Chapter 29 Hope we didn't need that. -Audric vacuuming AUDRIC My breath hitched as I watched her walk down the aisle to me. Her dad held her arm as he guided her through the wet sand to where I stood in the surf. My pants were wet from knee down, the tide having risen in the twenty minutes I'd been outside waiting for her to appear. It was just us. Her dad and mine. And it was magical. The wind blew her curly hair every which way-mostly into her eyes-and she could do nothing but laugh as she walked toward me. When her feet hit the water, Week relinquished her to me with a, "Watch out for my baby, Audric. She means the world to me." I nodded seriously. "She means the world to me, too. I'll never let her go, and I'll spend the rest of my life making sure she's happy." He winked and let her go, and I pulled her to me, grinning when she squeaked at the temperature of the water. "Cold." She fake shivered. I ran my fingers up her arms, causing goosebumps to follow the trail. "Ready to get married, baby?" "As ready as ever." She turned to Keanu. "Let's get started, Pastor Keanu." He flashed her a grin. "Who gives this woman away today?" "I do," Week declared from a few feet away. The wedding was everything I ever wanted it to be. On the beach, in my favorite place in the world. My dad and hers at our backs, the rest of the crew watching from farther up the beach so they didn't accidentally step into any pictures. And the sunset at our backs. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." I kissed her. I made a few promises while I did, too. I would spend my life making sure she was happy. I would break every bone in my back providing for her. I would give her all the babies she asked for. I would give her a home that she could be proud of. She pulled away, and her eyes were lit with an inner fire. "One last thing," she breathed. "What's that?" I smoothed her hair off her face. "How do you feel about having our baby in Hawaii?" Seven and a half months later, we welcomed two babies into the world. Two girls. Identical girls. Both of them with my green eyes and their mother's curly hair. "I've never seen so much damn hair on a baby before," Week murmured. "Agreed," Dad said as he looked down at our other little girl in Telly's arms. "What are their names?" I looked over at Creole with a smile before saying, "The one that Telly has is named Joy. Joy Laney Ingram. The one that Week has is named Audi Grace." Week's smile was soft. "Joy used to love calling you Audi." "She did," I agreed. That had been where I'd gotten the nickname Audi, after all. Once Joy had called me that one single time, it'd stuck. Everyone called me that, and that was why it'd hurt so bad when Creole had stopped. Speaking of Audi, she turned her face away and started to cry, looking for something that Week couldn't offer her. "On that note," Week said. "I have to go. I'll miss my flight." "Same," Dad grumbled. "I can't wait to make this move permanent." Dad and Telly were moving in together permanently, and Dad had two weeks left at his job on Dallas Fire before he made the switch to the fire station nearest Telly's place. They'd been doing the long-distance thing for all this time, and as of next month, they'd finally get to have each other full time. I was sad that my dad wouldn't be close, but I was happy that he'd finally have his happily ever after. My mom was now in a state-funded home that saw to her needs as well as they could. They had her in state-mandated therapy as well, this time with a doctor that actually knew what he was doing. The last time I spoke with her, she was doing a lot better. She even admitted that she'd been wrong, and that she shouldn't have gone into such a deep depression with another child at home. I agreed and told her as much. I wouldn't ever be close to my mom again, but I did wish the best for her, and I didn't want to see her suffer. She'd never meet my children, though. That was one line I'd never cross. Dad jerked his head toward the door, and I pulled Audi out of Telly's arms and handed her off to Creole, who was already lowering her shirt. Week handed me Joy, and I walked into the hall with them to say goodbye. It was Dad who said, "You hear that Goodwin's body was found?" My brows rose. "Really?" "Yeah." He shook his head. "Boater caught him on a trot line at the bottom of the lake." My grin was swift. "Bummer. I'd hoped he would stay sunk for a bit longer." Week popped me on the shoulder. "See y'all in a few weeks." People probably thought we were crazy, coming to Hawaii to have our girls, but we wanted them to know that they belonged in both states equally. One day, this place would mean as much to them as it did to us. "Love you, kid." Dad pressed a kiss to my head. "Take care of your girls." "Always." "Is that my baby sister?" Lottie asked, gasping. "This is Joy." Creole was down on her knees introducing Lottie to our girls. They may not be related by birth, but they sure would be raised as siblings. All of the Truth Tellers members' kids were close. But Lottie, Joy and Audi would share a very special bond. "Who's dat?" Lottie asked. "This is Audi." Gunner showed her. "Wow!" She made huge eyes. "So pwetty!" I rubbed the place right over my heart that ached. This girl. God, I loved her so much. I bent down and picked her up, giving her a big hug. "Were you good for Daddy Gunner?" "Daddy bout me ickens!" I looked at Gunner, who had the decency to blush. "She asked. Goddamn. Don't look at me like that." I laughed. "A horse is next, huh?" Gunner shot me a look. "Don't put any ideas in her head. You know I can't say no." With Lottie in my arms, I watched my family meet my girls. Joy was passed to Webber. Webber's daughter was passed to Creole. Audi was passed to Copper. Copper's son was passed to Gunner. And for the first time in years, I found it easy to breathe. "What's with that look on your face?" my wife asked as she came up to stand beside me. I looked down at the baby in her arms and said, "Just so fucking happy it hurts, baby." She leaned her head on my shoulder. "We deserve this, Audi." "Can't call me that now," I teased. "You'll have to come up with a different nickname." Her eyes gleamed. "How about Hot Stuff?" I shook my head. "Snookums?" I sighed. "Pretty boy?" I shot her a look. "Okay, how about mine?" Now that, I liked.