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CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

ZING

BOWIE

A few months later, February

“This is definitely the loudest plane I’ve ever been on,” Poppy says, laughing.

I nod, smiling as I look around the packed cabin full of family and friends. Even Bogey, Rhodes and Elle’s bulldog, is snoring quietly next to them. A few others will be arriving later than us, but we managed to fill this plane.

We didn’t make it to the Super Bowl—we lost in the playoffs. But compared to last year’s rocky season, we finished strong, and there’s a sense of pride and gratitude in the air. Instead of dwelling on what might’ve been, we’re all just excited and ready for this vacation. The mood is infectious.

Poppy is beside me, Jonas cradled in her arms. He’s gotten so big in the past three months. It’s going way too fast. Becca is on the other side of Poppy, next to the window, and exclaiming about everything she sees below. I rest my hand on Poppy’s knee and she gives me a sweet smile that zings directly to my chest. I’ve got it so fucking bad for this woman.

Rhodes strolls down the aisle and pauses by my seat.

“Hey…got any Bogey tricks planned for my wedding like you did for yours?” I ask.

He shrugs, but there’s a mischievous glint in his eye. “He can always bring the ring down the aisle if you want him to,” he says. “Or maybe he knows a few other tricks he can pull out.” He winks.

I laugh. “Somehow I knew you would.”

By the time we land in the Bahamas and step outside the airport, I can already feel the tension of the season melting away. The resort is breathtaking. Palm trees swaying, crystalline waves rolling onto white sand. Sunlight bounces off the water, and everyone looks more relaxed already as we cheese-smile at each other.

“This is heaven,” Poppy sighs.

We enjoy an amazing dinner out on the sand and then leave Becca and Jonas in the capable hands of their grandparents for the night. Jonas is just starting to sleep through the night, but Poppy’s dad says he’ll bring him to our hut for Poppy to nurse him if he wakes up before morning. Poppy and I settle into our romantic getaway, the sound of the ocean like a lullaby. But who wants to sleep when we have all night to love each other?

If it had been even a month ago, we would’ve.

But after a couple weeks of sleeping better, I love the eager way Poppy eyes my body like she’s been craving me as much as I’m craving her. I missed her body in the weeks after Jonas was born, but I have not suffered. I feel closer to her than ever. But now, kissing my way down her body and taking my time with her without worrying about the baby waking up or anyone hearing, is a luxury. I can’t get enough of her, the way she arches into my mouth, her wet core coating my fingers and then sinking into her like I’m a man coming home.

“Ohhh,” she moans. “You feel so good. Can we do this all night?”

“I want to more than anything.” I try to stay still, every muscle clenched in anticipation, but the need to move is too strong.

A hundred expressions cross her face as I drag in and out of her. Tension, relief, ecstasy, lust…it’s intoxicating to watch her. She’s warm and so wet and her hands find my ass, pulling me so deep I bottom out. She rocks with me to get me deeper, whispering, “More.”

I give her everything. All of me. Once I gave her my heart, I don’t do anything half-assed. I tell her how I feel, I tell her what I want, I show her how much I love her, need her…

I groan. “I’m so close and I don’t want it to be over.”

“I’m close too,” she says.

Her tits bounce and one of them leaks on me, which makes me grin. I love every fucking thing about her. I flip us over so she’s on top of me, and she grinds against me, her head falling back as she chases her orgasm.

“That’s it,” I tell her.

“So good,” she cries.

Her orgasm comes hard and fast, and it nearly squeezes the life out of me, but I’m determined to prolong this. I squeeze my eyes closed and she rolls her hips, riding me to the edge again. Right before she nearly falls, I flip her on her back again, and drive into her, hitting that spot that makes her see stars.

“Bowie,” she yells.

And when she comes again, I’m right there with her.

It’s otherworldly good.

“I love you,” I say when we go still, nothing moving but where I’m joined to her, tiny pulses and her answering squeezes.

“I love you too,” she says softly.

And despite our wishes to go all night, we fall asleep and sleep like the dead…like the parents of a three-month-old.

I wake up feeling more rested than I have in months.

Poppy looks over at me and grins. “So much for our sexual renaissance,” she says. “But our honeymoon is just beginning.”

“There’s hope for us yet,” I say, pressing a kiss on her stomach. “Good morning, Mrs. Fox. Are you ready to marry me again?”

“So ready.”

We get ready and Poppy feeds Jonas. We enjoy a late, leisurely breakfast and then I head over to Rhodes’ hut to get ready with the guys. I pass the girls on their way to get ready with Poppy.

“Your hair is the perfect length for the wedding, Bowie,” Elle says. “Don’t let Rhodes talk you into a bet involving your hair ever again.”

“You wearing a man bun today?” Tru asks, grinning.

“You think it’s long enough for that?” I ask, running my hand through it. “My girl likes it down best, I think.”

“Then definitely go with that,” Sadie says.

“You can’t really go wrong,” Calista adds. She looks around. “There’s not any paparazzi around snapping pictures of today’s hair, is there?” she teases.

“God, I hope not,” I say.

In Rhodes’ hut, the party has already started. Rhodes adjusts my collar and Weston pretends to fluff my hair.

“Where’s Penn?” Henley asks.

“I haven’t seen him today,” Rhodes says. He frowns. “You know, he was acting weird last night, super evasive and shit.”

“Wonder what’s going on with him,” Weston says.

“I guess it’s a good thing we’re already married,” I say, chuckling. “He’ll show up, I’m sure.”

By the time the ceremony rolls around, I can’t believe how many people showed up for this. Coach Evans is even here, nodding at me with a small smile after I seat my mother and then turn to face the audience.

The guys stand next to me, Penn in his place just in the nick of time, and the girls walk down the aisle, each in a different color dress. I couldn’t tell you what the colors are…some kind of green and a pink and a light brown. I’m sure there are fancier names for all of it, but it’s lost on me.

I know Becca’s dress is pink and I start grinning in anticipation, knowing she’s coming out next. The swell of music quietens and a recording with Becca’s voice starts playing. My eyes widen in surprise as she says, “Hi, Daddy, I walk down to see you now. Happy wedding. ”

Oh God. I shake my head and look around at the guys, my eyes blurring. Rhodes blows out through his mouth like he’s trying not to sob.

“I love you lots and I love Poppy lots,” Becca says. “She looks beautiful, like me. Bye!”

Everyone laughs and I wipe my face with the tissue Weston hands me.

Becca moves into place and grins at me as she drops flower petals by the handful on the sand. She looks so beautiful.

“I love you so much,” I tell her when she reaches me. I kiss her cheek and she hugs me before going to sit down by my mom.

My heart is thudding out of my chest when Poppy appears.

She comes into view, walking toward me in a dress that’s elegant and sexy, hugging her body in a way that makes me swallow hard. Her hair is down, and it catches in the sunlight. I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful. I can’t wait to peel that dress off of her later, but for now, I just want to memorize every detail. She smiles at a few people, but then her eyes find mine and she walks toward me with purpose.

“I love you,” I whisper when she reaches me.

“I love you,” she whispers back.

Penn is in a nice suit, wearing a more official clerical collar just for fun.

“I’ve teased Bowie mercilessly about being the last man standing with me. Everyone’s getting married and now I’m the lone wolf,” he says, smiling at the crowd. “But when I met Poppy and saw her with Bowie, I knew she was worth going down for the count. The two of you have something special,” he says to us. “A love that will stand the test of time. And I’m just glad that I have the privilege of witnessing it, proud that I can give my stamp of approval…I mean, I got ordained for this,”—everyone laughs—“so I think it’s safe to say, I am behind you one hundred percent. And I’m not the only one. You’re surrounded today by so many people who love you. You’re both the kind of people who would do anything for anyone, and we want you to know that you’re not alone. We’ve got your back, and we will support you through whatever life brings.”

My throat tightens and I swallow hard, blinking back unshed tears.

“Bowie and Poppy have prepared vows,” Penn says, and I get a burst of pride over how official he sounds. He nods at us and I look at Poppy. Her hands are already in mine and I squeeze them.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her.

“Thank you,” she whispers. “So do you.” Her lips lift and the audience laughs.

“Before I met you, I never allowed myself to dream too large or hope too brightly. I built walls around my heart, convinced I had all I needed. Then you walked into my world, quietly and unexpectedly, yet with such a powerful impact. Becca knew you were right for me before I did.”

The audience laughs again.

“Yes!” Becca agrees.

“Your kindness softened me, your laughter steadied me, and your love made me believe in possibilities. You’ve made me a better man, a better father, a better human than I thought possible.

“Today, I promise you that I will never stop showing up for you. I will celebrate all the wins and hold you through all the losses. I will listen and learn and grow beside you. I will protect our family and love you without limits. I vow to honor the trust you’ve placed in me, every day, for all the days to come.

“I have been unsure of so much in the past, but when I look at you, I know with absolute certainty: I am where I am meant to be, by your side, forever. I love you, Poppy.”

Poppy presses her trembling lips together and dabs her eyes with a lacy cloth.

“I love you , Bowie. I never imagined that love could feel so honest, so gentle and strong all at once. You saw the person I was—clumsy, blunt, and always hopeful—and you never asked me to be anyone else. You’ve shown me that love is not only about holding on when it’s easy, but it’s about standing together when life is messy and unpredictable. Your patience, your quiet strength, and the way you love my heart and our children have filled me up with more joy than I thought possible. Your hair is also really amazing.”

Everyone cracks up and there are a few whistles and catcalls.

“Today, I promise to cherish the man you are and the man you strive to be. You’re perfect to me, and I can’t wait to laugh and cry with you for the rest of our lives. I love you so much, today and forever.”

I put my hand on her cheek, thumbing away the tear, and lean in to kiss her softly.

“Ahh…I guess I’ll allow that,” Penn says, laughing.

When it’s time for the rings, Poppy turns to get hers and I turn to Rhodes. He makes a clicking sound with his mouth and Bogey runs up, dressed in a bowtie. He twirls around twice and Rhodes bends down and retrieves the ring that’s connected to his tie. Once the ring is in Rhodes’ hand, confetti shoots out of Bogey’s bowtie as he runs back to his spot.

There’s applause and I turn to Rhodes .

“How in the hell—” I ask.

“Dog whisperer,” he says smugly.

We exchange rings and before we’re pronounced husband and wife, Poppy turns and looks at Becca. Marley hands Poppy a beautiful frame, and my eyes water when I see what it is. I didn’t realize Poppy wanted to do this in front of everyone, and once I do, the waterworks start flowing. This woman.

“Becca, can you come up here, please?” she says, smiling at Becca.

Becca jumps up, always ecstatic to do what Poppy asks of her.

Poppy takes Becca’s hand.

“You have a picture for me,” Becca says, excited.

“Yes, and I want to tell you what it says,” Poppy says, holding the frame up for Becca to see. “It says that I’m officially your mom now.” She points at their names. “See, right there? Becca Fox has officially been adopted by Poppy Fox. That means I’m your mom forever and forever.”

“You are?” Becca gasps.

“Yes,” Poppy says. She puts her arms around Becca and they hug. “You can call me whatever you want, Poppy or Mom or Mommy…”

“I call you my mom,” she says, sounding like a teenager all of a sudden. She beams at me. “Daddy, I have a mom!”

“Yes, my sweet girl. You do.”

She turns to the crowd and yells, “I have a mom!”

Everyone cheers and the three of us huddle into a hug.

“Perfect,” Poppy says, laughing through her tears.

I am a fucking puddle. When Poppy asked about adopting Becca, I was also a puddle. I’ve never considered asking Adriane to sign over her rights before, because I’ve always hoped she’d eventually want to have some part in Becca’s life. For Becca’s sake, I’ve wanted that door to always be open, but Adriane has proven she has no intention of ever being in Becca’s life. When Adriane didn’t have any objection to relinquishing her rights, I knew even more that this was the right thing.

Poppy isn’t going anywhere. She’s loved Becca from day one and the bond they have gets stronger every day.

Everyone keeps clapping and cheering. I look back and the guys are wiping their eyes. Softies, the whole lot of them.

“It’s official,” Penn says. “Introducing…the Fox family. Bowie, you may kiss your bride now.”

I dip Poppy back and kiss her. Long after the music starts playing and we’re supposed to be walking down the aisle, I’m still kissing her. I don’t plan on ever stopping.