Page 17 of Santa Daddy

My mother nods, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“I know. Besides, soon enough, you and Caleb will have babies,” she says and then looks at me sternly. “Not too soon, though. You still need to live a little, travel, and get a good job. Don’t rush into babies. I know Caleb is much older, but don’t let him pressure you into anything.” My mother holds my gaze. “Promise me, Lexi.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. Caleb doesn’t pressure me into anything. I know he can appear controlling, but he puts me before anyone and anything else. He’ll wait until I’m ready, but to tell you the truth… I’m ready now. I love Caleb, and I can’t think of anything more amazing than having kids with him,” I say with a warm smile. I think about how kind, gentle, generous, and loving he is. I know to the very fiber of my being that he’ll be the best father. Our kids will be beyond lucky.

“As long as it’s what you want,” my mother says again. “Now, let’s go get you married.”

We walk outside, waiting for the music.

Caleb and I decided to have a small ceremony. Just immediate family and friends. No more than twenty guests. Perfect.

I take in the high ceiling of the old church, understated and beautiful in its simplicity.

“I wish Grandma were here to see this,” my mother sighs.

I picked this church because it was where my grandparents were married. Fifty years of wedded bliss until my grandpa died of a heart attack. Two weeks later, my gran was gone too. I’ve always believed she died of a broken heart. I remember her telling me when I was little that a successful marriage was not marrying the person you could livewithbut the one you couldn’t livewithout.

My grandparents were each other’s yin and yang. It’s exactly how I feel about Caleb. He’s my everything, and I know in my bones that I’m his.

“She’s here, Mom. She’s in our hearts,” I whisper.

The music starts, and I begin my walk down the aisle, my eyes on my future.

My Caleb.

I reach the altar, and Mom places my hand in Caleb’s. My heart beats a fast rhythm in my chest.

Caleb bends and kisses my cheek by my ear. “I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” he whispers. “I’m one lucky SOB.”

“If you two are done, can we get this started?” Alistair asks.

We both laugh. When we talked about who we wanted to marry us, there was only one person: Alistair. We wanted someone who loved us and knew us. Someone important to us.

“Caleb and Lexi have prepared their own vows,” he says to our loved ones gathered in the church to share in our devotion to each other.

Caleb grabs my hands and brings them to his lips. “If it’s okay, Lexi, I’d like to go first.” His eyes are sincere and soulful.

“Lexi, you’re the light of my life. I look at you and think I must have done something good to be blessed with you. You’re my soulmate. My partner. My best friend. But most of all, you’re my heart. I’m grateful you want to be my wife, and for the rest of my life, I’m going to make you happy. I’m going to make sure you know how precious you are. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being mine. I love you more than I ever thought possible. You’re every beautiful thing in the world and the reason my heart beats.” He bends and kisses me, a sweet, chaste kiss that makes me feel like I’m floating.

“Whoa, whoa! No one said kiss the bride yet,” Alistair says, making everyone laugh.

“Sorry, sorry, but look at how beautiful she is. I couldn’t resist,” Caleb says with a sheepish smile.

I take a breath and speak my vows. "I promise to love and care for you, and I’ll try in every way to be worthy of your love. I will always be honest with you, kind, patient, and forgiving. I promise to try to be on time. But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you. I know we have a love that will last a lifetime, like my grandparents. You’re my soulmate. I love you deeper and wider than any ocean. I’ll love you until the end of time."

“Nowyou can kiss the bride, bro,” Alistair says.

And my husband kisses me.

Second Epilogue

Lexi—Five Years Later

Caleb’s eyesare fixed on me all night as I dance with the other men. I can tell how much seeing me dancing with them sets him on edge.

A smile slips onto my lips at how hard he grips his glass of bourbon like he’ll shatter it into a million pieces. I knew he’d lose his mind here, which made it extra fun. When Caleb told me I could have anything I wanted for our anniversary, I’m sure he didn’t think he’d be forced to watch other men hover around me like a bunch of hyenas circling fresh meat.

I drape my arm around one of the frat boys while making direct eye contact with Caleb and smile. That’s all it takes for him to jump off the bar stool and head directly toward us.