Something dawned on me. “Ian, I don’t have a ring for you,” I said with worry.

He laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. When I picked yours, I also picked my three favorite rings and someone from the jewelry store will be by tomorrow morning for you to pick which one you like the best.”

I hugged him and buried my face in his neck. “You’ve thought of everything. I love you.”

“I love you more, sweetheart.”

“Okay, you two, time to say goodbye to each other,” Adalynn said.

“What?” I asked in confusion as I looked at Ian.

“You’re going to stay with Adalynn and Daniel tonight because it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding and I don’t want any bad luck.”

“That’s not true and I know for a fact you don’t believe that,” I said.

“Listen, sweetheart. I don’t want to be away from you and the babies any more than you do. There will be many people here tomorrow to help you get ready. So, I’m going to go back to the hotel and go to bed, while you’re here with Adalynn and Daniel.”

I pushed out my bottom lip and gave Ian my sad eyes. “I’ll miss you too much.”

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll stay here until you fall asleep. Okay?” he asked as he tapped the end of my nose.

“Okay. I’d like that. I didn’t bring any of my things.”

“I packed you an overnight bag and had it sent over while you were asleep,” Ian said.

This man, my fiancé, my future husband, and my best friend, formulated a plan and executed it with perfection. He was my hero and he’d also be the hero of his daughters. I climbed into the bed I slept in when I stayed here the first time and Ian climbed in next to me. He put his arms around me, kissed me, and softly rubbed my tummy as I fell asleep.

Chapter 40

Ian & Rory

It felt like the longest night of my life. I couldn’t sleep a wink because I couldn’t wait to make Rory my wife. After tossing and turning, I finally got up and poured a few shots of whiskey. Whiskey always helped me sleep. I felt like I’d only been sleeping a couple of hours before the alarm went off. I got up, showered, made some coffee, and sat down at the table with my phone.

“Good morning, my future wife. I hope you slept well.”

“Good morning, my future husband. I didn’t. I hope you did.”

“I didn’t either. Too excited about today.”

“Me too. I love you, and I can’t wait to marry you.”

“I love you more, sweetheart, and I can’t wait either.”

“Morning, Ian, Adalynn here. I have to take your bride’s phone away because it’s time for her makeup. She’ll see you in a few hours. Love you!”

I rolled my eyes and chuckled at the same time. There was a knock at the door and it was Daniel. The man from the tuxedo shop was going to be here shortly with our tuxes.

“Good morning, Daniel.”

“Are you nervous yet?” he asked.

“Nah. I’m fine. Cool as a cucumber.” I smiled.

“Good. It’s craziness over at the apartment. People were all over the place.”

“Did Rory and Adalynn’s flowers arrive?” I asked.

“Yes, and I must say, they’re exquisite. Rory burst into tears when she saw her bouquet. I can’t believe how fast you pulled this off. You’ve outdone yourself and I can’t wait to see the expression on Rory’s face when she sees the other surprise you have for her.”

“I can’t either. She’s going to be so happy.”

We put on our tuxedos and it was time to head to the Eiffel Tower. When we arrived, everything was set up perfectly in the park that surrounded the tower and the minister had already arrived. I walked around and said hello to the guests that attended the wedding and then took my place where the beautiful floral archway stood. No expense was spared to make this wedding memorable for Rory.

Rory

“I’m so nervous,” I said to Adalynn in the limo.

“Don’t be. I can’t wait until Ian sees you. His cock is going to go straight up and he won’t be able to control it.” She smiled.

I let out a laugh and she winked at me. “See, did that help you relax?”

We arrived around the corner of the tower and the limo driver told us that he was told to drop us off there. Suddenly, the door opened and a hand reached in and helped me out.

“Andre!” I squealed.

“Look at my beautiful American bride. You are gorgeous, Rory.”

“I tried to call you last night, but you didn’t answer.”

“I was afraid if I spoke to you that I’d ruin the surprise. This is where I begin to walk you down the aisle.”

Music began to play and Andre told Adalynn to start walking along the red carpet. “I can’t believe this,” I said to Andre.

“Believe it because it’s real and it’s happening. You are a very lucky woman to be marrying Ian. He loves you more than life and those babies too. He told me so.”

I kissed him on the cheek and followed Adalynn a few feet behind. Once we reached the entrance, I gasped at the scene before me. Tears started to fill my eyes when I saw Jimmy, Rosie, Richard, Mandy, Veronica, and Connor and Ellery standing by the white chairs that were decorated with flowers.

“You can’t cry, Rory. Your makeup, remember your makeup,” Andre said.

He was right and I looked up at the beautiful sunny sky to stop the tears from falling. As I looked straight ahead down the aisle, I saw my future husband standing there with his hands crossed and a big smile on his face. My heart was racing with excitement. When we finally reached where Ian was standing, he held out his hand and Andre placed mine in his. He kissed me on the cheek and patted Ian on the shoulder. The minister spoke a few words and then told us it was time to say our wedding vows. I looked at Ian and bit down on my bottom lip because I forgot about vows and I didn’t prepare anything. He looked at me and smiled.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I didn’t prepare because I’m just going to say what’s in my heart.”

“I love you,” I mouthed as he took my hands.

“Rory, these are my vows to you. I will love you and cherish you forever. You’re the light in my day and the stars in my night. You’ve held me up during the most difficult times and you’ve been my rock. I will forever be faithful to you and I will honor you for the rest of my life. You have my word, my promise, and my love forever and always. I will be there for you in sickness and in health until death do us part. You’re the sun in my rain and the rainbow that shines after. My love for you is eternal and nothing will ever change that. With this ring, I thee wed.”

I tried so hard to hold it together, but I couldn’t. I loved him so much and the tears had to fall. He took his thumb and gently wiped them away. “Ian, these are my vows to you. You showed me a world that I had only ever dreamed of. You saved my life and you saved me. You’re my rock and solid ground. You have filled my heart and my world with love and I’m going to spend the rest of my life thanking you. You are mine for eternity and I will love and cherish you forever. I will be there for you in sickness and in health and through the good and the bad until death do us part. I also promise to make sure you have blueberry muffins every day. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Ian let out a light laugh and smiled at me as I slipped the ring on his finger. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride.”

We both smiled as we shared a passionate kiss and everyone clapped. “I can’t believe everyone is here,” I said.

“Are you happy?” he asked.

“The happiest person alive.”

“Good. That’s what I wanted.” He smiled as he kissed me again.

Ian broke our kiss and leaned down and kissed my tummy. “How are my girls?” he whispered.

“They’re very happy too.” I smiled.

We walked hand in hand up the aisle. I stopped when I saw Jimmy and he pulled me into a warm embrace.

“Look at you. My beautiful daughter. I never thought in a million years that I’d ever get to see this day. Your mom would be so proud of you.”

“I wish her and Stephen were here.”

“They are in spirit, Rory,” he said. “You’ve married a very generous and loving man. I couldn’t ask for a better son-in-law.”

“You made your old dad here cry,” Rosie said as she hugged me and then Ian. “Congratulations to the both of you. It was a beautiful ceremony.”

“Thank you for dropping all your plans at the last minute to come,” Ian said.

“Excuse me for a moment,” I said as I walked over to Richard and Veronica. “I’m so happy you’re here.” I smiled as I hugged them both.

“Not as happy as I am. Seeing my son marry you is the best thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m proud to call you my daughter-in-law. Thank you for everything, Rory.”

Once again, being the hormonal mess I was, tears filled my eyes. “Thank you, Dad.” I smiled.

Veronica looked at me with her tear-filled eyes. “You are simply gorgeous and this is the best day of my life,” Ian’s mother said. “To finally be a part of my son’s life and now I have a daughter and two granddaughters on the way. I feel like I’ve finally been blessed.”

Ian walked over and placed his hand on the small of my back. He placed his other hand on my stomach and held it there. “I can’t wait for you to meet your granddaughters, Mom and Dad,” he said.

Connor and Ellery walked over to us, grinning from ear to ear. “Congratulations!” Ellery exclaimed as she hugged both of us.

“You look absolutely stunning, Rory.” Connor smiled.

“Thank you both for coming,” I said.