“Pregnancy does wonderful things to you, Mrs. Ward.”
I know my forehead has just wrinkled. “I always want you this much.”
“I know you do. You’re missing something.” He produces a small calla lily from behind his back and tucks it behind my ear. “Much better.”
I reach up and feel the fresh flower, smiling up at him a little bemused, but far too content to inquire further. He winks, kisses my cheek, and leads on, turning when we get to the sleepers to ensure I take them carefully. “Watch that piece of splintered wood,” he says, pointing to a jagged edge on one of the sleepers. “Careful.”
“You should have let me put some shoes on, then,” I say, skipping that step and leaping down to the next.
“Ava, no jumping. You’ll shake the babies up.”
“Oh, shut up!” I laugh, jumping my way down the rest of the steps until my feet are warm and sinking into the golden sand. “Come on!” I start to run down to the shore, but as soon as my head lifts from my feet to look where I’m going, I stop dead in my tracks.
They are all looking at me. Every single one of them. My eyes run down the line of people, noting everyone I know, including Jesse’s family. I gasp, a little delayed, and swing round, finding Jesse towering over me, looking down at me on a smile.
“What are they doing here?” I ask.
“They’re here to witness me marrying you.”
“But we’re already married,” I remind him. “We are, aren’t we?” I’m suddenly considering the possibility of him announcing that we’re not married at all, that The Manor, in fact, had no license.
“Yes, we are. But my mum and dad missed our day, and we should have done it this way before.” He takes my hand and tugs my reluctant body gently, until I follow his lead down to the shoreline, where both of our families and all our friends are waiting, all smiling, all relaxed. They part, letting Jesse pull me through, and I look at each of them in turn, but all I get are happy faces. I can do no more than shrug a little, demonstrating my surprise. It’s only now that I register Jesse’s shorts are white and so is my sundress. We’re getting married again?
I’m positioned in the wet sand with the gentle waves lapping at my feet, and then we’re greeted by a man who looks as relaxed in his attire as Jesse, me, and all of our guests. I’m quiet and accepting as he welcomes us and joins our hands in the space between our close bodies. I repeat the words being asked of me as I look up into Jesse’s addictive eyes and smile around each and every word I say to him. I reaffirm everything. I renew my promise to love, honor, and obey him and I reach up to kiss him gently on his luscious lips when I’m done. I’m on autopilot, just doing what is asked of me, but not because I don’t know what else to do, but simply because it’s what I’m supposed to do. Despite everything, I entrust myself to this man. He leads the way and I follow. Because I know it’s where I belong.
When it’s his turn to speak, the registrar steps away and Jesse moves in closer, lifting both of my hands with his and resting his lips on them, leaving them lingering for the longest time. “I love you,” he whispers, stroking his thumbs where his lips have just left. “An eternity with you wouldn’t be enough, Ava. From the moment my eyes fell on you, I knew things would change for me. I plan on devoting every second of my life to worshipping you, adoring you, and indulging in you, and I plan on making up for empty years without you. I’m taking you to Paradise, baby.” He stoops and clasps me under my bum, lifting me high so it’s now him looking up at me. “Are you ready?”
“Yes. Take me,” I demand, running my hands into his hair and giving it a yank.
“Oh, I took you long ago, Mrs. Ward. But right now is where it really begins.” He kisses me hard. “No more digging to get beneath me. You know everything there is to know. And no more confessions because I have nothing left to tell.”
“I think you have,” I whisper, nuzzling into his neck and taking a hit of him in all of his fresh water, minty loveliness.
“I do?” he asks, carrying me into the glimmering coolness of the Med.
“You do. Tell me you love me.”
He pulls back, green eyes sparkling, my smile gracing his perfect mouth, and his dirty blond hair a glorious, disheveled mess with my hands tugging demandingly at it. “I love you so fucking much, baby.”
I smile, dropping my head back and closing my eyes as he starts spinning us in circles, the sun warming my face and his body close to mine warming everywhere else.