Knots (42 page)

He led them all back there, but one of his favorite little guys, Jeremy, clung to his back, so he got a piggyback ride as Mark went back to check on Jeanie.

She was meeting parents, serving them punch and being the perfect hostess.

When she had a moment, he brought her, with Jeremy tagging along, into the playroom. “Not what you thought, huh?”

“Uh, no . . .” She stared wide-eyed and breathless. “Is this what this room used to be before I moved in?”

“Yeah. I work with children, and I used to have certain clients come here. It was a warmer, more inviting space than the office, so if I had a skittish kid, this was a better option. It felt like their own home, so it helped set them at ease.”

“Wow,” she breathed, her eyes darting around the room. “You work with children? How did I not know this?”

“Didn’t want to upset you when you were so fragile, but now I know you can handle it, so I’ll be bringing you into work with me occasionally so you can see how wonderful these little munchkins can be.” He grinned, and his stomach filled with butterflies over the thought of her being involved with every aspect of his life.

“
Our
munchkin would be even more perfect,” she whispered and grabbed his hand tight.

“Only because you’d be the mother,” he replied. Damn, his heart was swelling so much it was almost painful to breathe.

He kissed her on the cheek and then wiped it away with the pad of his thumb as he cupped her jaw.

“So beautiful.” He stared into her powder blue eyes.

She laughed softly and then her attention went to the rambunctious children floating around the room.

The kids were laughing in their cute little costumes.

“Mark!” his mother called out.

He turned around and greeted her. “Hi, Mom,” he said, taking his hands off Jeanie and hugging his mother.

She hugged him back briefly, then all but shoved him aside and tackled Jeanie. “I’ve heard you have a ring with a diamond the size of a stray asteroid, creating craters with unheard of space. Let me see.” Mom grabbed Jeanie’s left hand and she smiled so hard, he actually heard her jaw’s rusty hinges squeak. “Perfect. At least he got that part right. Proposing at the beach? Who does that?”

“My perfect Mark does, and it was magical. Exactly right for this plain girl.” Jeanie dropped her shoulders and her wings dipped with the motion.

Mark stifled a chuckle when she snuck in referring to herself in third person and as “girl.” God, he’d love to smack her ass right now for being so naughty, chiding his mom that way without her even realizing it. A growl of ferocious need to pin her down and take her was building low in his gut.

She looked like she might fly away as his mother continued to fawn all over her and the ring.

The doorbell kept ringing and some of the other moms were letting guests inside.

Jay’s roaring laugh carried, and Mark excused himself as his mother continued to dote on Jeanie.

The woman was borderline obsessed with the prospect of a future daughter-in-law, calling him daily to ask when they were going to stop by and see her.

He could see the words “Grandkids now!” etched into her lined brow.

She never said anything about it, but he knew it was in her blood, bubbling right below her thick hide.

“Hey, man!” Mark shook hands with Jay. Next, he hugged Marly, kissed Toloa’s cheek and helped Kueili bring in his two monstrous bags of sweets. He’d told him repeatedly that he and Jeanie had the treats covered for the kids, but they wouldn’t hear of it.

When he opened the bag on the counter, there were dozens of candy apples inside.

“You shouldn’t have,” he told Toloa, grinning.

“Yeah, now you tell her that. I burned my hands several times dipping those stupid apples.” Marly rolled her eyes.

“Well, as long as it didn’t break skin, I think it was worth it.” Jay laughed and grabbed an apple. He was chomping on it before anyone could protest.

“Marly, you’ll be in charge of music for the kids and dancing.” Mark pointed at the sound system, but when Jeanie reemerged from the tidal wave that was his overbearing mother, he pulled her next to him.

She caught sight of the Finaus and her eyes exploded with several emotions—panic, fear, excitement.

Right behind them, Rodney and Tia were entering his home and they quickly gathered around the small circle forming around Mark and Jeanie.

Several seconds later, Apelu, his friend and the security guard at the office, entered, along with his brother.

Mark knew exactly why Jeanie looked this way—alarmed and speechless. They hadn’t told any of them the news yet.

For good reason. He figured in an environment like this, they’d be less likely to go ballistic on her. “I’m telling them right now. Relax.” He took her left hand and spun her ring with his finger inside her palm.

She gulped. “We have something to tell you,” she started before he could even blink.

Apparently, this was more of the kick-ass, brave Jeanie he adored.

“Go on . . . You’ve already begun—tell them,” he whispered into her ear, leaning into her.

“We’re getting married in three months,” she announced so loud that even the parents of the children he worked with were gasping and getting teary-eyed.

Everyone was congratulating them, asking to see her engagement ring, and even Toloa hugged her.

Kueili, however, stood back, studying Jeanie.

Mark approached him. “I’m sorry. I realize I probably should’ve asked you permission since you’re her father now, but—”

“Mark, you’re just as much my son as she is my daughter—I’m amazed you waited this long.” Kueili clapped him into an encompassing hug and when he pulled away, he was swiping tears of joy.

“Thank you, Dad,” Mark said.

He hadn’t ever spoken those words before.

“If your father was still alive, he’d be so proud of you. You’ve found a terrific woman, and she’ll take good care of you. I know she will. You better do the same, or you’ll answer to me.” Kueili wore a stern look, his lips stretched thin.

Mark would’ve found it funny, only he’d never seen this man look this fierce before. “Yes, sir. I’ll take the best care of her every day of my life. I love her more than anything.”

“I know that. And she feels the same about you. Make sure it never comes to the point where love isn’t enough. Be her best friend. Listen to her. Do what she says. Make her feel like a queen every day, and you’ll be the happiest man alive.” Kueili nodded toward Jeanie. “That’s what my daughter deserves.”

“I will—I promise. And you’re right—she deserves it more than anyone. I’ll make you proud.” He hugged his “father,” and tried really hard not to cry.

Kueili gave him a giant hug in return and patted his back.

He let go and radiated warmth and sunshine at Mark. “You’re a good boy. Always were.”

“Thank you, sir.” Shit—Mark was on the verge of tears. He sniffed. “I appreciate you saying that.”

“You met her family?” Kueili was watching Jeanie again, beaming the way only a loving father could at a daughter he cherished.

“I have. And it was as bad as she warned me. I didn’t even tell them we’re getting married, and I knew then I was going to propose, but it took me two months to work up the courage.”

“Wimp,” Kueili teased, patted his back and then he was off and hugging Jeanie, crying again.

She broke down and cried in his arms. Her father rocked her back and forth and whispered words of what could only be encouragement and praise into her ear like he’d done briefly for Mark.

She was so happy, she was almost levitating like an angel. And if he had wings, he’d be right behind her.

Maybe not an angel since he had an overwhelming urge to tie her to his bed, knot her to his bedpost and have his wicked way with her, but still . . . This was the closest to Heaven he’d probably ever get, and it was all because of her.

* * *

3 months later . . .

Mark’s feet stumbled as he roamed up to his spot.

He checked his bow tie again. Fuck—Jeanie was better at tying these damned things than he was.

His chest tightened as the same man that played the organ at Pono’s funeral sat in that same spot and played the “Wedding March.”

There was a sea of people, sitting, watching, waiting, and then . . .

“Jesus,” he hissed under his breath.

She was the most gorgeous woman to ever walk the earth. He was sure of it.

She looked like an absolute angel as she floated down the aisle toward him.

He barely noticed Ashlen throwing red rose petals down on the white path that led directly to him.

Jeanie stared right in his eyes, her veil behind her, not covering her face—exactly as he’d specified.

Nothing was going to fuck with his vision of seeing her—his bride, marching straight to her Master.

Her necklace had been shined to perfection along with his ring Jeanie had given him, and her engagement ring fit perfectly now. He was glowing from the inside out as he watched this perfect woman coming straight for him.

The pastor behind him chuckled. “You’ll pass out if you don’t start breathing.”

“Huuuuuhhhh,” Mark released a breath. She was so goddamn perfect, his chest ached just looking at her.

She stopped next to him, and Jay laughed at his side now as his best man. “Man, she’s dying to touch you. Grab her hand, you idiot.”

Mark’s eyes flung to Jeanie’s hands. They were shaking though they were clasped in front of her pubis.

At some point she’d already handed her bouquet to Marly, her maid of honor, standing behind her.

Rodney and Tia were right next to the best man and maid of honor. They understood that family came first. And, really, even if they’d made this a small affair, if they could’ve chosen only four people to attend, it would have been the Finau family there, witnessing their marriage.

Mark took her hands—held them tight.

His breath was taken from him again as she beamed and her eyes teared up.

“Love you,” he mouthed at her.

“Love
you
,” she mouthed back.

His ears damn near rang when the Pastor was shouting the words for the ceremony.

The man’s voice carried better than any singer Mark had ever worked with.

He snickered when at one point the Pastor slipped into some pidgin English.

Jeanie giggled too, and even snorted a little.

It was perfect. That was the one word that kept flitting through Mark’s mind—perfect. All of it was exactly what they wanted.

The minister cracked a few jokes—talked about how in love this couple was in front of them, and before long, Mark was curling his fingers around Jeanie’s left ear, tucking a few stray hairs away and then it was time for him to say his vows, after slipping her wedding band on.

They’d written their own vows. He cleared his throat, then began, “Jeanine Anne Latham Finau, I love you with every breath in my body. There’s not a moment of the day that goes by, or ever will, when I’m not thinking about you and how much joy you’ve brought into my life. I am the luckiest man alive to have you. And If I were ever to hurt you, may God forgive me, because I sure don’t know if I could ever forgive myself. I will love you, honor, cherish and respect you until my dying breath and beyond. This I vow.”

A few “Amens” rang out in the crowd.

Jeanie sniffled, and then it was her turn. “Mark Daniel Pierce, you are the author of my soul, the creator of my heart. When I breathe, it’s with elation, knowing I’ll see your smiling face each day when you wake up in the morning, and I’ll be the last person to see you each night before you go to sleep. Those are the simple things in life, but they’re what I care about more than anything, because they all revolve around you, as do I. This I vow—to always be faithful, true, and solely devoted to you and your happiness. I love you, sweetheart.” She took his hand to her lips and kissed the spot, hallowing it before she slipped his ring on—the one he’d been wearing for months now. The one that was already a part of him.

He kissed her hand in return, covering the ring with his lips but keeping his glistening eyes on her.

The final words were spoken, which Mark was oblivious to, and then he was kissing her.

There were claps and praise heard throughout the chapel.

They turned to the crowd, smiled and then he whisked her away.

They would get through the reception, and then on to Hawaii.

There was something about that place that called to them.

Maybe it was the spirit of Haloa and Pono was calling out to them from across the ocean.

When Mark had her in his arms, sitting on the plane the next morning, he whispered, “I brought some gifts for you, Mrs. Pierce. You won’t get away from me. I’m gonna show you love like you’ve never experienced.”

She turned to him, eyes heavy. “And I have a surprise for you . . .”