Something Worth Fighting For (28 page)

“You planned our wedding?” I stared slack jawed at him. “You planned our wedding from Afghanistan?”

“Yes ma’am, I did. With a lot of help. Between Ma, Darcy, Ben, Katie, and my dad everything is taken care of. All you have to do is show up tomorrow.”

“Holy shit,” I sat down next to him, “we’re getting married tomorrow.”

“Yes ma’am we are.” Atlas walked over to the closet, pulling out a dark blue shirt. “Someone has been in my clothes again.” He looked at me, amused.

“I would have put them up if I knew you were coming home.” I stuck my tongue out at him, putting my heels back on.

“You know I don’t care. This place is cleaner than it ever was when it was just me and Adam.”

“How are the guys?”

“You’ll see Adam later today and Caleb tomorrow. They’re holding up. We know it’s all part of the job but it doesn’t make it suck any less.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, I am too.” He sighed buttoning up his shirt. “This is a happy day. Lets be happy.”

“I am happy, incredibly happy.” I walked over, straightening his tie. “You look handsome.”

“I try.”

“Put your shoes on, let’s not keep our families waiting.” I opened the bedroom door, staring down at my hand. Graduation, surprised by my man, and engaged today, married tomorrow. Life was moving fast.

“I’m ready when you are.” He rolled up his sleeves, as I popped his suspenders playfully.

“I’m ready.” I picked up my bag off the floor as he opened the door.

“Ben’s house?”

“Yes sir.” We got in the car, Atlas driving as usual.

“Tell me about what you did while I was gone.”

“Oh you know, got a tattoo, showed up at your Mom’s house without notice, finished school, considered quitting my job about eighty seven times, cried, wrote music, recorded new music for you, and pouted, a lot.” I laughed as he shook his head grinning.

“You have me for the next two weeks.”

“Two weeks sounds amazing. You’re not allowed to leave my sight.”

“I had no intention of it.” He turned into my dad’s packed driveway.

“Wow there’s a lot of people here.”

“There’s a lot of people who love you, me especially.” He kissed the engagement ring on my finger.

“I don’t have you a wedding band!” I gasped, causing him to laugh.

“It’s been taken care of, baby, I promise.” Atlas climbed out of the car as Keller opened the door for me.

“Busy day?” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down as I swatted him.

“As a matter of fact...”

“I was joking! I didn’t want to know!”

“What Keller? What’s the problem?” I pushed him with my fingertips. “Little sister having sex with her fiance?”

“Come on, Ellie!” Keller cringed. “I have this urge to kick him in the teeth thinking about that!” I laughed as we walked upstairs, around the porch to groups of people scattered around chatting. “The happy couple has arrived!” Keller announced to applause. Atlas dipped me back, kissing me soundly on the mouth. I held my finger up to show them one minute then wrapped my hands around his neck holding him to me.

“Alright you two,” Darcy whistled, “We don’t want to watch you two make a baby right here.”

“Have you told her?” Dad asked as he looked at Atlas who was setting me back up to my feet.

“I did,” he said as he stared down at me. “We’re getting married tomorrow!” The few people who didn’t know gasped.

“I have your dress.” Darcy clapped. “I’ll show it to you later.”

“Did I miss the party?” Adam’s voice came from behind us as I smiled at Darcy.

“It seems one of my groomsmen has finally arrived.” Atlas slung his arm over Adam’s shoulder. “Darcy Thomas I found this guy out in the sandbox, I thought you might want him.”

“Oh my God...” She pushed through a group of people, throwing her arms and legs around Adam. “You’re here too.”

“Yeah, sweetheart, I’m here too.” We looked away as Adam kissed her, giving them the private moment they needed.

“You guys really pulled some strings, didn’t you?” I nudged Atlas.

“We have your father to thank for that. He used every trick in the book I think.” He raised his beer bottle to my dad who nodded in acknowledgment.

“Who else is coming?”

“Tara and Caleb, Jacks, Katie, and Reid.”

“I’ve been wanting to see Reid! She sent me pictures and oh my goodness he’s a doll.”

“Maybe we can have one of our own one day.” Atlas whispered in my ear causing a smile to spread across my face.

“At least one.”

“How many do you want?”

“Two, I think two would be good.”

“I was holding my breath hoping you wouldn’t say twelve or something.” Atlas chuckled.

“Hell no, that’s not a production line down there.”

“Crazy girl, come on, people have presents for you.”

“You were the best present ever.”

“Good answer.”

We surrounded ourselves in friends, family, and everyone who mattered to us. Atlas was home, Adam was home, and I was getting married tomorrow. I had no idea how everything was going to turn out but it didn’t matter. For once, I felt invincible.

❋❋❋

“I’m getting married today.” I laughed staring at the ceiling.

“Yes you are.” Katie was standing in the doorway to my bedroom. They had forced Atlas to at least sleep downstairs.

“Katie!” I jumped out of bed, hugging her. “You look amazing, you did not just have a baby.”

“I did!” She spun around in a small circle.

“Where is he?”

“You’d have to pull him away from Uncle Atlas. I think he fell in love at first sight.” She laughed. “Felix is on his way, Atlas doesn’t know. That was our surprise for him.”

“You’re kidding!”

“Nope, Jacks went out there and told him he’d burn his house down if he didn’t show up.” She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “Felix would have come either way but Jacks apparently has a flare for the dramatic.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me? Can we go see him?”

“Yes, I’ve been away from him long enough.” Katie laughed as I followed her downstairs.

“Give him to me, Atlas Ryker.” I demanded, my heart seizing seeing him with the baby in his arms.

“You’ll have to take him from me!”

“Fine,” I walked over, scooping the tiny bundle of baby out of his arms. “Hi Reid,” I kissed his forehead as his eyes fluttered open. “Well aren’t you handsome.” The eight week old cooed at me. Atlas stood up, putting his hand on the small of my back.

“A baby looks good on you.” He said softly in my ear as he smiled at the two of us.

“Funny, I thought the same thing about you.”

“Hmm.. Let’s get married first.”

“Isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride the day of the wedding?” Jacks said with a mouthful of food.

“Isn’t it bad luck for someone to be eating my leftover cake?” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“It is if he doesn’t want to get his ass kicked.” Atlas smirked.

“Language, Atlas Quinn, there’s a baby.” I covered the side of his head with my hand as Katie laughed.

“Oh yeah, she’ll be a good mama. Give me back my baby. You two have to get ready.”

“Fine, I’ll just have to play with him later.” I handed her the wrapped baby as she sat down on the couch.

“I have to go make myself beautiful. I’ll see you at the alter.”

“I look forward to it.” Atlas smiled as I went over and hugged Jacks.

“Thanks for coming.”

“We wouldn’t have missed it. His surprise will be here in about twenty minutes. You better save me a dance.” He whispered in my ear as I let go.

“I’ll come back down and see. Will you guys send Darcy up if she ever gets off of Adam long enough to show up?”

“Will do.” Jacks gave me a thumbs up as I ran back up to my room. I held my breath as I opened my closet. My dress was wrapped neatly in a white garment bag. I picked it off the rack, laying it out on my bed. With a deep breath, I tugged the zipper to a shower of white.

“Oh my...”

“Is it the right one?” Darcy asked as she closed the door behind her.

“It’s so perfect.” I ran my hand over the lace. “Oh wow, I love it.”

“Go get showered and we’ll get you dressed. The ceremony is in a couple of hours. I’ve already put all the guys to work putting together the reception.”

“You are the best maid of honor ever.”

“I know, now go get clean. No more coming back downstairs, I don’t care if Atlas’ father is here or not.”

I did as I was told and took a nice hot shower, shaving, and washing my hair. With my towel wrapped around me I went into my room to find everything set out and waiting on me. I pulled on my undergarments, standing in front of the mirror as Darcy came back in. “Put on the button up shirt, we have to do your hair and makeup first.”

“Yes ma’am.” I put on the shirt I recognized as Atlas’. Darcy sat me next to the window as she began her magic, blow drying and pinning curls up in intricate twists. When she was done she handed me the mirror and let me inspect. “It’s beautiful.”

“Good because I was not about to take all that down and redo it. Makeup and we’ll get you in that dress.”

“How was seeing Adam?” I asked as she started working on my face.

“Amazing,” she smiled, “he’s such a sweetheart.”

“That he is.”

“I can’t believe Atlas actually pulled off the proposal. We’ve been working on it forever. It was all his idea, he set it up perfectly. Everyone was talking about it afterward.”

“He’s incredible,” I sighed dreamily. “I’m so happy.”

“You deserve to be, Ellie. You always told me that you didn’t date because you couldn’t trust anyone. You impressed me by letting Atlas in. I knew he was something special as soon as you said a boy was coming. He has to be because you sure are something special.”

“Dammit you’re going to make me cry and ruin all your hard work.” I laughed.

“Don’t you dare screw it up, it’s perfect. Let’s get you into that dress.” She pulled the tea length sweetheart cut dress out of the bag.

“It’s beautiful,” I slid out of Atlas’ shirt, stepping into the dress as she held it open. “You guys did an awesome job.” Darcy zipped the faux button up back, pointing to the bed. I sat down as she helped me put on a pair of dainty white heels. “Could you get my dad? I’d like him to put the veil on.”

“Of course, put on the garter while I’m gone.” I opened the box holding the blue garter with the Marine Corps emblem dangling from it. It couldn’t have been more perfect if I had picked it out myself. Carefully maneuvering it over my shoe, I slid it up my leg until it was snugly placed against my thigh.

“Ellie Belle...” Dad’s voice caught me off guard as I stood up. He was in his Dress Blues along with Keller and Tobias. “Wow, baby girl.”

“I look okay? I wanted you to help me put my veil on.”

“You look beautiful, baby.” He came over taking the veil from me. “I’m not real sure how this goes on.” He admitted as Darcy walked over showing him where to pin it.

“It’s time, guys.” Jacks called from outside the door.

“You ready?” Dad asked.

“Absolutely,” I said confidently but underneath my dress my knees were shaking. I couldn’t be nervous, I was marrying the best thing that ever happened to me. I hooked my arm through his as he escorted me down the stairs.

Katie and Adam were waiting in the living room, smiles plastered all over their faces as I came down the stairs. “Oh Ellie...” Katie wiped her eyes. “Atlas is going to die.” She laughed.

“Let’s go get my man!” They laughed, all walking out before me and dad.

“Penelope, it has always been a privilege being your father. You have made me so proud. You are strong, smart, beautiful, and a grown woman but you’re still my little girl, my princess, and you always will be. I love you endlessly.” I choked back my sob as dad looked away wiping stray tears.

“I love you too, Daddy. I will always be your little girl and you will always be my hero and my first love.” I reached up on my tiptoes kissing his cheek. We stepped out onto the porch as I got my first look of the ceremony.

There were white chairs lined in deep purple tulle and bright colored daisies hanging at the end of the rows. The arch was in front of the water letting the sinking sun do all the decorating that we really needed. Candles lined my pathway from the stairs to where there would have been a runner in the sand.

I didn’t dare look at Atlas, not yet.

Darcy was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for us holding my bouquet of daisies. I took them as she turned around and walked down the aisle staring at Adam. By the looks they were exchanging they would definitely be next.

We walked together across the sand, my birdcage veil barely fluttering against the wind. When we reached the rows of chairs, everyone rose to their feet as the music started.