17. Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

E llie stood in the family room of the apartment. They’d closed the bar on Valentine’s Day from noon until six p.m. to allow all their family and friends to participate in the wedding.

She and Hennessy had discussed how to handle the wedding. Ellie had always dreamed of having a maid or matron of honor and bridesmaids, but she also didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. She and Hennessy had come up with the group that would stand up with them, and then they had corsages and boutonnieres for all the friends and family attending.

Vivi had pulled her into a room this week and let her in on the secret of what she’d done to the Nelson’s Dating Roulette. Vivi had weighted the wheel to fall on the person she thought the guys should date. Crewe was up next to spin. Vivi and Ellie talked about who his perfect person was, so Ellie had made sure that was who Ryanne was walking down the aisle with.

Sutton looked darling in her pale pink dress. The boys had jeans, white shirts, black vests, and a pink tie.

Ellie stared at herself in the mirror. Beth and Vivi, along with Ryanne, had helped her with her hair. She loved the way they’d pulled up one side but had the rest in soft curls. She’d never spend this much time each day on her hair, but for the day she married her love, she’d go all out. Her dress was a lacy, white tea-length dress that she felt like a princess in. The flowers she carried were roses and daisies in white, dark pink, and pale pink.

Morgan and Elijah had requested that they be allowed to walk her down the aisle to Hennessy. The boys had grown so much in the short time since they’d officially become a family. They were more confident, and Elijah even spoke more. Sutton adored her older brothers, though Ellie wasn’t betting on it being smooth sailing. The boys were in counseling, and they’d had their first family counseling session with the therapist. She’d listened when Cannon had shared how much it had helped him, and he’d wished he’d had it when he was a teen.

“Are you ready, Mom?” Elijah asked, holding out his arm. She leaned over and kissed his cheek and then Morgan’s.

“I am, but before we do, I want to say something. We had a rough start, and I expect over the years we’ll have other rough times when we disagree. I want you to always remember how much you are loved. And with love, we can get through whatever life throws our way,” she said, her voice cracking as she finished.

“Now, Mom, Dad said to make sure you didn’t cry. He said to remind you how special you are,” Morgan said.

Her phone went off with a text. Beth picked it up and grinned, then turned the phone toward Ellie.

“I think he’s tired of waiting and wants his happily ever after,” Vivi said.

Ellie smiled and nodded to the boys. “Let’s do this,” she said.

Morgan held his arm out for her to slide hers through and escorted her down the stairs. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearer were waiting at the bottom of the stairs in the meeting room.

Peck was holding Bailey in a cute pink dress. Burt and Bill were in charge of ushering people to tables. Peck nodded to have Bill start the music. Ellie had known immediately what song everyone was walking in to—the first song that Hennessy had sent, where she’d started to believe maybe he wanted more. As the notes of Charlie Puth’s One Call Away started, Whiskey and Vivi walked in together, followed by Crewe and Ryanne. Flick walked in with Beth, then Cannon and Jesse walked in because she had to have them in the wedding. Their coming together had made her start to think it was okay to not be perfect and still fall in love. When she’d asked Schaefer and the rest of the cousins to do what she’d seen numerous times on social media, Whiskey had pouted since he was escorting Vivi instead of participating.

The music changed to Soul by Lee Brice as the guys lined up. They danced down the aisle, tossing silk petals at the guests as they danced. Morgan leaned over and high-fived Elijah as something on the back of their shirts started to appear. Ellie giggled, then snorted when she read the words appearing: Ladies, I’m single .

“How?” Ellie asked.

“Hennessy and Whiskey found this dye that appears when it gets warm. Hennessy was positive you’d think it was hysterical. Is it okay, Mom?” they asked.

“It is more than okay. The only thing that would have made it better would be if you’d included their phone numbers,” Ellie said.

The boys laughed and then put their arms out as the song changed back to One Call Away .

She walked down the aisle to Hennessy. She kissed Sutton’s cheek and the boys. They’d helped make today special. Even the joke gave her that wonderful feeling of family she’d only found when she met Hennessy.

He leaned over close, touching their noses. “You ready to make this official, my Lovely?”

She nodded and gazed into the eyes she would love forever.

Hennessy danced with Sutton in his arms. His wife was dancing with Elijah. She’d already danced with Morgan. They’d said their vows, and he’d kissed his bride. A shiver had run through him at the touch of her lips after they were wed. Like a lightning bolt sealing their union. They’d had fantastic barbecue and then started the dancing. Seeing all his friends and family around reminded him how truly blessed he was.

“Daddy happy,” Sutton said, running her little fingers through his beard.

He grinned at the little girl who had captured his heart. “Yes, Daddy is happy. Is Sutton happy?” he asked.

She nodded, then twirled her fingers in his beard. She was getting tired. She’d started running her fingers through his beard and twirling the hairs as she fell asleep. He was careful now to make sure her hands were clean because jelly in his beard was not fun.

He watched across the room as Crewe danced with Ry. At least he got to call her Ry now. She truly was like the little sister he’d never had. So many changes for their family in the last year. He wondered what was in store for them this year. Whatever it was, they’d face it together.

“Why don’t you let me take her? Dad’s going to go upstairs so Bailey can go to sleep,” Whiskey suggested.

“Sutton, do you want to go upstairs and see Papa?” Hennessy asked.

At her nod, he handed her off to Whiskey and walked toward his bride and sons.

The song finished, and he grasped Ellie’s hand as they walked off the dance floor.

“Wife, how’s your wedding day?” he asked.

She grinned, then leaned up to kiss his mouth. “Husband, it’s fantastic. Let’s go see our friends, then find somewhere to consummate this marriage.”

The little minx knew what she was doing because she laughed and skipped over to the tables containing a lot of the Bluff Creek families. Sure, she skipped while he was trying to figure out how to walk with his dick hard and no blood left in his brain.

At least he knew with Ellie, life would never be boring.

He joined Ellie, taking the seat next to her.

Dex, Cannon, Jesse, Beth, along with Crewe and Ry, were at the table. Despite it being a celebration, Dex wasn’t smiling.

Ellie leaned closer to Dex, “Are you okay?”

“I’m not going to bring your wedding down,” Dex said.

“Oh Dex, you know Ellie better than that. What’s going on?” Hennessy asked.

“I came to Bluff Creek with Twist and Booker. It’s been great. I’ve found the comradery I had missed after I left the military and a family who has your back. Twist and Booker like it okay, but Booker isn’t happy. I can tell by his body language and demeanor because he hasn’t said anything to me. I guess it’s the thought of losing my brother,” Dex said.

“Change is hard for everyone. I can’t imagine the bonds you’ve made with them while serving. I hope you don’t have to deal with him leaving, but if you do, Hennessy and I will be here to help you through,” Ellie said.

Cannon nodded and raised his beer to Dex. “You can count on Jesse and me.”

Dex nodded. “I appreciate it, but let’s talk about something else.”

“Hey, Ellie, did you hear about Mr. Snodgrass?” Beth asked.

“No, what have I missed?” Ellie asked.

“I guess he was meeting prostitutes at a motel in a neighboring town. And someone took pictures of him and his friend and sent them to his wife,” Beth said, chuckling.

Hennessy was positive he knew who the person was that took pictures of Snodgrass and had made sure he would pay for the way the man had treated the boys. Beth was a whiz at surveillance and also had a need to right wrongs, especially against kids.

“I’m glad he got what was coming to him. He shouldn’t be anywhere near kids. The school is better off without him,” his feisty wife said, then stood and held her hand out to him.

“Hennessy and I are changing into our partying outfits and will be back in just a little bit,” Ellie said and with a straight face no less. If she thought everyone believed that was all they were going to do, then she was dreaming.

“Bullshit,” Crewe said, coughing into his hand.

Ry raised her sparkling water. “I say go get you some!”

Ellie blushed, and he took her hand, taking the lead to where they were going. His dad was upstairs with the kids, and the office would work; everyone had a key, but Hennessy had thought ahead. Both of them had clothes in there, and no one would be interrupting them.

He opened the door, and Ellie brushed by him. He’d been hard before she’d teased him, leaving the dance floor. Now, he was ready to sink his cock inside his wife. Once they were in the room, he grabbed the door stops he’d brought into the office. He wedged one under the door from the outside and the one that led to the bar. Then he walked toward Ellie. Grasping her by the waist, he lifted her onto the desk, waiting to let go until she was leaning on her elbows.

He sat down in the chair and rolled it closer. He slid off Ellie’s shoes, kissing each foot before placing them on his shoulders.

“Hennessy?” she whispered.

“What, Lovely?” he asked as he reached for the ties holding her panties on. A couple tugs and they fell into his hand.

“You don’t have to do that every time,” she said.

Hennessy chuckled. “I don’t have to, but I love tasting my woman and hearing her scream. But I don’t want you embarrassed.”

He pulled a washcloth out of his pocket and cocked his eyebrow. She nodded and opened her mouth. He leaned forward, which widened her legs. He slid the washcloth between her lips, then ran his finger across her bottom lip.

“Now lay back and relax while I make my Lovely come,” Hennessy said, then lifted her legs a little higher so he could reach her hot center waiting for him. His first taste had him groaning and her squirming. He rubbed his finger around her entrance as he licked and feasted on his wife. Her moans, muffled by the washcloth, had him ready to pound inside her as soon as she came.

Sliding his fingers inside her, he rubbed against her g-spot and then sucked harder as she started to shake. He glanced up, watching her as she came. When she stared at him with glazed eyes, he slid a condom on and leaned over her.

“Are you ready?”

At her nod, he thrust inside her and prayed he’d make it more than a couple of thrusts. Ellie’s nails scraping his shoulders, her legs wrapped around his waist, and her thrusts to meet him had him holding off as long as he could before he came, gritting his teeth to not yell her name.

“I love you, Hennessy,” she said after she pulled the washcloth from her mouth.

“I love you too, my Lovely.”

He took care of the condom and helped her up, sliding his hand behind her neck. “Was it okay?”

“Oh, the fact that you thought of a washcloth in my mouth to keep me from being embarrassed was so hot,” Ellie said, sliding her hand to his chest over his heart. “If I forget to say it later, I want you to know that you’ve made every one of my dreams come true. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Hennessy.”

She was going to make him cry on his wedding day, but he didn’t care. She was his happiness.