Leo drove up to the arrivals at terminal B. His father waved from the curb like he was hailing a taxi. Meanwhile, his mother talked Percy's ear off. The workaholic finally made it to Boston.

When he got out of the car, his mother hugged him. Percy greeted him with a masculine half hug involving banging each other on the back.

"You look good. Love must agree with you."

Seeing his friend automatically brought back memories of Autumn. Leo shook them away and greeted his father.

As soon as their luggage was in the trunk, his parents climbed in the back. From the front seat, Percy said, "I've never been to Boston before."

"We live in suburbia."

"Did you work today?" Maggie asked.

"I did. I'm officially on vacation."

"Your honeymoon vacation."

"You guys came and I'm leaving."

"And the kids will be in excellent hands with us, right Bill."

"She'll spoil them like a good grandmother." His father teased.

Percy laughed, and Leo updated them. "Isla's making dinner. Mom and dad, you get the basement. Percy gets Cody's room."

"Will I fit in his bed?"

"It's a twin. Sorry. You could have Riley's twin but her room is too bright for you."

"Ha, ha. Glad I'm only staying two nights. Who gets married on a Friday evening?"

"Plenty of people." Maggie defended her son.

When he pulled into the driveway, Percy said, "Cute." His expression changed when he saw the pool. "Seriously. You're an embarrassment to LA."

"The kids like it. Dad, I'll show you how to take care of it."

Leo wanted to skip with excitement. Just him and Isla in a hotel on Cape Cod for five days. It wasn't a fancy honeymoon, but the hotel had beach access and a pool. He was most interested in the bed.

Isla's friends came through for him. Isla agreed to condoms. It was not ideal, but he would accept the win. He and Autumn had discussed a vasectomy. Maybe Isla would let him be the sinner after a baby or two. Some days the idea of a baby scared him more than the wedding night did Isla. They were staying at a local hotel for their first night together. Even Leo was nervous and wanted it perfect for his virgin bride.

Once inside, there were greetings for everyone. As the kids took their guests' focus, he pulled Isla aside.

"Hi, almost wife."

She blushed, so he kissed her.

"Break it up. You'd think you were getting married or something." Leo laughed at Percy as Isla hid her face against his chest. From the very beginning, his instinct was to protect her.

Maggie said, "Is there a rehearsal?"

"No, we'll muddle through. Lilli will make sure everything goes right."

Percy said, "I'd like to meet this friend."

Leo blurted. "She's married to my best man."

"I used to be your best man."

Isla looked up at Leo. She protected him too. He squeezed her and released her.

"Perce. If only things were different, but they aren't, and I have Isla now. Lilli has been an amazing friend to her. Zach will tell you he earned the role by helping with the swing set and the pool every summer."

Isla said, "And the shed."

He smiled. "And the shed."

Maggie stepped forward. "Isla, tell me everything that needs to be done before the ceremony."

Leo watched his mother drag Isla off before turning to the fridge. He pulled out two beers and handed one to Percy. "Dad?"

"Okay. I'll splurge. Watching my waist. The carbs."

The man was fit for his age. Leo grabbed another for himself. Riley followed her grandmother and Cody sat on Leo's lap when he sat at the table.

"Nice bachelor party."

Leo laughed. "I never felt like a bachelor." Except those two dates. Being with Isla had always felt like marriage. He couldn't wait to make it official.

"You got lucky again."

"Perce, I told you to stop dating the wrong girls."

"Is dating what you call it?"

Percy looked at Bill. "I don't need you nagging me. My mother is bad enough. She suddenly remembers she has a son."

Bill asked, "How is she doing?"

Percy paused. "She'll never admit it, but I think she's relieved."

Leo understood and pushed his old friend, anger, away. "Does she know I'm getting married?"

Percy nodded. "I just told her. She said that you at least picked someone who cares about her grandchildren."

"She loves them."

"My mother expected you to marry right after the divorce."

Leo felt the angst bubbling. "That woman never knew me. I can't let her bother me."

Bill patted his back. "You have a lot to be happy about."

He nodded and squeezed Cody. "We love Isla. Right, Code?"

"Yup. She's gonna be my mom in one more sleep."

Percy frowned. Leo said, "We need her, all three of us." Just in unique ways.

Leo's mind focused on Cody's one more sleep. Isla would be in his bed in one more sleep and Leo was nervous. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her, but he wanted her. Ever since she came to save him from his bad dream, he wanted her. She infiltrated his life, then his dreams and then his heart.

She entered the kitchen with his mother at her heels. Leo smiled at her and silently moved his lips, I love you.

She smiled as Maggie stepped forward. "How can I help you?"

"It's all ready. Riley, will you set the table? And Leo, help with drinks."

Leo stood. "Mom, we have beer or wine."

"Or iced tea." Isla added.

"Wine. Who will join me?"

Isla said, "A little for me."

Leo had champagne on order at the hotel. He turned to the fridge to get more beer. Isla came up behind him. He turned and kissed her.

"You're wasting electricity," Bill said.

He quickly grabbed the milk, and Isla hid in the fridge. She had made an enormous bowl of taco salad. Their meal was festive without the ghosts of the past hovering around. Leo smiled at Isla and wished he could promise to never miss Autumn. He couldn't look at Riley without seeing her mother. He squeezed Isla's hand to ground him in the present.

With houseguests to stay while he was gone, Leo walked Isla home. The streets were quiet, and the air had cooled off enough to wear a sweatshirt. Isla wore a sweater, and he gathered her in. They kissed on the dark street. He craved her scent and taste. After their lips parted, he rested his forehead on hers.

"I don't want you to be nervous. We have our whole life ahead. We can go slow."

"I want to be a good wife."

He smiled. "You will be. In every way but one you already are."

As Leo took her hand, they continued walking. When they reached Marcia's house, she said, "I have something for you."

She pulled him inside the house she had been living at for six months. Marcia smiled. "The bride and groom. How exciting!"

"I have something for Leo."

"Go on. It's too late to worry about you two behind closed doors."

Leo squeezed Isla's hand as she blushed. He followed her upstairs into a room decorated for a teen boy. She opened a drawer and took out a shoebox.

"What's this?"

"My money. What's left from my pay." He had paid her in cash. "What's mine is yours."

Leo looked at her and wanted to ask if she was sure, but he also looked forward to sharing with her. "I've been feeling awkward about you doing the same work without paying you."

"Why would you? Everything I did was a wife's job."

He smiled. Isla had no clue how sexist she sounded. Autumn would freak, but she worked too. "Unless you want to pursue an education or career."

"I'm not trained. I like taking care of you."

He almost mentioned a baby. Once they resolved the contraception debate, Leo felt excited about another child. A baby to raise together.

"Like everything else there is no rush. If you decide, we'll make it work."

She reached up and caressed his cheek. He felt a jolt every time she touched him. "You are so patient."

He hoped he would be patient with his innocent bride. "I love you. I'll miss you tomorrow."

"Lilli said, it's bad luck to see the bride on her wedding day."

Leo smiled. "We don't need any bad luck then. So Lilli is going to drop off Zach and pick up Riley, right?"

"That's what she said." Isla giggled.

"Then that's what will happen. Sleep tonight. You might not tomorrow." Isla resembled a tomato as she swatted at him. "I'm kidding. Remember, I promised to take it slow."

Slow hopefully. Isla hid her face and whispered, "I'll see you without clothes."

Leo wanted to say she was killing him, but opted for another response. "Honey, you should have said that's what you wanted." He started lifting his sweatshirt. "I can end your wondering right now. One thing less to fret over."

She stopped him from pulling his sweatshirt over his head. "No, I'll wait. Maybe we should keep the lights out."

"There is no fun in that." He kissed her sensually sucking on her lip. "Trust me. When you relax, we'll have fun."

Isla didn't meet his gaze. When Leo wasn't scared about Isla's inexperience, he considered it a challenge to convince his butterfly to flutter and frolic freely.

After a hug which neither wanted to let go, he kissed her forehead. "Next time I see you, you'll be walking down the aisle toward me."

Reluctantly, he left her for the last time in her room to see himself out. Marcia stood when he came down.

"Are you ready for the big day?"

He smiled. "My family is here. Thank you for being a good friend."

"Bah, she makes it easy."

He whispered. "She never had a mother and you only have sons. Maybe you could have a little mother daughter talk. She's nervous."

Marcia smiled. "You are a good man. I approve."

As he walked home carrying a shoebox full of cash, he smiled. One thing he wasn't getting with his second marriage were in-laws.

Wedding bells 🔔🔔🔔🔔