Page 79 of The Love Audit

“Shit, you might.” He laughed. “I might have to come visit you down here more often. I think I found a new doctor.” He hit me with a sly smile.

“Dr. Lyons?” I said with a laugh. “Good luck with that one.”

“I don’t need luck, little brother.” He straightened his tie and raised one eyebrow. “I have skill.”

I shook my head and was about to tease him about his skills with the ladies when we heard a gentle knock on the doorframe. We turned to look, and I felt the smile slide off my face. My father was standing in the doorway wearing a dark blue suit.

Chris and I stared for a moment before I found my voice.

“Dad,” I said with a shake in my voice that I hadn’t been expecting. “You made it.”

“I wasn’t gonna miss my son’s wedding.” He let out a chuckleand stepped into the room, holding a bottle of scotch and three glasses.

We’d been attempting a reconciliation since our conversation a year ago, but it had been a long, difficult journey. When Jasmine insisted on sending him an invitation to the wedding, I hadn’t been optimistic. When he sent in his RSVP, I still wouldn’t believe it until I saw him with my own eyes. He set down the glasses and the bottle before pulling Chris into a wordless hug that lasted a few seconds longer than I expected it to.

My anxiety about having all four of our parents in the same space after nearly fifteen years melted away when I saw Jasmine at the end of an aisle that felt way too long, wearing a white gown that made her look like an angel floating on a cloud. She was escorted by her father, who was equally unaffected by any external issues. Like me, he was wholly focused on the beautiful woman he was leading down the aisle and into my arms.

“You better take care of my little girl,” he growled at me in a low voice after giving Jasmine away. His expression was serious.

“Every minute of every day, for the rest of my life, sir,” I responded without missing a beat. The corners of his mouth curled into a smile, and he gave me a curt nod before returning to his seat.

The rest of our wedding was uneventful, except for Tora attempting to run off with the rings in the middle of the ceremony.

“Can you believe all four of our parents are here?” I whispered to my wife as I twirled her on the dance floor.

“And behaving themselves,” she whispered, almost in disbelief. “Were you nervous?”

“A little,” I confessed. “I’m still surprised my dad showed up.”

“I didn’t have any doubts.” She smiled and leaned up to kiss me. “One thing I remember about your dad is how much he loved you and CJ. He wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

“I hope you don’t think we’re gonna become some big, happy family again.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I saw our dads chatting at the bar earlier.”

“One chat at a wedding does not a happy family make, kitten.” I pressed my lips to her forehead.

“Well, I’m not saying that it would happen overnight.” She hit me with a sly smile. “But maybe after a few years and a couple of grandchildren…”

“Grandchildren?” I stopped mid-spin and narrowed my eyes at her. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Her smile widened. “I was planning to tell you on our honeymoon.”

“Really?” I felt my eyes sting with tears. “Are you sure? How do you know?”

“Well, Eleanor suspected it a few weeks ago.” She shrugged and cast a glance at David and his wife, who were a few feet away from us on the dance floor and seemingly lost in their world. “I went to the doctor, who confirmed that there is a little Carter in here.” She momentarily lowered her eyes.

“Wow,” I whispered before tightening my arms around her waist. “I love you so much, Jasmine Carter.”

“Wow, indeed,” she agreed and rested her head on my chest. “I love you, too, Derek Carter.”