ROMANCE: Mason (Bad Boy Alpha Male Stepbrother Romance Boxset) (New Adult Contemporary Stepbrother Romance Collection) (272 page)

They had been through so much together. They’d faced an aggressive media, confused reactions from their parents and dealing with their own uncertainty in their emotions. And yet, they’d managed to make it. Stephanie chuckled quietly to herself. If someone had asked her four years ago, she would have said that never in a million years would she have wed her stepbrother. And yet, that's exactly what she was readying herself to do.

She picked up the box resting beside her, opening it and taking out the blue garter her best friend Jillian had given her at her bachelorette party for her big day. Her mother had given her an old necklace that complemented her simple dress nicely, and Joseph had loaned her a pair of shoes that hadn’t even hit the market yet from one of the shoe companies he had acquired in one of his many business ventures. As for something new, Stephanie wore soft and silky white lingerie beneath her dress that Jillian had talked her into buying. Jeffrey was in for a sexy surprise that night.

She looked up at a knock on her door.

“Does the bride care for any company?”

Stephanie smiled as she recognized Jillian’s voice. “Depends on if the company’s any good or not?”

“Well, I’m coming in anyways,” Jillian said.

Stephanie shook her head in amusement as Jillian walked in, followed by three of her other childhood friends who were her bridesmaids. Her mother brought up the rear, holding up Stephanie’s bouquet that she and Joseph had picked up before arriving at the venue. They’d booked an outdoor wedding in a public garden that Jeffrey had once taken her to for a picnic. The place was beautiful and housed some of the prettiest butterflies Stephanie had ever seen.

“So, thinking of running away or are we good?” Jillian asked, sitting next to Stephanie on the vanity’s bench.

“I’m solid as a statue,” Stephanie laughed, “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Darn,” Jillian joked. “I was really hoping for the chance to tackle you in a dramatic fashion and deliver you to your waiting Prince Charming, saving the day.”

Stephanie rolled her eyes. “I’m so sorry to ruin your big day with my intentions of following through on my plan to marry; maybe you can do it at Elizabeth’s wedding.”

“Yeah, if I can find a man first,” her bridesmaid joked.

“I’ll make sure to throw the bouquet right to you.” Stephanie winked. “How’s my groom doing?” Stephanie asked, turning to her mother.

“He’s just fine,” Dianne said, smiling softly. “Your dad went in to give him some last pieces of advice, mainly threats from what I heard, but Joseph is there with him to make sure he stays safe.”

Stephanie rolled her eyes at that. “Of course, but at least we know Dad likes Jeffrey; he’s still alive after all.”

“Indeed,” Dianne said, placing her hands delicately on Stephanie’s bared shoulders. “I’m so happy for you sweetheart; I remember when you were just a little girl. Oh, if you weren’t wearing makeup and a two-thousand-dollar dress I’d kiss your cheeks and pick you up in my arms and swing you around like old times.”

“Thanks mom,” Stephanie said, squeezing her mom’s hand softly.

There came another knock at the door and the small room’s occupants looked up.

“Is everybody decent?” Stephanie’s father asked on the other side of the door.

“Yes Dad; you can come in,” Stephanie grinned.

The door opened and Stephanie’s father walked in, a glowing smile on his face as he walked over to his daughter.

“You look as stunning as ever,” he said proudly, squeezing Stephanie’s hand.

“Thank you,” she said, blushing at her dad’s compliment.

“And the rest of you ladies look beautiful as well,” he said, addressing the room.

“Thank you,” Jillian responded. “I’m just glad Stephanie’s the one bride who didn’t pick out hideous dresses for the bridesmaids. In fact, I could even see myself wearing this little get-up in public,” she said, gesturing at her lilac-colored dress.

“Gee, thanks.”

Jillian shrugged. “At least I’m honest.”

“Alright girls, it’s almost show time; is everyone ready?”

“I think so,” Stephanie said, taking one last look in the mirror. “How’s my hair?”

“Not a strand out of place,” Dianne said gently.

Stephanie had done up her hair in a way that let it form a halo atop her head, a few curly strands laying down to frame her face. The diamond pendant Stephanie’s mom had given her sat in the middle of the pinned curls, making it look as though she had a crown. Her veil was pinned under her pendant, waiting to be flipped into place over her face until Jeffrey finally lifted it.

“Okay,” Stephanie said, taking another deep breath in an attempt to calm her sudden onset of nerves. “Okay let’s do this; I’m good. Hopefully I don’t trip and fall on my face in front of three hundred people but, you know, I’m good.”

“Oh don’t be so dramatic Stephanie.” Her mother laughed, taking her hand and helping her stand. “You’ll be fine, just relax. And besides, your dad and I will be on either side of you. We’ll carry you if need be but rest assured we won’t let you trip.”

“Well, we won’t let you trip walking down the aisle,” her dad clarified, “when you’re actually up there and walking back down the aisle it’s all you.”

“Thanks dad,” Stephanie said dryly, giving him a sour laugh when he laughed heartily.

“Oh come on sweetheart; everything will be fine. You’re going to marry the love of your life, as you put it to me when you first introduced him. I was skeptical, but he seems like a good guy and he genuinely loves you. So, I’m sure that’s he’s more than qualified to keep you upright on your wedding day.”

“The wedding night though, all you should be concerned about is him getting you horizontal,” Jillian chimed in.

“Oh my God,” Stephanie scoffed, “let’s go before you all say something else ridiculous, come on, I can’t be late.”

“But you’re the only one expected to be late,” her mother added, earning a scolding glance from Stephanie before her father opened the door, gesturing the bridesmaids out first before coming to stand on Stephanie’s right side, as her mother stood on her left.

Dianne handed Stephanie the bouquet of flowers and grinned. “Come on honey; your man’s waiting for you.”

Her father looked out the door, informing the two women that the bridesmaids were pairing with the groomsmen and the flower girl, who was Jeffrey’s young cousin, was finally put into place next to Stephanie’s half-brother on her father’s side, the restless ring bearer who was pulling at his tie.

The next minute music was heard from outside and the bridesmaids and groomsmen began a steady walk after the flower girl and ring bearer to the garden’s entrance.

Stephanie took a deep breath, smiling in nervous excitement as her father looped his arm through one of hers and her mother looped her arm through the other.

“You ready for this sweetie?” Dianne asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Stephanie said. “Let’s do this.”

Holding on to her parents tightly, Stephanie led them in a uniform walk down the aisle. The veil her dad had helped lift over her eyes was thin, but it still made her fear losing sight of the aisle and tripping over her heels.

Through the translucent material she caught a glimpse of Jeffrey waiting for her at the end of the aisle. She smiled, feeling happier than she could ever remember. In what felt like no time at all she had reached the end of the aisle. Her parents both gave her arms a squeeze and murmured words of excited encouragement to her before they handed her off to Jeffrey, taking their seats in the first row of pews.

Stephanie grinned, gripping her bouquet tightly to contain her giddiness. The wedding official gestured for the audience to take their seats. And only as Stephanie heard the sound of clothes rustling and seats creaking did she actually realize that there were other people around her besides Jeffrey.

She couldn’t be bothered to think of the hundreds of eyes trained on her and Jeffrey, instead focusing on her fiancé in front of her and smiling as he took her hand, squeezing it in reassurance.

Everything went by in a blur. She heard the official’s words and repeated them when instructed, but her sole focus was on Jeffrey.

“I understand that the couple, in addition to the vows that they have already stated, has written some of their own,” the official said, looking to Jeffrey and Stephanie.

Stephanie took a deep breath. When she and Jeffrey had discussed the idea of writing their own vows, they had played rock-paper-scissors to determine who would go first since they both feared public speaking. Stephanie had lost. But right now, as she looked into Jeffrey’s beaming face, she couldn’t quite bring herself to care.

She took another breath, smiling as Jeffrey squeezed her hand in encouragement. She looked him in the eyes.

“Three years ago, I met you, and thought that you were the most insufferable person that I’d ever come across. And, a week later, I’d confirmed it. Today, love, I still think the same.”

Jeffrey chuckled, ducking his head and looking up at her through his dark lashes. She licked her lips.

“The thing is, as insufferable as you can be when we’re arguing and you’re driving me insane, or when you’re insisting on buying every leather jacket you come across, I love you. Because I’ve never met someone who understands me as much as you do, who loves me as much as you do, and who cares about me as much as you do. You make me smile, you make me laugh and you cheer me up when I’m sad. You bring me chicken soup when I’m sick and you hold me when I’m scared. You are the love of my life, and I never want to spend a day without you.”

Jeffrey grinned, and Stephanie could have sworn that his eyes got just a bit watery with tears.

“Your turn,” Stephanie whispered, getting a chuckle from Jeffrey.

He nodded, taking a deep breath himself before he began.

“Stephanie, you are by far the most stubborn, argumentative and sexy woman that I have ever met. You push me to my limits, both good and bad, and you challenge me on a daily basis. You take care of me, put up with me, and love me more than I ever would have thought possible. You race my bikes, sometimes even better than I do, which is really hot by the way,” the audience chuckled a bit, making Stephanie blush, “and you always brighten my day no matter how bad it seemed to be going. I love you, and eighty years from now, I want to be racing hover bikes with you sitting behind me. I love you so much, and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Stephanie could hardly see as her eyes swam with tears of joy. She faintly heard the officiator say that Jeffrey could kiss the bride and her breath hitched as Jeffrey lifted the veil. Stephanie grinned into the kiss, grabbing on to Jeffrey’s jacket like she’d never let go as he kissed her long and hard. After a few catcalls, the couple finally pulled apart, smiling so wide it made their mouths hurt but they couldn’t find it in themselves to care.

The two ran down the center of the aisle, hand-in-hand among the confetti being thrown on their heads. Breathlessly, they made it to the waiting limo, buckled up, and headed to their wedding party.

-x-x-x-

The wedding reception was amazing, almost as amazing as the ceremony itself had been. Stephanie’s father had cried during the father-daughter dance, which was the equivalent to sobbing for him, and Stephanie and Jeffrey danced for almost every song. When they weren’t dancing, they were being congratulated by all of their friends and family.

As she had predicted, Elizabeth caught the bouquet, and Jeffrey’s best man had caught her garter. The cake ceremony was a blast, with Jeffrey hesitantly feeding Stephanie the cake for fear of getting it on her dress whereas Stephanie had no reservations whatsoever and shoved it right in his face.

The music was wonderful, all of Stephanie and Jeffrey’s combined favorite music, and Stephanie had even managed to do both the limbo and a very active conga line in her dress. After two hours full of cake, dancing, and lots of hugs, the reception was finally coming to an end and Stephanie was being whisked away by a very enthusiastic Jeffrey to the waiting limo.

For some reason she had agreed to let Jeffrey plan the honeymoon by himself and he was still insisting that it be a surprise. Her curiosity was eating at her and for the tenth time that night she asked them where they were headed.

“I can’t tell you that my new bride, and don’t bother asking the driver; he’s under strict instruction and a stiff bribe not to tell you.” Jeffrey grinned.

“Whatever he’s paying you I’ll double it.” Stephanie grinned.

“Well, considering our bank accounts are basically joined now, I’ll triple it. And we can keep going this way until we’re totally and utterly bankrupt.”

Stephanie pouted, blinking long lashes at him and giving him her saddest puppy-dog look, making Jeffrey merely laugh harder. “Nope, not going to happen babe, but you’ll see soon enough.”

“Um, actually sir, we may have hit a bit of a snag with your plans,” the driver said, looking back at them through the rear view mirror.

“What do you mean?” Jeffrey asked, pausing in his attempt to tickle Stephanie.

“Well, we are running a tad late; the pilot informed me that he would have to beat some bad weather to get there on schedule and that we would have to arrive very promptly. We are running about half an hour behind schedule.”