He merely grinned. “Look.”
They all turned toward the doors that Derek opened. Kendall stood by her father’s side, wearing a matching bridesmaid’s dress to Becky’s and Tessa’s royal blue ones. Together they walked into the room and headed straight for the bride.
“Oh my God!” Lexie gasped, her beautiful eyes filling with tears. “How?”
“Straight from the institution to Vegas,” Kendall joked. “No, seriously. I knew I was being discharged, but I wanted to surprise you.” Her twin pulled a shaking Lexie into her arms. “Your soon-to-be husband flew us out on his private jet so we’d be here on time.”
“I wouldn’t miss my daughter’s wedding,” her father said. Implied was a scolding for Lexie’s attempt at leaving him out in the first place.
Her father had stepped up and done right by both daughters, as well as his wife. Kade admired him for that, even if he’d come late to the realization that the burden shouldn’t be on Lexie.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m overwhelmed and so happy.” Lexie turned to Kade. “I can’t believe you arranged this.”
He grasped her hands and pulled her over to the corner for a minute alone. “I’d do anything for you. You have to know that. This was just my way of giving you back your family. The same way you returned mine to me.”
His brother, a businessman in the import-export business, had moved to the United States to get to know his father and brother. He and Kade had fallen into the same old rhythm, as if no time had passed, and he had Lexie to thank.
She looked up at him. “I adore you, Kaden Barnes.”
“And I love you with all my heart, Lexie Parker.” He leaned in and kissed her glossed lips.
“Now let’s go get married so you can take my name already.”
She rolled her eyes. “Possessive much?” she asked, laughing.
If she only knew. She owned him. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.