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  “Ok, but please promise me that if you need me…”

  “Alex, I love you. Please don’t worry about me. I’ll never forgive myself if I ruin as much as a minute of your special day.”

  “I will see you at the rehearsal dinner then?”

  Ryan kissed Alex on her cheek. “I will be there.”

  “Good because I need someone to help run interference between Dad and Miguel.”

  “I’ll have Miguel’s back. You just keep smiling at Dad.”

  “Thank you.”

  Alex turned and left. Ryan poured himself another drink. He had no idea how he was going to get through the next few days being around Faith.

  Miguel paced in his office waiting for Miles to arrive. Finally, Miles came running in.

  “You’re late!”

  “I’m sorry, Migs. It’s just so hard to leave Cruz when he’s being so cute.”

  Miguel smiled. “Oh, so now you’re going to blame my poor innocent nephew for your tardiness.”

  “Yup, because it is true. He is to blame.” Miles winked.

  “Miles, you can take leave or…”

  “I’m needed here.”

  “Yes, you most certainly are needed here.”

  “Damn, what if I had said, yes?”

  “I would have talked you out of it or built Cruz an adjacent office.”

  “I should have held out then for a nice corner office for my son.” Miles laughed.

  “Maybe I should have a day care facility here?”

  “Just because of Cruz?”

  “Well, Alex and I are going to have children soon enough and you already have one. I think it is something worth looking into.”

  “Right now I think that if we don’t go to pick up our tuxes, there won’t be any children for you and Alex.”

  “You’re right if I screw this up, Alex will kill me.”

  “I’m driving, let’s go.”

  Miguel followed Miles out the door.

  Miguel and Alex’s Wedding Day…

  RYAN’S ALARM CLOCK RANG for the fourth time. He finally dragged his hungover ass out of bed and headed for the shower.

  “Where are you going?”

  Ryan stopped in his tracks and spun around. He didn’t realize that there was anyone in his bed nor did he remember who she was or how she got there. “To shower.”

  “Can I join you?”

  “I don’t have much time. My sister is getting married this morning and if I’m late she’s going to kill me.”

  “I’m up for a quickie.” The woman sprung up from the bed and leapt onto Ryan’s back as he walked toward the shower.

  Ryan turned on the shower. “Hold on tight, this is gonna be rough and fast.”

  “Mmmm, ohhh Ryan!”

  Miguel paced back and forth with Cruz in his arms. He was a nervous wreck and he missed Alex.

  “Miggy, you’re going to make my son dizzy.”

  “Hey, Miles.”

  “Do you want to go grab a shower before breakfast?”

  “Shower, yes, but I can’t eat.”

  “You’ve got to eat, Migs.”

  “Miles, I can’t eat. I feel sick to my stomach.”

  “The great Miguel Cruz is a nervous wreck.” Miles laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous before.”

  “Alex means the world to me. I’m so afraid that something is going to happen and…”

  “Migs, she is NOT changing her mind.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. She’ll be there.”

  “I can’t believe I’m so happy.”

  Miles took Cruz from Miguel. “Wait until you have a little one. My heart feels like it’s going to explode with love. No feeling like it.” Miles kissed Cruz. “Daddy loves you.”

  “I’m going to hit the shower.”

  Miles watched as Miguel walked away. “Cruz, I think your Uncle Miggy is going to need a tranquilizer to get through this.”

  Alex sat there having her hair done while Faith moped around eating muffins and Eden talked to Miles on the phone.

  “Alex, Miles said that Miguel is a nervous wreck.”

  “Tell Miles to give him a drink.” Alex giggled.

  Eden shook her head.

  “Alex said to give him a drink.”

  “I think he needs something stronger.”

  “Enough about Miggy. How is my baby?”

  “I’m fine but I miss you.”

  “I meant Cruz.”

  “I know. He is just fine.”

  “Is he napping?”

  “He is.”

  “Miles, please tell me he is in his crib and that you are not holding him?”

  Miles looked down at Cruz in his arms and smiled. “I have to go. I love you.”

  Eden smiled. She knew that Miles wouldn’t lie about the baby not being in his crib. “Ok, give Cruz a kiss for me. I love you too.”

  Eden hung up and walked back over to where Alex was having her hair done. “Alex, you look so beautiful.”

  “I can’t believe that in a few hours I’ll be Miguel’s wife.”

  “I can’t believe how calm you are.”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life.”

  “I know I’ve told you a million times but I’m going to say it again. I am so lucky to have you as my new sister and I will never be able to thank you enough for making my brother so happy. Oh, and I love you.”

  “Eden, you’re going to make me cry.”

  “No tears today.”

  “I love you too and I couldn’t have picked a better sister.”

  “Ry herr drat.”

  Eden looked over at Faith who had a mouthful of muffin and laughed. Alex laughed too.

  “Faith, perhaps you can stop eating long enough to speak intelligibly!”

  Faith swallowed and then gulped down a Mimosa. “I said I heard you telling Eden that you couldn’t have picked a better sister.”

  “It’s true but Faith you were already my sister by choice.”

  Faith smiled and then hugged Alex. “Mine too.”

  “Time to get dressed.” Eden picked up Alex’s wedding dress and smiled.

  Alex stood up and smiled. “Let’s do this!”

  Ryan got to the church with ten minutes to spare. So much for a quick shower.

  “Thank God you made it.”

  Ryan extended his hand to Miguel. “Congrats and yeah, of course I made it.”

  “Ryan, Alex and I are worried about you.”

  “I’m ok.”

  “I know we got off to a rocky start but Ryan, I think of you as family and if you ever need anything…”

  “Thank you, but really, I’m fine.”

  “Migs, Ryan, it’s time.”

  Ryan looked at Miguel who had grown pale. “Are you ok?”

  “Oh, he’ll be fine once he sees Alex.” Miles shook his head and patted Miguel on the back. “Come on, Migs.”

  Miguel nodded his head and followed Miles and Ryan inside the church.

  Alex stood in the back of the church behind the closed doors impatiently waiting.

  “It’s time for Faith and I to go in now.” Eden smiled.

  “We love you, Alex.” Faith blew Alex a kiss.

  “I love you both. Now go!” Alex smiled.

  Alex’s father reached for her hand. “Are you sure about this, Alex?”

  “Dad, I’ve never been so sure about anything. I love Miguel with all my heart and soul.”

  “And I love you with all my heart and soul, Alessandra.” Alex’s father leaned down and kissed Alex on her cheek before pulling her veil over her face.

  “I love you too, Daddy.”

  Miles watched Eden as she walked down the aisle. He couldn’t help but smile. Eden smiled back.

  Ryan looked down at the floor, he didn’t want to see Faith. Faith, however, couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off Ryan.

  Miguel swallowed hard when he saw the back doors swing open but once he saw Alex’s smile he could
feel the relief wash over him. She was his other half and with her by his side he could handle anything.

  Alex wanted to run down the aisle and jump into Miguel’s big strong arms. He looked so gorgeous in his tuxedo and when he smiled her tummy flip flopped.

  After what seemed like an eternity Alex’s father placed her hand in Miguel’s. “You take good care of my baby.”

  “Always, Sir.”

  Alex squeezed Miguel’s hand. “Stop shaking.”

  “I was so nervous but I’m fine now that you’re here.”

  “So if the bride and groom are finished talking we can get on with this wedding.” The priest chuckled.

  “Alex and I are ready, Father.”

  “Alessandra and Miguel, your love for one another has brought us here today and now it is time for you to each pledge your love for one another before your family and friends.”

  Alex turned and handed her flowers to Faith. Then she took Miguel’s hands in hers.

  “Alessandra, do you promise to love, honor and cherish Miguel, all the days of your life?”

  “I do.”

  “Miguel, do you promise to love, honor and cherish Alessandra, all the days of your life?”

  “I definitely do.”

  “Miguel asked me if he could speak for a moment.”

  Alex stared at Miguel. This was news to her.

  “Alex, Sweetheart, I never knew what love was until I met you. You infuriated me, drove me crazy and the more difficult I became, the stronger you grew and you never backed down. You never gave up on me and Alex, I will never give up on you, I promise. I love you with everything I am and I plan to prove it to you over and over again, every day of our lives.”

  Alex stood there sniffling while tears rolled down her cheeks. “I love you and no matter what lies ahead, I will never give up on you, Miguel.”

  “Ok, now that we’ve all shed some happy tears, let’s move on to the rings.”

  Miles handed Miguel the rings and Miguel handed his to Alex.

  “Miguel, place your ring on Alex’s finger. Alex, place your ring on Miguel’s finger. Now I want you to look at one another and repeat after me…With this ring, I thee wed.”

  “With this ring, I thee wed.”

  “With this ring, I thee wed.”

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

  Miguel grabbed Alex and kissed her not once but twice before picking her up and carrying her up the aisle with a huge smile on his face.

  Lacey walked into the country club and over to Dane. She took a deep breath before tapping him on the shoulder. “Hey there.”

  Dane spun around. “Hey.” Dane did a double take and then realized it was Lacey. She had her hair down, wasn’t wearing glasses and had on a little black dress. “Wow, Lacey, you look stunning.”

  Lacey could feel her face heat up. Not even her husband ever referred to her as stunning. “You look quite handsome as well.”

  Dane knew that he needed to stop staring at Lacey like a wolf who wanted to literally eat her. “So, can I get you a drink?”

  “Sure.”

  “What would you like?”

  “Surprise me. I don’t usually drink but since I have the night off, why not.” Lacey smiled. Then thought to herself that she may need a lot of drinks to get through the evening with Dane.

  Alex and Miguel were dancing side by side with Miles and Faith for best man and maid of honor photos. When the photographer was finished Miles walked over to Eden and started to dance with her. The photographer then asked Ryan to come and dance with Alex.

  “You look so happy, Sis.”

  “I wish you could be…”

  “Today is all about you, not me.”

  “Please promise me that if you need me while we’re away that you’ll call me?”

  “I’m a big boy. I will be fine.”

  Miguel was dancing with Faith and the photographer suggested that Miguel and Ryan switch partners which meant that Ryan had to dance with Faith.

  Ryan didn’t make eye contact with Faith but he held her hand and danced. Faith could feel the tension radiating from Ryan aside from the fact that he felt stiff as a board. After a few minutes Faith laced her fingers through Ryan’s and began to pull him across and off the dance floor.

  “Faith, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Trying not to ruin your sister’s wedding.”

  Ryan followed but under protest.

  Faith opened a door and then pulled Ryan inside. Once Faith closed the door Ryan pulled his hand away.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  Faith didn’t answer, she instead grabbed Ryan’s face and kissed him. Ryan kissed her back for a mere second before he stopped himself and pulled away.

  “Ryan, I love you.”

  “Because I love my sister I will go back out there and pretend everything is fine but know this Faith, I. Hate. You. Don’t ever touch me again!” Ryan pulled the door open and headed straight for the bar.

  Faith lowered her head in defeat and wiped away the tears. She knew she had to be strong for her best friend. She would fall apart later.

  Dane and Lacey had quite a bit to drink. “Would you like to dance?”

  Lacey had enough liquid courage to feel confident enough to dance with Dane. “I’d love to.”

  Dane extended his hand and walked Lacey out onto the dance floor.

  “I tend to have two left feet.”

  Lacey smiled up at Dane. She didn’t care if he had three left feet. All she wanted was to feel his sexy body up against hers while they danced.

  “I’ll just hold on tight and go wherever you lead me.”

  “Remember that when you have bruised feet in the morning.” Dane smiled.

  “I haven’t danced in years.”

  “It must be hard…”

  “Can I cut in?”

  Dane smiled at Miguel. “But of course.”

  Miguel grabbed Lacey’s hand. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you, Miguel. It’s so nice to see you and Alex looking so radiant.”

  “We do, don’t we.” Miguel winked.

  Dane didn’t get off the dance floor before he was grabbed by Alex. “Dance with me?”

  “How could I say no to the prettiest woman in the room.” Dane smiled and then grabbed Alex’s arm and twirled her across the dance floor.

  “So I see you and Lacey are getting along.”

  “She is a very nice woman.”

  “Lacey looks beautiful doesn’t she?”

  “She does. I actually did a double take when I saw her.”

  “I wish she had someone to share her life with.”

  “Military wives fight a different kind of battle at home.”

  “Lacey’s husband saved countless lives just like you and Miguel have.”

  “Just another day at work.”

  “There is no talking to you is there?”

  “Nope.”

  “Well, I love you anyway.”

  Dane leaned down and kissed Alex on the cheek. “I love you too.”

  Ryan stood at the bar drinking while he watched Faith dance the night away with Zac.

  “Ryan, Miguel and I are going to leave in a few minutes, so we wanted to say goodbye.”

  Ryan put down his drink and shook Miguel’s hand. “Take good care of her.”

  Miguel hugged Ryan. “The best, I promise.”

  Alex weaseled her way between them and hugged Ryan. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too. Promise me that you’ll have a great time and you won’t be sitting worrying about me.”

  “I can try but I won’t promise.”

  “Alex, I’m fine.”

  “I’ll call you…”

  “You’ll call me when you get home and yes, I promise to call you if I need you.”

  “Ok. Take care of yourself.” Alex leaned up and kissed Ryan on his cheek.

  Dane walked Lace
y over to the fleet of limos that Miguel had on standby to drive the guests home.

  Lacey turned around to say goodbye and Dane was so close and he smelled so incredibly good.

  Dane looked down at Lacey who was looking up at him almost as if she was willing him to kiss her…and he did.

  Lacey kissed Dane back and their kiss continued until they heard a thud and then a groan.

  Dane pulled away and spun around. Then him and Lacey quickly moved toward the rear of the car.

  “Oh my God, it’s Ryan.”

  Dane reached down and practically yanked Ryan up by his tuxedo jacket. “Ryan, what the hell!”

  “I tiptdred.” Ryan started laughing.

  “He’s shitfaced, we need to get him out of here before Migs or Alex see him.” Dane knocked on the door and the driver got out and opened the back door. Dane practically threw Ryan inside and then slammed the door. He had hoped to talk to Lacey about the kiss but she had already run to the other side of the car.

  “Dane, come around and get in on this side.”

  Dane walked around the car but by the time he got there Lacey was already seated inside.

  Lacey was somewhat relieved that Ryan came along when he did. She was very intimidated by men, especially sexy ones like Dane.

  RYAN ROLLED OVER, OPENED his eyes and then quickly closed them. The room was spinning and his head was pounding.

  “Well at least I know that you’re alive.”

  Ryan opened his eyes back up and Lacey was standing there looking down at him. He looked under the blanket and realized he was naked.

  “Oh God! Did we…”

  “Have wild passionate sex all night.” Lacey winked and then blushed. “Nope, we did not.”

  “Am I in your bed or is this someone else’s bed?”

  “It’s my bed. Don’t worry, I slept in the other bedroom.”

  Ryan pulled himself up. “I, I wasn’t worried. I just…”

  “Just looked at me and then said, ‘oh God’, yeah, you freaked out thinking that you may have had sex with an ugly duckling.”