I’M NOT SURE WHAT I expected to happen when I got to Axel and Izzy’s house. I was prepared for anything. I think one part of me expected Axel to jump my ass the second I stepped foot on his property.
However, what I am met with almost brings me to my knees. My mom opens their door with tears streaming down her smiling face, and without a word, she hands me my son. I watch her walk away, her light-blue dress flowing behind her, before I look down at my wiggling boy.
Owen is dressed similarly to me, a little tux looking as out of place on my little baby’s body as I feel like it does on mine.
“Hey, little man,” I say softly and notice the piece of paper sticking out of his mini jacket. “What do you have for Daddy, baby boy?”
He looks me in the eye, his mouth puckering up with the cutest little pout. He’s content to be held in his father’s arms. He’s filled out so much in the last two months that he’s started to get the most adorable chubby cheeks.
God, my son is perfect.
Carefully, I adjust Owen in my arms and unfold the paper I pulled from his little jacket.
I smile when I read the words and feel my heart beat wildly in my chest. With my son in my arms and a smile on my face, I take off in the direction my mom went—through their large living room, then through their kitchen, and out on the back deck. I still don’t see anyone, so I keep walking until Owen and I are standing against the railing, looking down at every family member and friend we love.
My dad is standing with my mom, my sisters and brothers at his side, all of them beaming. Axel is next to him with Izzy between his arms and Nate at his side. Again, not one of them is missing a huge grin. I follow the lines of Maddox’s family, Beck’s, Cooper’s, and Sway’s. I see Megan and Molly and Chance before my eyes follow the white flower trail that leads me to the end of the dock.
Where I see a vision in white that has my eyes stinging. There, waiting with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes, is my Dani-girl.
“Let’s go get the girl, son.” I whisper to Owen.
I walk down the stairs that bring me to the backyard and walk through the lines of our loved ones until I reach our parents. I look to my left and smile at my parents and siblings, handing Owen to Lyn when her arms come up.
“I love you, son.” My dad says gruffly.
“We’re so happy for you and Dani,” Mom says. “I love you, handsome boy.”
I give them each a kiss before facing Dani’s parents.
Her mom wraps her arms around me, giving my cheek a quick kiss. Her eyes are wet and shining with happiness. I give Nate a slap on the back and laugh when he puckers up. Then I look at Axel.
I am prepared for battle, but when I see his eyes—bright with happiness and not anger—I am momentarily struck dumb.
“You didn’t think I would be able to do it, did you?” he asks me.
“Not for a second,” I laugh.
“If you make her cry one tear that isn’t out of happiness, I’ll cut your balls off,” he warns.
“Noted.”
“I’m proud of you, Cohen. Of the man you’ve grown to be and for the love you have for my girl. I mean it when I say that I couldn’t have picked a better man for her myself.”
“Thank you for that,” I tell him honestly. No matter what I said in the past, having his blessing was something I desired when it came to Dani becoming my wife. “She’s my life,” I remind him.
“I know the feeling,” he says and looks down the dock. “Go on and stop keeping my daughter waiting.”
I nod, taking a few measured breaths before I turn and let my eyes take her in.
She’s wearing a simple, long, and flowing, white dress. It fits tight to her body while still rippling in the slight breeze around us. Her shoulders are bare, and with her hair swept away from her face, she looks so angelic with the sun setting behind her and casting a soft glow around her body.
I take the last remaining steps that take me to where she is standing with the man I assume is the minister.
“Surprised?” she asks.
“Yeah, baby.”
“Are you ready to be my husband?”
I smile. “I was born ready, my Dani-girl.”
And with the sun setting around us, our family surrounding us, I marry my unexpected fate.