Special Delivery by April Wilson
Chapter 23 – Lia
Lia McIntyre
I’m married. I honestly didn’t see this coming. The bastard blindsided me. But the good news is that he’ll shut up now about us getting married.
I stare at my new husband with fresh eyes. He’s mine now. We’re married. He really is too gorgeous for his own good. His long, dark hair is up in a topknot, and his big dark eyes are glittering with happiness. I’ve honestly never seen him so happy.
I think of all the fans whose hearts will break when news of our marriage gets out on social media. “Just think of all those broken hearts,” I tell him.
Elly brings out a beautiful three-layer cake, decorated with white icing, pale red roses, and fresh sliced strawberries, my favorite. Jonah must have given Elly a heads-up prior to us coming for her to have a wedding cake ready.
My twin comes up behind me and lifts me off the ground. “Congratulations, sis.” He kisses the back of my head. “I’m happy for you.”
I punch him hard in the arm. “Put me down.”
Jonah drags me over to the cake and hands me a long, serrated knife. “You cut first.”
Jesus, I’m a married woman. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, nearly knocking the breath out of me.
Do I feel any different? No.
Well, maybe I feel a bit relieved that it’s over and done with. And I must admit, it’s kinda nice knowing this guy is stuck with me for the rest of his life.
I cut a piece of cake and hold it up to Jonah to take a bite.
Then he cuts a piece for me, and as he holds it to my mouth, there’s a devious gleam in his eyes.
“Jonah, if you shove that cake into my face, you’ll be sleeping in the barn tonight with the horses. Is that clear?”
He hesitates a moment before nodding. “Crystal clear. I wouldn’t dare risk my honeymoon night.”
Honeymoon? I roll my eyes. Good lord, don’t remind me.
After we’ve had our bite of wedding cake, Elly steps in and cuts slices for the rest of the family.
Aiden’s first to get a piece. “You’re a married lady now, Aunt Lia,” he says, smiling up at me. “Congratulations.”
I reach down to ruffle his hair. “Thanks, kid.”
I help out by passing the empty plates to Elly. She sets a piece of cake on each one and gives them to Jonah, who hands them out.
Everyone’s wishing us well, patting Jonah on the back and hugging me. My parents come up last to get some cake, both of them teary-eyed.
Mom pulls me into her arms and holds me tight. She’s practically shaking. “I’m so happy for you, my sweet girl,” she whispers into my hair. “All I want is for my kids to be happy.” She kisses my cheek and pulls back. “Are you happy?”
I blow out a shaky breath and nod. I glance over at Jonah, who’s looking at me like I’m the center of the universe, then back to my mom. “Yeah. I am.”
Then my dad wraps me in another bear hug, nearly squeezing the breath out of me. “Four down, Bridget,” he says to my mom with a wink at me. “Just three more to go.”
“Don’t hold your breath, Dad,” Hannah says as she comes up behind us and puts her arm across Dad’s shoulders. “I’m not getting married anytime soon.”
After we eat cake, Cooper and Jake man the bar, along with my dad. Most of the guys hang out there, talking and laughing. The women hang out on the sofas and chairs, along with the little kids. Haley, Philip, Hannah, Liam, and the rest of the cool crowd hang out on the back patio.
Jonah and I join the guys at the bar.
Shane pulls me close as he makes a toast. “To Jonah and my baby sister. Here’s wishing you both a long and happy married life.” After everyone takes a sip of their respective drinks, Shane says, specifically to Jonah, “Good luck, pal.”
It’s a festive atmosphere as the sun starts to set. It’s our last night here at Kenilworth. Tomorrow, everyone will head back to Chicago and our normal routines. Hannah flies black to Colorado early in the morning. I won’t see her again until Christmas.
Jonah pulls me aside, then into his arms. He kisses the top of my head. “So, how does it feel to be a married woman?”
I wrap my arms around his waist. “It doesn’t suck.”
He laughs. “Any chance I can talk you into a dance? You know, our first dance as a married couple?”
“Never gonna happen.”
His grin widens. “I didn’t think so.”
Sophie walks up behind me and taps me on the shoulder. “Hey, sis?”
“Yeah?”
“The girls and I were talking—we’re wondering if you’d like to go out tonight. Sort of a bachelorette party. We could go out for drinks in town. Just us girls.”
Lia’s eyes widen. “I’d freaking love it.”
