“What’s going through your head, Sweetheart?”
Putting my arms protectively around my waist, I take a deep breath and explain, “Before I left the hospital, the doctor did some tests.”
“Okay, and?”
“When he ran my blood work, it came back elevated in one area.”
“What does that mean? Is it bad?” he asks, pulling my hands into his.
“I didn’t say it was bad; it’s just—I’m pregnant, Kash.” He doesn’t say anything at first, and then a wide grin splits his face. His hand hovers over the top of my still flat stomach, and he chuckles.
“I don’t think it’s funny, Kash. I get if you’re upset. I told you I was on the pill, which I was, but?—”
His lips land against mine, silencing my words. Kash’s handsmove from my waist, up to either side of my head, holding me gently. He kisses me deeply, stealing the words from my mouth and the breath from my lungs. Kash controls the kiss completely, nearly making me forget what we were discussing.
Pulling back, he pecks my lips gently one last time, then leans his forehead against mine. He kisses my cheeks and nose, then my neck before continuing south. Nudging me back, he kisses my stomach sweetly. “Hi, Baby Sprout. I’m your daddy and I can’t wait to meet you.” Laying his hands protectively over my stomach, his brown eyes find mine. “When I told you I needed you to be my wife and mother of my babies, I meant it, Mila. Those weren’t just words. They were truths.”
Tears sting my eyes as Kash stands, tugging me up with him. Meeting his gaze, I tilt my head in question. “Baby Sprout?”
“Of course.” His hand runs across my stomach as he murmurs, “Sprouts need the sun to grow, don’t they? What better nickname for our baby? They get to grow in your light like I did.”
My heart skips a beat in my chest as I look at the man I’m about to marry. He’s not bothered that I’m pregnant, and I worried for nothing. Kash continues to show me he isn’t the man I initially thought he was. He’s so much more and he’s all mine.
Lightly gripping my chin, Kash looks down at me. “I promise we’ll celebrate this news properly later on, but for now, are you ready to become Mrs. Malone?”
“Let’s do it, Casanova.”
Walking down to the beach hand in hand, I see a man about my dad’s age waiting on a blanket. He has a small book in his hands, and there’s a woman beside him.
“Hi. I’m Maya. It’s so nice to meet you. I'll be taking some photographs for you today, as well as acting as a witness. Is that okay?”
I was so worried about Kash’s reaction that I didn’t think about our actual ceremony at all. Kash said he had it all covered, and he really did. “Yes, thank you for being here on such short notice.”
Grabbing my hands in his, Kash faces the man. “I’m ready when you are, Paul.”
We turn toward each other, and Paul starts with traditional wedding statements. He talks about being patient and kind, and I know that my soon-to-be husband is one of those two things. He’s only patient in certain ways. Kash smiles at me, his expression filled with love and promise.
When it’s time to exchange rings, Kash pulls a set from his pocket. As the sun sets behind us, a small group of people stop and watch our ceremony, but I don’t care. I’m about to become Kash’s wife, and I couldn’t be happier. If you had told me six months ago, I’d be standing on the beach, barefoot and pregnant, pledging my life to Kash Malone, I’d have laughed. Now? I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
Sliding a matching band onto my hand, Kash repeats his vows from Paul. I squeeze his hands in mine, then take his ring to slide on his finger. It has a band similar to my engagement ring and fits him perfectly.
“By the power invested in me, by the great state of North Carolina, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Kash wastes no time dragging me into him. His arms go around my waist, and he dips me back, kissing me soundly. There’s cheering from the small group watching, and as he puts me back on my feet, I sway a bit.
We shake hands with Paul and Maya. Kash gives her his contact information and where to send the pictures, and she wishes us luck. He has his arm around my shoulders, standing barefoot in the sand. We stare out at the sun as it dips beneath the water. Letting out a small yawn, I shake off some of my fatigue. Growing a human is hard work.
Scooping me into his arms, I squeal as my feet leave the ground. “It’s not time for bed yet, Mrs. Malone. There might be a bed involved but trust me”—he kisses me quickly, then gives me a heated look as we walk back toward the house—“we won’t be sleeping much.”
Chapter Sixty-One
Kash
Fun fact. Extreme temperature changes make birth control pills less effective.
Every morning when my girl left for work, her little pills took a trip from the medicine cabinet to the freezer. I knew it was only a matter of time before Sprout took root. Mila was always meant to be mine, and I won’t apologize or feel bad about it. No one is going to love her or protect her the way I do, so I’m not worried. I’ll hang a bat in every room of our home.
I overheard the doctor that afternoon at the hospital. I had a feeling she was processing and freaking out about how to tell me, so I’ve been ready. She could have waited weeks, or until she started to show; I wouldn’t have cared either way. At least now I get to enjoy this longer with her, and she doesn’t have to needlessly worry. Mila and our baby are just the beginning of our new lives. There’s one more surprise for my girl, but that’s for when we get home.
