Book 2 Chapter 29
Colton
“Get you fucking hands off me!” I growled as Benjamin held me back.
“Calm down. She’s going to be okay.” Benjamin assured me.
“You don’t know that. She could—” I whispered.
“Drew is the best doctor I know. Jenna and the baby will be okay.”
“Let. Me. Go.” I hissed through gritted teeth.
Benjamin shoved me back into the wall and pinned me down. “You need to calm down, or else their going to make you leave. Do you really want that?”
I couldn’t breathe.
She could die.
The baby could die.
I closed my eyes and whispered. “Please God, help her. Don’t let her die—don’t take her from me.”
Everything seemed to slow down as I opened my eyes. My chest ached as I relaxed my muscles. Benjamin loosened his grip and stepped back. He eyed me cautiously, not knowing what to expect from me. My hands gripped my head as I sunk down on my knees.
“No. No. No. Please, God—please.” I chanted over and over.
Benjamin and Chloe watched me fall down on my hands. I begged. Prayed. Pleaded for everything to be okay. It felt like I was living in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. I didn’t even hear Dr. Alvarez come in. Dr. Alvarez knelt down and tapped my face. “Colton, can you hear me? The baby is fine.”
“Jenna—” I croaked out.
“The operation was successful. Jenna and the baby are fine. You can go see her as soon you calm down. Jenna wouldn’t want to see you like this. Dry your tears and collect yourself. It’s time to meet Grace Emery Davenport. She’s a beautiful, healthy baby girl.”
“Grace Emery Davenport.” I whispered, testing out the name and smiled.
I wiped my face and sighed in relief. Jenna and Grace were okay. The baby is healthy, and Jenna is alive. Now, I need to find the strength to calm down and meet my Princess. My babygirl. I stepped into the room and smiled as Jenna laid there asleep. Dr. Alvarez stood behind me and whispered, “I’ll have to keep them here for observation for a few days. Just as a precaution. After that, I’ll discharge them so you can take your family home. Congratulations, Colton.”
Just as I sat down next to her, a nurse brought in Grace and placed her in my arms. “Here you are, Sir. I’ll leave the bottle with you in case she gets hungry. Also, there are forms for you to sign to see if she’s going to breastfeed or not. Congratulations, Mr. Davenport.”
I kissed Grace on the head and whispered, “My little Gracie. My Princess. I love you so much. You and your momma.”
I slipped into the bed and kissed Jenna’s cheek, “I’m so proud of you lil’ mamma. I love you so much. So, so much.”
Benjamin and Chloe quietly stepped inside, careful not to wake Jenna or Grace. Chloe smiled as she leaned her head on Benjamin’s shoulder. He wrapped his arm around hers and grinned, “Now, the family is complete, brother.”
***
I’ve never been so nervous in my life. Today is the day. The day I make Jenna my wife. Mrs. Davenport. Benjamin grinned as he fixed my bowtie. It’s been so long since I’d put on a suit. Ever since prison, I never thought of putting one back on. Until now. Just as soon as we’re married, it’s coming off. Along with Jenna’s dress. It’s been about two months since Jenna had little Gracie. I thought I almost lost her. It was the scariest moment of my life.
“Be still! I almost got it.” Benjamin growled.
“Benjamin, I’ve been meaning to talk to you. The night Jenna went into labor—”
“Stop. I understand you were upset. It was an emotional time. All is forgiven.”
“Let me say this. I’m sorry I lashed out. You’ve been the best friend I thought I would never have. I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for everything.”
“Okay, it’s almost time. Ready to make Jenna your wife?”
“Been waiting on this moment my whole life.”
“Let’s do this, brother.”
***
I watched Jenna and Chloe link arms and lock eyes with me. My goodness. She was beautiful. Gorgeous. Breathtaking. The music started to play as they walked down the clearing in Benjamin’s backyard. Benjamin and I stepped forward and took each of them by the hand. We took our places and stood in front of them, holding both of their hands.
Angelo Valentino cleared his throat and started. “Ladies, gentlemen. Family and friends. We are gathered here today to join four people together. Here, we have Benjamin and Chloe. Jenna and Colton as they proclaim their love and commitment to the world. I’ll make this short and sweet as I’ve been asked to do. Today we have come together to witness the joining of these four lives. For them, the extraordinary has happened to them. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding. A good marriage must be created. It is never being too old to hold hands. It’s remembering to say I love you every day and it’s not just marrying the right person; it’s being the right partner.”
Angelo glanced to Benjamin and Chloe. “Benjamin, repeat after me. I, Benjamin Grayson, take Chloe Davenport to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship, and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Till death do us part.”
Benjamin repeated the vows and looked to Chloe, “Chloe, repeat after me. I, Chloe Davenport take Benjamin Grayson to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship, and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Till death do us part.”
Chloe repeated. “I, Chloe Davenport take Benjamin Grayson to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship, and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Till death do us part.”
Angelo smiled, then turned to me. “I don’t think I need to repeat myself. I believe you know the drill.”
I nodded, “I, Colton Davenport, take Jenna Bradley to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship, and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Till death do us part.”
Jenna teared up and said, I, Jenna Bradley, take Colton Davenport, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship, and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Till death do us part.”
At the same time, we all slid the rings on our fingers and announced in unison. “This ring is sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you, and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I thee wed.”
Angelo clapped his hands and shouted, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the brides. Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson and Davenport.”
I grabbed Jenna’s face and crushed my lips against her. When I pulled away, I whispered. “I love you, Mrs. Davenport.”
“And, I love you, Mr. Davenport.”
“I’ve been asked at this time to have everyone follow the brides and grooms downtown to celebrate their marriage down at the local bar. Food and drinks are on the house. Compliments of Jeff Scott.”