I smiled sheepishly. “You weren’t that hard to win over,” I teased him.
“I was mad that he got you pregnant. But your mom talked me down from going after him.”
My jaw dropped as I glanced at Mom. “You never told me that.”
She winked at me. “We all have our secrets. Now, we are on a schedule, and—” She stopped talking as her phone beeped. “Isabeau said it’s time for you to go in.”
Energy coursed through me. I was getting married to the man of my dreams in St. Louis Cathedral, and I was carrying our baby. This was more than I’d ever hoped and dreamed for.
As Dad took my left arm, Mom took the right, and we started our short walk to the door. I loved them both so much, and I couldn’t wait to see them as grandparents.
When we reached the front door of the church, Mom said, “All right, I’ll slip inside so they all know you’re here.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I was getting teary-eyed already.
Dad smiled at me. His eyes were full of tears too. “I hope your marriage is as happy as mine, Piper. Life is amazing when you share it with the person you love. It makes everything better, even the hard times. I want that for you. And Beckett is truly a great man.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
A few seconds later, the music started and the doors opened. As Dad and I stepped inside, everyone rose to their feet. I beamed at the guests before looking up at the white columns of the altar where Beckett was waiting for me, his eyes pinned on me.
The church was majestic. I especially liked the blue wall behind the white altar; it reminded me of the sky. But I only had eyes for my man. His smile was absolutely gorgeous. He was radiating happiness in a way I’d never seen on him before.
When we stopped in front of him, Dad said, “Beckett, I know you’ll make my girl very happy, and she will make you happy as well. As I told her, all I could wish for the two of you is to have a marriage just like mine.”
Beckett didn’t say anything as Dad let go of me. He just took my hand, kissing it.
As Dad went to sit next to Mom, my husband-to-be asked me, “How do you feel?” He’d been worried about me waiting outside on my feet.
“I feel absolutely great.”
The priest looked at us and said, “We can begin this ceremony now. We’re gathered here to celebrate Beckett and Piper, who wanted to go through the ritual of holy matrimony before their offspring arrives.”
I barely held back laughter at the word “offspring.” It seemed a bit too old-fashioned, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Beckett was fighting laughter too. He and I were two peas in a pod.
I unintentionally tuned out the priest’s words, as I waswholly captivated with my man. Standing here with him felt like magic and the right thing to do.
When a cry pierced the air, we both looked back in unison. Adele was holding Charlotte, who’d just woken up. She settled down quickly and now seemed very content. We both turned to look at the priest, who hadn’t paused at all.
“Now, it is my understanding that you want to exchange vows.”
“Yes,” Beckett replied without hesitation.
Oh, I was going to cry for sure. I’d tried to convince him to tell me everything beforehand just so I could have a good cry, but to no avail.
“Piper, I love you more than you will ever know, but I will do my best to show you that as often as possible. You’re my soulmate. I never knew it was possible to feel for anyone what I feel for you. My life is simply yours, my love, my wife.” He pressed his lips together and opened his mouth again, then just nodded. He was too emotional and couldn’t recite all the vows he’d prepared.
I cleared my throat and pushed myself up onto my tiptoes. God, I had so much energy. Ideally, I’d jump this man and kiss him thoroughly. But we were in a church, and truth be told, jumping wasn’t easy with my huge belly.
“Beckett, I love you to the moon and back. You became the most important person in my life before I even realized it. I can’t imagine a better way to spend my life than growing old with you, raising our kids and enjoying our families, and loving each other more and more each day.” My voice cracked at the end.
Ha, and I’d made fun of my man for his emotions—but guess who was getting too emotional to continue now? Truly two peas in a pod.
I’d prepared quite a long speech, but I had to stop while I was ahead. I looked at the priest, nodding.
“All right, let’s join these two in holy matrimony. The ring bearer may please come forward.”
Bella immediately appeared behind us. She was wearing a beautiful white dress and even had a little bit of makeup around her eyes. Chad hadn’t been sold on the idea in the beginning, but Scarlett had won him over.
