Nate tugged my hand and led me to the corner of the yard. We'd rented a photo booth as something fun for the party. Luckily, no one was using it just yet. He pulled back the curtain, and we tucked inside.
The darkness swelled. A tiny black-and-white screen flickered before us, and I stared at Nate in the dim light.
My heart beat a little too fast. I wished I had been able to sip some champagne before tackling this. But I didn't feel scared or worried. I couldn't, not around Nate.
I just had no idea where to begin.
"I'm sorry," I said.
Nate spoke at the same time I did. "You have no idea how sorry I am."
I swallowed. "You don't have to be sorry."
He interrupted me. "Why are you sorry?"
"I never, ever should have kept the baby a secret from you." I pulled his hand to my chest. "You were right. I was hiding behind the wedding and all the problems with my family. I thought I was making it easier on myself to focus only on the party, but it was all an excuse. I was … scared."
"You had no reason to be scared."
"But I was. I had no idea how you'd react. Hell, I had no idea how I felt about it. I still don't. I've kept the secret for so long, and it became just that-a secret. It never felt like a baby. And then … that sonogram, and when we were together two nights ago. It got real. It was … "
"Was what?" Nate leaned close.
"I felt like we could be a real family."
"Not could. Will be."
"What about California?"
"What about it?" Nate shrugged. "Since I was young, I planned to leave home and abandon the life my father wanted for me. I rebelled against it. Hard. I never wanted a life of commitments and relationships and family. But you know what I realized when I finally had you?"
He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. His hand lingered on my cheek, and I smiled.
His voice strengthened. "That life isn't something to fear or refuse. I would be the luckiest bastard in the world if I could just share a moment of that with you."
I swallowed. My heart nearly burst, and I willed it to slow so I didn't miss a single word.
"No," he said. "I'm not leaving. I'm not hunting for that miserable existence anymore. Not when I can have a life with you, a life worth living and protecting."
"What about the baby?"
Nate nodded. "What about the baby?"
"Are you scared?"
"Of course I am." He grinned. "Hell, I've never been this terrified-and I don't know what's got me more worried. Losing you … or winning you over and tackling this amazing responsibility." He brushed my lip with his thumb. "Don't tell me you aren't excited."
I nodded. "I am."
"About what?"
"Everything. You. The baby. This change. It was sudden, and I didn't expect it, but with you … it doesn't seem like anything to fear."
"That's because it's not. It will never be. I know you've watched a lot of relationships crumble, but that's not a reason to hide from one." He leaned closer. "In fact, it's one of the reasons I'm so damn lucky. You know how precious our bond is. You take it seriously."
"Of course I do. I don't want to lose you."
"You're not going to lose me. You can try your hardest, but nothing you do, nothing you say, nothing that happens will ever push me away. I didn't fall for you, I surrendered to you. You are everything to me, Mandy, and I don't deserve you or the gift you've given me."
His hand lowered, brushing against my tummy. I cupped my hand over his.
"I'm in love with you, Nate," I whispered.
"I love you too."
His lips brushed mine. I welcomed his kiss, closing my eyes as he nibbled against me.
The four quick flashes blinded me. We jumped, but the damage was done. A crowd had formed around the photo booth. We slipped out to a chorus of awws from Lindsey and the rest of the bridesmaids. A few others cheered.
Rick handed me the picture that printed from the booth. I covered my face in Nate's shoulder and peeked at the photo.
It wasn't our first kiss, but it felt like it.
I clutched the photo series, four pictures capturing the exact moment when we confessed our feelings for each other and kissed.
The caption beneath the images read I love you.
It was true.
Nate grinned, pulling me to his chest and teasing me for getting embarrassed.
"No sense hiding it anymore," he said. "I love you."
And he kissed me as our friends and family cheered.
Epilogue - Mandy
The ocean lapped at our feet, and the sand tickled between my toes. The sun glistened as it set over the horizon. Pink and orange streaks of warmth stretched to the shore to where I held Nate's hand.
"I do," I whispered. My smile hadn't faded, and he was lucky I hadn't cried yet.
Nate's grin matched my own. He slipped the ring on my finger, and the gold band complimented the beautiful garnet stone I used as an engagement ring-our daughter's birthstone.
Nate's father spoke, but I didn't hear it. I hadn't moved, hadn't breathed. I wanted to remember this moment forever, but everything blended into a haze of joy and happiness.
Nate kissed me.
No.
My husband kissed me.
The small gathering was everything I could have wanted-a destination wedding on the shores of Key West. Mom and Dad made it down together, standing hand in hand as they watched us pledge our vows. They weren't wearing their wedding rings yet, but just that bit of contact was a good step.
Our family applauded as we embraced on the beach. Nate's parents hugged us too. Rick wrapped his arms over his new girlfriend. Lindsey grinned, waving my baby's hand at me. She and Bryce had hardly let Lily out of their grasp. She said they were practicing for her own little bump's arrival.
I took Lily and cradled her. At six months, she was getting too rambunctious. She took after her daddy.
Not that I was complaining.
Nate leaned down to kiss me and her, and that sneaky little smile proved he was up to no good.
Our surprise vacation turned into a surprise wedding on the most beautiful beach in the world.
I had no idea what he planned next, but I couldn't wait to find out.
The resort served dinner by firelight on the beach-a tropical feast in four courses … five if I counted the handful of sand Lily tried to eat. Nate held me close, delighting me with bite after bite of fruit and sips of coconut water. I never pegged him for a romantic, but Nate's goal was to explore new and exciting ways to spoil me and our daughter. Different ways to prove his love.
He said he was lucky, but I was the lucky one.
I never expected to be loved so much. Dad had been right. No relationship was perfect, but mine was so close. I told Nate every day how grateful I was for him.
It only encouraged him to try harder.
"To the happy couple!" Rick held up his glass. "A long and happy marriage."
Lindsey leaned over to hug me. Lily slammed her bottle against the table, and I giggled, toasting with the plastic pink mug. As far as I was concerned, her little bottle meant more than any champagne flute from a fancy country club wedding ever could.
We ate, laughed, and when the fire died, we said goodnight. Nate led me to our room. He grinned as I opened the door. Rose petals. Champagne. A stuffed teddy bear-one promptly claimed for Lily.
"You're pretty slick," I said.
"I bet you are too."
I laughed. "And you're as good a husband as you are a father."
"You haven't seen anything yet."
I lowered Lily into the tiny bassinette, and Nate helped to tuck the blanket over her. The suite he reserved overlooked the ocean, and he led me to the balcony, leaving the screen door open so we could listen for the baby. Like Nate, she had been perfect. She'd sleep through the night.
He pulled me onto the soft chaise, and those green eyes mimicked the calm sea in the moonlight. I didn't know if it was possible to fall more in love with this man, but every day I vowed to try.
So far, it had worked.
His kiss was soft, gentle, and tender, everything I needed. I sighed as he held me close. He nibbled the tender spot on my neck. I shivered as arms tightened over me, aiming for the hem of my sundress.
"I want to make you my wife." His breath tickled my ear. Everything inside me clenched. "Right here. Right now."
The sun dress cast off. I whispered, staring into his eyes.
"I am your wife now."
"Not yet … but soon."
The night air caressed me like another set of hands. He cupped my breasts and layered kisses from my throat down. His lips left a delicate trail to the budded tips, and I arched to feel the skilled swirl of his tongue over my nipple.
I didn't think I'd ever grow accustomed to his touch. Every brush of his fingers was like the first time, every excited nip of teeth or lap of his tongue as enthusiastic as the secret nights we touched, kissed, and loved each other.
I gasped as his fingers teased along the softness of my slit. I was ready for him, but his touch only thrilled me more. I twitched, bucking as he savored my sweetest spot.