Brides and Brothers by Anneka R. Walker

Chapter 11

Camille

Camille chewed on her thumbnail. Engagements didn’t come with rule books. There were serious perks, like always having a date on the weekend, but no one explained how to discuss problematic topics. Her mother, for example, was problematic.

Camille and Aiden had developed an easy daily routine of Aiden meeting her at six o’clock so they could make dinner together. She hated to ruin such a perfect night.

Aiden finished the dishes and sat down beside her. “Is something wrong? You’ve been quiet all night.”

How could she explain the phone call she’d had with her mom right before Aiden had arrived? “It’s not eloping if your family is invited, right?”

“What are you talking about?”

She gripped the edge of a couch pillow. “My mom sort of has this insane catering schedule over the holidays. She can only come to a wedding this year if it’s the first weekend in October or . . .” Camille finished her sentence while cringing. “The last weekend of September.”

Aiden blinked several times. “You’re not serious, are you? The first weekend in October is potato harvest, and the last weekend of September is only a week away.”

“I know.” Camille blew out a long breath. “I could move away for the spring semester, and we could get married in June.”

“I think we should make sure your mom can come, but now that I’m stuck on Christmas, it’s hard to want to postpone.”

“I agree. I don’t want to push it out any farther.” She slumped against the couch. “How much do you like me?”

He laughed. “Enough to marry you next week.”

She didn’t believe him. “You’d sacrifice a traditional wedding for a last-minute, thrown-together party?”

“You said yes to my untraditional proposal. How could I say no to this?” Aiden interlaced his hands with hers. She stared at them. They fit together so perfectly. “You want your mom there, and neither of us wants to wait until next year. I don’t need a fancy wedding, just my bride.”

Touching him was still new, but after what he’d said, she felt brave. She gently rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re pretty awesome, you know that?”

“Your words, not mine.”

Camille sighed. “This is crazy. I can’t believe we’re getting married next week.”

“My wife is going to keep me on my toes. I thought I was the one rushing things.” Aiden squeezed her hand. “But we might not be able to swing a honeymoon until Thanksgiving.”

Honeymoon.Would she be ready for that? “I can wait if you can.” She looked up at him. “We’re getting married after a month of dating. What are people going to think?”

Aiden smiled. “Some people get drunk and marry without even knowing each other. I’d say we’re better off than they are.”

Camille rolled her eyes. “Well, when you put it that way.”

“I’m serious,” Aiden said, his tone matching his words and his gaze earnest. “We aren’t the first ones in history to get married quickly, and we won’t be the last. If a new mother can love a new baby instantly, and with the same fervor as she loves an older child, why can’t the same principle be applied to any adult? Love isn’t measured by time but by affection and commit-ment. People can judge us all they want, but they can’t make this decision for us.”

Her heart thudded in her chest at his mention of love. It was indirect, but she grasped onto it like a lifeline. “We’ll prove all the naysayers wrong?”

“Yes, we will.” Aiden’s face softened. “But you do realize, ten years from now, no one will remember or care how long we dated. It’ll be up to us to make this work.” His smile returned. “Should we see if the rest of our family is free for our new wedding date?”

Camille gathered two notebooks and pens and sliced an apple for them to share. They sat on opposite couches so they could hear over each other and started calling their family members. There was a lot of explaining and a little justifying, but slowly they made it through their list. An hour and a half later, Camille’s hair was falling out of its ponytail, and Aiden had the notebook open, resting over his face. She tossed her phone onto the pillow of the couch she occupied. “Done! My mom and uncle and aunt booked tickets. She’s going to love you, by the way.”

“Your aunt or your mom?” Aiden pulled the notebook off his face.

“My aunt. My mom only loves Amy, so don’t get your hopes up that you’ll make her very small list of approved people.”

Aiden’s dimple made an appearance with his deep scowl. “That’s comforting.”

Camille sighed. “Sorry if it breaks your heart.”

“At least your aunt is destined to like me. It’s hard to believe I’ve met her before. And you still need to meet the rest of my brothers. My uncle and aunt, one set of cousins, and my grandma can make it. I told them they can stay at the house, but you haven’t even had a chance to really see it.”

“It’ll jinx everything,” Camille said, even though it didn’t make sense. The idea of her sharing everything he owned seemed selfish somehow. Hopefully after they were married it would feel natural instead.

“But you want to meet my family before we get married, right?”

“Uh . . .” Dread tightened her chest. The house was a small issue compared to his family. Now that they’d moved up the wedding, the idea of meeting his brothers had turned into full-fledged fear. Even though a big family held a certain appeal, marrying into one was a lot of pressure. Besides, they were a bunch of single guys, and what was she supposed to say to them? Meeting sisters sounded far easier. Why didn’t he have any of those? “I’ll meet them after I take care of everything else. Amy is going to help me put together flowers, Daisha is going to help whip up a cake, and I’ll look for a dress tomorrow. I have a lifetime to get to know your family. I promise you’ll thank me later.”

Aiden crossed the room and sat down beside her. He kissed her softly on the forehead, making her feel like the most adored person alive. “Those things are formalities. Your dress could look like a mushroom, and I would still think you’re beautiful.”

She tucked her head under his chin. It was quickly becoming her favorite place to be. “You’ve seen me once without my makeup, and that was the day you proposed to me. Either you need to get your eyes checked, or you have poor judgment.”

“Neither,” Aiden said. “I’m still trying to figure out how to deserve you.” He lifted her chin and kissed her, making her insides melt with happiness. When he released her, he lifted his hand and let his thumb trail down her cheek.

Camille swooned. “You’d better get out of here before I change my mind about a dress and decide to look like a mushroom for my wedding after all.”

Aiden stood to leave but turned to her once more. “Are you sure you’re okay about waiting until Thanksgiving for our honeymoon? The house is going to be—”

Camille cut him off. “I think it would be best for my students. And I’m sure it will be easier for your work too.”

“I’m my own boss, remember? I plan on spending plenty of time watching you in the kitchen while you bake, or pretending your computer needs fixing again.”

Camille grinned as she waved goodbye. Why had everyone tried to talk her out of this? What could possibly go wrong?