Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

I stood on the front porch of the house Gideon, and I had created together with love and gazed out over the yard in shock. My tummy flipped, but it wasn’t from fear or stress. It was from giddiness and joy. Normally, the yard was grass and trees. Today, it was not.

Someone, or a bunch of someones, had converted our property into an exquisite garden. It was pure magic. Candles hung overhead in the air, floating on a gentle and fragrant breeze. Scattered peach and pale-pink rose petals created a path leading to a gazebo covered in vines bursting with white, cream, and dusty rose-colored blossoms. Flowers and ornamental grasses swayed in the light wind while the clouds in the sky appeared larger and puffier. Flocks of wildly colored birds darted in and out of the trees, and the winter sun bathed the entire picture in a warm golden glow. For it being the middle of winter, it was impressive.

“Oh my,” I whispered, taking it all in with delight. June had given me some solid advice ten minutes earlier as I’d waited in the foyer for my surprise wedding to begin.

“Once the dress is on, don’t worry about it getting messed up,” she said sagely. “It will at some point and who cares? Listen to the ceremony, and don’t get wasted at the reception.”

They were logical and smart pointers, just like my buddy June. I added one more thought to the list—take in the beauty around me and treasure it.

“You look so lovely, Daisy girl,” Gram said as she hovered next to me in all her ghostly glory. “Lemme tell you, I’m so dang excited to walk my baby down the aisle, I think my head might fall off! Kiddin’!” she added to my relief. Having to superglue Gram’s head back on during the wedding march might kill some of the romantic atmosphere. The old ghost chuckled and then gazed at me fondly. “You bein’ happy just dills my pickles. You look as fine as a frog hair split four ways.”

I giggled. Gram was being vintage Gram. “I love you and thank you.”

“For what?” she asked, caressing my cheek with her papery and transparent hand.

“For loving me. For raising me. For staying with me,” I said, pulling out a tissue and putting it to good use. “And for walking me down the aisle.”

“Pleasure is all mine, baby girl,” she told me. “All mine.”

Dabbing at my eyes so I didn’t have a streaky, tear-stained face, I gazed at the stunning picture in front of me. There were several rows of seating. Everyone was here—Heather and Missy held hands and leaned into each other the way people who loved each other did. Tim, Jennifer, June and Charlie sat together. June held a sleepy Alana Catherine on her lap, and my fur babies, Donna and Karen, lay on the ground at her feet. Charlie’s arm was draped over June’s shoulders, and Jennifer, with a bottle of wine in hand, cooed at my baby. As my friend liked to say… it was five o’clock somewhere. Tim, dapper in his mail uniform, had added a bow tie and a top hat to his look. It was a massive fashion faux pas—so wrong it was absolutely right. Instead of a notebook and pen, today, my socially awkward buddy had a camera and was snapping pictures. I knew this day would stay in my heart and my memories, but it would be lovely to have physical reminders.

My newest friends, Zander and his sister Catriona, sat with my Angel siblings—Rafe, Gabe, Abby and Prue. Tory and Amelia rounded out the group. Amelia sat next to Rafe, and their connection was undeniable. The energy around them was electric. Everyone was dressed to the nines and looked like they’d stepped off the cover of a magazine. Zander couldn’t take his eyes off Prue. She studiously ignored him, of course, but the small smile pulling at her lips was a dead giveaway that she was into it. There was a story developing there, and I had my fingers crossed for a happily ever after. However, the biggest story of that grouping was Gabe and Tory. Tory no longer denied her feelings for my brother. They were taking it slow, but they had an eternity to get it right. Both of them were glowing… literally.

Their love story had been thousands of years in the making, and I had a feeling it was about to unfold into a beautiful ending.

“It’s almost time,” Gram said softly. “You ready?”

“More ready than I’ve ever been,” I told her with a smile so wide it hurt my cheeks. “Where’s Gideon?”

“He’ll be coming out with Candy Vargo in just a sec,” she told me. “That boy has it bad for you. He’s been walking around grinnin’ like a possum eatin’ a sweet tater!”

“That makes two of us,” I said with a laugh.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in full-on glittering drag were running the show. Dirk seated the last of the guests. Wally coordinated all the music—which was kind of alarming, considering the playlist, but nothing would ruin this day, even cringy inappropriate songs. Fred traipsed up and down the aisle, offering flutes of champagne. Most everyone accepted a glass. Jennifer took two. Carl stood next to the gazebo, looking fabulous, and posed for the camera. Tim obliged and took plenty of pics.

Mr. Jackson and my three hundred or so other dead guests were in attendance as well. They might have been more excited about the ceremony than I was. The ghosts darted around and chattered with rabid excitement. There were a few random body parts lying around. Didn’t matter. It was par for the course in my life, and I’d deal with it and superglue them back together after the ceremony. It was macabre, beautiful and very, very right. I wore many hats… mom, soon-to-be wife, sister, granddaughter, friend, Angel of Mercy, badass, and Death Counselor. It was perfect that all my people were here.

Candy Vargo appeared on the platform of the gazebo in a blast of sparkling orange mist. The guests applauded her showmanship. She bowed and tossed boxes of toothpicks to the crowd. I almost choked on my spit at the outfit she wore. She had on a magnificent gold Prada sheath dress that was simple in design and gorgeous in reality. Of course, she paired it with shitty tennis shoes and a toothpick hanging out of her mouth, but Candy was Candy, and that wasn’t ever going to change. The queens had dressed her—everything except the shoes and the toothpick accessory. I was sure of that. When her gaze met mine, she smiled, waved, and then flipped me off.

I returned the gesture, and she cackled like an idiot.

“You ready, asshead?” she yelled.

“I’m ready, butthole,” I yelled back.

“Then let’s get this fuckin’ party started!”

“Watch that mouth,” Gram told her, giving her the stink-eye.

The Keeper of Fate blanched and gave Gram a thumbs up. I didn’t believe Candy Vargo was capable of watching her mouth. Honestly, I didn’t want her to. It wouldn’t be a party without Candy dropping a few F-bombs.

“Oh my!” Dirk squealed as Gideon walked onto the gazebo. “You are hotter than Satan’s underpants—if he existed—which he doesn’t, but I’m sticking with my story!”

Dirk was correct. My heart skipped a beat, and my mouth went dry when our eyes met. The man of my dreams gazed at me with love and desire in his eyes. It made me forget for a moment that we weren’t the only people here. It was humbling to the point that I thought I might faint. The smile pulling at the corner of his kissable lips promised a lifetime of adventure. I was all in.

“All right, people,” Candy shouted. “Get your asses up. You gotta stand when the bride walks down the aisle.”

The people listened.

“Lookin’ like it’s our turn,” Gram said.

“Lookin’ like it is,” I agreed.

“Music,” Candy Vargo ordered, pointing her chewed-up toothpick at Wally.

“On it, Doll Face!” Wally pushed the button, and Sting’s voice came through the speakers. Every Breath You Take blasted loud and proud.

A few of the guests winced at the song choice, but I just shook my head and went with it. Nothing could ruin my day. I would have loved for my mom and dad to be here, but that wasn’t possible. I was thrilled with the gathering assembled. It included my nearest and dearest.

The melody of the song was beautiful, even if the words were kind of creepy. I felt the strong impulse to run to Gideon, tackle him and play tonsil hockey, but thankfully, Gram had tucked her ghostly arm through mine. Literally. She floated at a slower pace, which was far more appropriate. It would have been a major faux pas for me to sprint down the aisle dragging my dead grandmother, but it was exactly what I wanted to do.

Gideon’s eyes burned red with love and adoration as I approached. Gram handed me over and booped the Grim Reaper’s nose before she floated away, seating herself next to Heather and Missy.

“Stunning,” Gideon whispered.

“Back at ya, Sexy Pants,” I said. “You okay with this? I mean, it seems kind of shotgun.”

He threw his head back and laughed. It filled my soul.

Gideon in a tux should be illegal. He was more beautiful than any movie star or model from a magazine. But even more important than his fine abs, ass, kissable lips and other things I shouldn’t think about while our families, friends and daughter were present was his heart. It was kind, strong, loving and good. And it was mine.

“It’s my fuckin’ turn,” Candy Vargo announced, pulling out a toothpick box that she had turned into a cheat sheet.

“Let’s try to keep the profanity to a minimum,” Tim suggested.

“Will do. Jackasses, did you hear the mailman?” she demanded of Gideon and me with a cackle.

“Pretty sure he was talking to you,” I shot back.

“Hmm…” She considered the possibility and then shrugged. “You ready for me to marry you two?”

“Do we have a choice?” I asked with an answering grin.

“Nope.”

“Then we’re ready,” Gideon said.

“Did either of you happen to write your fuckin’ vows?” Candy Vargo inquired.

“Watch that mouth, girlie, or I’m gonna tie your tongue in a knot,” Gram shouted.

“My bad,” Candy answered her with a wave. She refocused on us. “So? Vows?”

I squinted at her in disbelief. “Are you serious? Neither one of us even knew we were getting married this afternoon. Why would you think we’d have written our own vows?

“Relax your fuckin’ sphincter crack,” Candy said. “You can just pull ‘em out of your ass.”

“Candy Vargo,” Gram called out, waggling her finger.

“Whoops,” Candy said. “I meant to say, relax your fornicating gluteal muscles.”

“Lordy, have mercy,” Gram choked out a laugh. “I ain’t sure that’s much better. But at least it wasn’t an F-bomb.”

“Say what’s in your heart,” Heather said.

“Grand idea,” Fred agreed.

My sister was right. She was usually right. However, I needed someone else with us to do it correctly. I held up a finger to Gideon, who seemed a bit confused. Hustling over to June, I held out my arms for my baby. In order to marry Gideon, we needed our entire little family together. With our child cradled to my chest, I walked back to the man I wanted to spend my long life with. His smile was what I expected. The happy tears in his eyes, I did not. For a Demon, the guy was in touch with his emotions. He was a keeper.

He pulled us close and whispered in my ear. “Say your vows, Counselor.”

“Getting there, Reaper,” I replied as Alana Catherine reached up and pulled his hair with a giggle that made my waterworks turn on. I inhaled deeply and blew it out slowly. Speaking from my heart was easy. I was so filled with love I just let it rip. “Gideon, you’re the love of my life—my best friend. I promise you this, every day, I will cherish you. I will love you. I will laugh and cry with you. I’ll be by your side to kick some ass when necessary, which I hope we get a break from for a little while.” The crowd laughed. They got it. We all needed a freaking break. “I’m your ride or die, and you’re mine. I don’t know what I did in my life to get so lucky, but I’m thankful for it with all of my heart. Together, we’ll have a home full of love for our daughter, and I want to live each day of our seriously long lives with you by my side. I promise to be your partner, lover and bestie until the end of time. My life truly started the day I met you.”

Gideon’s grin set my thong on fire, and the kiss he planted on my lips made my head spin.

“Keep your tongue in your mouth, boy,” Candy grunted, slapping the Grim Reaper on the back of the head. “You need to pull some vows out of your butt, and then I’ll say the man and wife shit.” She checked her notes on the toothpick box. “After that, you can go on up to your room and bang. Got it?”

“Got it,” Gideon said with a wince and a chuckle. He turned his attention to me and got very serious. “Daisy, my life started when you came into it. You make it worth living and even though I didn’t know it, I’ve been waiting an eternity for you. Literally.” His lopsided grin made my knees weak. “It wasn’t until you came into my life that I truly understood what love meant. You and Alana Catherine are the reasons for each and every breath I take.” He paused and chuckled. “Kind of like the stalker song that was played when you walked down the aisle.”

I laughed. Hard. The queens didn’t. They were wildly confused.

“That being said,” Gideon continued. “I promise to be your husband, best friend, lover and partner in juicy boner justice until the end of time.” I giggled, and he grinned. “I promise to love, cherish and worship you and our daughter. I will protect you with my life… because my existence would be meaningless without you. I love you.”

“Love you more,” I whispered.

“Not possible,” he shot back.

“You done, fucker?” Candy Vargo asked Gideon.

“For the love of everything, you ain’t supposed to say at a wedding,” Gram grumbled. “Candy Vargo, you’re makin’ my rump itch. I swear I’m gonna jerk you bald if you don’t control that potty mouth.”

“Will do, Gram,” Candy said, blanching. Only Gram could put the Keeper of Fate in her place without being electrocuted. Gram might be dead, but she still ruled the roost.

“Yes, I’m done,” Gideon said.

“Okay then, by the power vested in me because I took an online crash course in officiating weddings, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You can now stick your tongue down Daisy’s throat or go on upstairs and bang. However, it is rather obvious you’ve had premarital sex due to the bundle of joy in your hands…” She waved a hand in front of her face and wrinkled her nose. “Who may or may not have just pooped her pants.”

It wasn’t a typical wedding, but we weren’t typical. And Candy was correct. Alana Catherine had just dropped a few friends off at the lake. It would be dealt with shortly. But it could wait a minute. Now, it was time for a lip lock with my husband.

Gideon dipped his head, his warm lips brushing against mine. I melted into his arms, my fingers lacing behind his neck as I kissed him right back.

The deal was sealed, and nothing in the world could make me happier.