Now, Madi, along with her father who was escorting her, stopped before him. His eyes beheld the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in all his life: his bride about to pledge herself—her love—to him.
When Jerry handed Madi over, he clapped Brett’s shoulder and smiled. He moved to sit next to Amelia, who wiped her tears on a handkerchief, Brooke was next to her. Brett’s mom and dad were on the opposite side with his brothers. Also in attendance were their closest friends: Linc and Val, Trav and Sky, TJ, Quil and Quinn, Pax, Coach Cavanaugh, their GM, and even Coach Haskins made it out. Brett hadn’t expected to see Frank and Rita Thomas, but they too came to wish their daughter-in-law well.
Brett and Madi had decided to keep the wedding small. They planned to let the media in on it soon enough but didn’t want helicopters flying over the farm during their ceremony or the sneaky assholes trespassing to get clandestine shots of their nuptials.
It was just them and the people they cared for most in the world.
As Reverend Young spoke of love, commitment, and reverence, Brett watched his bride with calm devotion and desire. And when the vows came, he spoke from his heart and pledged to love, honor, and cherish her until his last day. It was emotional, it was beautiful—it had hard-ass Zeus crying like a baby.
When Reverend Young pronounced them as man and wife, Brett embraced Madison; as they shared their first kiss as man and wife, he’d never been happier. It was as if time stood still, as if every prayer he’d ever had had come true, as if his life had been fully and completely fulfilled. And it would be even fuller come April when she gave birth to their child.
They reveled in the applause and cheers that greeted them as they moved down the runner, arm-in-arm.
They had several moments to themselves as their photographer swooped in and began posing them in various positions: some loving, some sexy, some sweet, some funny.
Brett’s face began to hurt from smiling so much, but he didn’t mind. He was truly overjoyed on this incredible day God had blessed them with.
He pulled his bride into his arms when they danced their first dance, sharing his thoughts. She grinned back up at him, the same joy he felt reflecting in her deep, sea-green eyes.
“Have we gotten any closer to a name for this baby boy?” she asked.
Brett grinned big. They’d literally just found out the sex of their baby yesterday and Brett had been over the moon. He couldn’t wait to have a healthy, bouncing baby boy. And Hunt had told him that’s what Madi had wanted, too. It was as if their dreams had become realities overnight.
“Well, my sexy queen, it would only be fitting to name him Hercules, as you well know,” Brett stated with fake conviction, getting a giggle from his bride. “But seriously… I really like the name Xavier. Xavier Lawrence McFadden.”
“Xavier, huh? It’s different.”
“That it is and symbolic too.” He winked. He hadn’t told Madi about the little boy he’d seen twice now at the cemetery.
After all, there were a few things that needed to stay just between him and Hunt… and this would be one of them.
EPILOGUE
“Step into my office, Mr. Layton,” Madi suggested as Quil scowled down at her in front of the team.
Her husband didn’t say a word, but she could see he was impressed—and probably a little turned on—by her assertiveness with his teammate. She was sure he’d use it erotically against her later, which she would thoroughly enjoy; but, for now, she had to really be boss lady.
She took the elevator back up to her office and sat, typing out an email before hearing a knock and Quil entered.
“Madi, I don’t wanna do it,” he practically whined and folded his tall, handsome frame into the seat across from her desk.
“Stop being such a baby, Quil. It’s good publicity for you and the organization. And it’s for a damn good cause, as you well know.”
“C’mon, Madi, please don’t make me?” Was he begging? How silly!
“Oh, grow up. It’s just a short two-hour date!”
“I’m not ready. You of all people can understand why.” Dammit, of course he would guilt-trip her about this. “How was your honeymoon, Mrs. McFadden?”
Madi couldn’t help but be swept back to Cancun for the three days she and her Greek god husband spent there. It had been amazing. Adventurous snorkeling, incredible sex, and all the fresh seafood she could hold. It had been Heaven, truly, and her husband had never been more wonderful…and sexy…and dominating.
Madi shivered at the memory, then drew her brows at Quillan. “It was perfect. Now stop changing the subject.”
He huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Quil, you’re the most eligible bachelor on the team.”
“Am not,” he grumbled and looked down.
“Look…” she softened her tone.
“Just—please? Send someone else. I’m not the only bachelor on the team. I’m a closet introvert, and I’ll make a big mess of this. Send someone who loves being the center of attention.”
“Well, Travis is engaged so that won’t work,” she teased.
“What about Paxton?”
“What about him?”
“Duh, he’s freakin’ Thor in a football uniform. Studly, smooth-talking, always smiling. I’m too broody. Thus, why I’m called Hades. Not exactly charity raffle date material. Poseidon on the other hand…” He had a good argument there.
Madi held her hand up, stopping him and mulled his words over carefully before pressing her intercom.
“Yes, Mrs. Thom—I mean, Mrs. McFadden.”
“Kathryn,” Madi scolded, “just Madi works. Can you send Paxton up here, on the double?”
Kathryn stuttered but did so, and after several minutes of Quil scowling and Madi feeling no sympathy for him, Pax came in all sweaty and out of breath.
“You rang, Hera.”
Madi’s brow rose and she pointed the pen in her hand at the leather
