Once Upon A Half-Time 2(89)
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.