36. Life Is Messy

36

LIFE IS MESSY

" D on't you look sexy," Raine said to him on the last Saturday of May. Memorial Day weekend. Ivy and Brooks's wedding.

"Aren't you supposed to be somewhere?" he asked. "Like with the rest of the wedding party?"

"Ivy is talking with her father. It's really sweet, but she wanted some time with her parents and siblings. I just figured I'd come out and see what was going on. It's not like I'm going to go check in on the guys and I knew you were here."

He came early because Raine had texted him that she wanted to see him before everyone came. He thought it was odd, but he found he was doing more because he just wanted to be with her.

In the past few weeks, his sister was settled and would be moving into the cabin on Poppy's property on Monday. He'd help her get it all there. He could bring most of it in his truck and Daphne's SUV.

She'd sold the old car she'd been driving for years and bought a used SUV here. He figured she'd need it in the winter, but Poppy had already said that Reese was leasing a third vehicle to have for Daphne to use for the kids.

They'd even offered it to her to drive when she wanted, but she refused and said no way she was driving it when she wasn't working.

He understood her reluctance in this, but his sister was starting to understand more how the Bloom sisters just took people in like strays and treated them like family.

"You look stunning," he said. His hand went to her brown hair that was pulled back away from her face in some braid with flowers weaved in.

"Thank you," she said. "I loved Ivy let us pick our own dresses. The same colors, but we got to pick the fit. As Jasmine and Dahlia said, I didn't just have a baby. Not that you can tell looking at them."

"I haven't seen either of them since they had their babies," he said. He knew Jasmine was back to work a few weeks ago, but it's not like he was at the greenhouses much in that time.

Violet had her daughter, Norah, the same week Jasmine returned.

"They both look lovely. The whole wedding party does. But right now I can't wait for this wedding to end and it hasn't even started."

"Why?" he asked, his hand reaching for hers. He wasn't one to hold hands or show affection out in public, but he had the urge to just touch her now.

She didn't look anything at all like that schoolteacher he met eight months ago.

It was hard for him to believe they'd been together for almost seven months now. He'd never been close to anyone this long. It was scary as fuck and rewarding at the same time.

"Because I want to get you out of this suit. I used to think I'd be a suit-and-tie type of girl. Not sure why. I mean I love my father and brothers, but maybe I wanted something different. Then I realized it wasn't me."

Aster frowned. He didn't want to hear about the fact that her ex worked in an office.

Had he wanted to reach out and have a few words with the guy while Colton was still in town? Yep, he had. But he didn't. No reason to start a fight with Raine. But if they ran into the guy, he'd make sure the asshole knew who he was.

"If it's not you, then why are you saying you like me in this?" he asked.

"Because I realize there is nothing sexier than a man who isn't used to being dressed up and being forced to do it. We are both out of our comfort zones and you think I look good, why can't I think you look good? It doesn't mean I want you to look like this all the time."

She had a point.

"When is this wedding starting so I can get you naked afterward?" He heard a throat clear and turned his head to see Raine's father standing there. "Oops," he said. "No disrespect."

"I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that," Mike said. "But Jasmine came in looking for you. People are arriving and Ivy wants to make a quick toast."

"Give me a kiss," Raine said to him. He leaned down and did as she asked and then watched as she went back to the changing rooms in the church.

He knew everyone came ready to go, but they were sitting back there before it all started, then they'd drive the short distance to the reception at Mona's.

Mike followed him to the church.

"You're not going to mess her up, are you?"

"Never," he said.

"Good," Mike said. "I'm not holding you to not making her cry, though as a father that would piss me off, but I get it. I'm not perfect and have made my wife cry at times too."

"Life is messy," he said.

"It is," Mike said. "I hear you're a neat person and don't like messes. Just like Raine."

"We share some of the same qualities," he said.

Mike nodded his head and moved toward the front of the church.

Aster went to the back and found a seat as people were coming in.

It was a small church and though it was his first wedding he knew people were just sitting anywhere they wanted rather than on the bride or groom's side. Most of the people here were coworkers anyway by the looks of it.

Luke came in with Heather and waved, then they moved up to where some other state troopers were seated.

"Scoot over."

He looked up to see Zane. "Don't you want to move up front to get a better view?"

"We are good here," Lily said. "And here come Trace and Violet, so keep scooting."

He grinned and did as he was told.

"Where are the kids?" he asked Zane.

"My parents have them today. I hear your sister has Holly, Colin, and Tatum."

"She can handle two toddlers and a baby," he said.

"I'm sure," Zane said. "I bet you're relieved she's here now."

"Very," he said. "Are you going to keep talking to me like a chick's conversation? I guess they did wear you down."

Zane smirked and laughed. Aster turned his head when he felt a tap on his shoulder and saw Daisy and Theo move in and then Sage and Knox.

It wasn't long before the little church was filled up and the music started.

Patty was escorted down the aisle by River, who then took his place next to Brooks. Wesley and Hugh were already at the altar waiting.

Ivy's mother was escorted down by both of her sons.

When the music changed, the first one down was Cori, who pretty much ran and threw flowers that had everyone laughing. The little girl went to her father and stayed there for now.

Raine came down next and took her place. She'd be matched up with Wesley, he'd been told. Dahlia came next and would be with Hugh. Jasmine was last as the Matron of Honor to be paired with River, the best man.

He had to get a crash course in this watching the rehearsal last night, then dinner afterward.

When the music changed one more time, everyone stood and then turned to see Ivy walking down in a big princess gown all but sparkling every time the sunlight hit it.

She was on her father's arm and smiling huge.

When she got to the end, Brooks looked as if he might drop a tear but had a massive smile on his face.

Ten minutes later there was cheering and clapping and everyone was walking back down the aisle.

For his first wedding, it wasn't that bad.

"Ready to party now?" Zane asked.

"Sure," he said. "Not that this is my kind of party."

"Not like some we've had in the day," Zane said. "But people are going to let loose. It's hard not to with Ivy."

"I figured as much."

They stood there and chatted until they were able to leave the pew.

Many were standing around outside talking and the wedding party was already taking off to get pictures taken. He knew they'd be by the water and around the grounds at the marina.

He climbed into his truck and drove to the restaurant. Many others were leaving too.

When he pulled in, he saw Emma and walked over to her. "Hey," she said. "I know we are sitting together with my in-laws. Let's go find our table."

He followed Emma to the card table, got their name tags and went into the reception. "Can I get you a drink?" he asked.

"I'd love a glass of wine," Emma said.

When he was standing at the bar waiting, Reese walked over. "Your sister is a savior. She's great."

"She is pretty great," he said. "She was nervous about this move. She still has no clue about the work being done on the cabin."

"Poppy has been all over decorating it. I can't stop or control it and gave up."

He snorted. "Like you'd want to change those things."

"Nope," Reese said. "Happy wife, happy life. It's the truth."

"Are you not sleeping much?" he asked. He wasn't sure he'd heard that Reese was this...sappy maybe? Emotional? He didn't know the word to use, but it wasn't the same as the guy he'd met a few times.

"I'm getting enough," Reese said, slapping him on the back. "When you find the woman you love, it makes you act differently at times. Not always a bad thing."

His drinks were put in front of him and he tossed some money on the bar and then went into the reception. Emma was waving him over as if he wasn't going to head in that direction anyway.

"They want you and me in some pictures."

"Me?" he asked.

"Yep," Emma said, smirking. "Unless you've got a problem with being in wedding pictures with your girlfriend?"

"No problem," he said, setting their drinks down.

Maybe Reese was right. You were just a different person when you were in love.

There was no way he'd picture himself right where he was now two years ago. That wasn't a bad thing either. It didn't matter that the career he saw himself in was gone.

What mattered was what Mike said. How good you were at cleaning things up.

Aster was a pro at this point.