When my family and I got back to the hotel after the rehearsal dinner, I anxiously locked myself away in the room I got for Ryan and I. Sasha offered to hang out with me for a bit, especially after I found a way to sneak her into the bathroom during the party to let her know that Eric and his mother knew what Ryan and I were planning. But I assured her I would be okay and just wanted to spend my last night of freedom with him.

I sent him a text when I got to the room to let him know I was there. I figured it would give me at least forty minutes to cry and figure out how I would break it to him that our plan was going to have to be canceled. However, while I was in the middle of my shower, there was a knock at my door. If it was Ryan, he must have been closer than I thought or maybe he was waiting at the hotel the whole time, because I wasn't expecting him for at least another twenty minutes.

I quickly hopped out, threw on the hotel bathrobe, and padded my wet feet out of the bathroom. The cold air blowing from the A/C in the room made me wish I had thrown my damp hair into a towel.

"I wasn't expecting you," I started as I opened the door. "Dad? What are you doing here? I thought you and mom were going to bed."

His eyes looked enraged. "We need to talk! Now!"

I stepped back without hesitation and let him come into the room. After I shut the door, I quickly grabbed a towel for my hair from the bathroom, before following him into the room. "Is everything okay, Dad?"

I sat down on the end of the king-sized bed, squeezing the water out of my hair before wrapping it up in the towel like a turban.

My father paced the small corner of the room by the desk and chair. "I don't even know where to begin! What your mother told me sounds utterly ridiculous!"

"What are you talking about, dad? What did mom tell you?"

I don't think he heard me because he kept rambling. "How could this have happened?"

"What happened?" I asked a little louder, but still, he didn't seem to be hearing my words.

"And I know I've always told you that I don't give two fucks about money! All that matters to me is my family and your happiness!" My dad hardly ever swore. At least not when he was having a conversation with me.

"Dad!" I shouted, finally capturing his attention. "Can you please take a breath and backtrack a little? I am beyond confused right now."

My dad stopped pacing, and took a long deep breath. As he exhaled, his eyes changed from enraged to sad as he took a seat next to me on the bed. "Vicky, honey. I'll just get to the point."

"Thank you."

My dad shifted to look me square in the eyes. "Tell me the truth. Are you being forced to marry Eric tomorrow? Because you think you're protecting me?"

My heart felt like it was about to come out of my throat. It was as if a balloon that was lodged inside of me popped and suddenly released all the trapped air. I started weeping like a child who scraped their knee on the ground. He didn't hesitate to cradle his arms around me and rock gently.

I separated from him to ask, "How did..." but I was unable to finish my question as another wave of uncontrollable tears took over.

I only slightly calmed down when there was another knock at the door. This time I knew who it was. I looked at my dad, wondering if I should answer it. He took it upon himself to get the door. I grabbed a pillow as he left my side and buried my face into it, so my sobs were muffled.

"Oh! Good evening, Mr. Ashcroft. I was just...um...looking for..." I heard Ryan stutter at seeing someone he didn't expect.

I raised my head to finish his sentence for him, but my dad did it instead. "You're looking for my daughter."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, come on in." He gestured for Ryan to enter. "You must be the only man my daughter wants to marry. Maybe you can help explain what's going on."

I wiped my eyes and stared at my dad in shock. Ryan also looked slightly taken back as he entered the room and stopped in front of me. "Are you okay?" He asked as he took the spot next to me, where my dad had been.

My dad shut the door, walked passed us, and grabbed the back of the desk chair. He turned it to face us and sat down. "Victoria," my dad started. He never used my full name unless he was trying to make sure I was listening. "Your mother overheard a conversation tonight that Donna and Eric were having with you. She said Donna threatened that if you didn't marry her son that she'd make sure my business was destroyed."

I nodded. "It's true. I'm so sorry, daddy!"

He looked so sad. "So, you've been engaged to him for the last year because you had to be?"

I shook my head. "No! No. When Eric proposed, I had my doubts, but I did say yes. Then I realized that our feelings for each other weren't real. But when I tried to end it, Mrs. Walton stepped in and said I had to go through with it. Otherwise, she'd ruin you because I'd ruin their family's political reputation."

My dad looked at me in disbelief, then focused on Ryan. "And I suppose you are the reason my daughter had doubts to begin with?"

"No!" Ryan and I said together.

"Daddy." I stood up and moved to the other side of Ryan on the bed, so I was closer to my father. "I had doubts about Eric even while we were dating in college. Ryan only helped me realize that Eric's feelings for me were superficial. He only liked that I looked good for his political career. He never loved me as a person or even really knew me."

"And what about you?" My father asked Ryan. "What are your intentions with my daughter? You two haven't known each other for even a year. Can you honestly say you two love each other enough to want to make a lifelong commitment?"

Ryan smiled his signature smile that always made me melt. I looked to my dad, who didn't seem to be falling for the smile like I was. His face stayed expressionless, like a stone. "Mr. Ashcroft. It's a long story that I would be happy to tell you all about later, but I knew Vicky during our freshman year at NYU. When I met her then, I knew I needed to have her in my world. Of course, my education got in the way, and while I was studying abroad, she met Eric. By the time I got back a year later, I was too late.

"Then, when she was hired to work at the firm as my assistant, I knew it was fate giving me a second chance. So I took it, and thankfully she felt the same about me. This is why I don't have a single doubt that I want to marry this caring, wonderful, and ambitious woman. She has given me the strength to see what I want in my life, and more importantly, what I don't want.

"Because of Vicky, I stopped trying to find happiness at the bottom of a bottle of booze, or in bed with random nameless women, or trying to please my father and brothers. She's always seen me for me, and she's never let me off the hook for my downfalls. I just pray I am all she wants too."

My father and I sat there, looking at Ryan in silence for a moment. I smiled widely and took his hand. "Ryan Herman, if I could marry you right now, I would. You are the only man who has made this life of mine easier. Even in the midst of chaos, you are my calm. Though we have had our fair share of stress and drama that could fill up a whole cheesy romance novel, I know it was all worth it. Especially if it means we get to spend the rest of our lives together, in peace."

He didn't even care that my dad was sitting right there. He grinned like a Cheshire cat and hooked his finger under my chin, guiding our lips to kiss. We only kissed lightly, but it felt like we just sealed our vows after all that. Had my dad been the officiant, he probably would have pronounced us married then.

"Well." My dad coughed lightly to get our attention again. "If it means anything, you two have my blessing."

I looked at my dad with bewilderment, trying to absorb what he said. "But what about Eric and Mrs. Walton?"

"Did you not hear anything I said when I first got here?" My father crossed his arms in annoyance. "You just leave Donna to me." With that, my dad stood up, which caused me and Ryan to reactively stand too. He walked towards the hotel room door, leaned on the handle to open it, and then looked back. "Ryan, if you don't already have one, I suggest you get yourself a tuxedo and a best man for tomorrow."

Ryan beamed at my father. "Yes, sir, Mr. Ashcroft. Thank you."

My dad moved back off the door again and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry you've been through all this and never told me. We could have had this all figured out from the get-go."

I blushed. "I realize that now, Dad. I'm sorry."

"Well, both of you better get some rest." My dad turned and opened the door fully this time. "I'll see you both at the church tomorrow."

As soon as the door closed, leaving Ryan and me alone, we didn't hesitate to laugh, smile, and kiss to our current state of happiness. Naturally, our kissing moved to the bed. We removed every article of clothing from his body along with my bathrobe and towel.

He laid me back on the bed as he positioned himself on top of me, supporting his weight with his muscular arms. His mouth opened, allowing my tongue to discover his. Kissing him wantingly. I felt his excitement pulse to life against my thigh, which made me even more willing and ready to give myself to him completely.

"I want you inside me." I looked at him with hungry eyes.

He stared at me with a combination of lust and pure love. "Would it be okay with you if I didn't use a condom tonight?"

This would be the first time I'd ever have unprotected sex with him, or anyone. I was hesitant at first. "But what if I get pregnant?"

He responded with a gorgeous smirk. "That would be alright with me. I mean, by the time you'd find out, you'll be my wife anyway. It's only natural that a baby comes next."

I giggled lightly at his logic but instantly stopped as I didn't want to ruin the moment. "I'm okay with that then."

He beamed as our lips returned to meet each other. He wrapped his arms around my body and effortlessly positioned my hips to allow his stiff erection to enter me.

Not only did his bare penis feel good as it rubbed along my inner walls, but he was also hitting all the right spots. It felt different and better than I expected. I could feel his erection throb inside every time my body tightened around it. Our rhythm increased, and the bed started to squeak and bumped against the headboard.

I felt a tingling wave of sensation wash over my body from my head to my toes. We panted and moaned as we climaxed at the same time and hugged our sweaty bodies together.

Ryan collapsed beside me, with our legs still intertwined. As he tried to steady his breath again, he turned his head so his sleepy, yet still piercing eyes met mine. "I'm so thankful that I am going to be your husband."

I blushed, loving his genuine words. "I'm even more thankful to become your wife."

We curled up together under the covers, still naked. We both knew there'd be no point in wearing anything, as we were sure more would probably occur throughout the night. Though, as soon as I was in his arms, it wasn't long before we fell into a deep and calm sleep.