I shower at dawn, then go to my office to review monthly expenses. Warehouse utility bills. Laboratory bills. $25k in total. I send out the payment. Next, I view emails from Orbe Industries. They've made updates to our car design. 

The car has old-school charm. It's based on a model from 1962. The Alpine A110. There's evolution to the past style. A sporty clash, muscle body with character to its front design. The headlights are doubled, there's 4 instead of 2. The lights add a quirky attitude. I confirm the blueprint by clicking on an approval button attached. Next, I check my voicemail. 

Velma left a long one. "You two can't drop off the radar! I'll no longer represent you or Madison if you keep this up! I shouldn't have to run Madison's account for her! Call me immediately! You two don't appreciate my hard work! I've been losing sleep trying to fix this fucking mess! If you don't call by the morning, I'll drop you both as clients!" 

"Ugh..." I huff out, annoyed. I dial her number.

It doesn't even ring fully before the line clicks. "I'M BEYOND PISSED!!! The hype for the wedding is fizzling. No trending charts, your names have hit rock bottom. I need activity."

"Give us 3 days."

"No! At least shoot videos from the Island. Give me something!"

"Fine...." I give in, knowing we need her. "Once the wedding locations are a go, we'll film videos of whatever you want."

"I have a list. There's a lot to do."

"We'll get it done." I terminate the call. Someone taps on the door. "Come in."

Alonso enters. "Sir, your father and brothers wish to speak with you."

"Send them in." He exits. I prep for the visit. I don't know if I should be harsh or calm. I'm used to defending myself around them. I decide to stand. My family isn't out for blood...for now. Meaning I can be inviting.

Father wears a relaxed outfit. A gray golf shirt and pants. Tom is even more informal in a deep red sweater fit. Sam is dressed like a basketball player. A vintage Lakers jersey set. Good...the more down to earth they appear, the better the day will go. "Hey, son." Dad pats my shoulder. Is that a grin on his face?? "Your mother commands us to get suits. Unless you already have some." 

"I bought them last week."

"I get the best one." Tom nudges Sam. "Sorry, middle child is the same as the baby boy."

"No, it's not, I'm older than Jace." Sam squirms away from Tom's annoying elbow. "Stop!"

"As of right now, I'm the oldest. You two lack maturity."

Dad gives a harsh laugh. "He's got you two with that one."

Tom advances my way to poke me. I don't give him the satisfaction. His nudges are hard as hell. He aims for my sides. "The baby king will whine and show his true colors."

"I won't."

"You sure, diaper Prince?" He playfully shoves me.

I don't show annoyance. It's best to let him tire himself out. "I'm removing you as best man."

"Ahh. You chose me?" Tom halts, flipping back his red hair. He and Kim are the only ones with the color. It's a throwback genetic. "I'm touched, bro. I might even give you a hug." He makes to do so but I know him too well. I brace myself for a false hug. Knowing another attack is coming. My big brother headlocks me. I try loosening myself, but he has older sibling strength. 

"It's nap time, Tom. Get your blankie." Sam pokes.

"Enough!" Father raises his voice. "We came for suits not to rough up the groom."

Tom releases me. "Never thought I'd hear you referred to as that."

Sam nods. "Mr. Single till I die."

I fix the wrinkles in my suit. "Well...the universe decided otherwise."

"The universe?" Dad is puzzled by my word choice.

Do I tell them that I experienced love at first sight? That Madi is my other half. My soulmate. My life. Would they laugh? I've never been able to be sensitive around them. "Yes..." is all I say.

"I figured this was serious when you flew her to Alodia." Sam comments. There's a softness to his voice. He's usually understanding.

"True.... your mother and I were shocked to hear how far you went for this woman." Dad closes in on me, giving a heavy stare. "We're sorry for judging so quickly. It's clear that you love Madison."

"Apology accepted." I smile to the side.

"Say it, lover boy!" Tom teases me like a preschooler. "Don't be scared." He catcalls. I roll my eyes.

"Stop hazing your brother." Dad leads me away to a corner so we have privacy. I'm lost as to why he took me away from the others. "I think you chose right...according to your mother, Madison is a surprise. And you know how hard it is to get that woman to like someone. As well as your sister." He stresses. "Congratulations on the engagement." He unclips a watch from his wrist. One my father had for as long as I can remember. It's rustic but shiny. Dad clamps it onto my wrist. "The tradition." 

I stare down in awe. This is the passing of the torch in our family. A watch that's been safeguarded for centuries. I'm moved by the transfer of power. A rush of gratitude and respect cripples my heart. I reach a hand out, knowing I can't hug him. Handshakes are the only physical engagement we can have. 

"Thanks, Dad." I fight off an unsteady voice. I can't be weak around him. I fend off my sappy side.

"Good job, son." He shakes my hand.

"Keep it so Mom can stop lecturing me. I'm never getting hitched." Tom scoffs.

"Never say never," I say wisely.

"Nah...being a bed wrecker is better than having my balls chained." He stubbornly crosses his arms.

I hear heels tapping down the hall. Multiple. I can't narrow it down because there are 6 women here now. We all wait to see who the company is. Red hair is the first visual. Kim. "Hey strawberry, how are you walking on two legs???!" Tom cracks. 

Kim mean mugs him. "Put a sock in it!" Madi is with her. I swear my baby has the light of the sun in her veins. Her halo is dazzling today. The glow of joy loves her. Madi cheeses at me. I adore her pleasure. Kim hops to sit on my desk. "Eww...get a room for that." She's disgusted by my attraction. "Where are the suits?? I swear men are lazy." 

"Whoa, sis. You hurt our feelings..." Tom hops beside her:

"Get away!" She scoots far from him.

"Such a sour patch, strawberry."

"We just decorated half of the arena while you guys are chilling out away from the sun. We're busting our asses!" She complains.

"Language." Father corrects her. "Kimmy, the suits are handled. You and your mother can relax."

"Where are they?" She searches the office. Irritated. "I see nothing." I chuckle at her dramatic expression. "Shut up, Jace!"

"Sorry, strawberry."

"Dad! They won't stop saying it!"

"What does the name mean?" My bunny cluelessly looks at each of us.

Kim slides from the desk and stomps out of the room. She lets out a stressful squeal on her way out. "Uh oh..." Sam frets. "You two should have stopped."

"Don't upset your sister anymore, let her have a good day." Dad sighs.

"I...I didn't mean to make her mad." Madi cringes.

"Don't worry, she's temperamental. You did nothing wrong." Dad reassures her on his way out.

"Oh...okay." She twiddles her thumbs. "But she didn't storm off until I asked..."

I go to wrap an arm around her. "It's not you. We call her that because she's a living, breathing fruit."

Tom cracks up. "Green eyes, freckles, red hair. Her long lost sister is strawberry shortcake."

"I'll go check on her." Sam, who is more empathetic than amused, leaves the office. "It's nice seeing you again, Madison."

"You too, thank you...." She trails off, trying to think of his name.

"Sam," I inform her, since I wasn't able to last time. "The middle child. Tom is the big child."

"The firstborn," Tom sneers at me. "Do you know Jace is the last born? The baby king." He grills me.

Madi covers her mouth. "No way!"

"He's proud of bringing it up."

"To remind you of your place."

"I've never been scared of you."

Tom gets up from the desk, trying to punk me. Of course, I'm not bigger than him. He's 6′6 and beefier. But his size has never intimidated me. I always outsmarted him. "What about the time you peed yourself?" He interrogates. "I got him good on Halloween with a clown mask." 

"One time."

"One's all it takes." He whacks me on the back with brute strength. I hunch over and grunt. "Now you." He addresses Madison. "You'll be in the club soon...so watch out." Tom pounds his fist on his palm, then does a tough walk out of the door.

I facepalm. "I tried putting him up for adoption...I got grounded for a month."

"You're joking."

I shake my head. "He's a lot...imagine sharing a room with him."

My baby cups my face. "Awww, you have a annoying big brother, that's cute."

"Ummmm...no, it was a nightmare."

"I envy you." She pinches my cheeks.

"Cool, let's swap, he's your brother now, enjoy."

Madi raises the roof. "Yay!"

"You have to do that dance at the wedding."

"Noo..."

"Yes." I pull Madi up and into my mouth. My hands grip her ass to steady her.

"You're being bad." She sucks on my bottom lip. "How about I join you? We can sneak to your room for some bed play."

"Tempting." I devour her mouth.

"Let's go." The burning in her voice turns me to concrete.

"Bad bunny." I stretch out her bottom lip with my teeth.

"Come on!" The throbbing ache reaches from her pussy to her throat.

I slide a finger between her legs, under her dress. Her pearl is firm. I stroke it. She groans. "Sorry about your lady boner."

"Huh?"

I drop her back to the floor and let go of her ass. "Velma sent a list. We have to vlog."

MADISON

He slips his finger from my bean. I watch him pop his finger into his mouth. "You just want to fuck with me, don't you?" I squint.

Jace slowly glides the moist finger from his mouth. "Definitely." I step up and insert it into mine. My tongue swirls around his digit in a perfect circle. I hold eye contact. His sage eyes are steamy. I love how horny he is. I release it and kiss his fingertip. "I love you." 

"Then fuck me." I grind against him.

Jace eyes the door. "Not around my family."

"I thought being in public makes it better."

"It does."

"So do it." My mouth swallows his Adam's apple.

"You have to work your way up to be fucked, newbie." His deep voice clatters through his neck lump. It feels like a vibrator. I scrape my teeth across it.

"Uh uhh." I disagree in a mumble.

"Hmm mmm." He does the same to combat me.

"Uh uh." I love his grumbling; the sound shocks my mouth. Static electricity stabs my jaws.

"Hmm mmm."

"Uh uh." I prepare for the euphoric effect.

"Hmm mmm."

My skin flames. My mouth floods. My pearl flinches. My eyes widen...I'm sure they're dilated. A cavewoman awakens in me. Pure savagery. I want to throw him on the desk and take him! Force him inside me! I want to surrender to the uncivilized urge! But I can't! I have to wait 4 days. I give a wide suck to his jugular before backing away. "Let's get started on her list."

"What??! You let me win?" He blinks rapidly, dazed.

"Yes..."

"Wow."

"Shut up." I spot his phone on the desk. I go to get it and hand it to him.

Jace immediately gives it back. "You can read it. There's no passcode."

Huh? What does he mean by no passcode? "Really."

"Yes."

"Since when?"

"Since I proposed."

Wow...that's crazy! Even I have a passcode. "Does that mean I have to do the same?"

"50/50. We have to share everything."

"Is that one of your vows?"

"Maybe...."

I slide up the screen on his phone. He wasn't lying, I have full access. "I'll remove mines too."

"Good...I need to see your Pornhub stash."

I shush him, looking back at the door. "Don't say it too loud," I whisper.

"Ashamed of what's in there?"

"No...plus you know what's in there already."

"Guy on guy makes up most of it, I assume." How did he guess that close??! I ignore his conclusion. One, because I don't want to prove him right. Two, because I already imagined him with a man. I don't want to imagine him watching gay porn...my mind will shut down. "No remark?" I stay silent and focus harder than I should on iMessage. I click it and see Velma's text. I expand the thread. "Oh, well...I guess I won't tell you about my relations with men." Jace walks to the door. 

"Wait!!" My mouth drops. HOLY SHIT!!′ LIL AND I WERE RIGHT?!! He keeps walking. I chase after him. "Yes, you were right, half of it....well over half is guy on guy. Now tell me!" I plead.

"We have work to do." Jace revels in my angst, his grin is victorious and mocking.

"Please??!!" I whine. "You can't torture me like this!"

"I was the bottom bitch." I inhale sharply. My saliva triples in volume. I hectically swallow so I don't slobber like a drug addict. "First on the list are the bridesmaid's dresses."

I jog to cross in front of him. I kneel and do prayer hands. "Please, Jace! Please, please, please!"

He gives a cocky smirk as he leans to whisper in my ear. "I have a thing for Alonso." I choke on gasps, as if I'm suffocating. My mind turns to mush. It shuts down. Jace laughs. "I think I overloaded you, baby. I'm sorry." He swoops me from the floor and into his arms.

Jace as a bottom....with another man??? Daydreaming it was one thing...but knowing he's slept with guys! O.M.G. I. CAN'T. FUNCTION! Jace having sex with a man? On the bottom....of a man?! Being plowed...by a man??!!! I slobber against his shirt. "You broke me..." I groan, in heat. 

"Good." He carries me to the dressing room and sets me down. "Get all your fantasies out, I'll gather your posse." He smooches my lips. I give a slippery, wet kiss back. "Hmmm..." He mumbles in delight. "Now I have the secret to your mouth. I'll use this technique for sloppy blowjobs." I stare up at him, completely stimulated by thirst. My pearl stands up...and hardens. My eyes are oversexed. One side of my mouth leaks saliva. Jace rubs it into my lips. A beast awakens in his eyes. My caveman. My bisexual king. "We'll continue the fun later." He winks before leaving. 

I gawk after him, speechless and feral as a wildcat. Why would he do this to me knowing I have tasks to handle???! I have to fix my face...my eyes...my mouth. He just destroyed me. I claw both hands through my hair. I decide to pace the room.

The key is to get all my dirty thoughts out, so no one sees me this way. Of course, his ass comes to mind first. A penis whacking into it. This visualize in my head like porn. The slapping noises. The manly grunts from him and another guy. The hip thrusts from Jace on the bottom and the guy on top.

My eyes close. I moan lowly. Desirably. Crazily. I cream my underwear. I have so many questions to ask!! I need to know everything about this part of him. We'll continue it later, like he said.

"So...Jace said we have a list of things to do," Lil says from behind me.

I rub my face to clear my ravenous appetite before turning around. Jess, Mom, Kim, and Meredith accompany her. "Yep...from our PR rep." I view Jace's phone. Reading the first bulletin point. "The bridesmaid party must introduce themselves and reveal their dresses. On the hanger not on their body." I realize there are three other women. "Oh, hello." I wave. "I forgot about the investors. You all must be their dates."

"Amy." A chocolate haired one waves back.

"Angelica." A modelesque woman replies pompously. I've never seen silver hair on anyone before. She's rocking it! "Lovely to meet you."

"Darlene." A jet black-haired woman does a half smile.

"Welcome to the posse." I greet. "Dresses five, one, and three are reserved with your names," I inform. "Let's get to it, the video has to post between 3 and 4 pm. The high traffic timeframe." I use Jace's phone to film. "Each of you stand by your dresses for the opening shot. State your names one by one before unzipping and displaying the peach gowns." Velma is super thorough. 

The roll call is quick. Angelica is number one. She states her name as if the queen's daughter. Her high-class tone is comedic. Lil and Jess snicker. I hide chortles by faking to clear my throat. Jess is number two. She takes influence from Miss Model, cleverly mocking her with such simplicity. Angelica doesn't notice. Darlene is next. I like how nonchalant she is. The way she says her name is hilarious. She sounds sleepy. 

Lil is next. She does a lazy intro to poke fun at Darlene. Amy is sweet and enthusiastic with hers. I realize Kim hasn't joined the lineup. My eyes meet hers. She swipes her hair behind her shoulders and elegantly prances to number 6. She chose to make a big entrance. It's a shot at me...I'm sure of it. Delaying to join right off is a power move. "Kim. Sister of the groom." Kim singles herself out by using her ranking...another dominance strike. 

I allow this. There's no need to argue. Jace said she's bratty. I've had a warning...now I have to deal with it. Meredith grins proudly at her daughter. They've won another victory. A small one. This time it's not hidden. I continue recording. All 6 unzip their dress bags one by one to show off the pastel gowns. Jess edits the footage in Adobe Premiere Pro on her laptop. I'm not good at editing at all. The clips flow so smoothly once she's done.  

I wonder which transition she used? Velma listed keywords for insta, TikTok, and Twitter along with music to apply to the videos in pre-post. I follow the instructions. The fact that I have 15 new posts is surprising. 3 a day. On every platform. With over a million views, comments, and shares. Q&A videos, anti-bully content, and business teasers were uploaded while I was away. Velma must have done those for me.  

I paste the hashtags and submit the posts. "What's next on the list?" Jess reads the text message.

"Groomsmen suit haul. Says here that Jace is handling that." I report. "Ceremony venue tour."

"We have to add finishing touches." Lil contends.

"No, we don't...I can splice the clip to double one angle as two." Jess says confidently.

"You're an editor?" Meredith asks from the doorway. She's so quiet...that must be a skill of hers. A true snake waiting to corrupt my garden of bliss.

"A little bit...I make reels for my clothing label."

"That's amazing! I'm proud you've found your career." Mrs. Harrison dotes on her.

"Thank you." I'm jealous that Jess is receiving more respect from my fiancé's mother than I am. Is she still peeved that I have no path?? It seems so.

We pack out the door and to the roof, where a chopper awaits. I try to look forward to decorating the arena to avoid my lack of self-esteem. But I can't shake it. Mrs. Harrison knows how to get under my skin. She's using my sense of no direction in life against me. This sours my mood...I'm not as giddy anymore. I try my best to hide the rejection I feel, but my sis notices. "What's wrong?" Lil worries through the headset. 

"It's nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing."

I force a grin. "I'm just a little swamped." I lie. "This is a long list."

"Tell me about it." She complains. "Do we really have to do this?"

"Yes." Jace's phone rings. I'm not sure if I should take it. I'm not him. Plus wouldn't it be weird? "So...Jace gave me access to his phone. Does that mean I can take his calls?"

"You two are practically married. I don't think he'd be mad."

"Maybe I'm overthinking." I answer the call.

"Where is Madison?"

"Speaking."

"Perfect. Who is your maid of honor?"

"My Aunt Trisha."

"Is she there?"

"No, she's flying in tomorrow."

"She'll have to do a separate video."

JACE

Us men occupy the bar. Toasting drinks in fancy suits. Ren, Jim, and Chester got in an hour ago. It's strange seeing them when business isn't the topic. Ren holds up his glass. "To the love-struck fool." He jabs.

Everyone salutes before drinking. My father chuckles. "What has he told you?"

"Enough to know that Madison is the one."

"Spill it." Tom shoots a devilish smile my way.

"I'll swap that story at the bachelorette party." I divert the conversation. "We're supposed to record a suit haul."

"Eh...we have time." Tom waves a hand. "Don't try changing the subject."

"He does that a lot." Ren laughs. "All fools in love try to save face around their guys."

"In love....?" Father studies me. "He hasn't said that to us."

"He didn't tell us either...but I figured it out. It was hard to miss. Anytime a man is as lost as a puppy, that means they're in love. "What if I can't move on?" Those were his exact words. That's when I knew."

"And the fact that he didn't sleep with her was an indication too." Jim sips on whisky. "That was odd to see. A playboy stressing over one woman." He leers at me.

My father ponders. "Sounds like you're describing someone else...not my son."

Sam shrugs. "Well...you changed once you met Mom."

"That's true...but not as fast." My father uses a skeptical tone.

This irks me. "It wasn't that fast. She had a boyfriend."

"Oh, right!" Chester remembers. "You held off on stealing her. I doubt that other dude was as eligible as you."

"He wasn't."

"So why did it take so long? It took 3 months."

"There were a lot of reasons."

"Bad ones?" My father digs.

"No...Madison had to deal with trauma."

"The car accident." Tom reminds Father.

"And an ex that almost raped her."

Sam gazes at me, grief-stricken. "Wow...I'm sorry to hear that."

"Same here..." Father shakes his head with remorse. "Good thing you had the scum locked up."

This doesn't shock me. My father has private investigators. Of course, he knows what I did. Tom and Sam must know too. They don't react to the news. My investors do. "I wasn't entirely sure that was you...." Ren is blown away by the revelation. 

"Who did you lock up!?" Jim is clueless.

"Brad Smith."

"When??"

"You remember the grand park report?"

"No."

"I do," Chester says. "The dude tried assaulting her in the park."

"A park?? Why was she there?" Jim eyes me.

I'll skip the details. There's no need to open old wounds. My heart is still sore about her running to him. "That's a good question." Father stares at me too, wanting an answer.

I sip the whiskey. "That's not important. The ass is locked up. End of discussion."

"True." Dad nods. "I'm proud that you have a savior mode. But I have to ask why she is worth marrying? Is this a security move for your lineage?"

"Well...all empires must have heirs. I can't lie and say that's not part of it."

"Is it the main reason?"

"No."

Tom gulps his drink and sets the glass down. He crosses his arms. "So, what's the main reason? Dad's right. Why is she worth it?"   

Do I reveal that Madi is a virgin? It would benefit me. My father will back off and not ask again. The audacity he had to ask me why my baby is worth marriage! As if I have to explain. I don't like that. I knew today couldn't be completely stress free. My family always finds a way to sink their claws in. 

"Jace doesn't have to explain that." Sam takes my side.

"I think we'd all like to know." Tom contends.

"There has to be a reason." Dad pushes.

Ren shrugs. "Not really...sometimes you just follow your gut. Love at first sight isn't easy to explain." He pats my back. "Right, Jacy boy."

I owe him for having my back. "Exactly."

"What's your favorite thing about her?" Father continues the probing.

I ponder on this, not sure if I can choose one thing. There are too many qualities I love about her. Her smile, her eyes. Her sense of humor. Her beauty. The adorable snorts she does. The way she swish her hips when she's playful...or shy. The raise the roof dance. The way my money doesn't rule her. Her dirty mind. "Must be a lot." Ren cackles. "That's good. The more you love, the longer the marriage will last. I know I've had unsuccessful ones...but I learned that from trial and error. As long as she brings you peace and comfort, that's all that matters." 

Father raises his glass to toast Ren. "That's the key."

"Count yourself lucky that you found this out while you're still young." Ren drinks. "If I could turn back the clock for all the ones that wasted my time."

"See...that's why I'll never settle down," Tom vents. "Women fake their love and play you."

"Not all women." I defend the opposite sex. "But I get what you mean." My brother is bitter because the class of women he choose are gold-digging attention whores. I hope he'll find someone to change his mind....the same way Madi changed mine. I finish the whisky. 

"We better get the suit video done." Sam reminds me.

"Right." I place my glass on the bar and go to a wall. "Closet." It extends outwards. Displaying a rack of cream suits with peach ties, white dress shirts, and pocket roses. "You all have to hold them while introducing yourselves." I pat my pocket for my phone. Oh...right, Madi has it. I go to my desk for a new one. As I set up the brand-new phone, the guys unhook the suits from the rack. 

"It should go by seniority," Sam suggests. Ren moves to the front, followed by Chester, Jim, Tom, and Sam. The bunch work on their introductions. Mingling amongst themselves. I select the language and connect to the Wi-Fi. Then I decide where to stand. Sideways? The view might be better that way. Frontal?? That would look cleaner and direct. I choose this one. I wait for them to stop chattering before recording. 

"Ren Carlson, friend of the groom."

"Chester Bennington, the one and only friend of the groom." He jabs at Ren.

"Jim Drake, the true friend of the groom." The three share competitive gazes.

"Tom Harrison, big brother of the groom."

"Sam Harrison, older brother of the groom."

They all hold their suits high enough to show off the detailing. The cream blazer is crocheted at the sleeves and collar line. The hint of peach is tasteful, not overbearing.. The footage is 2 minutes long. That should be enough. "Alright, that's a wrap." I text the video to Vel. She immediately texts back:

Where will the reception take place?

Me: I'd like to leave that as a surprise.

Vel: Is the location ready for use?

Me:Yes. I call my other phone to check up on my bunny. I'm guessing she's confused by the unknown number. The call is ignored twice. So, I text: Hi honey🐰

Madi: Oh it's you 😂

Me: Are you done filming the arena?

Madi: Yes

Me: Next on the list is the ring display. Reception dress. And a live broadcast asking fans to join the wedding live stream.

Madi: Live stream?

Me: Yes

Madi: I'm camera shy 😳

Me: Just keep your eyes on me 😘

Madi: 💋

I receive another text from Velma: You have to address the rumors. Go to your socials right away and post this: I'd like to address that I've never forced any women to abort babies.

What the fuck is going on?!! "Excuse me." I leave the bar room. I have a good memory, so I know all my logins by heart. TikTok. Twitter, Insta, and YouTube. I go to the worst one first. The top trending on Twitter is:

WOMEN COME FORWARD ABOUT JACE HARRISON

I click to read what nonsense is being spreaded. The top post is a group picture of ladies. I recognize them from college. It's obvious that they've gotten nowhere in life if they stooped this low. Each of them hold a poster with my name with a red X mark through it. There a quotes written on each poster. 

"He told me to get rid of that thing or else!"

"You won't ruin my career, bitch, abort it!"

"You'll be a horrible mother...do what's right!"

"Jace Harrison beat me until I got an abortion!"

"He locked me in a room with no food while pregnant hoping I'd miscarry!"

"Jace punched my stomach while I was carrying!"

I scroll down. The quotes go on and on. It's never-ending. Are these bitches serious?!! How much attention do they want that they wait 4 days before my wedding to slander my name??? Wow. Unbelievable. I repost the main tweet, which has millions of interactions. Then I type what Velma sent: 

I'd like to address that I've never forced any women to abort their babies. (I add more to the text because it's too vague and scripted) I've had a vasectomy since I was 20 after a scare from a woman who stole my condom. As for the women stating these claims, please show proof of photos and clinic visits. Until evidence is given, you're all just clout chasers. 

I post the response on all my platforms. I power off the phone, peeved by the drama. I stroll outside for fresh air. This day has to stay positive. I hear the helicopter blades nearing the mansion. I look up, watching it glide past to the rooftop. Good, my baby is back. I need her presence right now. I need peace and comfort. A hug. A kiss. So, I can forget about the low-down women. 

MADISON

I saw Jace in the front yard. I wonder what he's doing. His phone was in his hand. Is Velma bugging him? The helicopter doors open automatically. I get out and walk to the exit door. "Okay...so next on the list is the ring display. Reception dress. And a live broadcast to fans." 

"I'll film the reception dress for you." Jess smiles.

"Thanks." I cheese back. "Me and Jace can handle the last two."

I text him: Let's walk to the gazebo.

Jace: I'll wait for you 🤍

I quickly change into a blue halter dress with a bowknot. It's very vintage 1950s.

I quickly change into a blue halter dress with a bowknot. It's very vintage 1950s. I find Jace exactly where I last saw him. He hugs me right away. A long lasting, cuddling hug. He swoops me up and under his chin. I love how he snuggles the top of my head. "Awww, why are you being adorable?" I giggle. 

"I love you." Jace caresses my jawline. 

I kiss the bottom of his chin. "I love you too." 

His warm hand lifts my mouth to his for a passionate caress. Slow and long. I shut my eyes and revel in the feel of him. The gentleness of his touch. The taste of him. The citrus scent of his skin. "Thank you for wanting me for me...not for what I can give you." He speaks so sensitively. I love it. 

"Aww...." My lips peck his. I wrap my fingers around his so both of our rings show. I glance into his green eyes in a trance. His vulnerability chills my soul. His clenched brows...his slow blinking. His sluggish eyelids. "Thank you for choosing me." I pull him into a deep kiss. Jace lets out an airy groan. I smirk. "3 days and 12 hours." I squeeze his hand. "Oh, and I think we have the perfect shot for the ring display." I use his phone to record a 20-second video of our clasped hands. The island sounds in the background add a tropical ASMR. The clashing ocean. The sea birds tweeting a pleasant song. The swooshing leaves.