All I can do is nod because the words are trapped somewhere behind the knot in my throat. He kisses me long, deep then he moves down my body and pushes up my silk teddy to press his lips to my abdomen. “How long?”
Running my fingers through his hair, I can’t stop the tears that escape the corner of my eyes. “Eleven weeks. It’s been killing me not to tell you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because then I would have missed this,” I tell him, pressing my palm to his jaw. The look on his face right now is worth every agonizing second. Reaching over, he pulls my wrist to his mouth and presses a kiss there.
“Does Caroline know?”
I shake my head. “I thought we could tell her together.”
Tears well up in his eyes and he presses his face to my belly. “I have spent my entire life waiting for this moment. To have this. To have you. It’s not just what I feel for you. It’s what I do not feel for anyone but you. I swear, every time our lips touch I can taste the next sixty years of my life.”
“You always have such an amazing way with words.”
“Still trying to write that song about us.”
“How’s it coming along?”
Dropping another kiss to my belly, he moves to lie next to me, pulling me into his arms. “Pretty damn good.”
Present
Standing in front of the floor length mirror, I twist from side to side, taking in my reflection. I hardly recognize the woman standing before me.
Looking back, I think of all the battles I’ve fought. Some that left me broken and shattered.
Hopeless.
But love saved me. Love mended the pieces of my soul and brought me back to life.
Love gave me hope.
“You look beautiful, Mama!” Caroline says, standing next to me in her pretty lavender dress.
“Thank you, baby. So do you.”
“You ready?” Rachel asks, and I nod, tears pricking my eyes.
She gives me a hug then I lean down and embrace my daughter. Her tiny arms wrap around my neck before she pulls away, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I love you, Mama.”
“Love you too, sweet girl.”
“Come on, Caroline. Let’s go get your grandpa and tell him your mama is ready.”
Once they leave the room, I reach for a Kleenex and dab the corners of my eyes.
There’s a knock at the door. “Come in,” I answer, thinking it’s my father but Linc enters the room.
“Linc! It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”
He smiles.
The smile he always saves just for me. The smile that lets me know he’s mine forever. “I think we’ve already met our quota in bad luck.”
He’s right about that.
“Jesus, you look fuckin’ gorgeous. Are you sure I’m in the right room? There’s no way the good Lord blessed me with someone as beautiful as you.”
