Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 72154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 361(@200wpm)___ 289(@250wpm)___ 241(@300wpm)
My breathing hitched.
The moment that you came kicking and screaming into my life, I knew that my entire world had changed. You were everything that I ever wanted in life. You inspired me, you encouraged me, and you were the sweetest little girl that I ever had the pleasure of meeting.
It breaks my heart that I’m not going to be there today to walk you down the aisle, but I know that my friends—my brothers—are there.
My eyes went from James and then to Sam, Elliott, Gabe, Jack, and Max. All of them wore similar expressions of grief.
They’d been my rocks over the years that I’d grown up, and they’d done exactly like they’d told my father that they were going to do.
I want you to know that I loved you. I want you to know that one day when you bring your own baby into the world, that you’ll break off a little piece of your heart and give it to them. You have a piece of my heart, and you’re holding it within you. You’re never going to be without me, baby. One day you will see.
I moaned into Parker’s chest as I raised my arm up and clutched the golden locket that my dad had given me the day before he deployed.
Parker gave up wiping away my tears and wrapped his arms completely around me, dropping his head down to rest on mine.
For now, I want to address the man that you’re marrying.
James looked at Parker, and I started to giggle through my tears.
Parker dropped a kiss to my face and loosened his grip but didn’t let me go so much as an inch.
You are getting the greatest gift that I have to give. You, my friend, better cherish her. She is everything in this world to not just me, but to six men that I have no doubt won’t hesitate to kick your ass if you deserve it.
Parker started to laugh, the deep rumble warming my heart.
But, since I know that my baby wouldn’t have gotten to this part if she didn’t love you, I know that you’ll treat her right. I know that she’ll become your heart, just like she was once mine. Remember this, though. I loved her first. I held her first. I rocked her while she cried. I kissed her first boo boo. I nursed her through sicknesses and health. She was mine first, and, a part of her will always be mine.
Now, though, she’s more yours than she ever was mine.
I want you to cherish every single second that you have with her. I want you to love her like she’s meant to be loved. I want you to yell at her when she’s being stupid and laugh when she’s being funny. I want you to hug her and cherish her. I want you to make lots of babies with her. I want you to grow old with her and never forget that she’s the best thing that you’ll ever be given.
Because I know.
She was the best thing to ever happen to me. The one thing that I fought for.
At this point, I started bawling again, and James looked like he wouldn’t be able to take much more.
Because I saw that, despite me not being his biological daughter, he felt the same way.
Now, all of you need to stop crying like little titty babies and get on with the ceremony. And when you drink afterwards—and I know you will because my friends, Gabe, Max, Sam, James, Elliott, and Jack wouldn’t go to a wedding without beer—I want you to drink one for me.
I love you all.
And baby girl, you’ve made me the proudest father that ever was. I love you more than most. You’re my heart and soul. And I’m happy to know that you’ve finally found someone to share his chicken nuggets with you.
I drew a deep breath and rubbed my face on Parker’s chest, looking up at him with red-rimmed eyes.
“I got your shirt wet,” I whispered roughly.
He winked. “You can get my shirt wet anytime.”
Then he dropped a soft kiss to my lips and smoothed the stray tears off of my face. “Now let’s finish getting married, honey. Seems I have a drink to dedicate to a great man.”
One more single tear streaked down my cheek.
“No more crying, honey,” he ordered. “It’s time to laugh now.”
“Speaking of laughing…” Rafe said from his position at Parker’s side. He’d taken best man duties over from Gunner who hadn’t been able to make it to the wedding thanks to the All-Star Game that he was required to go to. “You know, I’m really, really glad that I don’t have to impregnate your wife.”
Parker looked at him with a deadly silence about him that would’ve been unnerving had he been giving me that same look.