husband and wife for the first time. I feel her squeezing me, and I let go inside her.
Rolling over, I crush her to my chest, just holding her.
“That was . . . intense,” she says when I finally release my death grip on her.
“Yeah,” I agree. No other words are needed. Our connection that was already solid as steel somehow seemed to mold into something you could only ever experience with your true soul mate. She’s mine.
We lie there for I don’t know how long, her head on my chest, my hands running through her hair. It’s not until I look over and see the envelope that I realize I forgot to give her, my wedding present.
I had to enlist my new father-in-law’s help, and his brother. They were all too willing. “Hey, you ready for your wedding present?” I ask.
She lifts her head and smiles. “I thought we said no gifts?”
“We did, but mine isn’t something I bought.”
“Ridge. You promised.”
“I know, but this is more of something we can all use.”
She gives me the stink eye, but then her lips tip with a smile. “Fine, gimme,” she sits up in bed, holding the sheet to her bare breasts.
I jump out of bed, grab the envelope, and hand it to her. Her face scrunches up in confusion. Climbing in the bed beside her, I pull her to me. “Open it.”
Slowly, she opens the envelope and pulls the papers out. I can’t see her face, and it’s killing me not knowing what she’s thinking.
“Kendall?”
“Adoption papers,” she breathes.
“I had your uncle draw them up. I know you’re not ready, that you’re still struggling with everything, but I wanted you to have them. I want you to know that in my eyes, you are his mother. Melissa gave him life, but you’re raising him and I want nothing more than for you to legally become his mom. Your uncle hasn’t filed anything yet. Instead, he gave me these. It’s drawn up and all you have to do is sign it to start the process. You take as long as you need. Just know that I love you, and even if you never sign them, in my eyes you are his mom.”
Her shoulders shake with silent sobs, and I kick myself in the ass for ruining our wedding night. “I’m sorry, baby. I don’t want to upset you or ruin this night, but I need you to know.”
“Ridge, this is the greatest gift. You are giving me the rights to your son. That precious little man.” She covers her mouth. “I love him. I couldn’t love him more if he were mine.”
“I know that.”
“I just—”
“Shhh.” I hug her tight. “Take all the time you need to process it. When you’re ready, sign them and give them to your uncle. He’ll take care of the rest.”
She nods.
I slide the papers back into the envelope and place them on the nightstand. Kendall surprises me by climbing on my lap and straddling my hips. Her hands cradle my cheeks. “You are the most amazing man. I don’t know if it was Melissa or just luck, but whatever brought you to me, I will be eternally grateful. I love you.” She kisses me and it soon grows heated. The next thing I know, she’s sliding home and I make love to my wife for the second time.
Epilogue
Kendall
After our wedding night, I decided to see a counselor. I wanted to be Knox’s mom—in my heart, I felt like I was—but I just couldn’t get past the guilt. Survivor’s guilt is what my therapist calls it. For the last several months, I’ve gotten better. I’ve come to realize that what happened to my sister was tragic, but I needed to keep living. That little boy who lights up my world every single day needs a mother, and I’m the lucky one. I have the adoption papers in my top dresser drawer. Ridge, my dad nor my uncle Tom has mentioned them. My husband is truly the most amazing man on the planet.
I’ve been thinking more about signing them and making our little family official. It wasn’t until last week that I finally did. When Knox called me Mom, my heart soared and I knew in that moment that he needs what I had. I had two people who wanted a child and made me their own. They never treated me like I wasn’t a
part of them, and that’s how I treat Knox.
So I signed the papers. I dropped them off to my uncle at his office and he simply smiled and nodded. Here I am a week later, stopping by to pick up the copy of the official adoption petition to give to Ridge. It’s little man’s first birthday, so it’s kind of a gift for both of them. Well, that and my other news. I’ve been feeling off the last couple of weeks, so I made a doctor’s appointment this morning, and low and behold, I’m pregnant. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since the second the doctor told me.
Luckily for me, Uncle Tom chalked it up to being happy about the papers, so he didn’t question me. He wouldn’t have been wrong, but to know I’m carrying a part of Ridge is surreal. And Knox . . . well, my little man is going to be a big brother. I need to tell Ridge first.
I think back to the way he proposed and I hop online to place my order. Overnight shipping is outrageous, but I’ll be lucky to wait until tomorrow to tell him.
He’s not going to be home until late tonight; he and the guys have started back up with card night. Reagan and Dawn are coming over and helping me decorate for Knox’s birthday party tomorrow.
“What has you smiling like you won the lottery?” Dawn asks.
Shit. I can’t tell them I’m pregnant, but I can give them a little something. “Did you know that Ridge gave me adoption papers for Knox as a wedding gift.”
They both nod yes. “I signed them.” I grin.
They both tackle me with hugs, and when I hear a squeal and little hands wrap around my legs, I know this is right. The girls back away and Knox seals the deal when he says, “Mom,” and holds his little arms up to me.
“Oh, my God!” Reagan cries.
I pick him up and he gives me a sloppy kiss on my cheek. I look over my two best friends, and they both have silent tears running down their face and blinding smiles. “Don’t tell Ridge. It’s a surprise.
