Page 44 of The Wedding Toast (The Hamiltons #10)

"Do you trust me?"

Becca squeezed Jacob's hand. "I trusted you before I even knew you properly. You're my husband now – I trust you with my life."

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. "Thank you. This isn't a matter of life and death, but..." He curled his arm around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. "Will you let me cover your eyes while we walk out the front door?"

She laughed. "Of course I will – it's time for your big surprise, isn't it?"

He nodded happily. "It is. Have you said all your goodbyes – spoken to everyone you want to?"

She glanced over at her mom and dad who were standing side by side, grinning at her. She'd already had her moment with them. "I have. Have you?"

He looked over at Walt and Elena who'd waited here in the hallway with them while everyone else gathered on the front steps. "Love you guys."

Elena dabbed at her eyes and blew him a kiss. Walt wrapped his arm around her shoulders and said solemnly, "We love you too. And you, Prairie Girl," he added with a wink.

"And I love you right back," said Becca.

She and Jacob both laughed when her mom said, "All right! We get it – we all love each other, and we're very happy for you. Now would you go and see your surprise and be on your way? Some of us want to get to bed."

Becca tried not to laugh too hard. She knew her mom was only joking around, and she didn't think anyone was as eager to get to bed as she and Jacob were – not that she was going to spell that out to her folks.

"We'll see you in the morning," her dad said. "Unless you change your mind. If you just want to get on your way, we'll understand."

Becca looked up at Jacob.

"We'll at least stop by to say goodbye before we go to the hangar," he said.

That was fine by her. She wanted to make sure that Callie was okay before they flew away for their honeymoon, but she wouldn't be too upset if they skipped the brunch.

Her mom stepped forward and pecked her cheek one last time, then beckoned for Jacob to lean down so that she could kiss his too. "Congratulations to you both."

Jacob kept an arm around Becca's front and held her against his chest as he covered her eyes with his other hand.

She laughed when he moved her feet with his and they walked outside.

"What's wrong?" she asked when he stopped.

He let out a frustrated-sounding laugh. "Do you promise you'll keep your eyes shut?"

"Yes."

"Thank you." With that, he curled one arm around her back and hooked the other behind her knees, literally sweeping her off her feet. She laughed when he held her to his chest, and she had to push the folds of the fabric of her dress down so that she could see his face.

"Becca," he said in that stern tone that made tingles race over her skin.

"What?"

He laughed. "You're supposed to have your eyes closed."

"Oh!"

He laughed again when she squeezed them shut and started to make his way down the stairs.

"I think you got it backwards," called Xander. "You're supposed to carry her inside when you get there – not outside when you leave!"

She loved the feel of his laughter as it rumbled through his chest and into hers.

"It's the safest, fastest way to get us down the steps," he called back.

When he reached the bottom, he set her on her feet, facing him.

"You can open your eyes now."

When she did, the house – and all their guests – were behind her. All she could see was Jacob and the empty driveway behind him.

She gave him a puzzled smile. "What's going on?"

"I want you to give me a second – don't look yet. I want to see your face when you turn around. But don't turn till I say."

"Okay."

He kissed her cheek as he passed her.

She smiled to herself, listening to the hushed silence – it was hard to believe that all their guests were there, being so quiet.

"Is everybody ready?" Jacob asked.

"Wait!" someone called – it was Willow. "We should count it down."

Jacob laughed. "Good idea. Down from five – don't turn around till I say go, Becca, okay?"

"Okay. But start the countdown already or I might burst!"

"Five," he called.

Then everyone else joined in. "Four—three—two—one," they all shouted.

Then in the quiet that fell, Jacob said, "Go!"

Becca spun around laughing, but then froze. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth. She couldn't believe it!

"Fred?" she asked incredulously.

Jacob nodded happily. "The one and only."

"But you... he's... blue!"

Jacob laughed. "Cornflower blue."

"Oh, my goodness, Jacob!" She stepped forward and touched the hood of the first car she'd ever owned. The only car she'd ever owned until Jacob gave her Grover the Range Rover. She ran her fingers over the shiny blue paintwork. She couldn't believe it.

He looked brand new. Not only did he have a shiny new paint job, but he also had new wheels and tires.

All his chrome bits were shiny. And as she walked around him, she saw all the cans tied to the rear fender and the "Just Married" sign in the back window.

She covered her eyes with her hands, trying to hide her tears as she peeked out at Jacob between her fingers. "Does he run?"

Jacob came to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"He does. I know he was a good friend to you for a long time before I met you.

I never forgot how you told me that for a while it felt like he was your only friend.

" He tucked his fingers under her chin as he looked down into her eyes.

"You said that he kept you warm, and kept you safe, and took you wherever you needed to go. "

She swallowed around the lump in her throat. "And you volunteered to take over those duties."

"I did, and here I am. But I know you still miss your old friend, so..." He smiled. "So, we got him back on the road. Gave him a new motor, and for some reason I thought you might just like this particular shade of blue."

She laughed. "I love it, but I bet you're sick of it."

He shook his head and pressed a kiss to her lips. "Never. It makes you happy, so it makes me happy."

She looked at Fred again. "And we're really going to drive him to the hotel?"

He chuckled. "We would, if either of us could, but after all that champagne..."

"Oh!"

"Yeah, oh. But since Trick wasn't drinking tonight, he volunteered as chauffeur."

"Aww."

She smiled at Trick when he stepped forward. "Are we ready to go? I got your bags in here already."

Becca looked at the crowd on the front steps watching them. "Thank you so much, guys – this is the best surprise ever."

Callie came and handed her the bag that they'd prepared earlier, and Becca hugged her tight.

"I'll call you, okay? I..."

Callie waved a hand at her. "Forget about me. You guys go off and enjoy your honeymoon. I'll see you when you get back."

"Thanks for everything, Callie," said Jacob. "I couldn't have pulled this off without you."

Becca loved the way her friend smiled. She'd been a little concerned at first – but Jacob and Callie had hit it off from the moment they met.

"Wait!"

They all turned when a little voice called out. Zia came running down the steps carrying what looked like two blue circles. Alara hurried after her, giving them an apologetic look.

When she reached them, Zia stopped and studied Fred. "You have the prettiest car in all the world," she announced.

Becca laughed. "Thank you. I think so too – his name's Fred."

Zia's eyes opened wide. "Hello, Fred!" She looked a little disappointed when he didn't respond but then seemed to remember what she was here for. She held up her hands and announced, "I made crowns for the king and queen of the cornflowers."

"Aww, thank you so much."

Becca took one and Jacob took the other with a smile. "Thank you, Zia."

She nodded, and Alara scooped her up. "Come on, you." She smiled at them. “Congratulations to you both, and thanks again for letting us stay to watch."

"I wish you'd stay for longer – still be here when we get back," said Becca.

Alara gave her a sad shrug. "I wish we could, but..."

"At least come to the brunch tomorrow," said Jacob. "I don't know how long we'll be here for, but you know everyone else, and you'll be welcome."

Alara shrugged again. "Thank you."

When she and Zia stepped away, Becca looked back at all the smiling faces watching them.

Jacob laughed. "We're really going now. Thanks again, everyone."

Becca waved at them all and they waved back and called their congratulations and goodnights.

When she and Jacob were settled in the back seat, Trick asked, "Ready to go?"

Jacob laughed. "Yes, get us out of here, please!"

Becca laughed as they started off, and Xander, Slade, Grady, and some of the other guys ran alongside them until Trick put his foot down. She and Jacob looked out through the back window and waved for a few moments. As they turned back around, he pressed a kiss to her lips.

"Finally!"

She laughed. "Aww, it was wonderful – the best day of my life."

"Mine too. But now I want my wife to myself."

~ ~ ~

Less than half an hour later they were at their hotel room. Trick had slipped away earlier and taken care of all the details so that when they arrived, all Jacob had to do was bring his bride to their room.

Becca was thrilled – and even Jacob was surprised – when they walked in to find vases of cornflowers everywhere.

Becca wondered if the hotel knew somehow and had done it for them, but Jacob had a feeling that Trick was behind it.

He'd been the first to understand the significance of cornflowers.

He'd flown Jacob to Kansas when he proposed. And when Jacob had told him about his plan, Trick had assured him that he'd have the cabin of the jet decorated with them by the time he and Becca boarded for their flight home – and he’d been true to his word, though to this day, Jacob had no idea how he’d pulled it off.

Becca went to the table by the window and picked up a box that was sitting on it. "It's heavy," she said. "And it's for you," she added when she checked the label.