“Good.” He nods.
Like that settles everything.
He’s right that he probably isn’t going to change but it’s actually a small change—and one in the right direction.
“And yes, I’d like you and Gran to walk me down the aisle together, like we originally planned.”
“I’ll be honored.” He leans over and kisses my cheek.
There isn’t a dry eye in the house when the minister pronounces us man and wife, and I kiss Jake like we haven’t kissed in weeks instead of a day. The audience cheers and claps, and then we’re walking back up the aisle, hands clasped as we hurry out to the waiting limousine.
“Well.” Jake looks at me, adoration in his eyes. “That was pretty fucking amazing, if I do say so myself.”
“I can’t believe we survived.”
“I can’t believe you let your father walk you down the aisle.”
“You wouldn’t believe what happened,” I say, telling him what transpired just before the ceremony.
“Holy shit. A genuine apologetic non-apology?”
We both laugh.
“Before we get to the reception,” I say, pulling a sheet of paper out of the little purse I’m carrying, “I wanted to give you your wedding gift.”
“Won’t that be tonight?” he teases.
“Sorry, no butt stuff,” I deadpan.
“Was butt stuff ever on the table?” He grins as he opens the folded piece of paper. Then his face freezes and he frowns. He seems to be reading the contents over and over before finally looking up at me. “I’m…uh, is this what I think it is?”
I nod, biting my lip. “It is.”
“Oh, my God. You don’t carry the gene.”
“I do not. So we can have all the babies if and when we decide it’s time.”
“Holy crap! Baby…” He crashes his mouth to mine, our tongues swirling and dueling as we share something that feels so much more important than just a kiss.
We’re married, and we’ve gotten the best news ever.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“I love you,” he whispers. “So fucking much.”
“I love you more,” I whisper back.
“I was going to be okay whether we could have kids or not,” he says quietly, “but I wanted the option so you could have everything I could possibly give you.”
“Don’t you understand?” I ask softly. “You already have. By having you, I have it all.”
“Same.” He pulls me against him. “Remember the night we met in Boston?”
“Uh huh.”
“I knew the minute I laid eyes on you that this was going to be our future. I didn’t know how or when, but I knew it would happen.”
“I knew too,” I whisper back. “That’s why I was so gutted when I found out you were still married.”
“Well, now I’m married once again. But this time it’s forever.”
“Damn straight.”
He kisses me again just as we pull into the hotel driveway.
“Ready?” he asks, reaching for my hand.
“With you? I’m ready for absolutely anything.”
The limo driver opens the door, and we take our first steps toward the beginning of forever.
