Collateral Damage

36-Epilogue 1

"You're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding," Audrey said softly, as she looked back at the creaked door.

Alexander frowned. "You know I don't believe in rules I don't agree with. Give me a spin."

Audrey chuckled but did so, turning around in place carefully.

"Your tits look so good in that dress. And your ass."

Audrey rolled her eyes. "I think this is why you're not supposed to see me before the wedding. I'm already reconsidering."

Alexander grinned. "You look stunning, Audrey. You're a vision in white."

She grinned. "Better. Come in, don't stand there like a peeping Tom."

He wriggled his eye brows suggestively. "What if I like it—"

"I will annul this marriage."

He come in with a roll of his eyes. "You're no fun. Did your sense of humor go with your bum heart?"

"No, it went with my new last name. You're not funny old man."

He kissed her cheek and smiled, taking her hand. It shook in his. "I'm so glad I filed the paperwork before we got here. You look like a track star," he nodded down to her bare feet. "Cold?"

She shook her head. "Not with the marriage. Just the wedding. Did you have to invite 4 thousand people."

"That's half of the people who told me I'd never get married due to my personality I have to prove my opps wrong, Audrey we discussed this."

She rolled her eyes once more. "Stop using AAVE, you're a like a 40 year old colonizer and also...you shouldn't worry about your businessman. The opps you need to avoid have more power—like the government."

He shrugged. "Laws are just rules that money lets you break. If I can afford the fine, I can afford to break it. Now go sit."

She did so, putting her feet up. He knelt down, carefully slipping her white heels on.

"You didn't want any bridesmaids in here?" He asked worriedly.

She nodded. "You're my only friend geezer."

He chuckled. "And you're my only friend, that's why I came in here. I was bored as hell."

She giggled, and rested her heels in his hands. "You sure you wanna commit to me? If you change your mind I'll take half your assets."

He grinned. "Oh woe is me. A heartless gold digger as my new wife."

"I have a heart," she slammed his forehead playfully. "You paid for it remember? I seem to recall you, how did you put it? Plucking it out of a 17 year olds chest in front of his weeping mother?"

"Boy did she weep," he smirked. "But an adolescent heart was too good to pass up. You have another 70 years out of that thing, I think."

The music began to play. She looked out at the corridor. "My dad isn't coming is he?"

Alexander's face fell. "Probably not, Audrey. I'm sorry. I tried but he—"

She waved away his concern. "It's okay. I should've known better. I just...don't want to walk down the aisle by myself."

He offered his hand. "You know I'd never let you do that. You're too clumsy. Come on."

She smiled and took his hand.

They began their descent down the aisle. Audrey kept her eyes on the officiant trying not to think of all the eyes on her.

"Now that I'm walking you down the aisle you have to call me daddy," he whispered softly, keeping the smile on his face.

She pursed her lips, trying to keep in her laugh. "Granddaddy is more like it."

"Grand—!" He cleared his throat, smiling and nodded. "I'm barely 15 years older than you," he gritted. "You little brat."

"You can't call me a brat anymore. I'll look like your child bride." She shot back, grinning. And then she wasn't worried about the eyes on her. She just wanted to smeared some more with her favorite person.

"Not here kitten whiskers," he gritted. "Daddy will discuss it later."

Audrey couldn't contain her laughter anymore. She burst out into giggles just as he stopped at the altar. He grinned at the sound of her laughter.

"Did you just quote Shrek to me? How old were you when that came out?"

His cheeks went hot. "Don't look into that."

The offing looked between the two. "Ready to begin?"

Audrey, who felt refreshed, her face glowing from laughter. "I'm ready."

Alexander, whose stomach knotted up at the sight of her beauty and the sound of her laughter smiled. "So am I."