A Merry Vested Wedding

by Melanie Moreland

  She left in traditional Heather style, a whirlwind of fabric and her signature lilac scent.

  Gracie and I exchanged glances. “Well.” I smirked. “This is gonna be interesting.”

  She grabbed my hand. “You can’t say anything, Addi. It was a mistake, and it will be corrected. It’s private.” Her eyes widened. “My dad cannot find out. He’ll go berserk.”

  “I won’t say anything, but I want the whole story.”

  “I’ll tell you,” she promised. “Just let me get through this mess first. I need to go and uninvite Mr. Richards.”

  I couldn’t help it. “Gracie?”

  “What?”

  “If you stayed married to him and hyphenated your name, maybe you could use Grace Richards-VanRyan. Sort of a twist, you know? Your dad might actually like that.” I tried to hold in my laughter, but a chuckle escaped my lips.

  For a moment, her lips quirked, then she frowned. “Addi, that was uncalled-for. I think you’re channeling your inner Aiden.” She yanked open the door. “And this marriage is history. It never happened,” she hissed quietly.

  Still chuckling, I followed her slowly, thinking about Jaxson’s remark and the determined look on his face.

  I had a feeling Mr. Richards might not agree.

  Brayden

  Gracie rushed past me, heading toward the table where her mother sat with the guy she’d brought as her plus-one. Jason? Justin? I couldn’t remember. He seemed pretty intense, but I had other things on my mind right now.

  Specifically, finding my bride.

  She appeared ahead of me, and I strode toward her. “I’ve been looking for you, Mrs. Riley.”

  She grinned. “Are you ever going to get tired of calling me that?”

  I bent and kissed her. “I have waited a long time to be able to call you that, so nope. I will never tire of it. Pops and Nan are leaving, and I think I’ve partied enough.”

  She grimaced. “I won’t argue there. My feet are aching from all the dancing. And I’m hungry.”

  “If you’d eat something, you wouldn’t be so hungry. You’ve only picked all night.”

  “I can barely breathe in this corset thing, let alone eat,” she admitted. “I want out of it.”

  “That’s a plan I can get behind. Go say good night to Pops and Nan. I’ll get you a snack.”

  She rose up and kissed me, her lips warm and soft. “Thank you.”

  “Anytime.”

  She floated away, her skirts billowing around her. I headed to the kitchen and ten minutes later found her still talking to Nan. Pops stood to the side, Nan’s coat draped over his arm as he listened to their conversation, a bemused smile on his face.

  Sandy looked incredible. Her pure-white hair was swept up and away from her face, the vivid blue of her dress lovely with her coloring. She had lots of laugh lines around her eyes and mouth but refused to worry about them. “I’ve earned them,” she liked to say.

  Still, her eyes were bright and her smile wide. She walked with a slight limp since her hip replacement, but she was active and energetic. Aiden made sure of that. Jordan was tall and strong, always close in case she needed him. They were a great couple and the best grandparents around. We were all lucky to have them as part of our lives.

  Nan saw me approach and beamed. “There he is. You ready to take your bride away from all this?”

  I kissed her cheek. “Her feet hurt and she’s hungry.” I indicated the basket I was holding. “I had the kitchen pack up some tidbits for us.”

  “Already a good husband.” She patted my cheek. “Just like your father.”

  My dad doted on my mother. She was devoted to him as well. It was a good example to try to follow.

  I glanced around, noting Gracie in a serious conversation with her plus-one. He was listening to her, leaning on a pillar, sipping a brandy with a small smirk on his face. She looked pretty hot and bothered, but he seemed at ease and not at all put out by her gestures or the words she was flinging at him. Cami, Emmy, Mom, Katy, Liv, Fee, and Becca were at a table together, watching them. Heather was dancing with Reed, the two of them wrapped around each other as per usual.

  “Where are the guys?”

  Jordan snorted as he slipped Sandy’s coat over her shoulders. “On the balcony with a bottle of scotch. I think Bentley is wallowing, and his boys are with him for moral support.”

  Addi’s gaze drifted to the glass doors. “Daddy,” she murmured, looking sad.

  Sandy chuckled. “He’s fine. Let him have his pout with his band of misfits. It’ll be their turn soon enough.” She indicated Grace and Heather. “I think Richard needs to prepare himself.”

  “I think he’s accepted Reed. He likes him.”

  “It took a while, though.”

  “True.” Richard had thought Reed and Heather were only friends. Until the time he flew in unexpectedly and caught them kissing in the office. That had been an interesting day.

  Reed and Heather were still a fairly new item. When she arrived in Toronto, he had been friendly and offered to show her around. None of us thought anything about it, until they started arriving at the office together, holding hands. I knew Bentley had spoken to them, reminding them of the policies in the office.

  “You break up? You keep it between you. I have zero problem getting rid of trouble. You understand?”

  They only seemed to grow closer. They kept their PDA behind closed doors for the most part. Although their teasing and quips often made me chuckle during meetings.

  I was talking to my dad in the hall when a familiar voice rang out.

  “Mad Dog!”

  We turned to see Richard striding down the hall.

  He and my dad shook hands and gave each other a one-armed hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “Heather sounded strange on the phone. I was a bit worried, so I decided to come see for myself what was going on.”

  My dad and I exchanged a glance. I hadn’t noticed anything off with Heather. “She seems fine to me,” I offered. “But I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to see you. She’s in her office,” I added.

  “I’ll go surprise her.”

  He disappeared around the corner, and I heard a knock, then silence, followed by another knock. Heather only ever closed her door if she needed privacy.

  I frowned and looked at my dad, panicked. “If Heather’s door is closed…” I let my voice trail off. “Does he know about Reed?”

  “What the hell?” Richard bellowed.

  “I think he does now.” My dad smirked.

  We raced around the corner. Richard was standing in front of Heather’s desk. Reed and Heather were behind it, both looking rumpled. Heather’s mouth was swollen, and Reed’s hair was messy, as if someone’s fingers had been in it. Namely, Heather’s.

  “You had better tell me that Heather was choking and you were providing assistance,” Richard snarled.

  “Daddy,” Heather protested. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Don’t you ‘Daddy’ me,” Richard demanded. “What is going on?”

  Reed straightened his shoulders. “I was kissing Heather.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “My girlfriend.”

  Richard inhaled sharply. “Your girlfriend?”

  Heather slid her hand over Reed’s. “His girlfriend,” she repeated.

  Richard looked at my dad. “Did you know?”

  “Recently, yes. I thought she had told you.” My dad pulled on my arm. “We’ll leave you to, ah, talk.” He paused. “And Richard?”

  “What?”

  “No blood. We don’t allow blood during business hours.”

  “I can’t promise anything.”

  “Dad! Stop overreacting!”

  “I’ll decide when I’m overreacting, young lady.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Give me strength. I’m calling Mom.”

  “She’ll be on my side on this one.”

  Heather picked up the phone. “We’ll see.”

  My dad and I backed out of
the office, pulling the door shut.

  “Is that a good idea?”

  He grinned. “If you survived Bentley, Reed can handle Richard. He’s been working out with Aiden and Van. He can take him.”

  “You’re really not worried?”

  “I have no doubt Heather will calm him down. Especially if Katy is involved.” He clapped my shoulder. “I am getting too old for this shit.”

  Richard had calmed down eventually. He had always liked Reed, so that helped. His trips to visit happened more frequently for a while, though.

  Nan’s throat-clearing brought me back to the present. “And Jaxson?” she asked, her eyebrow raised.

  “Ah, that’s just Gracie’s boss,” Addi replied, looking uncomfortable. “He helped her get here today.”

  Sandy leaned forward and kissed her. “And Richard was Katy’s boss. History has a way of repeating itself.”

  They left, and I slid my arm around Addi. “Ready?”

  “I think so.”

  Bentley suddenly appeared in front of us. He smelled of cigar smoke and scotch, and his normally shrewd gaze was cloudy. He cupped Addi’s cheek. “Be happy, baby girl. Don’t forget me.”

  She struggled to hold back her grin. “I’ll see you in two days, Dad.”

  “I know. Cut me a little slack, okay? I love you.”

  “I love you too. Now go back to the balcony and finish your cigar. No more scotch.”

  He chuckled and reached out for my hand, shaking it wildly. “Welcome to the family, Brayden. I’m happy you’re my son-in-law.”

  “Thanks, Bent.”

  “Hurt her, and I will dissect you into such small pieces, they’ll never find you.”

  I blinked. “Good to know.”

  Then he grinned. “Nah. Kidding.”

  He walked away, calling over his shoulder. “Aiden will, though.”

  He stopped by the table and bent to kiss Emmy. She said something to him, and he waved his hand. He headed back to the balcony, and all the women at the table burst into laughter.

  I chuckled. “I think your dad is a bit drunk. I’ve never seen him drunk.”

  “It’s been a hard day for him.”

  I bent close and kissed her. “You okay?”

  She sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder. “Yeah, but I can’t take much more emotion tonight. Can we slip out, or is that rude?”

  I looked over to the mothers’ table and indicated the door with my chin. Emmy and my mom nodded and waved, both still looking amused.

  I kissed Addi’s head. “We’re covered. The car is out front. Let’s go.”

  She picked up her purse and the cardigan. “I’m with you.”

  “I can walk!” Addi protested as I slipped her from the car and into my arms.

  “Nope. I’m carrying you over the threshold. It’s tradition.”

  “Oh.” She relaxed in my arms. “Okay, then.”

  I chuckled, dropping a kiss to her head. “Besides, you fell asleep before we even left the parking lot. You’re exhausted, my little elf.”

  Inside, I set her on the sofa. “Stay.” I waggled my finger.

  She rolled her eyes dramatically. “So it begins.”

  Laughing, I returned to the car and grabbed the basket, returning to the warmth of the house. I set down the basket and held out my hand. “Let’s get you out of that dress so you can eat.”

  She sighed. “I imagined you peeling it off me in the bedroom and ravishing me right after.”

  “How about I peel it off you, kiss every inch I uncover, then we can eat and relax.” I smiled at her indulgently. “We have the rest of the night for me to ravish you.” I chuckled at her trying to cover up her yawn, and I held out my hand. “Come with me.”

  In our bedroom, she gasped. I’d had it filled with flowers and candles while we were gone, wanting it romantic for her. There was a bottle of champagne chilling and a single rose on her pillow.

  “Bray.” She turned to me, her hands clasped. “It’s so beautiful.”

  I bent and kissed her, pulling her close. Our lips moved effortlessly, soft and sweet. I pulled back, spinning her, and got to work on the buttons that had mocked me all day. One by one, I slid them open, tracing her spine with my lips. The small zipper at the bottom slid down easily, and in an instant, the dress was a pile of froth and glitter on the floor. I traced the indents of the stays that remained on her sides, hating the fact that they had marred her skin and amazed she had walked around all day smiling while they had pinched at her flesh.

  She turned with a smile. “They don’t hurt.” I held out my hand, and she stepped from the material. I bent down, unbuckling the strappy shoes and sliding them off her feet. I kissed each instep, rubbing them. I looked up at her.

  “You were so beautiful today for me, Addi. Breathtaking.”

  Color flushed her cheeks. I slid my hands up her calves, the silky skin smooth under my fingers. I stood slowly, letting my fingers trail over her body as I drew to my full height. “But I think you are the most beautiful when you’re just Addi. Alone with me, without the corset or the makeup. I see the real you. The most beautiful woman in the world because you are that way inside and out.”

  Tears filled her eyes. I cupped her cheeks. “I’m the luckiest man in the world because I have you. Now I want you to wash your face, put on one of my shirts, and come to the living room. I want to sit by the fire and feed you. Hold you. That’s all I want right now. Let me do that.”

  She covered my wrists with her fingers, squeezing them. “How did I get so lucky?”

  I nudged her nose with mine. “I guess we both did.”

  Then I winked at her. “Now go, before my dick overrides my head and I ravish you first. My god, you are sexy.” I traced the wisp of lace at her hips. “Keep these on. I want to take them off—with my teeth.”

  She sashayed away, winking at me over her shoulder.

  “Whatever you want, Mr. Riley. I’m all yours.”

  It was all I could do not to follow her.

  “Married?” I gasped. “Gracie is married? To that guy? Jerome?”

  She giggled around a mouthful of a sandwich. The kitchen had packed up a veritable feast. We had sandwiches, cheeses, assorted pickles, and condiments from the midnight buffet. Plus cake and cookies. I had refused their offer of the filet of beef and other items, asking them to donate it all to a shelter as we had requested. What they gave us barely made a dent in the leftover food, and I was happy to know the rest would help feed those in need. I had filled a plate for us to share, and we had both tucked in.

  “Jaxson,” she corrected.

  “Whatever. Gracie is married? Holy shit, Richard is going to blow a gasket.”

  “She doesn’t want him to know. She says it was a mistake and it will be handled.”

  I snorted as I reached for another sandwich. I had hardly eaten earlier either, and now I was starving. “Katy invited him for Christmas. You know it’s going to come out.”

  “I’m the only one who knows. Well, and you now. You can’t say anything.”

  I shook my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe, of all of us, Gracie would be the one to get drunk and marry someone in Vegas. Her intense, I-could-kill-you-with-my-bare-hands-looking boss, of all people. And she expects it to remain a secret. The way he was looking at her? Good luck with that.”

  “I think she was going to tell him he couldn’t come.”

  I sat back and pursed my lips. “I don’t think he is gonna listen. This is going to be one for the records.”

  Addi worried her lip. “This is so unlike her.”

  “No shit. It’s something one of the triplets would do. Maybe even Shelby. But Gracie?” I let my head fall back. “Do you think she’s in love with him?”

  “All she has ever said was he was hard to work for. I never even knew his name until today.” Addi shrugged. “He is handsome, though. Sexy with that smolder.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I beg your pardon? He’s what?”


  She laughed. “Not as handsome as you, of course. He’s way too dark and broody for me. For Gracie too, I would have thought. But who knows?”

  I huffed.

  Addi picked up a slice of cake and nibbled it. She licked her lips, staring into the fire. I loved the way she looked right now. Dressed in one of my hoodies, her legs bare. Her face scrubbed clean of makeup and her hair down around her shoulders. I had changed as well, wearing only a pair of sweatpants and a loose Henley. Comfort was the key. Sitting across from each other on the blanket I had spread out, eating an indoor picnic, sipping champagne, and talking was exactly what we needed to do. Reliving the day and, of course, the bombshell Addi had dropped. It made no sense to me. Gracie—married. She was the most sensible of us all. Level-headed. She thought everything through. An impulsive marriage to a brooding, older man? Her boss, no less? I really wanted to hear that story.

  But as I studied my wife, I wanted something else more.

  Reaching across the blanket, I tugged her over, settling her between my legs. She leaned back into my chest with a soft sigh, drawing her legs up to her chest. I wrapped my arms around her, content to feel her close for the time being.

  “For the next two days, you’re mine, Addi. I’m locking the cell phones and laptops away. No one is coming near the house. I’m not sharing you until Christmas Day.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “I got a little tree we can put up tomorrow if you want. I even bought some decorations.”

  “I love that!”

  “I figured there was no point in a big one since the Hub has the family tree. But I wanted you to have a little one this year. We’ll pick a bigger one next year and put it up earlier.”

  Addi loved Christmas. We all did. The tradition had been the same since I was a small child. Each family had their own Christmas morning, then at lunch, we gathered together at the Hub. We exchanged gifts, went sledding or ice-skating, played outside. Ate cookies and drank hot cocoa. Everyone, right down to the youngest, pitched in for dinner. The women mostly handled the cooking, and the men the cleanup, although I recalled my dad often in the kitchen.