Permanent Bliss (7 page)

“It just means that Sean can come now. I’ll call him tomorrow.” And with that, I spin on my heels and stride back to the kitchen, grabbing my wine glass and my Kindle and striding down the corridor toward our bedroom and the master bath, where there is a steaming hot, scented bubble bath with my name on it.

The responding growl I hear coming from behind me is almost payback enough.

Mac 1, Devious Dan 0.

Chapter 7: “This Is How We Roll”

Daniel

After a quick run through of the ceremony at the church with the wedding party and the parents this afternoon, Mac, Riley, Jared and I are now standing on the sidewalk outside the restaurant.

Mac and I chose Spinelli’s for the rehearsal dinner for two reasons. It was where we had our third date, the date that ‘sealed the deal,’ and it still remains our favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago. The fact that Kate and Mac get to have their favorite dessert is just an added bonus.

With Jared on my hip, I open the door for my girls and usher them inside, not surprised when we see Dad waiting for us just inside the entrance. He steps forward and kisses Mac on the cheek before cupping Riley’s cheek. I never really believed it until I saw it with my own eyes, but the transformation I witness in my parents whenever they’re around the twins is nothing short of amazing. They turn into gushing, over the top kidnappers. I watch my dad’s eyes soften as my daughter latches onto his shirt and leans almost horizontal away from Mac into his arms. He chuckles and grabs hold of her, which gets Jared’s attention. All of a sudden he mimics his sister and makes a random dive toward Grandpa.

“Whoa, little man. Let’s go find Grandma, shall we?”

Jared claps enthusiastically and mumbles something inaudible.

“You guys ready for this?” Dad asks as I reach for Mac’s hand and entwine our fingers. Taking the opportunity to check her out once more, I try to focus my thoughts on the dinner ahead, not what I’d rather be doing to my fiancée right now.

I’ve had a hard time taking my eyes off her since she walked out of the bedroom at home. She’s wearing a bright-blue tailored dress that clings to her curves and accentuates all of my favorite parts. If it weren’t for the fact that we were running late and the kids were awake, that dress would have been on our bedroom floor quicker than she could say Superman.

“Good, you’re here,” I hear my mom say. I turn toward her voice and again have to counteract Jared’s fearless dive move. “Hello, baby boy. Who’s my big boy now!” she exclaims as she takes him off my hands.

“I’ve been a big boy for a while, Mom,” I comment dryly, earning a snort from Mac. Mom narrows her eyes at me.

“You’re taking your life in your hands, boy,” Dad adds with a grin. “She’s strung tight and won’t uncoil until Sunday if your sisters’ weddings are anything to go by.”

“William.” There’s no mistaking the scolding tone which just makes Mac giggle. When I look over and see the total look of peace on my future wife’s face, I can’t help but smile.

All my fears surrounding Mac in the lead up to our wedding have been unfounded. At every turn, every fork in the road, she has amazed me with her strength and resilience. At first I thought the Nikki and Noah situation would do it, but I was wrong. Then I thought the last minute wedding bouquet change where the color flowers Mac wanted weren’t delivered on time would be the clincher, but I was wrong again.

Then yesterday, I thought for sure the gig was going to be up when Riley found Mac’s hot pink nail polish and tried to paint Mommy’s wedding shoes. But no, nothing has thrown my gorgeous girl into a freakout. And as each day has passed and our wedding day has gotten closer and closer, my own nerves have relaxed and now, with less than twenty-four hours to go until I can officially call Makenna Lewis my wife, nothing is going to stop this wedding.

“Earth to Daniel,” Mac whispers loudly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I turn to face her, my parents having left us in the entranceway before we’re announced to our friends and family gathered in the restaurant. Lifting my hands to her face, I cup her jaw and lean into her body, feeling her hands wrap around my back and pull me close until there is no space between us.

“You ready, gorgeous?”

“I was born ready, Superman.” I smirk and press my forehead against hers, breathing her in and taking a moment to sort myself out. This beautiful woman in my arms, the mother of my children and love of my life, may not have been the strong one between us in the beginning, but as every day passes, she continues to astound me with her inner strength.

“Fuck, I love you.”

“Right back atcha’.” And it’s not lost on me that her voice cracks as we stand there in each other’s arms, absorbing the moment. I love the fact she feels this too.

Yes, we have been together for almost three years, and many may see this moment as a mere formality when we’ve already achieved everything else. But as a man, there is nothing more fulfilling than knowing the woman you love wants to be yours just as much as you want to be hers, and admitting that it means just as much to you as it means to your wife is nothing to be ashamed of.

As I lower my lips to hers and shamelessly bury my tongue in her mouth, throwing everything I have into the connection so that Mac knows we’re on the exact same page, I’ve never wished for a time machine more than I do right then and now.

Mac

Once Daniel and I have had a moment, just the two of us inside the restaurant, I see Daniel nod to the maitre d’, letting him know that we’re ready. Daniel obviously decided to torture me tonight since he’s wearing a matching blue, button-down shirt with dark charcoal-gray dress pants. He looks utterly delicious, and if there wasn’t the wrath of the parents at risk or the undeniable promise of Spinelli’s tiramisu for dessert, there is no way I’d be able to stop myself from jumping aboard for a ride.

I hear my dad’s booming voice echo around the room. “Would you all please stand and welcome my daughter and future son-in-law, Makenna and Daniel, as we celebrate their last night of freedom.” He clears his throat and there’s no missing Jenny’s gasp of shock at his audacity. “I mean, celebrate their impending nuptials.”

Daniel’s mouth twitches and I struggle to hold in a giggle as we step around the corner, hand in hand as the room erupts in applause. I feel my cheeks heat up as I realize that being the centre of attention is something I’m going to have to get used to this weekend. Daniel squeezes my hand encouragingly before placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me around the room to the head of the table where there are two empty seats waiting for us.

Although there are only twenty-five of us at the dinner, we decided to hire out the restaurant for the night so that we could take our time and enjoy this with our family and closest friends. Having never been married before, we honestly didn’t know what to expect but we knew that everyone at this rehearsal dinner was important to us and we knew we didn’t want to be rushed.

Once we’ve finished our entrees and mains, there are the expected speeches by both of our fathers, and even Noah stands up and manages not to embarrass either of us even though we both know he has a LOT of dirt up his sleeve.

I lean toward Daniel so that my mouth is near his ear. “I wish your brother was here.”

He flexes his hand which is resting on my thigh in response. “I do too, but there was just no way he could make it.”

“Looks like you’re not the only one who can make a grand entrance, big brother,” a low, gravelly voice speaks up from above us. We both look up at the same time and I grin when I hear Daniel curse. “Shit, man.”

He stands and hugs his younger brother Brandon, a last minute surprise guest that only Daniel’s parents and I knew about. He hadn’t been sure he would be able to make the wedding, but a week ago he called to say he was booked in on a last minute flight and would make it for the rehearsal dinner. Call it one of the few things I could get over my man, but the look on his face right now makes all the secrecy worth it.

“This is Mac.” Three words, full of love and pride, is all Daniel says.

Without warning, I’m scooped up into Brandon’s arms as he proceeds to squeeze the very life out of me. “Can’t … breathe …” I wheeze as both the Winters men start laughing at me.

When he lets me go, Daniel is quick to wrap an arm around my waist and pull me back to my side. “When did you get in? I thought you were stuck.”

“Seems like the family wanted to keep my trip home a secret. The look on your face is well worth it.”

I lean into Daniel’s side and push up on my toes so that my mouth is right by his ear. “You can punish me later.”

He growls in response, the muscles in his arm tightening against my bare back. “Fuck yeah, I will,” he murmurs as he kisses my temple.

“Now, Danny Boy, you can tell me which bridesmaids I get to bang.”

Say what? This is the well-mannered brother-in-law I was told I was going to be meeting. “Considering there is only one bridesmaid, and she’s my
very
happily engaged best friend, I think you’re shit outta luck on that one.”

Brandon shrugs and flashes a cheeky grin at both of me. “It’s all good. There’s always the wedding tomorrow. Weddings cause single women to get reflective and horny, especially when there is an open bar, sappy speeches, and the bouquet toss.”

God, I’m glad I got the charming brother out of the two.

“S’pose I better go mingle. There are two hotties over there who look like they need a tour guide to show them around Chicago and I’m just the man to do it.” Brandon’s attention focuses over my shoulder and I can’t resist the temptation to turn around and see who he’s talking about, almost choking on my drink when I spot Zander’s sisters, Zoe and Mia.

When I turn back around to tell him he’s shit out of luck with those two, he’s already making his way over to them.

Turning in Daniel’s arms, I lift my arms around his shoulders, pulling his body against mine before lifting my head to steal a quick kiss. “You better go save him before Zander goes all alpha-cop on his ass,” I murmur against his lips.

“I probably should,” he mumbles before running his tongue along my bottom lip and taking advantage the moment I open my mouth.

“Ahem.” We pull apart and turn to the left to find Zander standing there.
Speak of the devil.

“Hey, Zan, glad you could make it,” Superman says as they shake hands.

“Wouldn’t miss it. Was just wondering if I could have a word with Mac quickly.”

“Sure, man. I’m going to go distract my brother and save your sisters.”

“What?” Zander suddenly squares his shoulders and stands up to his full six foot two inch frame, scanning the room for Brandon.

“It’s all good, man. I’ll sort him out.” Daniel slaps Zander on the back before stepping away and leaving us alone.

“What’s up? Did you come to steal me away?”

He quirks a brow and grins. “At your rehearsal dinner?” He shakes his head and laughs. “Only you, Mac. One of a kind.”

“Last minute lap dance? For old times’ sake?” I widen my eyes in anticipation and he coughs awkwardly.

“Fuck no. Dan would have my balls for that. So would Kate actually.”

I sigh dramatically. “Oh, okay then.”

“But I did want take you to the bar for one last tequila shot.
For old times’ sake.
”

Clapping excitedly, I squeal, attracting the attention of our other guests. “Mac! How old are you?” my mother shouts across the room.

“Twenty-seven going on eighteen, Mom!” which earns a chuckle around the room.

“Just checking, baby girl.” I blow her a kiss and link arms with Zander as he leads me out of the main room of the restaurant and toward the bar connected next door.

When I get closer to the bar, I freeze in shock as I spot both Sean and Noah standing by the bar facing away from us.

“What the …”

Zander pauses and turns back to face me. “It may be a bit unorthodox, and before you ask, Daniel knows where you are and what we’re doing and he’s okay with it. You’ve scored yourself a keeper there, babe. That man is one of a kind if he’s able to accept the three of us guys in your life and not feel threatened by it. Seriously, if it were Kate I’d be mounting her in public and marking her with my scent like a rabid dog.”

My eyes fill with unshed tears as I realize everything that Daniel has given me. I may not have been in love with Zander, Sean, and Noah, but in their own way each of them played an important part in my life before I met Superman.

Zander gave me friendship and an outlet for hard and fast sex.

Noah was a constant presence in my life, providing me with a shoulder to cry on, a colleague to bitch to, and a walking dildo to ride in the hospital on-call rooms.

And Sean, my Dom, the man who called me his baby doll and was always just a phone call away whenever I needed sorting out or just some words of wisdom.

Sean walks up to me, his eyes soft as they take me in. “You’re going to make a gorgeous bride, baby doll. And you deserve nothing less than perfection.”