Naughty(18)

"I'm sorry."

"Don't." Summer took another sip of her wine. "I told him everything,  David that is. I told him everything that I'd been keeping secret. Told  him that I was screwing the boss, and what I'd done to get where I am  today."

"Wow."

"Yeah, I was so surprised myself. I've never been so honest with anyone in my life."

Autumn waited, listening as her sister told her everything. "What did he say?"

"He told me that he knew about my relationship with Brad, or at least me  fucking him." She shrugged. "Told me that it was up to me what I wanted  to do. If I wanted a relationship with him, then Brad had to go, but he  was going to let me make the decision."

"What did Brad say?"

"Told me that if I hope to get any better, then I was in for a rude  awakening. I'm working on handing in my resignation. Going it alone so I  don't have to think about how I rose to the top. It's all right  screwing everyone, but sooner or later, it bites you in the ass."

"You'll do it, Summer. I have every faith in you."

"So does David. He's been helping me get some figures together. I may not succeed, but I want to try."

"To the future," Autumn said, holding up her glass of wine. "To whatever it may be."

They clinked their glasses. The future was going to be pretty  interesting, at least for Autumn it was. She had no doubt that her  sister would succeed. Summer didn't know how to fail, and Autumn would  be there.

****

A year later

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Summer asked.

Carter glared at her. "I don't need your help."

"Autumn is running behind, and you can't do your tie. You need me, admit  it." He didn't say a word, and she rolled her eyes. "You know the last  time there was a big event, our parents' anniversary, Autumn was late  for that, and she met you. Are you worried she might find someone else?"

"Are you trying to piss me off?"

"Not trying. I think I'm succeeding."

"How do people even like you?"

She shrugged. "I'm adorable when I need to be."

"I still can't believe that David married your ass." He glanced at her swollen stomach. "And that you're about to be a mother."

Summer smiled. "I love you, too, Carter. I love David. He is the best  thing that has ever happened to me, and besides, I had to do something  right. You and Autumn already had a kid out of wedlock."

He looked toward the little carrier where his son lay. The past year had  been completely crazy. Even though Autumn had been on the pill, she'd  had to have antibiotics after she got an infection. Carter remembered  the week, and he'd been with her, taking care of her. A poorly Autumn  had been very cute. She hated the fact he saw her throwing up, and had  to clean up after her.

Of course, once she was better, they hadn't been able to keep their  hands off each other, and so nine months later, she had given birth to  Sean, their son.

"Hilary said she left, and she wants to be here, to see you show off your year's worth of work. What do you do again?"

"I handle the advertisement for companies. I have a huge account, and I have Autumn and Hilary to thank for everything."

With Autumn's baking, and Hilary's shop, they'd been able to find a gap  in the market on baking products, and so with their help, the company  had approached Summer to help them expand their brand. For Summer, it  had started her own company, for Autumn it had given her more  confidence, and for Hilary, it had been free advertising for her shop.

"Ah, right."

"Come on, stop changing the subject. What are you doing to say?"

He glanced over at his son, and let out a breath. "You'll find out."

"Go over it with me, and I can help you with any shaky lines. Come on,  proposing is not going to be easy, and you're doing it during my party  with the parents there. David took me to Vegas."

"Yeah, that is totally romantic."

"For me it was. I'm impatient, and I don't like the thought of having to handle wedding arrangements."         

     



 

"Autumn would love a white wedding. She wants everything to be  traditional, and while I'd love to take her to a city, and just marry  her, I want her to have a day to remember."

Summer rolled her eyes. "No wonder she loves you. There, you're perfect. I'll take Sean. I'm going to need the practice."

He watched his future sister-in-law carry out his son, and he turned toward the mirror, staring at himself.

"Autumn Fowler, the love of my life, the mother of my child. I love you.  I love you more than life itself. The only place I'm happy is when I'm  with you, and I hope you feel the same. Lame, fucking lame." He'd been  practicing this speech for months, and he couldn't seem to get it right.  What words were perfect to express how much you love someone?

"Autumn, I love you. There are no words to describe how much I love  you." Again, he stopped, bowing his head. The suit he wore reminded him  of a freaking penguin.

"Autumn, be my wife."

"Marry me, beautiful."

"Autumn, you'll never find a man who loves you as much as me."

Over and over, he tried to think of the right thing to say.

"Stop overthinking it," Bill said, startling him.

"Shit, you scared me."

"And I don't even have my shotgun on me."

Carter ran his hands down his jacket, and looked at the man who'd finally accepted him into the Fowler family with open arms.

"I want this to be perfect. I want to give her everything her heart desires."

"Autumn is one of those girls who doesn't need material things. She's  always happy with love, and a few kind words. You dress up nicely. A  proposal comes from the heart. You have a child together, and I've seen  how happy the two of you are together. You don't need to overthink this.  Just go out there, and propose."

"Has she arrived?"

"Yes, she's been looking for you."

"Shit, fuck," Carter said, moving out of the room. The party was already  in full swing, and he saw Summer and David standing together, talking.

Carter turned around, looking for his woman, and he couldn't find her.  Finally, after a few minutes a large group moved, and there his woman  was, talking with Denny. She held their son on her hip, and he just  knew.

Crossing the floor, he was in front of her within seconds. Staring into her eyes, he saw she was smiling, and looked happy.

"Hello."

"Marry me?" he asked.

"Yes." The smile she gave him lit up her face, and made him melt.  Cupping the back of her head, he crushed his lips against hers. Denny  was quick, grabbing Sean so that Carter could give her a decent kiss. "I  love you, Autumn."

"I love you, too." She chuckled. "Summer said you were working on something, and making it seem difficult."

"I wanted you to remember this moment."

"Carter, when it comes to you, I'll remember everything."

Cheers filled the air, and Summer made sure they were the focus of the  evening. Carter thanked Summer, hoping against hope that he could give  Autumn everything her heart desired.

****

Their wedding took place in the summer, in the same church that both of  their parents were in. Even though Carter's parents weren't there, in a  way they were. All the preparations leading up to the main event were  stressful, but the day itself was perfect. Hilary took care of the  wedding cake, and Summer handled the flowers and guests. Autumn and  Carter dealt with everything else. They had to take classes with the  priest to make sure they were ready for that next step together.

With Sean held by her mom, and Summer's baby girl, Tina, in her own arms, her father gave her away to the man she loved.

In a white wedding dress, with lace, and thin straps, she held Carter's  hand, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that she wasn't making a  mistake. She promised to love, honor, and cherish him, and he gave her  the same promises. When the time came to kiss, tears filled her eyes.

"You shouldn't be crying. This is not a sad day."

"They're happy tears."

He wiped them away just like he'd wiped them away many times during  their relationship. She had cried when she discovered she was pregnant,  at each stage of her pregnancy, then finding out she was having a son.  She'd cried at the birth, and when Carter proposed. They were not bad  tears though. Her tears were filled with happiness and love.

They left the church, and Carter didn't release her. The photographer  took several pictures of them together, with their son, and with their  family and friends. Denny was Carter's best man, while Summer and Hilary  were her bridesmaids.         

     



 

Carter held Sean as the cameraman took as many shots as possible marking  the special occasion. When it came time to get into their cars, and  head toward the reception, her mother took Sean.

"Today is your day." Mary kissed her cheek, followed by her father. Carter held the door open, waiting for her to climb inside.