He interrupted. “There are ways around that.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “I don’t want to be pregnant while saying my vows to you.”
“Alexis,” he sighed. “You’re even more beautiful when you are carrying my child. Wrap you up in a wedding gown and I couldn’t think of anything else more perfect.”
“You’re deliberately word-fucking me. I’m on to you, I know how you operate.”
He laughed. “It’s what I do.”
“The reason I want to wait till after we’ve had the baby is because I’d like all our children to witness us pledge forever to one another. I think it would be nice.”
I could see the cogs of his mind working hard. “Well, when you put it like that. How can I refuse?”
I smiled. “Simple...you can’t.”
He growled in loving frustration. “Don’t I know it.”
***
As we stepped into the elevator on our way up to the apartment, I groaned. “Why is it that we’ve just spent many long hours on a plane, sleeping and relaxing, yet I feel completely drained?”
He pulled me to him, engulfing me in his perfectly comforting arms. “Because we didn’t just sleep and relax...” the elevator doors to the apartment opened and we stepped out, “...and because you are carrying my—”
“Surprise!”
Bryce and I looked out into the lounge room where our family and friends were standing with congratulatory signs—Lucy at the forefront of them.
Bryce still had his hand resting on my lower abdomen when he finished his sentence in a shocked tone. “...baby.”
My mouth dropped at the sight of all the smiling faces looking at us, those smiles now even wider.
“You’re pregnant again?” Lucy asked, while looking like she was ready to burst at the seams.
All I could do was nod.
“Oh my God! That’s wonderful. Engaged and preggo.” She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around us both, hugging us tightly. “I’m so happy for you both.”
Mum and Dad were by our side next. “How far along are you?” Mum asked, smiling but wary.
“I’m not too sure, maybe six weeks. It’s only early days.”
“Oh, Sweetheart.” She put her hands on either side of my face. “I’m happy for you, for both of you, but I worry that too much is happening too fast. You need to slow down. This past year has been so...so crazy for you. Your emotions have taken a battering.”
“Mum, it’s okay. We are not getting married straight away. We’ve spoken about it, and we are going to wait until after the baby is born. Believe me, I know how crazy my life has been this past year, and I know now is the time to take a step back and enjoy each day as it comes.”
She kissed my forehead. “Good girl.” Then she moved onto Bryce, smoothing his hair and giving him a hug.
Dad stepped aside to let Mum fawn over her future son-in-law.
“Did he bribe you?” I asked my father, jokingly.
“Who? Bryce?”
“Yes, when he asked for your permission to marry me.”
“Somehow, I don’t think my permission mattered,” Dad replied, honestly.
I took hold of Dad’s hands. “Maybe not, but it would have meant a lot to him.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“I could not say no to a man who clearly loves you more than his next breath. That’s all a father wants for his daughter; someone who would move heaven and earth just to make her happy.”
“He does make me happy, Dad...” I looked over at Bryce who was now shaking hands with Steve and shaking fingers with Elise. “...very happy.”
“Move over, Dad. I need to see this ring. It practically blinded me when she walked into the room.” Jen grabbed my hand and lifted it to inspect my engagement ring. “Geezus! It’s—
“I know. It’s perfect,” I interrupted her while staring longingly at my hand.
“I was going to say, huge.”
I giggled. “Yeah, well there’s that, too.”
“So, you’re having another baby.” She rested her hand on my stomach. “It’s natural to feel a little worried and uncertain, especially after what you suffered.” She grabbed my hand and looked intently into my eyes. “This is a new pregnancy though...and it won’t do you any good to be apprehensive. So think positive thoughts, okay?”
She pulled me in for a quick hug.
“Thank you, Jen. You always know what is buried deep down inside of me.”
“I’m your sister, it’s my job.”
The rest of our friends eventually made their way to us with well wishes and congratulations.