Embracing Us (Embracing Series) (20 page)

“Fuck all of you, I don’t need your goddamn money anyways. I never did, and you can tell that kid that his mother is dead because of his father. You may want to get a DNA test to see if he is yours.”

Ashton slams the door in her face and turns to face Kade and me, standing behind him. I can tell he is upset. He runs his hands through his hair and pulls his phone out of his pocket. He looks at Kade and me, and says, “I’m sorry about that. Also, I had the DNA test done when he was born. He is mine.”

“Ashton, how much money have you given her? Do you want us to call th
is in? All you have to do is say the word and they will arrest her. They know the shit she has been doing, and although she has connections, so do we.” I say as I hug him.

“I think, it has come to that. I’ve given her way to much money. I’m not giving her anymore.
Come on let’s check on everyone else. We will worry about her later. I’m sorry about all of this.”

“No worries bro, I know it isn’t your fault.” I say as we go to check on our children.

Just as we start towards the other room we hear a loud crash. We all three take off running out the front door. Christa ran her car into Ashton’s truck. He’s so pissed. I can see all the veins in his neck popping out. She’s high, I can tell she is.

“Oops, how could I have not seen that big truck? Ashton, you may want
to get that piece of shit fixed.” She laughs as she pulls out of the drive way.

“Fucking bitch, I’m so over all of her bull shit. This has to stop, or I’m going to be in jail for murder.”

“Calm down man, I’m calling our connections now. Let’s see how fast our connections trump hers. Then she will see.” Kade says.

“Come on, let
’s go check on the kids. I know AJ is probably scared and worried.” I say as I push Ashton back in the house.

Today is Nikki and Brody’s
wedding day, hell I think I’m as nervous as she is. The hairdresser is meeting us at the vineyard. Greyson will be a month old tomorrow, and I have my body back. My dress fits perfectly. We had the bachelorette and bachelor parties last night. Nikki and Tatum couldn’t drink, but the rest of us could. They loved the strippers, well that was until the men decided to crash our party, and Brody and Ashton put on a show for us. I’d never saw Brody as drunk as he was last night. He has already called me three times today. He hasn’t seen or spoke to Nikki, because she thinks it will be bad luck. Meg, Tatum, and I hid her as best as we could when both the guy’s limo and ours pulled up at the same time. It’s still awkward communicating with her and Evan.

“Lila, where is my dress? I don’t think it’s going to fit. Look
, my stomach grew overnight.” Nikki says as she falls onto a chair crying.

“Love, your dress will fit
. Stop crying, you’re making your face red. The hair and makeup lady will be here soon. So stop. I have something for you.”

“Okay, it’s my hormones and nerves. You didn’t have to give me a gift
, Lila.”

“Don’t be silly, I wanted to. I hope you like it, and please don’t make me cry.” I say as I hand her the gift bag.

“You shouldn’t have, Lila. I can’t believe you did this, of course I’m going to cry again.”

“
Now you have something old, the cupcake charm that was Addison’s. You have something borrowed, which is the extra butterfly charm. That was mine from the bracelet Evan bought me. You have something blue, the baby booties charms, and I did pink, too, just in case. And last, something new, the bracelet. You don’t have to wear it, you can attach it to your bouquet. I think it would look beautiful.”

“Thank you so much, I can’t believe you did all of this. Of course I want to wear it, are you kidding? No way
is it going on my flowers. Will you put it on me, please?” 

“Of course, I can’t believe you’re getting married. Do you remember the first time you met Brody? It seems like so long ago, did you know then you would marry
him and his cowboy strip poker ass.” I say laughing.

“
I sure do. The four of us had some good times, and I didn’t know that day, but later on I realized he was in fact the man who stole my heart. Is that how you felt about Liam?”

“Now you know
it wasn’t at first, but the day I decided to make love to him for the first time that was when I realized it. Then he told me he was going into the Army. I was so hurt, I didn’t tell him I loved him for weeks. I did though. God I’ve loved him so much, we have been through hell and back, and he still looks at me like he did when he asked me out. So yes, I knew I would marry him someday, didn’t plan everything in between happening. But that is what makes us stronger, right?”

“You two are the strongest couple I know. Your love for each other is beautiful, your story is like a fairytale. Well kind of, you know what I mean.” She
says laughing.

As I walk down the
aisle, I see Brody standing there, with Evan and the other guys. I was last to walk down the aisle, Tatum, and Nikki’s sisters were already there. Brody looks so nervous. I look over and smile at my handsome husband, holding our son. I reach my spot and I stand there waiting for Nikki and my girls to walk down, they practiced so much. The song changes to “At Last” by Etta James. Then I see the prettiest bride I’ve ever saw, Nikki walking with Addison and Maddison on each side of her. They have their little arms wrapped in hers, I can’t help the tears that are falling. Everyone was bragging and smiling at them, they look so proud.

Once they reach the rest of the wedding party, they let go of Nikki and Brody
takes her hand as she hands me her bouquet. The girls waited patiently looking and smiling at all the guest, then they knew what they were supposed to do. The preacher speaks up and says, “Who gives this woman to marry this man.”

The girls look at me and I
nod and they look at the preacher and in unison they say, “We do, Sir. Uncle Brody, take care of Aunt Nikki and our baby.”

I
can’t help the gasp and giggle I let out. They are so proud of themselves, they walk over and sit with Liam. I knew they could do it, they love Nikki so much. They were so excited when they found out she was pregnant. As Brody read his vows to Nikki, I can’t help look put at Liam, my wonderful husband. He’s so damn sexy, and seeing him with all three of our kids makes my heart melt. It makes me think of our wedding day and how nervous we both were. He saw me staring and winks at me, and mouth, “I love you.” I smile and continue to listen to Brody give his life to Nikki, the only woman he’s ever loved.

When Nikki
starts her vows, I can hear the tears in her voice. She is shaking so bad, I step a little closer to her and whisper, “You got this, sister.” She stands a little taller and continues with her vows. I notice Evan looking at Tatum standing next to me. This isn’t as awkward as I thought it would be. Hell, I’m just glad he didn’t end up with Alyssa. Tatum filled me in on her and Evan’s past and what Thayer did to her, it broke my heart. She is super sweet, and she and Evan are perfect together.

The photographer took a million
pictures, and now it was reception time. I had prepared my speech, I was after Evan, and I honestly didn’t know what he was going to say and I wasn’t sure I could speak after him. I drank two glasses of wine to prepare myself.

“As most of you know my name is Evan and I’m Brody’s best friend, he and I go back a long time. Hell
, he is the brother I’ve always wanted. I remember the day he and Nikki met. We were in New York at a pizza place, and he noticed her right away. Of course he needed me to go with him to talk to her. I didn’t think he would be able to snag up a pretty lady like her, but he did. He was hooked from that moment. I’m glad that they found their way back to each other and I wish them, many years of happiness, no one deserves it as much as they do. I believe that everyone is made for someone, and no one could make this man as happy as Nikki does, she also keeps him in line. I love both of y’all, and Nikki take care of my brother.”

Damn how the hell was I supposed to top that, he didn’t even read a script? I’m so glad he didn’t mention us, I was worried about that considering that he and I was always with the two of them, when they were together. I
take a sip of my drink and cleared my throat, it was my turn.

“Hey everyone, I’m Lila, and Nikki and I have been best friends since we were five. She, Addison
, and I were the three amigos, until she moved to Ohio. But then I found her in New York. That’s where we met Brody, I can honestly say, she was in love from the first time he spoke. She had a date with him, and stayed out all night. They were at a coffee shop, and she came home the next morning happier than a bee in a honey jar. I of course was infuriated that she was out all night with a stranger and she was on cloud nine. They were inseparable and you can see the love they shared. I can’t think of a better man for her to spend her forever with, he’s smart, handsome and a hell of a poker player. Nikki and Brody, here’s to you and many years of happiness. Brody if she gets out of line, just take her credit cards and she’ll behave. I love you both, and can’t wait to hold that sweet Godchild of mine.”

I
go over and sit next to my handsome man, my mom took the kids, so we can party with everyone else. He is sitting with Zander, Ashton, and Kade. Megan is dancing with some stranger, and by the looks Kade is giving them, he isn’t happy. I don’t know why they just don’t make it official yet. Instead they walk around staring at each other like two teenagers afraid to talk.

“What are you up to over here?” I say as I
sit on Liam’s lap.

“Hey beautiful, nothing talking with the guys. What about you? You ready for that surprise yet?”
he whispers in my ear.

“Hmm, maybe depending on what it is. I figured I would wait, till Nikki was ready to go. She look so beautiful doesn’t she?”

“Okay, it can wait. Of course she does. Brody is one lucky man that for sure.”

“Wasn’t our girls the cutest? They were so excited, and the looks on their little faces was adorable.”

“They couldn’t stop talking about it, once they sat down, I had to tell them to keep quiet until the ceremony was over.”

“I love you and our perfect little family. I’m going to find Nikki and let her know I’m leaving. I can’t wait to see what you have planned.”

“I love you too, now hurry back.” Says Liam as he smacks my ass.