It’s just a chaste kiss, but it’s my first, and I’m swooning inside because he’s so wonderful to me.
Everyone congratulates us, and we’re back outside so quickly that it’s hard to believe it happened.
Aaric takes my hand and kisses the ring on my finger.“This is just a placeholder, honey.We’ll get a better one in the city someday when we can make the trip.”
“It’s perfect,” I tell him.“I don’t need another one.”
He chuckles.“If you love it, we’ll at least replace it with something a bit nicer.”
We all go back to Gallant Mountain and into the main house.I haven’t been here yet.It’s amazing.So huge.It’s not quite finished, but apparently, there’s a basement with the same footprint as the first floor where some of their offices are located.We don’t go down there since I can barely walk, and my ankles are so swollen they ache.
Tears well up when I notice the gorgeous cake on the dining room table.It’s the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen, frosted in white and decorated with yellow flowers.
“The bakery put this together on short notice,” Rebekah tells me, “but I think it’s perfect.It matches your dress and your sunny personality.”
It feels like my personality is anything but sunny.I’m so exhausted that I’m dead on my feet.Aaric is well aware.He rushes us through some pictures and cake before swinging me into his arms to carry me from the house.
I giggle.“You can’t carry me.”
“Of course I can.Even at nine months pregnant, you weigh nothing.Plus, you were about to collapse.You need to lie down and get your feet up.”
He’s right.That sounds like heaven.Or as close as I can get to heaven under the circumstances.
“Are you hungry?”
I shake my head.“No.You feed me every hour.”
He chuckles as we enter the house.“Then, how about we get you comfortable in bed.You need more sleep, and you’ll feel better if you’re not standing.”
“Thank you.”I have a death grip on his neck as he continues into the bedroom.I’m nervous.I know he said we don’t have to have sex, but we’re married.Isn’t that my duty?It seems like I should let him be with me even if it’s uncomfortable.
“Do you think you can take your dress off and put one of my T-shirts on without help, honey?”He deposits me in the spot where I’ve been sleeping.
“Yes.”I don’t look at him.
He sits on the edge of the bed, cups my cheek, and lifts my face.“We’re not having sex, Hannah.I’ve told you that, and I meant it.Not tonight.Definitely not until you’re cleared by the doctor in a few months.And even then, we’ll wait until you’re ready emotionally.There’s no rush.Stop fretting.”He lifts a brow.
He read my mind.“Okay.”
“Can’t promise I won’t ever see you naked because I’m not going to leave the room every time you change or nurse the baby, but I’m sure the idea is making you panic right now, so I’ll step out while you put my shirt on, honey.”
He’s the best man in the world.I can’t believe this is happening.I’m the luckiest woman alive.
Ten
Aaric
I’m lying in bed, face-to-face with my wife.It’s still hard for me to believe this gorgeous woman with the kindest heart is mine.I know she’s hesitant, but I will prove my worth to her every day of the rest of her life.
She’s smiling at me.Her cheeks are rosy.She’s relaxed.Finally.
I know she was afraid I would want to make love to her.And of course I do.But I would never have sex with her for the first time while she’s so heavily pregnant she couldn’t even enjoy it.She needs time.In a few months, when she’s fully healed from giving birth, she’ll be much more trusting of me.
I can’t blame her for being mistrustful.How could she not be?It’s been a long time since anyone did right by her, and at no point has a man treated her with dignity and respect.
“Tell me about yourself,” she says, giggling.
It’s funny.We just got married, and though we know the important things, there are a lot of details we have not shared.We have a lifetime to talk about everything under the sun.
