All In: Betting on a Full House (Gambling With Love) (16 page)

"What? You can't be serious. It just happened like literally five minutes ago. Who posted a picture?"

"Oh, well I was wondering why you hadn't called. Hold on a second and I'll send you the link."

A second later my phone dinged and I pulled it away from my ear to check it.

"Oh my God," I mumbled, then showed the picture to Tyler. The headline was "Police officer proposes and sweeps pregnant girlfriend off her feet."

"Oh fuck. My superior officers are going to lose their shit with this sort of publicity."

The picture was actually beautiful. You could see the love between us like it was a tangible thing. With me in my white and blue dress, looking like a young, crazy in love bride, against him in all his gorgeousness in the dark blue police uniform, it was sweet. Tyler looked like every woman's fantasy - romantic and so damn hot. With a green and floral, manicured landscape behind us, and the morning sun shining down on us, making Tyler's blonde hair look like a halo, the picture was breathtaking. I was glad to have one of the best moments of my life frozen in time so I could always remember it, and never doubt that he loved me. I just didn't know how I felt about everyone else seeing our moment.         

"It's a great picture," Tyler said. "You look beautiful and happy."

"I am happy," I told him, leaning over to kiss him. Eventually I heard Lauren's tiny voice hollering through the phone. "Oh shit. Sorry, Lauren," I told her, putting the phone back up to my ear. "So what are you and Caleb doing this weekend?"

"Nothing, and we have to celebrate!"

"Yeah, we do. You want to celebrate with us in Vegas?"

Tyler's phone started ringing and more squeals sounded in my ear. "Oh my God! You're getting married? This weekend? Oh my God. I've got to call Caleb!"

Then she hung up on me. 

"Fuck me. Here we go," Tyler said when he read the screen. "Sergeant? Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Um, this weekend. Yeah, I am. I'll be in within a half hour, we had a doctor's appointment. Okay, thank you, sir."

He looked stunned when he hung up. "How bad is it?" I asked.

He shook his head. "It's okay. They're happy. Something about good publicity. The department's going to release my name to the media so they'll put it together with the shooting that's coming up for trial. He's right, I am a lucky man." Before he could lean over to kiss me my phone rang again, and it was Joe, my boss.

"You better take me on to work or we'll never get anywhere," I told him, then put my seatbelt on and answered the ringing phone.

"Joe?"

"Jess! Congrats, although you just killed my damn trial. You and apparently every other woman in the city are in love with Evans. I'm really happy for you though."

"Thanks, and I'm on my way."

"Oh, take your time. We'll talk more later."

"Thanks, Joe."

"News travels fast, huh?" Tyler asked with a smile, then reached over to grab my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles. "I've got to put something here, or the media's going to call me a cheap bastard."

"What?" I asked. "Oh, a ring?"

"Yes, a ring. Who proposes without a damn ring?"

"It was heartfelt, and not some rehearsed speech. That's why it was so sweet and romantic."

"Do you have a preference? Don’t women like decide on their dream ring when they're teenagers, or something?"

I laughed. "No, well at least I never did. Honestly, I wasn't sure I'd ever get married, or have what I have with you."

"That's a shame, baby. Let's go pick one out, then I'll take you to work."

"I don't need a ring, Tyler."

"It's not just for you. It's to show everyone else that you're mine, and we've made a promise to each other."

"Or I could get a tattoo across my head that says, 'Taken,'" I joked.

"Or that," he agreed with a sigh.

I caved. "Fine, if it's that important to you, then you can buy me a ring," 

Thirty minutes later I was sitting at work, trying to concentrate. It was hard to do with the perfect cut and clarity, round diamond ring sitting on my finger. Oh and hard to get past all the pictures from the internet that'd been taped to my computer, chair, and everywhere else in my office like wallpaper. The fact that I was pregnant or we hadn't been dating but a few weeks no longer bothered me. And why should it? I was getting married to a man I was head over heels in love with, and knew he felt the same way.

Tyler

When I clocked out and came out of the station at six p.m., media vans were lined up and down the sidewalk in front of city plaza. Jesus, these people were like vultures sweeping in. I didn't get what the big deal was, and didn't have time for them. I had a fiancée to get home to. But our department's PR people said I needed to drag the good publicity out as long as possible. Influence the jury pool, or whatever. Since I wanted a guilty verdict for the son of a bitch that shot me, and so I could keep my job, I'd suck it up and do my part.

It wasn't all new to me. I'd had my fair share of experience with the media after the shooting, and then when I came back to work.

"Officer Evans, are you heading home to see your fiancée?" one of the women with a mic asked.

"Of course," I told her with a smile.

"Did you plan to propose this morning or was it spontaneous?" This question from another reporter.

"I didn't plan it, but in that moment I knew she was the only one I'd ever want, and couldn't wait any longer to ask her."

"You were standing outside of an obstetrician's office. Are the rumors true, is your fiancée pregnant?"

"Yes, we've known for a while that we're having twins, but that's not why I asked her to marry me." 

"Twins?" about four different reporters muttered.

"Twins, but we don't know the genders yet." I figured what the hell, and pulled out my phone to show them the ultrasound picture.

Oohs and awws erupted.

"So when's the big day?" Someone asked. I debated whether or not I should tell them, but it wasn't like they were going to show up.

"This weekend. We're heading to Vegas," I told them, unable to hold back the huge grin on my face. Cue a shit ton more questions, but I was done.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a beautiful fiancée to get home to."

"She's a lucky woman," one of the female reporters said.

"No, I'm a lucky man to have such an amazing woman agree to marry me." 

I navigated through the crowd and headed to my cruiser, pulling out my phone. My mom had called and left a voicemail, and I had texts from Caleb, Lauren, Will, and a few of my fellow officers, giving me shit I'm sure. I scrolled through ignoring them all. There was only one person's messages I was looking for.

Hers today had been: 

"Can't wait to see you tonight."

"Definitely getting Jonathan headphones before I go home."

"Grab dinner on the way home so we can head straight to bed."

And my favorite:   

"Did this morning really happen or was it all a wonderful dream? Oh never mind, just saw us making out on TV again, and there's a ring on my finger, so now I know it definitely happened."
 

I went by my apartment to get my clothes for work, then headed to Jess's. When she opened the door, I launched myself at her, kissing her as I carried her to her bedroom, shut the door, and laid down with her.

Once we'd gotten
that
out of our systems, I finally said hello to her.

"Hey," she replied with a satisfied grin. "I saw you on TV a little while ago."

"Shit. I'm sorry about all that. The higher ups said I need to drag it out, and get all the good publicity we can. Let people see me as a good guy in love, and not a crazy, trigger happy cop."

"It was sweet. You looked good. Have you read the comments on the articles?"

"Ah, no. Why?"

"Well apparently the women in this city are all in love with you, and hoping we don't get married."

"Fuck them. I'm marrying you. In four days."

"Are you sure we're not crazy?"

"No. You haven't changed your mind have you?"

"No."

"Good. Now, I better call my mom before she blows my phone up. I've got four missed calls in the last hour," I told her, after I pulled my phone from my discarded pants on the floor.

"She's excited. It's sweet."

"I know. Hey, mom," I said when she answered.

"About time! Did you know the picture and video of you proposing is all over the internet and news?"

"You’ve seen it up there?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes, it's everywhere. My friend in California has seen it. You two have stolen everyone's hearts."

"I don't know about that. People are just nosy and want to know everyone's business."

"Well, I think it's a beautiful picture. But anyway. So, I hope you don't mind. Your dad and I have booked a flight for Friday afternoon out of PTI. Is ten tickets enough?"

"You bought ten plane tickets?" I asked, and Jess's jaw dropped.

"Should we have bought more?"

"No mom, you bought too many. You didn't have to do that."

"Tyler, you're getting married. We want to do this for you."

"Thank you, and Dad. This is great, and will save us a lot of time and money."

"Um ..." she started, then hesitated.                               

"Spill it mom."

"Well, we also booked five rooms in a hotel, with the honeymoon suite for you two."

I laughed. "You don't do anything halfway do you woman?"

"Oh hush. We can't wait. I assumed Jonathan and Nathan will come of course, along with Lauren and Caleb, and Dylan and Will. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's great. That's everyone we'd planned to invite. I'll call them and tell them not to buy any tickets."

"Great! Oh and I got all return tickets for Sunday except for you and Jess. You've got roundtrips for whenever you decide to come back. I thought you might want to spend a few extra days there if you can both get off work."

"That's awesome. Thanks mom. Love you guys, and we'll talk again before Friday."

"Okay. I'm so happy for you sweetie! I knew this weekend that she was the one for you, and not because of the babies."

"Yeah she is," I told her. "Love you, Mom."

"Love you Ty," she said, ending the call.

Jess had been watching quietly from her pillow, and since I didn't have it on speaker she'd only heard half.

"So I take it plane tickets are taken care of?" she asked with a smile.

"Yep, and hotel rooms."

"Oh wow! That's too much. They don't have to do that for everyone."

"That ship has sailed, and we'll all just have to hop on, baby."

"I'll call Lauren and Nathan's mom, if you want to call Will and Dylan?" she asked.            

"Okay."

She frowned and I knew what she was thinking. "Are you sure you're okay with them?"

"Yeah. I am. I was pissed when I first found out about you and Dylan, but I hadn't been treating you the way I should have then. And now I know you only want me, not either of them, or anyone else."

"Damn right. Now let's make some wedding plans," she said with a quick kiss.

…

Jess 
          

"Hey, Lauren. So I hope you haven't already bought plane tickets."

"What? Why not? Is the wedding off? I'll kill that bastard-"

I laughed at her quick assumption and defensiveness. "No, I meant Tyler's parents bought them already."

"Oh. Shit. Don't freak me out like that. I'm living vicariously through you and it has to be perfect for your sake and mine."

"Oh, so you want to get drunk, get knocked up, and then decide you love the man that did the knocking up and marry him? Damn Lauren, I think you might be blind."

"I know what you think, but you guys love each other and are making it official. I want that, and I want babies too."

"Wow, I guess I've never thought of it that way."

"Yeah, you've got it made. So, what's the plan?"

"We're flying out of PTI Friday afternoon."

"Okay, where are ya'll staying so we can try and get rooms there?"

"That's taken care of too"

"What? You're kidding? Tyler's parents are awesome."

"Yeah, they are."

"So when are you going to go dress shopping?"

"Oh shit! I guess I need to do that. Tomorrow? Will you meet me there after work?"

"Fuck yes. Try and keep me away," she said and I laughed.

"It
is
the duty of the maid of honor."

"Really? You want me … to be your …" she sobbed.

"Are you crying?"

"No. Maybe. I'm so happy for you."

"Well, Tyler and I do have you to thank for us getting together. It was you that asked me to dance naked for your men, and you that gave me permission to go down on one of your boyfriends."

"Please don't tell anyone that story. Let's just make a new story up. You met when you came over to the house and it was love at first sight."

"Okay. And we conceived our twins on our wedding night," I laughed.

"Of course. That's the story we'll go with."

"Except for the fact that half the country knows I'm knocked up and he just proposed today."

"I have seen that picture and video like forty times, but I never get tired of it. Every woman wants to be you, and every man wants to be Tyler."

I laughed. "I don't know about all that."

"It's true. Men think you are hot, and some of the comments are x-rated about how they'd knock you up too, and way too many specific details of how they'd go about it."

"Oh my God."

"Yeah, and women are hoping you call off the wedding."

"I know! They are vicious."

"They're just jealous and want what you've got. Hell, I want what you've got."

"You-you do?"

"Oh God, not like that. I swear I love Caleb and only want him. I just want him to want to marry me."

I let out the breath I'd been holding. "Okay, that's good to know, and I’m sure Caleb will come around soon to the idea.

“I sure hope so,” she said with a sigh.

“Well, I better go. I've got to call and convince a fifteen year old boy's mom to let her son go with his friend to his knocked up, former stripper sister's wedding in Vegas."

"Ha! Good luck!"

"Thanks. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Five-thirty at David's Bridal?"

"Hell yes," I told her.

…

Tyler

"Tyler?" Will answered after a few rings.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Ha, you tell me. You're getting
married
? How the fuck did that happen in what, like two weeks?"

"Yeah. I finally woke the hell up."

"Good for you! But you're screwing over all us single men, and setting the bar too high. Now women are expecting your whole sweep-her-off-her-feet routine."

I laughed. "Sorry. I had no idea people were taking pictures. I just … I had to have her, and prayed she said yes."

"Well, congratulations."

"Thanks. So what are you and Dylan doing this weekend?"

"Um, probably trying unsuccessfully to pick up women. Pretty much the usual."

"You might have more luck in Vegas," I told him.

"Fuck yes! So the media's rumors are true?"

"Yeah, we're flying out Friday, and you and Dylan have tickets and hotel rooms if you want to go."

"Holy shit! That is awesome. You can bet your ass I'll be there. I'm sure Dylan will too. I mean, who can turn that down? Your parent's doing?"

"Of course. They found out I was getting married and that they're going to be grandparents in one week. They are ecstatic, and going nuts."

"I can tell. So, I'll call Dylan and tell him the plan. Thank your parents for us, and we'll see you all Friday at the airport."

"Will do," I told him, hanging up to call Caleb. It was a relief to get back to being longtime friends again, since we were no longer in love with the same woman.