“Yes. I’ve never been more ready for something in all my life,” she answers and then hooks her arm through the crook of her father’s.

Their steps match in time as they glide to the altar. Each movement brings her closer to Trip. As Holly floats past the guests in the pews, it warms her to see people she’s really gotten to know over the past few years sitting there. Aubrey and Lanie have become like sisters to her, and the woman walking behind her, Frannie, has been nothing but lovely to her and made her an aunt to two of the cutest babies on the face of the earth. Someday, when they’re ready, she knows that she and Trip will be great parents and will have nothing but support around them when the time comes.

Max, her best friend, stands proudly beside Trip with a huge smile on his face. He winks at her and mouths, ‘love you’ just before the pastor asks, “Who gives this woman to this man?”

Bill squares his shoulders and replies, “I do.”

Her father turns to her and lifts her veil, kissing her cheek before putting the sheer material back over her face and placing her hand in Trip’s.

Trip takes both of her hands in his and rubs his thumbs over her knuckles. His green eyes fix on her face, and his plump lips pull up on one side, revealing the devilish grin that she initially fell for. “You’re beautiful.”

This only makes Holly’s smile grow wider as she can’t believe how unbelievably lucky she is to have found the one man on the planet who loves her unconditionally. This rugged tattooed badass before her has the heart of pure gold, and his love was something she would cherish for the rest of her life.

The pastor then turns his attention to Frannie as her father gives her to Tyke.

A double wedding isn’t anything new, but this one is special. The Douglas men are finally settling down and Holly can’t help loving the fact that one of the world’s most eligible bachelors only has eyes for her.

She stares lovingly into Trip’s eyes as their vows are exchanged. The weight of all of their family and friends witnessing this profession of love overwhelms her, and this typically tough girl breaks down and the tears stream down her face. This is the happiest day of her life, and she can’t wait to share every moment she has left on this earth as Mrs. Trip Douglas.

As Aubrey holds one of Tyke and Frannie’s newborn son in her arms, she glances lovingly over to her husband, Riff, who has their newest edition in his arms. Their second daughter, Libby, was born not long after their oldest daughter, Hailey, was able to walk. The last three years with Riff have been a whirlwind, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Riff smiles as he notices her watching him while their toddler sleeps in his arms during the wedding ceremony. Oh, how she loves that man. She didn’t think it was possible to love him more than she did when she first met him, but she finds that every day their love for one another grows stronger.

Riff leans in to whisper in her ear. “You want another?”

Aubrey bites her lip as she stares down at the little bundle cradled in her arms and then refocuses her gaze back onto her husband, nodding. “The more the merrier.”

He leans in and kisses the soft flesh below her ear before he says, “We’ll work on that tonight.”

She giggles and then covers her mouth, trying her best to keep quiet as their friends get married before them. Suddenly, she can’t wait for tonight, because making babies with Riff is one of her most favorite things to do.

Noel spins Lane around on the dance floor at the reception. Only being three years into their own marriage, they still feel like newlyweds, and are always on the lookout for reasons to touch one another.

Lane giggles as Noel dips her and then brings her back up to place a soft kiss on her lips. “Can you believe that every single member of Black Falcon is married?”

A cocky grin breaks out over Noel’s face. “I can. I read about that every day—all the hearts broken all over the world because the sexiest men on the planet are taken.”

She stares up at her sexy husband and raises an eyebrow. “Where are you reading this?”

He shrugs. “Everywhere. It’s been all over the web.”

Lane rolls her eyes. “You are so full of your self.”

A hearty laugh rumbles though Noel’s chest. “You’ve only known me your whole life, and you’re just now figuring that out? You like me cocky. You know you do.”

She bites her lip as she debates on denying it, but knows he’ll just see right through it like he always does. “You are too much.”

Just when the song ends, a new one begins. The DJ begins playing a song that’s very dear to Lane’s heart. It’s the song Noel sang to her the night she saw him in concert, and they fell even more madly in love than they’ve always been.

“Did you have him play ‘Faithfully’?” Lane asks, thinking that it’s surely not a coincidence.

“Maybe,” he answers and then presses his lips to hers. “It is one of my most favorite songs.”

“Mine, too,” she whispers.

The lyrics to the song wrap around them as they continue to sway to the beat and stare into each other’s eyes. No greater love ever existed between a man and a woman.

Their love is faithful and will last forever.

...And they all lived happily ever after...

Turn the page for the first four chapters of Phenomenal X by Michelle A. Valentine

Phenomenal X

(Hard Knocks, Book One)

By Michelle A. Valentine