Alex nudged him out of the stupor and nodded toward Hope, telling him to go to her, to acknowledge her with more than just a greedy stare. He didn’t need to be told twice. Crossing the room, circling the sofa and the seating area, he went over to her, taking her hands and stepping back for an up-close look.

“Is this okay?” she asked.

“Okay?” he asked with a laugh. “It’s incredible. You are incredible.”

The smile that stretched across her face indicated her relief at his approval.

“Do I really get to marry this sexy, beautiful woman?”

“If you still want to.”

It pained him to think that she’d question his commitment at this late date, but he understood. Life had conditioned her to be wary, and he was determined to change those expectations until all she knew was happiness and joy. Because he couldn’t wait, he took a taste of her sweet lips and had to remind himself that not only did they have somewhere to be, but they also had an audience.

There’d be plenty of time for more kissing later. For now, they had a wedding to get to.

The jovial group of five headed to the wedding venue Paul had chosen from the hundreds of options. It had been the classiest one he could find, and he’d opted for an outdoor ceremony in a gazebo. Despite the general cheesiness of Vegas, Hope loved everything about the place, from the music he’d chosen for them to the bouquet of white roses to the boutonnieres for the three “men.”

Ethan wore an adorable little suit and was bursting with excitement as Paul pinned the flower on his lapel. He looked up at Paul with adoration Paul would never grow tired of. “Thanks for bringing me.”

“Where else would you be when your mom and I get married?”

Ethan shrugged. “Sometimes kids get left at home for stuff like this.”

“Not my kids.”

“I’m not really your—”

“Yes, you are.” Paul squatted down to Ethan’s level and put his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “As of today, you’re my son.”

Ethan hurled himself into Paul’s arms, probably crushing the white rose, but who cared about such things at a time like this. “Thank you.”

“Aww, buddy, thank you. You and your mom are the best thing to ever happen to me.” He held Ethan for another minute. “What do you say we go get married?”

Ethan nodded and pulled back from Paul, subtly wiping his eyes with his sleeve and nearly reducing Paul to tears in the process.