***
“You know I’m madly in love with your daughter. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, Dora. I’d planned on asking you guys but…”
“We know. Tanny told us.” Dora said softly. “And we saw the engagement ring. Absolutely beautiful.”
Ty couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. He’d left it on his bed the day he’d left for the mission. He knew she’d see it immediately she entered his bedroom. “Did she like it?” He asked eagerly.
“Need you ask? She loved it.” Dora laughed. “But she put it into your safe. Said she wanted you to slip it on her finger yourself when you get back.”
“Then she’s going to have to wait till after the wedding.” Ty laughed. “Dora, I’m worried about Paul. I can bet my last cent he’s not happy about the pregnancy…”
“You’ve spoken to your boys.” It wasn’t a question. How else could he have known about the pregnancy? At least he didn’t know he was getting twins. That information was known only to her family. She was going to leave that to Tanesha to tell him when he got back. “Leave Paul to me, Ty.”
“Thanks, Dora. And yes, I did talk to my boys but I knew before they even told me.”
“Really? How?”
“I just did. Why do you think I wanted to marry her so quickly? Yes, I’m crazy in love with your daughter and would love nothing more than to watch her walking down the aisle towards me but I also didn’t want to enrage Paul by waiting till her stomach got big.”
“That sure of yourself huh?” Dora chuckled. “Well, it’s still flat so he shouldn’t be too pissed. So… tell me what you need me to do.”
“I’ll really love to speak with Paul, Dora. Do you think he’ll talk to me if I call him?”
“Why not? Allow me to talk to him first though. Why don’t you call him tomorrow?”
“I’ll do that, thanks. But I would appreciate it if you could let him know that my intentions are honorable.” Ty said quietly.
“Hey, he knows,” Dora said dryly. “I mean you threaten to cut up his daughter, fuck her, disappear on her, reappear, fuck her some more, knock her up, disappear on her again, reapp…”
“Dora…” Ty groaned, glad Tanesha’s mother couldn’t see his face on the other side of the phone. He was blushing so hard.
“Well, you sure do have a shitty way of showing it but hey…a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, right?” Dora chuckled.
Ty laughed softly. “Oh, God.” Ty took a deep breath to compose himself before speaking again. “A friend of mine is going to get in touch with you. She’s called Kayla. She’s going to coordinate the whole event so please let her know exactly what you need and what you think Tanesha would want.” Ty said. “They will involve her but as little as possible to prevent her from catching on. I want it to be a wedding that Tanesha will never forget, Dora. Please help me give it to her.”
“Oh, it’s going to be a wedding to remember, trust me hon. My daughter has always wanted a white wedding.”
“Really?”
“Yes. In fact, she’s always said even the dress code for the guest is going to be white. I guess my colour-filled life didn’t rub off on her.” She chuckled, making Ty laugh. “Well, that’s exactly what we are going to give her. It’s going to be a fairytale wedding Ty.” Dora couldn’t suppress the excitement in her voice.
“Anything she wants, Dora. Do get Annabel to help too. But whatever you do, don’t let Tanesha know.”
“She’s not going to suspect a thing, Ty. Not if I can help it.”
“Thanks, Dora. See you on Saturday.”
“Congratulations in advance Ty. Have a safe trip back.”
“Thanks.”
Ty gave a deep sigh when he hung up. It was on. He really was going to marry the love of his life. The joy within was so intense his hands were shaking.
“She’s pregnant, Jack.” Ty breathed when Jack came to sit beside him after a while.
“Wow!” Jackson’s eyes widened in shock. “Way to go, man.” He looked at Ty with eyes filled with respect and admiration. “That means I get to kiss those succulent lips when…ouch.” Jackson rubbed his shoulder where Ty’s light punch had ended. “I thought we had a deal.” He groaned.
“What deal? That punch was for reminding me of those lips.” Ty moaned. “Now that’s all I’m going to dream about tonight.”
Jackson chuckled. “As if you need a reminder. How’s she doing?”
Ty shrugged. “They said she’s good. We’re getting hitched a week from today. I can’t believe she’s finally going to be mine.”
“You lucky bastard,” Jackson muttered. “So…a wedding huh?”
“Did I hear someone say wedding?” Will asked as he and Nate joined Ty and Jackson.
“Ty is getting married next week Saturday,” Jackson informed them.
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about.” Will grinned. “That girl is a perfect ten, man.” He groaned. “If I get that arse in…”
“Will…” Ty growled.
“He’s just being truthful Ty.” Nate chuckled. “Let him be. Even I, a happily married man, got a raging chubby when I saw her at that dinner at the White House. Damn!” He rasped, making his colleagues laugh.
“Well, I got her. And that’s how it’s going to stay so keep your dicks in your pants.” Ty laughed.
“So how are we going to do this?” Jackson asked. “I mean on the ceremonial front.”
“Yeah, I think we should talk about the people who are going to do the sword crossing,” Will said with a scowl on his face. “I mean we shouldn’t allow any ugly-looking guys like Patu to be part.”
The Arrowheads burst into laughter. “Dude, ever looked in a mirror?” Nate asked Will when he finally brought his laughter under control.
“Fuck you, Nate,” Will muttered making the guys laugh even harder.
And as the Arrowhead discussed their various roles in the upcoming wedding, Ty couldn’t help the contented feeling inside. He couldn’t wait for the coming Saturday.