Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 481

CHAPTER 253-2

know.” She said and she pulled back and wiped her cheeks.

“You just look so grown up.” She said and I glanced toward Jace.

“I blame him.” I said and Jace laughed.

“How is this my fault?” Jace asked as Victoria laughed through her tears.

For a while, everything was perfect. There was food everywhere. People were laughing. The

children were playing.

Diesel continued proudly parading around in his bow tie. And every time I looked around, I saw

people who had become part of my life.

Eventually, Emma called everyone together.

“Okay, everybody, we have one more thing.” Emma said and I looked at Jace.

“What now?” I asked and he smiled.

“I have no idea.” He said as Emma pointed toward us.

“We thought Paige and Jace should say a few words.” Emma said and I immediately shook my

head.

“No.” I said and everyone laughed but Jace took my hand.

“Come on.” He said.

“You knew about this.” I said.

“I didn’t.” He said.

“You look suspicious.” I said.

“I always look suspicious.” He said.

He led me toward the center of the gathering and the conversations quieted.

I looked around at everyone. My family. My friends. The Iron Vipers. The people who had stood beside us through war, fear, betrayal, loss, and everything else.

My eyes landed on Jace and he squeezed my hand.

“I don’t have a speech.” I said.

“That’s probably for the best.” Mason called out and everyone laughed so I pointed toward him.

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“I’ll remember that.” I said and Jace smiled before he looked at me.

“don’t have a speech either.” Jace said and I raised an eyebrow.

“Really?” I asked.

“Really.” He said and he took a breath.

“But I have something I want to say.” Jace said and the laughter faded as Jace looked directly into

my eyes.

“When I met you, I didn’t know what my life was going to look like. I didn’t exactly make it easy for you.” He said and I smiled.

“You really didn’t.” I said and everyone laughed again as Jace continued.

“But somewhere along the way, Lawson Customs became home. Then you became home. I know we’ve been through things nobody should have to go through, and I know there were times when we didn’t know if we’d make it. But we did.” He said as he squeezed my hand and my eyes filled with tears and his voice softened.

“We’re standing here married, surrounded by family, and we’re about to have a baby. I wouldn’t change the road that brought me to you, because every part of it led me here.” He continued as I

wiped beneath my eye.

Then it was my turn and I looked at Jace.

“I used to think needing someone made you weak. I thought if I could handle everything myself, I’d never have to be disappointed again. Then you came along.” I said as he listened quietly and I squeezed his hand and a few people laughed softly.

“You were stubborn.” I said and Jace smiled.

“So were you.” Jace said.

“You were annoying.” I said.

“Still am.” He said and I laughed.

“But you stayed. You didn’t ask me to change who I was, and you didn’t ask me to forget everything I’d been through. You just stood beside me.” I said and my voice became softer and I looked around at everyone and then I looked back at him.

“And somewhere along the way, I stopped being afraid of having something to lose. I promise I’ll keep choosing you.” I continued as Jace’s eyes became glassy and he nodded.

” promise I’ll keep choosing you too.” He said.

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CHAPTER 253 2

The crowd erupted into applause and Victoria was crying again.

Charlotte was wiping her eyes and Sophia was smiling.

Even Derek looked emotional and Mason loudly cleared his throat.

“I think somebody needs to bring me a tissue.” Mason said as Sophia laughed.

“You don’t have any tears.” Sophia said.

“I might.” Mason said and everyone laughed again.

The rest of the afternoon became a celebration.

There were games, food, gifts, laughter, and enough pictures to fill several albums.

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Diesel somehow became the center of attention when a child decided his bow tie needed

adjusting.

Ben and Aiden spent twenty minutes arguing over a baby gift.

Mia kept making sure I was sitting down and Emma refused to let anyone touch the decorations.

Sophia took more photographs than anyone could count and my mother cried at least six more

times.

My father stayed close without hovering, and every time our eyes met, he smiled and Jace never

left my side.

Eventually, the afternoon began winding down.

The sun lowered behind the trees, and the fairy lights started glowing brighter.

I sat at one of the tables, resting my hand over my stomach and Jace stood nearby talking with

Mason.

I smiled as I watched him and then Ben approached.

He looked different from his usual relaxed self. More serious and he stopped beside my chair.

“Paige?” He asked and I looked up.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing’s wrong.” He said as he glanced around.

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