Chapter 31

GABRIEL

I was nervous the day I had to give my final answer for the draft. I was nervous the day Whitley finally woke up, and I waited to learn what she remembered. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the nervousness coursing through my veins at this moment.

I feel sweat running down the back of my neck. I keep wiping my hands on the legs of my pants, and my hands, for the first time in my life, are shaking.

“Relax, man,” Kendrick whispers.

“Shit, Kendrick. I’ve never been so nervous in my life.”

“Just wait. The day you become a dad is coming soon. Then we’ll talk about nerves,” Kendrick says with a grin.

“Fuck.”

“Now, Kendrick, don’t make the man have an anxiety attack,” Mr. Barrington says.

“Sorry, Dad.”

“I never understood how you two ended up as such good friends,” he says.

I chuckle.

“Fate, I guess.”

“You love her, right?” Mr. Barrington asks.

“With everything in me, sir.”

“You will protect her and my grandchild?”

“With my dying breath.”

“I know you will. You just needed to hear yourself say it. Not so nervous now, are you?”

“Thank you, Mr. Barrington.”

“I think you can call me Dad, or at least Harvey.”

“Thanks, Harvey.”

“It’s time, son.” He pats me on the shoulder and heads to the other end of the aisle.

I blow out a harsh breath and nod my head. I step out and stand in my spot just as the music starts to play. Everyone stands, and I look down the aisle at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.

She’s being escorted on the arm of her father. The same man who just a few minutes ago, calmed me down.

Whitley is wearing a white dress that hugs her body and is off the shoulders. There’s a train that follows behind her, embroidered with all kinds of flowers, just like when I proposed. If you look closely, there are small footballs between the flowers. Her hair is up with a few curls hanging down. Damn, all I want at this moment is to get her naked. She knows how much I love her smooth neck.

She stops in front of me, and I take her hand as we turn to face the preacher.

“We are gathered here today to join the hearts of Gabriel Lucas Underwood and Whitley Jane Barrington.”

***

“Whitley, it may seem cliché, but ever since Kendrick told me to stay away, I wanted you. The more the years went by, the more I fell in love with you. I knew you were my end game. I knew somehow, I would find a way to love you the way you should be loved. I can’t wait for you to take my name, and I can’t wait to hold my child. You complete me.”

“Gabriel, my love for you has evolved over the years. It started out as a love for a friend. Then it was a love for a protector. Now, it’s a love for a man who is the other half of who I am, the father of my child, and the one I look forward to spending the rest of my life with. You’re such an amazing man, Gabriel. I am blessed beyond measure that God sent you in my direction.”

We exchange rings.

“It is with great pleasure,” the preacher says. “That I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

I kiss her hard, and everyone hollers. As we break apart, I hold up a hand.

“Now, let’s celebrate!”

More hoots and hollers as everyone heads to the largest tent that holds the dance floor and the tables. Our wedding planner, Justin, was great, but we still ended up with more people than expected. The whole team and their plus ones are here. Then our family and friends.

This is going to be the best night of my life.

***

After the ceremony, Whitley takes the train off her dress. Without it flowing behind her and around her waist, her small baby bump is much more visible since her dress hugs all her curves. We went to the doctor right before we left. I finally got to see my child and almost broke down in the doctor’s office.

The doctor said the baby looked fine, and the heart rate was normal. She was pretty confident that the danger was over. The baby was stable and growing. Hopefully, next time we go, we’ll be able to know what we’re having.

I take my wife, and we dance our first dance as a married couple.

“Do you know how beautiful you are this evening, Mrs. Underwood?”

“Good thing I have a husband that’s hot as fuck. Though, I do believe he would look better without that tux on,” she says.

“Pregnancy hormones messing with you again?”

“You know it.”

“And I love it. I can’t wait to get this dress off of you.”

Justin, our wedding planner, comes up.

“Oh, dear. I hate to interrupt the beautiful couple, but there are several officers out front demanding to be let in. They need to talk to Mrs. Underwood, immediately.”

I look over.

“What?” I ask.

“I tried telling them it wasn’t an appropriate time, but they said it wouldn’t take long.”

There are three officers waiting when we walk into the front room.

“Can I help you, gentlemen?” I ask.

“So sorry, Mr. Underwood. We called Mr. Barrington, and he said you were in town. We need to give some papers to Ms. Barrington. We are officially closing the case on Brittany Riddell.”

Whitley walks up beside me.

“It’s Mrs. Underwood now, and why is the case being closed?” she asks.

“She’s dead, ma’am,” the officer says.

“What?” Whit says.

“Yes, ma’am. After the news of your engagement came out, we found her dead in her cell. She hung herself with her bedsheet.”

“Oh, wow. So, it’s actually over,” she says.

“Sorry to interrupt your celebration. It was just easier to get a hold of you while you were in town. Again, sorry for the interruption. Congratulations, and good day.”

We watch as they walk out the door. I look down at Whit.

“What do you say about a quickie before anyone notices we’re gone?” I ask.

“What do I say? I say, I’m already dripping down my thighs.”