Page 73 of Shameless

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Out by the manmade lake,we’d set up the wedding spot. Rows of cross-backed chairs lined a white carpeted walkway that ran toward an arbor with pink roses and the lake in the background. By the time I made it down to the shore, the sun was turning the perfect shades of orange and pink with a touch of blue. My mother held our son, Maverick in the front row. Before I took my place to wait for my bride, I grabbed him and kissed the top of my ten-month-old’s head.

“He’s doing okay?” I asked and hugged her with one arm.

“Perfect.”

“Are you ready for a fifth grandchild?” I grinned.

Brandon and Spencer had their twin girls, Kendall and Kira last summer. They had their hands full with their three kids, but it didn’t steer me away from wanting to have more of my own.

“Is Sarah pregnant again?” Mom gasped and then rubbed a hand over Maverick’s head.

“Not yet.” I winked.

Skye raced over from where my father had been holding onto her leash and nudged my leg. I bent down and patted her head, picking up her leash so she wouldn’t run off. She was a great big sister, always making sure Maverick had a cuddle buddy since I stole their mom for my own. She, too, loved living on the farm where she got to run around looking for trouble. We didn’t let her wander alone, but she still had a sense of freedom.

I hugged my father, and he said, “Today’s the day.”

I smiled. “Todayisthe day.”

Through the difficulties of chasing my dreams, I never realized all roads would lead to the girl who was the first woman ever to reject me. Once the wedding started and Sarah walked down the aisle on her father’s arm, I knew the chase was worth it.

The End.