Page 102 of Never Back Down

“Beg pardon?” I ask, my brows hitting my hairline yet again. This woman never fails to surprise me.

“Let’s go. You know a judge. Let’s do it,” she says with a shrug.

Someone pinch me, please. Is Blake agreeing to this?

A soft stillness fills me, the comfort of knowing she’s not saying I’m being silly or asking me to slow down. We probably ought to, but I don’t want to wait any longer. I’m done waiting. I want my life to begin and end with her and Oscar.

“You don’t want a big wedding?” I ask, stalling for time. Not because I’m freaking out, but because I don’t want her to regret her decision later.

She turns to face me, pausing halfway to the door. “Nope. I never have. I don’t have a dad to give me away, and I don’t have any friends to be there to help me. All I need is you and Oscar.”

Sliding out my phone with a grin on my face, I take a few strides to get to my girl and haul her in for a kiss before making a few phone calls.

Let’s do this.

“You sure about this, man?” James asks, straightening my tie.

After I called them, they all arrived at the courthouse within an hour. Thankfully, it’s the beginning of Christmas break for Caleb, Lauren, and Noah, so it was only Raven and James who had to leave work. But seeing as they’re their own bosses, it didn’t really matter. They picked up Oscar and Mrs. Mitchell on the way.

My entire family is here. I’m surrounded by love and friendship, and I couldn’t be happier.

“Never been so sure of something in my life, J,” I reply, knowing my words are true.

“You deserve this, tips. You’re an incredible best friend, father, and now soon-to-be husband. I hope you’re starting to see that?” He clears his throat, ducking his head.

“Don’t you start or you’ll set me off,” I groan, pulling him in for a man hug. “It’s taken a long time to get here, J, but you’re right. Idodeserve this. I’m worth everything to the people who matter the most. Anyone else can swivel on a stick because they’ll never have what I have… you guys.”

I smush my face further into his neck, breathing in the familiar, comforting smell of his cigarettes. I can never thank this guy enough for sticking with me and having my back on more than one occasion, but instead of feeling guilty that I’m a burden to him, I feel grateful to him for never turning me away.

“Raven still hasn’t convinced you to give up smoking, huh?” I tease, drawing back.

“Nah.” He chuckles. “She actually likes the smell.”

“Strange woman,” I mutter, walking to the mirror and checking myself over.

James arrived with a new suit for me. It’s still black but more suited for a wedding, along with dress shoes and a buttonhole. How he got these within the hour it took for me to call them here, I’ll never know,but I’m grateful all the same. I left my hair down, knowing how much Blake likes it this way.

“It’s time,” Caleb sings songs, tapping the door and walking into the room with a grin on his face. He’s in a suit, minus the tie, with his dark hair pushed back off his face.

I nod, take a deep breath, and give myself one last look before I turn and start walking toward my future. To the happily-ever-after I deserve with my son and the woman I love.

The end