CHAPTER FIFTY
JEFF
I sat back and drank my beer while I watched Ari move from person to person, making sure to talk to each guest. I gave up an hour ago and decided my place to be was right here with a beer in my hand, enjoying the view of my beautiful bride.
During the toast earlier, Ari had taken two sips from a small glass of red wine. We planned on telling everyone about the pregnancy when we came back from our honeymoon.
I felt a hard slap on my back and rolled my eyes. Damn Gunner. I looked and sat up straighter. It was Mark.
He pulled up a chair next to me and sat down.
He raised his beer toward mine.
“You did it, son. ”
Son?
“What did I do?”
“You made my little girl the happiest I’ve ever seen her, and that makes me happy. ”
“Well, sir, I’m glad to hear that. ”
“Jeff, don’t call me sir. It makes my ass feel old. Call me Mark. ”
“Mark, it is. She makes me very happy as well, more than she’ll ever know. ”
Mark smiled and glanced to where Ari was talking to Heather. “I still can’t believe I’m going to be a grandfather,” Mark said as he kept his eyes on his daughter.
I finished off my beer and set it down on the table. “Mark, can I talk to you about something?”
“Of course, Jeff. Please always know that I’m here to talk. ”
“My father left when Ellie and I were both pretty young. I remember him more than Ellie does, but, I never had an example and of a father figure, and…well, I’m afraid that…. ” I stopped because I couldn’t even form the next words out of my mouth.
Mark looked over at me and put his hand on my shoulder.
“Jeff, I might give you hell all the time, but do you honestly believe that I would ever allow my daughter to marry a man who I didn’t think was going to be the best husband for her and father for her kids? I see something in you, son. You have a drive to be the best you can be and a passion for the work that you do. I see the way you look at Arianna, and I have no doubt in my mind that you love that girl with every ounce of your being. You’re going to be one hell of a husband and a wonderful father to my grandkids. If you don’t, I’ll kill you. ”
I felt the tears building in my eyes…at least, right up to the point when he threatened my life again.
“You do know you’ve threatened to kill me at least twice today. ”
Smiling at me, Mark stood up, finished his beer, and set it on the table.
“And I’ll probably do it at least two more times before this party is over. ”
He walked off laughing and slapped some poor lawyer friend of his on the back.
I shook my head. That man scares the shit out of me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he knew someone who knew someone who could get rid of a body with no questions asked.
Gunner walked up and sat down where Mark had been sitting. He let out a sigh and leaned his head back.
“Taking her to Paris, you prick. ”
I let a small smile play across my face. “Yeah, I know. ”
“Now, when Ellie tells me she’s pregnant, you know that I’m going to have to outdo Paris. ”