Chapter 37

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

KATE

B anff is a place I've always wanted to visit, especially at Christmas. But did I actually think I'd be getting married here?

Hell to the no.

Did I think I'd leave my future sister-in-law to make all the arrangements alongside my fiancé's ex-captain? Also no.

But here we are, on the morning of my wedding, as I look out over the snowy mountainous landscape of one of the prettiest places I've ever seen.

Jensen said he wanted to marry me in Alberta, so when Hollie suggested a chic hotel set in the heart of the town, I knew it was perfect. How they managed to get availability at such late notice remains a mystery, but I guess anything is possible when your man is the resident hockey star.

Hollie asked me if I wanted a beautician this morning, but I declined. I've been doing my hair and makeup for as long as I can remember. Sometimes, when I was alone and stuck in my bedroom as a teenager, I'd kill time by teaching myself the latest trends, pretending that I was going out with my friends and not being held prisoner in my own home by my own parents.

But this morning wouldn't be complete without my girls next to me.

The door to my bedroom creaks open, and a huge smile breaks across my face as Luna and Felicity enter, dressed in gorgeous sage green, the same color as the twin's nursery. Their long, flowing, silky dresses hug every curve and line of their womanly figures, taking my breath away.

"Holy hell." Luna's hands fly up to cover her face.

"You've seen the dress before," I say.

"We have, but not like this. The finished article." Felicity waves a hand up and down my body. "I'm really glad Jensen managed to convince you he was the one because, wow, you make the most beautiful bride."

"I can't see my feet, as predicted," I say.

My dress is an ivory corset lace bodice which then flows straight out from just below my breasts, leaving plenty of room for my huge bump.

"I don't think I have another nine weeks in me, you know. How the doctors think I'll make it to thirty-six weeks is beyond me."

Luna sighs. "I'm gonna be honest. It was a struggle this morning. My bump is getting out of control, and this dress only just made it." Her long, auburn hair curls around her shoulders as she breathes in and then back out.

"Yeah, I don't think you can breathe in the baby," Felicity laughs.

"Ugh, I have such bad water retention. Everything is swollen." Luna throws her head back and groans. "And all I can think about is pickles."

"On their own or as part of a wider meal?" Felicity laughs.

"No, on their own and straight from the jar. Zach tried to steal one the other day for his burger. I nearly impaled him with my fork."

"I don't think I have any cravings."

"Just JJ's cock," Luna croons.

She's not wrong.

Right at that moment, a knock on the door sounds, and a familiar female voice calls from the other side.

"Shit, that's Claire, Jensen's mom!" I whisper-shout. "Do you think she heard that last bit?"

"I don't really think it matters if she did, babe." Felicity points to my bump. "She already knows you're not averse to his dick."

"Shhhhh!" I exclaim, which draws a laugh from my two best friends.

"Come in!"

Claire steps into the room wearing a sage green two-piece suit and a cream hat. She looks stunning with her dark hair and striking features. I can certainly tell where her son got his looks.

"We'll give you a moment." Felicity and Luna step out of the room, closing the door behind them.

Since our engagement, I've spoken to Claire on Facetime and the phone more times than I have my own mother in a lifetime, but I've only met her a handful of times at games. At that point, I hated her son, and I'm pretty sure she knew it as well.

So, naturally, this feels more nerve-wracking than the thought of standing at the end of the aisle in an hour and exchanging vows I'd convinced myself I never would.

She steps closer, her eyes wide as she takes me in from head to toe. "Kate, you look…well, you look absolutely incredible." She reaches into her purse and pulls out a tissue. "I've got a few of these on hand for today."

"Thank you." I pause. "I'm sorry we haven't had much time to plan or speak before we got to this point. This entire six months has been surreal, but in the best way."

She smiles warmly. "Kate, it really doesn't matter if you've been dating my son for months or years. Couples move at their own pace, and when feelings are as strong as they are between you and Jensen, you just have to go with it."

I huff out a laugh. "My feelings have always been strong, if not misplaced at times."

She chuckles and steps closer, taking my engagement hand in hers. "I actually found the whole thing entertaining."

"Wait, you did?"

"Yes! Here's my cocky, flirtatious boy being brought to his knees by the one woman who couldn't stand the sight of him. I don't know what happened between you two, but it was sure funny to watch you put him through the wringer. I appreciate a strong woman with values, and that's all I needed to know about you."

I consider telling her what happened in Riley's that night. But really, what's the point? It's just another part of our love story and journey to how we got here.

"Well, I hated that I wanted him too. I was convinced I had him all figured out."

"Jensen Jones is for sure an enigma. Just like you, he takes a long time to figure out, but when those special few take the time to peel back the layers, they are often surprised."

"Well, I sure am."

Claire lowers her voice. "I'm really sorry your parents couldn't be here today."

I shrug. "I'm not sure I am."

I've shared a little bit with Claire during phone calls, but the only people who know the whole truth are Easton and now Jensen. But like her son, Claire is perceptive, and I can tell she's read between the very painful lines.

"Hollie has everything pretty much ready down there," she laughs. "And Jon is following her around, checking items off in his folder."

I smirk. "He's in the wrong career, that boy."

She squeezes my hand. "Let's go get you married because I, for one, cannot wait to have you as part of our family, and also, I'm a touch concerned Jensen is going to murder Jon if we don't get everything started soon."

Standing on the other side of the doors to the room where I'm about to be married, I wait once again for the reality of my situation to hit me—for the one-eighty my life has taken to come barreling towards me and hit me square between the eyes. But it doesn't. If anything, I want to be back and near Jensen, given I haven't seen him since we flew in yesterday.

John Legend's "All of Me" starts and filters underneath the doors as they open, and Felicity turns over her shoulder where she's standing next to Luna and offers me a reassuring wink.

Since I'm standing around the corner and out of sight, I watch as both of them disappear and turn to head into the main room, where Jensen is standing alongside his best man, Jessie.

I can't imagine how nervous he must feel. Memories of the last time he was in this position must be flooding his mind.

But I'm not going anywhere.

The moment he sets eyes on me walking up the aisle alone, which I wanted, he covers his face with his hand, and I know he's hiding the emotion also building behind my eyes and in my throat.

This is it. Our forever.

The chapter neither of us saw coming, or at least I didn't, and with the very last person I expected.

As I hand my small white bouquet to Felicity and come to stand next to him, he reaches out and slowly intertwines his fingers with mine.

Leaning into me slightly as the officiant begins her introduction, I get a waft of his familiar cologne, a sure sign that no matter where I am, I'm exactly where I need to be.

"I want you to know that I've longed for this moment. Whether you were carrying my babies or not, it was my ultimate fantasy to hold your hand at the end of an aisle, any aisle, and exchange vows with you. Thank you for making my dreams come true."

I squeeze his hand tightly as the tears begin to tumble. "I know. Thank you for believing in us."