Hold You Close

by Melanie Harlow

  Morgan recovers first and beams. “Get out of the car. You too, Aunt London.”

  London, who looks like she’s in shock, does as Morgan says. A minute later, all five of us are piling into the chapel’s lobby, which conveniently contains a glass display case featuring some gold wedding bands of dubious quality. Nothing even remotely resembles the engagement ring I’d have chosen for London, but I can remedy that later. I take her hand and whisper in her ear. “Pick out the one you like, sweetheart. I’ll get you a diamond eventually, I promise. Anything you want.”

  She looks at me with tears in her eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this now?”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”

  She smiles. “Me either. And I don’t need a diamond on my finger to prove it.”

  She’s going to have one anyway, but I love her even more for saying that.

  I grab her hand and pull her toward the chapel. “Good. Now, let’s go make you my wife.”

  Morgan squeals. “Yes! Finally he gets his head out of his butt.”

  London shakes her head with a smile. “I need a maid of honor, would you be willing to stand beside me?”

  Morgan’s eyes widen and tears start to form. “Really?”

  “Who else would I pick?”

  “I would love to,” Morgan says as she wipes her tears. “Mom would be so happy right now.”

  London’s gaze meets mine and I can see the emotions swimming. “Yeah, she would.”

  “Enough of this sappy crap,” Chris cuts in. “It’s time to be happy.”

  “Let’s go make it so London can never run away from me again,” I say as I scoop Ruby up in my arms.

  “Please, you don’t control me.”

  I pull London to my side. “We’ll see about that tonight.”

  Her lips touch my cheek and then we march into the crappy little chapel.

  We fill out the paperwork, go over the questions, and London and Morgan pick out the limited decorations they have available. I stand here, staring at her, wondering how the fuck I got so lucky. I always said I wouldn’t get married again. I made that mistake once, and repeating that error wasn’t on my agenda, but this feels so right.

  London is the person who makes my life make sense. On one hand, she’s irritating, nosy, knows everything, and God forbid she’s ever wrong. On the other hand, she’s beautiful, funny, loving, smart, and she’s usually not wrong, which brings me back full circle. I just know I can’t live without her. I did that for too long, and I won’t do it again.

  I love her more than anything.

  I need her, and now I’m going to have her.

  She turns to look at me from over her shoulder, her lips quirking up into a soft smile, but her green eyes are filled with love. She winks, and then goes back to pointing into the glass case.

  Chris nudges me. “I always knew you loved her.”

  “Yeah?”

  Kids think they know everything. They don’t know shit.

  “You were always so angry, but Dad used to say that when you’re that mad at someone, it’s because you care so much you can’t explain it, so you become angry.”

  My brother-in-law was always filled with philosophical shit, but once again, he had a point. “He might just have been right.”

  Chris nods. “He would tell me that after he fought with Mom.”

  “They fought?”

  Sabrina always made it look like their marriage was perfect. He doted on her. She praised him. It was maddening because who the fuck could live up to that? Not me. They complemented each other in every way. I swear, it was scary at times. I never saw David get irritated with her. Sabrina was always laid back and I never saw her snap at him like London does at me for things like chewing too loud.

  “Are you serious? Mom was always yelling at Dad and he was great at sign language,” Chris laughs. “I remember asking Dad what that finger meant and he told me it was the sign for love. So I walked up to Mom and did it. She was so pissed.”

  I let out one loud laugh and smile. I can see my sister not taking that well. “You know that Aunt London and I love you guys, right?”

  “I do.”

  “Good. We’re going to fight and have stupid moments. I’ll probably push her in the pool a few times, and Lord knows she’s going to bitch at me, but I promise you three that we’ll always find a way to work it out. This wedding is sudden, but it’s been a long time coming, if you know what I mean.” I want these kids to know this is forever. There won’t be another big disruption because London isn’t going anywhere. I’ve loved her my whole life and now she’s going to be mine.

  “I get it. I think it’s great,” Chris says.

  “One more thing.” I clear my throat. “I need a best man . . . are you up for it?”

  He stands a little straighter and nods. “I can do that, Uncle Ian.”

  I knew he could.

  A moment later, London, Morgan, and Ruby are in front of us. “Are you sure? No backing out once we walk through those doors.”

  “There’s no backing out—ever,” I tell her.

  London’s smile grows bigger. “I love you, Ian.”

  “I love you.”

  “Mr. Chase and Ms. Parish?” The very scantily dressed lady calls us from behind the counter. “You’re up.”

  London gives me a brief kiss. “I’ll see you at the end of the aisle?”

  “You’re damn right you will.”

  Chris and I head around to the front of the chapel. It’s crazy, but I’m not nervous. I keep waiting for the anxiety to kick in, but it’s completely absent. All I feel is excitement and happiness. This is right and about damn time. I want to make her my wife and then take her home to consummate the fuck out of it—and her.

  The music begins and Morgan walks in first. She looks so grown up. I remember when she was born, holding her in my arms, wondering what my sister was thinking, having another kid, but the first time that little girl wrapped her arms around my leg, I got it. She’s always been special to me, the first niece in the family. She was always watching and observing the world around her. Then when she started talking, we understood she’d been keeping notes to give us all later.

  When Morgan gets to the front, London appears, holding Ruby’s hand.

  I know I just saw her a moment ago.

  I get that nothing has changed, but she looks even more beautiful than before.

  The sun is beaming in from the window behind her, casting light all around. She’s brilliant, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget this moment.

  She continues toward me with a smile that knocks me on my ass.

  “Hi,” she says as she stands before me.

  “Hi.”

  “Hi!” Ruby says and we all laugh.

  “Hi, pipsqueak.”

  Elvis walks up to the front, and I don’t even give a shit how cheesy and cliché this is. All that matters is London and me.

  He goes on about love and marriage, but I don’t hear a word as I stare at my bride.

  “Ian.” She nudges me.

  Then I recall something about ‘do I take’ . . . “I do.”

  “Do you, London, take Ian for better or worse?”

  “I do.”

  “By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  I know what comes next and I don’t need his permission.

  I wrap my arms around her, leaning her back, and kiss the shit out of her. She holds on tight and I refuse to let go. She’s mine now—and forever.

  Epilogue

  London

  * * *

  ~ Fourteen Months Later ~

  * * *

  “Ian!” I call out. “I need a diaper!”

  You would think the man would replenish the diaper holder after he uses the last one, but no, he leaves it empty so I have to stand here with crap in the baby’s butt and no way to change her.

  I look down at Sabrina and shake my head. �
��Your Daddy is a mess, Brina. A big mess. What are we going to do with him, huh?”

  She’s only four months old, so she just kicks her legs and smiles.

  “Here!” Ian enters the room as though he just saved the world, holding the pack of diapers. “You’re welcome.”

  “I wouldn’t have had to ask if you filled them to begin with . . .”

  “Yes, but then I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get told what to do, and I just love that,” he says with heavy sarcasm.

  “I hate you.”

  He laughs. “You only wish you did, baby.” Then the jerkface slaps my ass.

  Ian wasted no time getting me pregnant. I think he took a bet with someone over how fast he could do it, because it was his damn mission. We both wanted a baby, and we both imagined time wasn’t on our side. I never thought it would happen in the first month, but here we are.

  “Where is Christopher?” I ask.

  Christopher has started dating, he’s a senior now, and he’s his uncle. A ladies’ man.

  “He’s in the game room.”

  “With his girlfriend?”

  “Yes, why?”

  I just stand there and look at him.

  Ian suddenly bolts out of the room. “Chris!” I hear him yelling. “You better have your damn pants on!”

  I cradle Sabrina in my arms. “You’re going to be a good girl, aren’t you? You’re not going to like stinky boys because your daddy might just shoot one that comes to the door.”

  I head down to the living room where Ruby is on the couch, eating crackers and watching Frozen for the thirtieth time.

  Seriously, this movie embeds itself in your brain until you’re singing the words in the shower without meaning to.

  “Can we go shopping, Aunt London?” Morgan asks.

  In the last year, this girl has gone from semi-Tomboy to full out girly-girl. She only wears a mix of pink or teal, her hair is always done, and I think she rivals Sephora with her makeup collection. Ian was the idiot who took her shopping the first time. When they rang her up, I think he might have had a stroke because he doesn’t remember actually ringing his card through.

  “No, you can’t possibly need anything.”

  She huffs. “Whatever. Brina gets anything she wants.”

  “She’s a baby!”

  I swear, this girl. When I was pregnant, Morgan was my best friend. She was always asking if I needed anything or if I was comfortable. We spoke with the kids at great length about naming her. Neither Ian nor I wanted them to be upset, and they were ecstatic that we were giving her their mother’s name. Then Sabrina came home with us, and I swear, they suddenly became completely different children.

  “Still, she got new clothes!”

  Thirteen is the worst age ever. I’m completely convinced.

  “She outgrew them, Morgan. Stop it, seriously, you can’t win this one, honey,” I tell her.

  “Okay,” she whines, “I just was asking.”

  Ian appears in the living room with a scowl on his face. “That boy . . . is trouble.”

  “So what you’re saying is that he’s you?”

  “Watch it, woman.”

  “You were all about training him to be your clone when Sabrina and David were alive,” I remind him.

  “Yes! Because he wasn’t my responsibility!”

  Sounds about right.

  I move closer to my husband, placing my hand on his chest. “Well, that is a mistake you’ll have to fix. Was he naked?”

  “No, but even with my warning he was practically mounting her.”

  I really didn’t need to know that. I can’t picture that sweet boy mounting anything. I know he’s older and all that, but he’s still the pudgy-faced five-year-old who would sit on my lap when he came over. I can’t see him as a grown up.

  “Just don’t leave him alone.”

  “They’re coming up to go swimming now.”

  “Ian.” I drop my hand. “What did we do in the pool last night because we had privacy?”

  Chris was at his friend’s house and Morgan was playing with the little kids. We had one of the spats that we’re infamous for, and went outside to finish it up. The fight wasn’t the only thing that finished, though. He said something rude and I pulled his move, shoving him into the pool. Only this time, he grabbed my waist, dragging me in with him.

  After a few more words of anger, he ended up shoving his tongue down my throat.

  Within minutes, I was up against the pool wall and he was reminding me what happens when we fight.

  Unbelievable make-up fucking.

  “Great!” Ian throws his hands up in the air and then points to Brina. “She’s never dating!”

  Here we go. He continues to stomp around the house and Morgan appears. “New house rule. None of you are dating anymore!”

  “What did I do?” Morgan asks.

  “You live,” I tell her.

  “You live and boys like girls. And boys convince girls to do things they shouldn’t do.”

  Morgan crosses her arms. “You’re off your meds again, aren’t you?”

  He turns, and for the first time, I see a bit of fear in her eyes. “No. Boys.”

  “Okay, fine.” Her hands go up in surrender. “No boys. Got it.”

  “That’s right, I’m in charge here,” Ian informs us.

  “I’m going back up to my room—where it’s safe.” Morgan retreats, her hands still in the air. Poor thing.

  “Nowhere is safe, sweetheart,” I tell her.

  Ruby comes around with her arms open to Ian. “You’re silly, Uncle Ian.”

  She is so attached to him, it’s beautiful to see. He pulls her up and kisses her forehead. “I’m silly, huh?”

  “Yes, because boys are funny. I’m going to be a princess and have a prince just like you.”

  “You think I’m a prince?”

  Oh, he’s a prince all right.

  “Yup.” Ruby squeezes him tight.

  “Well, you’re definitely a princess.”

  I smile watching them. She seems to calm him a little, and then he leans against the counter by me.

  My hip bumps his. “You know you’re really sweet when you’re not a raging lunatic.”

  He laughs. “You always know what to say to make me feel better.”

  “I love you, Ian. Even when you’re a little off your rocker.”

  “I love you, London. Even when you’re a colossal pain in my . . .”

  “Mouth!” I say before he gets it out.

  Ruby told the teacher to “kiss her ass” this week. That was a fun phone call, which my husband laughed hysterically over. After two nights of him being in the doghouse, he agreed to curb his language.

  “I know, I was going to say tushy,” he lies and then puts Ruby down.

  “Right.”

  “Well, I could’ve.”

  I laugh as Ruby runs back to start that damn movie over again.

  “But that wouldn’t make you—you,” I tell him, and then move over to place Brina in her swing.

  “And you love the me I am.”

  “For some crazy reason,” I say over my shoulder.

  I get her settled and walk back over to him. His arms wrap around my middle and I touch his cheek.

  His lips meet mine and I melt into him. We kiss and stay in this little cocoon for a few minutes. I love that he’s so openly affectionate with me. He and I haven’t talked about it, but he grew up in a house where his father loved his mother. They never hid it. I remember thinking how special it was, and how much I wished I had grown up that way. Sabrina always thought it was weird and gross, but because it wasn’t something I saw daily, I marveled at it.

  Now, showing our kids the same level of love is important to me.

  There’s no doubting we love each other beyond what I ever knew I was capable of. He’s the other half of my heart. Without him, I didn’t know I was missing anything. I thought I had a great life, but now, my life is exceptional.

&nbs
p; In his arms, I’m safe, loved, and respected.

  We’ll have ups and downs. There’ll be times when things will feel as though they’re falling apart, but we can weather those storms because we are meant for one another.

  He wipes the tears that trickle down my face. “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m just so happy.”

  “I am too. You make me this way.”

  I smile and drop my head to his chest. “Thank you,” I tell him.

  Ian hooks his finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him. “For?”

  “Fighting for me.”

  “I will always fight for you, London. Even when you pull away, I’ll hold you close, because this is where you belong—with me.”

  “Always?”

  He smiles. “Always.”

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Hold You Close. If you enjoyed this book, be sure to check out other books by Melanie & Corinne that are currently available!

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  Also by Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow

  Co-Written Novels

  Hold You Close

  UNTITLED (Coming Early 2019)

  * * *

  Books by Corinne Michaels

  The Salvation Series

  Beloved

  Beholden

  Consolation

  Conviction

  Defenseless

  Indefinite (Coming 2019)

  * * *

  Return to Me Series

  Say You’ll Stay