by Livia Grant
“Mijo, your mother has hired a lawyer for me. Can you believe such a thing?”
Jaxson pulled back to look at his mother. “I do believe such a thing. She’s a good woman, especially when she is not being corrupted by the man she made the mistake of marrying.”
Miranda waved her hand. “Enough about that for now. Today is a day to celebrate you and the loves of your life.”
His mom stopped, as if she suddenly remembered the unseen additions to the family. She turned to Emma and reached out to place her palm on her rounded tummy in awe. “It’s true? My grandchildren are growing here, even now?”
Emma placed her hand over her mother-in-law’s as she reassured her. “They are, and they can’t wait to meet their grandma.”
Miranda chuckled. “I hope you aren’t going to have them call me granny. It makes me sound so damn old.”
Emma reassured her, “My mom already said the same thing. We still have a few months to come up with fun nicknames for each of you that you can approve.”
Chase piped in, “I’m anxious for you to meet my mom and sister today, Miranda. My nieces and nephews already call her granny so she’ll be happy to keep that nickname.”
Mrs. Davidson smiled at Chase. “Please call me Mom.” She turned her attention to Emma to add, “Both of you.”
“I’ll be happy to,” Emma reassured her.
Maxine jumped back into the conversation. “We are running incredibly late and while I know this is somewhat an informal affair with only your closest friends and family, I do want to keep things moving or Chef Avery is going to have my head when her appetizers get ruined because we ran long.”
Jaxson linked his mother’s hand into the crook of his arm, inviting her to join him. “It’s time for us all to go down. I’ll escort you and Juan to your seats.” He then turned to Emma and added, “I’ll send your dad back in to escort you down the aisle, okay baby?”
Emma’s heart lurched, realizing the moment was upon them. She was about to marry the men of her dreams. “Thank you, sir. I’m more than ready.”
Chapter Sixteen ~ Chase
“What the hell is that newswoman doing here?” Jaxson leaned in close to talk against Chase’s ear as the two men stood at the front of their makeshift outdoor wedding chapel, looking out on the intimate grouping of their best friends and closest family. Chase scanned the crowd and agreed that Brandi Wittman, his old babysitter, stood out as the one person in attendance that did not belong.
“I have no idea who let her in,” he whispered back. “I sure as hell didn’t invite her, and I’d bet my life that Emma didn’t either.”
Jaxson growled softly next to him. “Now what the fuck do I do? Emma and her dad are on the walkway and will be here in one minute.”
Chase changed his focus from the seated group dispersed around the pool deck to the flower-lined path stretching between the pool and the main club. His pulse quickened seeing Emma in her gorgeous gown, slowly walking towards her men, taking steps to the beat of the romantic music being provided by the Grammy award-winning string quartet they’d hired.
He finally leaned in to his Dom to answer with their only option. “It’s too late to throw her out without making a major scene. I don’t think Emma will notice she’s here and then we can have Miguel get her out of here as soon as he can without making a commotion.”
“I’ll text him now to make sure he’s on it,” Jaxson added.
The clearing of a throat right behind them cut the men’s quiet conversation short. It was Judge McDonald’s veiled way of telling the men to quiet down now that the ceremony had begun. Chase felt rather than saw Jaxson throw a warning glance to the submissive judge to stay out of their discussion.
It had been awkward for the first few minutes of being reacquainted, but the three men had simultaneously agreed to ignore their previous meeting in February at the Roulette Redux event where the judge had been dominated by one of Black Light’s most active dominatrixes.
Emma and Robert were almost to the brick patio deck where the wedding guests were standing and turning to watch the bride walking down the pseudo aisle. Jaxson put his phone back into his pocket and added, “I sent a text to Miguel and told him to keep an eye on her and get rid of her as soon as he can.”
Just as Jaxson finished his sentence, the overcast sun decided to make an overdue appearance, showering the entire wedding venue in bright sunlight. The golden glow shone a spotlight on Emma, creating a halo around her that seemed to shift the ground beneath him.
She was fucking perfect in every way. As if he could read his mind, Jaxson reached out and grabbed Chase’s hand, linking their fingers intimately as they leaned against each other, anxious to touch as they shared what was arguably one of the most important days of their lives together.
The rest of their closest friends and family faded away when his eyes locked with Emma’s as she and her father got closer to him and Jaxson. The grip on his hand got stronger as Emma turned her love-filled gaze on Jaxson next. It reminded Chase that his strong Dom was not immune to the more emotional aspects of their complicated love.
They hadn’t had any practice for the day so Chase didn’t know exactly what to expect when Emma stopped directly in front of her men, her father next to her. The foursome hesitated until the judge took charge.
“Please be seated.” He paused while the guests took their seats before continuing. “We are gathered here today as witnesses to the commitment ceremony between three extraordinary people who are fortunate enough to have found each other as they traveled through the vast world. Just like each and every one of you, their closest friends and family, I have had the privilege to witness the depths of the love that Jaxson, Chase, and Emma have for each other. While their relationship may be unconventional in the eyes of many, no one who meets them can doubt for one minute the deep level of commitment they have for each other.”
Chase had to force himself to focus on the words the judge was saying. The whole afternoon was beginning to feel surreal. For years, as their unique trio grew closer, he had been coming to terms with the idea that he would never get married as there was no way two of the three of them would have married and left the third person out. Yet as he looked past Emma to see his mom, sister, brother-in-law, nieces, and nephews in the front row, it registered that today he was the groom.
At least one of them, anyway.
The judge’s words faded to the background as Chase watched the beaming faces of their best friends — Khloe and Ryder, Jonah and Samantha, Spencer and Klara, and even their lawyer and friend Connor and his new girlfriend, Gabriella. Their old agent Roberta had flown in from London as had Emma’s grandmother from Wisconsin. The women were sitting next to Jaxson’s mom. Even Emma’s four roommates from the University of Wisconsin who had been supportive at the start of their unique relationship had been able to fly in with little warning and were watching from the last row of chairs. Every single person there, with the exception of the uninvited newswoman, was so important to the trio.
A squeeze from Jaxson’s hand brought Chase out of his contemplative thoughts and back to the judge’s comments.
“While this ceremony may not be a legal marriage in the eyes of the State of California, I would argue it is more binding because it is the love and respect the trio has for each other that forms the glue that will unite them as one, not some piece of paper.
“As with a traditional marriage, before Jaxson, Chase, and Emma exchange their promises to each other, I’d like to ask who gives this lovely woman’s hand in marriage?”
Chase hadn’t expected for Robert Fischer to have an active role to play in the service. As the group gathered were the people closest to them in the world, all eyes pinned Emma’s father expectantly, knowing how vocal he’d been regarding the unique relationship his only daughter was in.
He wasn’t surprised when Robert entered into a stare down with Jaxson. As the head of their family, Robert knew that it would be Jaxson who would tak
e the lead for making sure Robert Fischer’s daughter was happy and loved. After several long seconds of the tense showdown, Robert spoke loud and clear for all present to hear. “It is not a secret that I haven’t always understood the complicated relationship the three of you have formed…”
“Daddy, please. Don’t…” Emma had turned towards her father, ready to beg him not to make a scene by publicly denouncing their relationship.
Her father cut her off. “Don’t worry, honey. I promise, you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
Chase sincerely doubted that, considering the conversation he’d overheard just over an hour earlier. Jaxson was squeezing his hand harder than ever, giving Chase a hint that his Dom had the same worry as Chase.
Robert continued on. “As I was saying, I know I’ve not been as supportive as I maybe could have, or should have, been over these last few years, but I want to assure all three of you that my reservations were never aimed at either of the men that my baby has fallen in love with. On the contrary, I have the utmost respect for each of you. My reservations have always been because I was trying to protect my little girl from being hurt. What I didn’t understand until recently is that instead of Emma somehow getting less of either of you because she was having to share, I can see that you each love her with all of your heart. She lost her own heart to you both years ago, and for that reason it’s an honor for her mother and I to give our blessings to your marriage.”
Chase watched Emma as her father spoke, not quite sure if the moment was real or imagined, but the small squeak Emma released as she suddenly hugged her dad confirmed it. They’d actually received the older man’s blessing, and when Chase turned to look at Jax he saw the same warmth he felt in his chest.
“Thank you, Robert,” Jax said, offering his free hand to shake as Emma tried to compose herself. She looked even cuter with her nose turning red, and her violet eyes more vibrant from her happy tears.
It took another well-timed squeeze of his hand from Jax for him to turn his gaze back to her father. Caught staring at one of the loves of his life only made him smile and shrug a shoulder. “Sorry, she’s a bit distracting when she looks so beautiful.”
His new father-in-law smiled kindly as he answered. “I agree. Her mother looked just as beautiful the day I married her.”
“Thank you for your blessing, I know it means the world to Emma… to all of us.” Unwilling to release Jaxson’s hand, he opened his left arm for a hug and was surprised when Robert stepped forward to pat him on the shoulder and squeeze.
“Just take care of my baby girl, all right?”
“Always,” Chase replied just as Jax promised, “We will.”
“If you’ll take your seat Mr. Fischer, we’ll move forward with the ceremony,” the judge spoke softly, a smile playing on his lips, and Robert gave Emma one last kiss on the cheek before he offered her forward.
That was the moment when Jax released his hand to take Emma’s right, and Chase stepped around to stand on her left. Almost like their favorite position, but a little more publicly appropriate.
He must have smirked, because Jax had a devilish look in his eye for a moment just before his Dom reached across Emma’s belly, his fingers resting over the bundle that she was keeping safe and sound for now. It was the perfect option, to reach across Emma and entwine his fingers with Jax’s over her tummy, and the soft sniffle from her as she squeezed his hand told Chase that Emma loved it too.
“We’re ready,” Jax spoke, nodding to the judge.
Judge McDonald faced them, and the small crowd, and opened the portfolio with his notes before he continued. “We will start with each of you declaring your promises to each other first and then I understand each of you would like to deliver your personal vows.”
The judge paused long enough for Jaxson to nod before continuing.
“Wonderful, first the promises.” Chase felt the heat of the judge’s gaze as the older man turned to him to ask, “Chase, will you have this man and woman as your husband and wife; to live together in dedicated marriage? Will you love, honor, comfort, and keep them, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful unto them as long as you all shall live? If so, please respond with ‘I will’.”
Chase stood a bit taller as he answered confidently, “I will.”
It was ridiculous that two such simple words could hold such important meaning, yet he felt better… more complete as soon as the promise left his mouth.
The next time the judge asked, the questions were directed at Emma. She responded with her own confident, “I will.”
It was while the judge was asking the vows for the third time that Chase heard the first buzzing sound in the distance. Jaxson was able to get his own “I will,” out before the noise became loud enough to distract the judge as well as the guests. Whispers and side conversations could be heard as the trio looked around trying to figure out where the high-pitched racket was coming from.
When Miguel, their head of security, came bursting onto the scene from the small satellite security office near the pool house, Chase suspected there might be something bigger going on than just a plane flying a bit too close to the ground. Miguel was followed by two of their newly hired guards dressed professionally in black suits and ties. All three men were jogging towards the wedding party.
Chase was still trying to figure out what was happening when Jaxson released both his lovers and rushed to meet Miguel halfway down the aisle. The noise continued to grow louder and he knew it was some motorized vehicle of some sort. Knowing they were in the center of the huge, several acre property, Chase was confused as to what vehicle could possibly be getting this close to the pool.
“Code Blue!” Miguel shouted, escalating whatever the hell was going on to an official security event. Chase racked his brain to remember what the code blue indicated. Having not opened yet, he hadn’t had the time needed to learn all of different procedures their new security team had put into place. The only thing he knew for sure was that he needed to protect Emma and the babies while Jaxson conferred with Miguel.
Chase pulled Emma into his arms protectively, watching over her shoulder as things turned from confusing to chaos. Ryder stood, running to Miguel and Jaxson just before all three men started looking up, scouring the sky. In unison all of their guests turned their attention to sky as well. When Chase followed their lead, he immediately knew what was happening.
Two large drones were converging on their location. One had come from the direction of the main club while the second, lower flying drone had snuck in from over their future home in the opposite direction. They were flying low enough to the ground that Chase could easily see the high-powered cameras on each pointed in the direction of the wedding.
Instinctively, Chase released Emma just long enough to rush to the edge of the pool deck, pulling a huge umbrella they would use as shade in the future from the center of the glass table it was attached to, pulling as hard as he could until the heavy umbrella lifted up. Chase rushed back to Emma, shielding the two of them under the camouflage as he rushed her towards the overhang of the nearby outdoor bar for better protection.
Irrational anger started to bubble up inside of him that someone, one of their trusted friends or family, had clearly blabbed about their special ceremony. He couldn’t think of any other way the owners of the drones had known the exact date, time, and location of their unusual wedding. Any hope of it being accidental was gone when the unmanned flying devices moved even lower, hovering just feet above the venue. The click of the onboard cameras could be heard over the high-pitched whir of the machines as they got low enough to get pictures of the entire location.
Emma clung to him, shaking as she asked. “Who would do this to us?”
“I don’t know, baby, but I guess we should be glad they are only taking pictures and not doing something more dangerous.”
As soon as the words left his mouth he regretted them.
“What do you mean, more dangero
us?” Emma pressed him.
“Never mind. Forget I mentioned it,” he reassured her, not wanting to tell her he’d been in one meeting where security had discussed the possibility of weapons being flown into their private airspace by drones to escape the ground security detection.
The judge had joined them in the protected area. Khloe, Jonah, and Samantha, holding their infant Natasha, were rushing their way as well. As celebrities, they were all used to the crazy things the paparazzi would do to get the scoop on a hot story. That was when Chase remembered Brandi, a journalist, was in attendance.
Out of instinct, as soon as Jonah arrived next to him, Chase pulled Emma out of his embrace and stepped forward to meet the rock star.
“Will you stay with Emma and protect her from any bullshit going down? I need to go help Jaxson and security figure out what the hell is going on.”
“Sure thing, man,” Cash answered. “I’ll stick here with the ladies.”
Emma clung to his arm. “Don’t go!”
Chase turned back to her, placing a small kiss on her forehead. “You’ll be safe here. I just want to go see what’s happening and how I can help.”
Tears threatened to fall down her cheeks as Emma begged him not to go. With a nod to Jonah, Chase left the cover of the bar area and jogged back to the chaotic poolside crowd in time to see one of Miguel’s security guards running up with a titanium looking briefcase. It was the kind of top-secret case that might be handcuffed to a guy in mirrored sunglasses.
Chase didn’t look closely at the contents of the suitcase as he passed, but he could see technical equipment inside that he hoped would bring down the drones. Knowing there was nothing he could do to help with that effort, he instead got busy looking for Brandi.
The seat towards the back of the venue that she’d been in just minutes before was now empty. Chase scanned the area, observing the confusion on the faces of most of their friends and family. Several asked him what was going on as he passed and he truthfully told them he didn’t know yet, either.
