Revealing

by Calle J. Brookes

  Mick smiled at his sister as a rush of emotion for her hit him. “I was just thinking how much I love you. And how glad I am that Seth has nerves of steel. And wondering if he knows what he’s getting in to.”

  “She’s a struggle but I think I’m up to the challenge,” his future brother-in-law said.

  ***

  Paige listened to Mick teasing his sister and she smiled to herself. Baby Maddie was awake and fussing. She rocked her niece, totally in love with the warm little being she held. The baby looked like Carrie, but with black hair. She was going to be a very beautiful little girl.

  Her mother leaned her head on Paige’s shoulder. “Something you want to tell me?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Silly. You go outside with Al’s brother without a ring. You come back with a very nice one on. Think I wouldn’t notice?”

  “Should have known you would.”

  “Any particular reason you’re keeping it secret?”

  “He wanted to see who noticed. And we wanted to keep the attention on Al for today and tomorrow. It’s her special time. And this is all really new. I didn’t have a clue he was going to ask.”

  “I’m glad he did. I know you missed him while he was gone.”

  “How did you know that?” Carrie was one of the most perceptive people Paige knew at times. At least when it came to facts and observations. Underlying tones, maybe not. But then again—no one knew Paige better than Carrie did. “Was it that obvious?”

  “You changed after everything that happened a few weeks ago. But I saw something different when you spoke about him.” Carrie took her daughter back and discreetly started nursing her. Paige loved watching her sister with the baby. Carrie had taken to motherhood very naturally. Paige waited a few minutes, until the baby was finished before asking another question.

  “So…how long do you think it will take someone else to notice?”

  “We are surrounded by profilers.” Carrie smiled. “And that ring is pretty shiny. I don’t think it will take very long at all.”

  “I guess not. I think we need to get back up there.”

  “You think Luc would mind holding Maddie for me?”

  “I think it would terrify him. Let’s go find out.”

  Chapter 56

  Mick stood in line where his sister told him to. But he watched Paige when he got the chance. She and Carrie were next to Luc, and it was obvious the guy was freaked by holding such a tiny baby. Mick laughed softly. Poor Luc—Paige loved teasing him.

  Much like Al teased him and Mal.

  The bridesmaids and groomsmen lined up in the vestibule like good little soldiers under his sister’s demand. Mick held out his arm to Payton when he was supposed to. They trudged up the aisle and took their positions, immediately after Kelly and one of Seth’s old academy buddies. They were followed by Jules and Mal—who both waddled up the aisle to make Al laugh, Cody and Seth’s partner Bertram, and Carrie and Sebastian.

  Mick watched Paige walk up the aisle with Sin. And wished it was him. He needed to touch her again.

  “Too fast! You all need to slow down. And Donald and Daisy Duck need to cut out the waddling!” Al was getting exasperated. But they were all doing it to her on purpose, and everyone knew it. Except perhaps Al.

  Seth grabbed Mick’s sister and kissed her hard, amidst laughter and catcalls. “Calm down, Blondie. We’ll get this figured out. Then we can eat. I’m starving.”

  “Always about food.” But Al rested her head against his shoulder for a minute.

  Mick really hoped Paige was up for a very small wedding. And a quick one. He’d wasted too many years with her already. He wanted her next to him where she belonged. That would have to wait. At least a few more hours. They still had the rehearsal dinner to get through.

  He dutifully followed all of his sister’s instructions until she finally agreed that everything was as perfect as it was going to be. If Al hadn’t made that decision when she did, she probably would have had a mutiny on her hands.

  His bridesmaid laughed softly and Mick looked at her. “Something funny?”

  “You’re watching her.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You and Paige. I’m not blind. That rock is a bit noticeable.”

  “Think anyone else noticed?” Paige’s sister-in-law was surprisingly perceptive. But it surprised him that she was the first to notice. But…she knew both him and Paige well.

  “I don’t know. But I’m happy for both of you. She needs someone to love her the way she deserves. So do you. I’m glad I know you both.”

  Mick squeezed her shoulder. She was a good friend, and had been since she and Luc had been targeted by a crazy woman back in the spring. “Thank you. We’re waiting to say something after the wedding. Not to steal Al’s thunder.”

  “I don’t think anything could steal your sister’s thunder.”

  “Probably not.”

  They made the return trip down the aisle for the last time. Then it was finished.

  Thank God.

  And tomorrow he had to do it while wearing a monkey suit.

  He rode with Mal and Jules to the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was being held. He’d wanted to ride with Paige but she was pulled along with the Lorcans and Al.

  Of all places, his sister had rented the entire back room of Smokey’s pub. It had a family dining area, a relatively new addition that was suitable for his niece and the other kids. And for his future brother-in-law, who was sticking close to Luc and Payton. Poor kid had to be overwhelmed by everything that was going on around him.

  Paige was pulled up on the small stage along with Cody and the rest of her friends. They began singing goofy old love songs and dancing around like crazy. Finally Al was lifted onto the stage by her fiancé to join them.

  She took Paige’s hand and they boogied around on the stage. Mick watched, enjoying seeing those long long legs in action.

  “Glad you’re back. Everything go ok?” his brother asked from beside him.

  “Guilty verdict. It’s finished.”

  “Good. We missed you around here. Some of us more than others, I think.”

  Al stopped moving abruptly on the stage. She still held Paige’s hand. The others stopped moving as the music ended.

  Al’s voice carried over the room. “Why are you wearing an engagement ring?”

  Total silence. Mick tensed. He knew what was coming. And how awkward it would make Paige feel. “Because I gave it to her.”

  Everyone looked at him. He could see the shock on most of their faces. There were a few that seemed to already know—besides his mother and Payton.

  Al squealed. “I knew it!” She hugged Paige so hard Paige nearly fell over.

  Mick hopped up on the stage and extracted his fiancée from his sister’s arms. “Settle down, Al. It can’t be all that surprising.”

  He grabbed Paige’s hand and looked at the people staring at them. “Yes, we are getting married. No, we don’t know when yet. Now, it’s time to eat. Thank you all. And please keep your questions to yourself.”

  Everyone laughed. His sister hugged him. “Treat her right, or I’ll clobber you myself.”

  “I’ll do that. Now, give her over. I’m going to sneak her out back for a few minutes.”

  Chapter 57

  Paige felt the eyes on them as Mick led her off the stage and out the back door to the alley behind Smokey’s. He pulled her against his chest then leaned her back against the brick building. He kissed her.

  She let him.

  Finally when he pulled back she laughed. “I didn’t expect her to figure it out on stage.”

  “At least it was mostly family up there. Although…Payton already knew. Figured it out about an hour ago.”

  “So did Carrie. Funny that it would be those two.”

  “Yes it was. Kiss me again.”

  “I can do that. Then we have to get back in there.” She kissed him herself this time. Then she laid her head on his sh
oulder and just soaked in the knowledge that she had him back, right where he belonged. “We’ll need to find a place to live. Unless you want to stay with your brother and sister. And Jules, and Ruthie and the baby, and Simon will have to go with us, too.”

  “I’ll talk to Mal and Al. See if they want to buy me out. That will give us a down payment.”

  “I have some serious savings, too. We probably won’t even have to have a mortgage.”

  He pulled back to look at her. “Little details. We’ll work them out later.”

  “Yes, we will. Right now, I’m just glad you’re back.”

  “So am I, so am I. Back inside. Deal with tonight. Get through tomorrow. Then let’s take some time off. Make a few plans. Get things settled. I’m impatient. I’m not going to wait forever.”

  “That’s good to know. And by the way…Al asked me to spend the night at your house tonight…to help her get ready in the morning. Just thought you’d like to know…”

  “Tuck her in early. My room is the second one on the right…but damn it. Ruthie is right next door.”

  “Oh, I know exactly where you’ll be.” Paige laughed after she said it. “And Ruthie is going home with your parents.”

  “Then five minutes after you tuck my sister in, I expect you in my room—where you belong.”

  “Sounds reasonable.”

  “Good.”

  **

  Paige thought Al was never going to settle down. Her friend was bouncing all over her bedroom, and driving Paige and Jules crazy.

  “I’m getting married tomorrow.” Al kept saying it over and over, until Paige wanted to clobber her.

  “Yes! You are marrying the guy that you love!” Jules tossed the pillow at her. “Now hush about it. I want to talk to Paige.”

  “Oh me, too.”

  Then they were looking at her. Paige settled on to the daybed that had been Al’s as a child. “What?”

  “Let me see the ring.” Jules held out her hand.

  Paige complied. Al sighed and hugged her. “That was my grandmother’s. Mick was always her favorite.”

  “Why?” Paige asked. She’d seen pictures of him as a boy—they were all over the Brockman parents’ home.

  “Mick had some learning difficulties as a kid. And some speech delays. It made things kind of hard for him. Especially being so close in age to Mal in age. Everything came easily to Mal. Not so much to Mick. Grandma tended to coddle him a bit for it.”

  “So…you and Mick. Why didn’t anyone see?”

  “It happened quickly.”

  Both nodded. Jules laughed. “I think we can say that tends to run in the Brockman family, for some reason.”

  “Hey, we know what we want when we want it. Can’t fault us for expediency.”

  “You can put it that way. Paige, are you sure this is what you want to do?”

  She and Jules had been friends for a long while—and had nearly died together. There was a bond there that Paige couldn’t quite classify. But she knew what Jules was asking. They’d spoken before about life and risks, and doing what felt right. “I love him.”

  “It’s easy to do. Under that crunchy, cranky exterior is a very soft heart.”

  “I know. And…”

  “You love him. Even when he drives you crazy. Believe me, I know. Now, Al…I know you’re all keyed up and excited, but to bed. You have a big, life-altering day tomorrow. You don’t want bags under your eyes. And I have a feeling my husband is wanting his wife…and your brother is probably wanting his fiancée. So…to bed! With us all. Paige, try to keep it down, ok? Mal is feeling a bit unloved lately since the doctor said no physical affection for a few weeks. Would hate to make him jealous of Mick tonight.”

  Paige laughed, even though her cheeks heated. Al hopped on the bed and buried her head.

  “I did not hear that. I did not hear that. I do not want to think of either of my brothers doing that. I will not think about it. I will not think about it.” She pulled her head back. “Alright, you two. Out of here. And…I love you. Both of you.”

  “And we love you, too.”

  Paige followed Jules out of the room. The older woman looked back at her. “I’m meeting my husband in the kitchen for milk and cookies. I think Mick is already in his room. I’ll keep Mal downstairs for a while. Just so you know.”

  Paige hugged her. Jules hugged her right back. “I’m scared.”

  “I know. You will be for a while. But you won’t regret it. These Brockman men are pretty damned special.”

  “Yes they are.” She looked down the hallway, where his light was visible under the door. “I just wonder why I didn’t see it before.”

  “Because the time wasn’t right; you weren’t meant to before. Good luck…” Jules smiled. “Little sister. Go. Your man is waiting.”

  And he most definitely was.

  Epilogue

  It was a beautiful ceremony, and the bride look magnificent.

  Of course, Paige chose to wear a white pantsuit but Mick didn’t mind. She’d insisted on bucking that tradition, saying the frilly princess look wasn’t for her. He knew she’d even struggled with the white. She’d finally decided it was festive and not traditional virgin sacrifice.

  He’d not cared, as long as it was him she was saying I do to. Now he had to get through the reception, then he and his wife were headed to the Caribbean for two weeks. Paige had never been out of the country, and he wanted to give her that experience. Wanted to enjoy it beside her—even if they didn’t leave the hotel that first week.

  When they returned to St. Louis they would be moving in to their own home, finally. They’d spent the last two months house hunting, wedding planning, officially taking guardianship of Simon, and still working their asses off at PAVAD. It had been a busy two months, but all their work was about to culminate. They’d been fortunate enough to find a house in the same neighborhood as Mal, Jules, Ruthie, and baby Auggie. It was a foreclosure and would need a little work, but Mick had always enjoyed working with his hands. And Paige was ready to help him.

  And Simon. Mick would start teaching the kid the basics—and planned to begin with Simon’s intended room. It needed painted and new carpet, but that was an easy fix. The teenager was settling in, but Mick knew there would be some difficulties for all of them to adjust. Luc had offered to take Simon for a while, but Mick felt it was best to go forward as they meant to live. Simon was part and package with Paige. That meant he was Mick’s, too. He’d spent most of the past two months camped out on Paige’s sofa, which had been far from ideal.

  But…his young brother-in-law was staying with Luc for the next two weeks, and was settling in nicely at his new school. He was in the same grade—thanks to grade skipping—as Ed Dennis’s twin stepsons, so he already had friends.

  Ed had pulled Mick aside the day of Al’s wedding and offered him Henry’s position as head of I.A. for the PAVAD directorate. Henry had taken the resignation offer quietly. It was a big upgrade in pay, and it would allow him better hours. Paige would still be working an odd schedule, but with one of them home every night it made things easier getting Simon settled.

  But for the next two weeks Mick wasn’t going to think about houses, or cases, or teenage boys.

  He was going to focus on the woman standing next to him as they were about to dance their first dance together as husband and wife.

  Mick smiled at her and took her hand.

  He pulled her against him as the music started. Mick laughed when the first lines blasted out above the small crowd…

  Mick had to agree. You couldn’t hurry love.

  But when you found it, you had to be smart enough to grab onto it with both hands and hold on tight.

  And that was exactly what he meant to do.

  Starting right now.

 

 

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