Blackstone Ranger Scrooge - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,78

them as groomsmen, both walked stiffly beside them, perhaps because the two men were feeling overly protective of their mates and cubs.

Last of course, were the co-maids—er, men of honor. Gabriel had joked to Damon that they should hold hands, an idea which was promptly shut down by the chief. So instead, they walked side by side with the lion shifter preening and raising his hands so as to encourage the crowd to cheer, while his counterpart rolled his eyes.

“Ms. McNamara!” came a frantic voice.

“What? I wasn’t doing anything!” J.D. jumped away from the window and whirled around.

Finn stood by the doorway, face red from exertion. “You were supposed to come a while ago—”

“Yeah, yeah!” Rushing over to him, she blew past the poor wedding coordinator and dashed down the grand staircase toward the double glass doors that led to the patio. By the time she got there, the music had already changed—to a classical arrangement of a certain love song that brought a smile to her face each time she heard it.

“Go, go,” Finn cried, practically pushing her out.

“All right, all right, hold your godamm—” Her mouth clamped shut as she staggered forward, barely catching herself as she nearly tripped over her skirt.

Since she hadn’t worn one in the entire year, J.D. relented and agreed to an actual dress for her wedding. But having no clue about fashion, and having left the design and details to the talented Dutchy Forrester, if anyone asked the bride to describe it, the only thing she could say was it was white and had pockets. Her most treasured accessory, however, was the simple bouquet of roses and ivy she carried, which had a miniature photo of her father and mother tucked in between the flowers. Her arm was also left bare, her tattoo matching the ivy leaves in her bouquet.

As she reached the end of the aisle, she winked at her groom. The look of awe on his face was unmistakable, so just for fun, she stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes, prompting him to laugh. Judge Cornelius Atherton was not amused as he shot the bride a disapproving look.

The ceremony was quick, simple, and thankfully, uninterrupted. When Atherton pronounced them husband and wife, a cheer erupted from the guests.

“Finally,” Cam said as he took her in his arms.

“He hasn’t said you may kiss the bride,” J.D. pointed out.

Cam turned to the judge. “Sir, if you please?”

The judge smirked. “You may kiss the bride.”

“Thanks.” And so, he did.

The crowd whooped and cheered for them again, but it was like they were in their own world as they continued to kiss.

“All right, all right, break it up, there are children watching,” Gabriel groaned. “Save some for the honeymoon. I’m hungry. And that cake Temperance made looks so good.”

“Don’t you dare, Russel,” J.D. warned as she released Cam’s lips. “If I see one bite—”

“C’mon now, love,” Cam said. “Let’s go.”

Everyone was ushered into the castle, toward the ballroom, which was also decorated with the same Christmas holiday theme as the patio. The music played, and the bridal party made their grand entrance, and Cam and J.D. performed their first dance as man and wife to a more traditional waltz.

“Woohoo, didn’t know you had it in you, Jasmine Dawn,” Anders jeered as they stepped off the dance floor.

J.D. rolled her eyes. After she lost a bet and had to reveal to Anders what her animal was, he was now trying to guess what J.D. stood for. His guesses became more and more ridiculous each time.

“Some village out there is looking for their idiot,” J.D. shot back. “I’ll make sure to let them know where you are.”

“How about Journey Delaware?” the tiger shifter asked. “Jade Destiny?”

“Where do you come up with these?” J.D. rolled her eyes. “They all sound like stripper names.”

“Yeah, you would know, Jaylene Danica,” Anders snorted. “You’re the one who wanted to go to a strip club for your bachelorette party.”

“You what?” Cam exclaimed.

“Nothing!” J.D. grabbed her new husband by the arm. “C’mon, let’s go sit so they can serve dinner.”

They sat at the sweetheart’s table in front of the room and everyone soon settled down so they could begin the evening’s festivities. As was customary, the toasts began during dinner, and the very first one was given by Her Royal Highness, Princess Natalia.

“Good evening, everyone,” the princess began as she stood in front, microphone in hand. “I’d like to make this ‘short and sweet’ as you Americans say, so don’t worry,