Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34

Alex

Elliot has been fidgeting in her seat since we left home.

"Are you struggling?"

She cuts her eyes to me. "Huh?"

"You're squirming. I should have sucked that pretty pussy before we left, relaxed you a bit."

Her face heats as she gives me a small smirk. "As much as I would want that, it's not that. My damn back is hurting."

Concern blasts through me. "I'm sorry, mi sol . We should have taken your car."

She moves to her side and holds her stomach. "Probably, ugh. I feel like he's got his elbows in my ribs and his feet are trying to escape my pussy."

I gawk at her. "That can't happen, right?"

I've read every pregnancy book I can get my hands on, and I'm pretty sure I'd remember reading if that could happen.

A strained laugh leaves her lips. "No, he's in the right position. So, really, it's his hands trying to break free and his feet in my ribs."

I blink. "Do we need to go to the hospital?"

She shakes her head. "No, he isn't coming. He's just making me uncomfortable."

Guilt floods me. "I'm sorry, mami ." I rub her belly. "You are so strong, and I couldn't have picked a stronger woman to be the mother of my baby."

"You didn't choose me."

"Depends how you look at it. I knew I wanted you, fate put a baby in your belly, and guess what, I'm going to keep choosing you."

Her eyes soften as she covers my hand with hers. "There has been no one but you, Alejandro."

My eyes sparkle with hers. "About time you realized that."

She snorts. "I always knew, just fought it."

"Pointless, huh? Since I'm yours."

"Totally." We share a smile, but then she groans. "I love you, but I also hate you a bit for knocking me up with a kid who is dead set on busting out of my skin."

I chuckle as I rub the back of her hand. "Hate me all you want, mami . I'll remind you why you love me when I'm between your legs later."

She lets out a breathy laugh as I turn down the drive to the little white chapel. I spent all day here yesterday, helping Ciaran with an arch made of all their favorite romance books. I teased him relentlessly for his love of romance, but then I found myself reading one as we ate lunch. I'm not a reader, but I wanted more ideas for how to woo my girl.

Because I need her.

Her existence makes me happy.

These last two months have been a whirlwind. Even though we went seven games with the Griffins, we swept Hershey. I'll never forget the feeling of holding that Cup above my head, but now it makes me want to hold the Stanley above my head even more than before. I am so proud of my team, my coach, and myself. I'm thankful for being sent back, not only because of winning with the Bears, but because of Elliot.

She makes my life better.

She was the first person I called when I got traded to Utah. Usually, it would have been my mom, and thankfully, Mom doesn't mind. When she told Elliot she would be her mom, she wasn't just blowing smoke up her ass. She calls and texts Elliot more than me now, and I am so grateful for that. Because each call and text bring a smile to my woman's face that hits me square in the chest.

We were looking for a house to buy here when we thought I'd be staying, but then I got traded. It's going to be a big change but one I'm ready for. I'm ready to kick ass in the NHL and come home to be the best husband and dad for Elliot and our son. We're still looking for a house, but it's not a priority. This wedding has been the priority, and once it's done, we'll figure out what's next.

One day at a time.

It's how we've been doing things, and it works the best for Elliot. I know she's going to miss her sisters, and that means I'll have to work even harder to make sure she's happy. Which is why I found myself reading a romance book, and I'm still reading it on my phone.

I don't want her to ever question how deeply I love her. Or question if we can handle all the changes we are going through. It's not that she wants to question anything; it's the chemicals in her brain, and I have no problem going toe-to-toe with those fuckers.

Now that she has my ring on her finger, it isn't coming off again.

Once was enough to give me plenty of anxiety for a lifetime.

After I park, I quickly get out to help Elliot, in the hope it'll alleviate some of her discomfort. I pull her to me, and she groans softly, her face twisting and causing my heart to beat out of sync. "Talk to me, mami ."

She bends to the side. "Can you yell at your kid to move? It's like I've got a stitch in my side. You know how when you're running and it happens? That's what this feels like."

"Turn around. Hold the car."

She flashes me a sexy smirk. "Yes, Daddy. Will you spank me?"

I chortle as I turn her, ignoring my hardening cock as I take her hips in my palms. I rub the spot on her lower back with both thumbs, and she melts into my touch. "You have the best hands."

Pride burns inside me. "Better?"

She nods. "So much."

I kiss her bare shoulder and then her neck before I hug her tightly from behind. "You good? Ready to head in? We're late."

She leans her head into mine and kisses my cheek. "I want to marry you."

I grin, my heart kicking up in speed. "I'll push Ciaran and Lou off the mountain, and we can hijack this wedding."

She snorts, smacking the arm that holds her. "No need. Our time will come."

"Soon?"

"Soon," she agrees as she turns in my arms and kisses my lips. I want to draw out the kiss, but we're interrupted by Clara.

"Hey, lovebirds, come on! We're waiting on you two."

Elliot flashes me a wide grin, and I swear, it hits me dead center in the chest. I kiss her nose then wrap my arm around her as we head to the little white chapel that overlooks the most beautiful view of Gatlinburg. The sky is a gorgeous shade of blue, the clouds bright and fluffy as a nice, warm breeze blows. It's the perfect day for a wedding.

I hold Elliot close as we head around the chapel to where the gazebo sits, covered in white and light-blue flowers. Ciaran stands in front of the gazebo next to the minister under the book arch that took an hour to make. Along with the books, we added more flowers, and I have to admit, they look great and pop against the white gazebo. Austen, Clara, and Eliza stand on the opposite side from Ciaran, and sitting down are Dimitri Titov and Coleson Katz, who is in a full leg brace. I feel for the dude; the injury he sustained was brutal.

But he's fighting back.

I walk Elliot down the aisle, and when she looks up at me, I would commit murder to marry her right now. She looks so damn beautiful, her hair in a high bun with little curls falling every which way. The light-blue dress hugs her huge breasts and makes her hazel eyes appear bluer than I'm used to. It also shows off her strong shoulders, which I want to nibble on. She's breathtaking—and all mine.

I guide her beside Clara and kiss her lips. She leans into my kiss, cupping my jaw, and I know I need to pull back before everyone gets another show. I kiss her top lip, rub her belly, and then head to stand beside Ciaran.

I look around, noticing someone is missing. "Coach didn't come?"

Ciaran shakes his head, disappointment outlining his features. "Something came up."

I don't know why, but my gaze falls on Clara. Instantly, she looks away, looking mortified as hell. Not sure what that's about, but I bet it has something to do with the fact that she hooked up with my surly Highlander. Though, I'm surprised he missed Ciaran's wedding because of a drunken one-night stand that happened a month ago and only I know about.

Well, I told Eliott.

Of course.

But since he's not here, I wonder if it was more… I should ask.

It makes me sad I won't be able to drive him crazy anymore.

Eh, I can FaceTime him.

Once we're all ready, Ciaran nods to a violinist, and she starts to play a soft melody. Instead of looking at Louisa, who I know is a gorgeous bride, I look over at Elliot to watch her face. I knew it was going to be a stunning sight. Her mouth parts, her eyes widening as tears fall quickly down her cheeks. Love burns in her eyes as she watches her sister, and I adore that gobsmacked look on her face. I can't wait until she's walking down the aisle toward me.

I can't look away even as the wedding begins. She's just so unbelievably beautiful. As the minister talks about finding true love, Elliot cradles her stomach while she shifts her hips side to side. I'm entranced by the way she moves, and I wish I were behind her, feeling that sweet ass as I hold my son to help her with some of the weight. It's crazy how much her body has changed. Everything has swelled, and it makes my mouth water. My son made his presence known, and I'm beyond ready to meet him.

To love him.

To be there for him.

To break the generational curse of not being a father to a child.

My dad's dad wasn't there for him, nor was his dad's dad.

That ends with me.

I will be there for my son and for his mother. I will love them more than I love anything in this world, and in doing so, we'll be happy. It won't be easy, not by a long shot, but we won't give up.

It's not in us to do so.

I'm thankful I'm staring a hole into Elliot, because if I weren't, I would have missed the grimace of pain and the way she clutches her stomach as she hisses out a breath. Her eyes widen, her mouth parts, and then her gaze is on me. Pure fear fills her eyes, and she doesn't have to speak for me to know she needs help. I bring in my brows just as her eyes well with tears, and then I'm moving. I jump over the rail of the gazebo, then the other rail, before coming up behind her. I wrap my arms around her, and once I press myself into her, I feel the wetness.

Fuck.

I look between us to see the back of her dress is soaked. She stares up at me with wide eyes, and I know she doesn't want to ruin Louisa and Ciaran's wedding. I swallow hard, terror coursing through my body as I fight the need to cart her off to the car and get right to the hospital. Instead, I hold her as Clara leans in.

"You good?"

Louisa looks back at us, concerned, and Elliot nods quickly. "Just fine. He has a hard time leaving me be."

Louisa snorts. "Good thing this is a small wedding, or I'd have your ass for getting out of line, Alex."

I grin. "I don't do lines, Lou. Now, go back to getting married."

And I hold my woman, who is in labor and try not to freak the fuck out.