“Marvelous, darling,” she said, giving me a hug and light kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you both for coming. This is such a surprise.”
“Orion told us how much it meant to him,” Rockwell said, “and because you mean so much to him…”
“And because you make our son so happy,” Celeste added, “we had to be here.”
“Thanks, Mum,” Orion said, and looked to me. “It’s true. I’ve never been happier.”
Challenge accepted.
“It’s so lovely to see you all,” I said and took his hand. “But I need a word alone with my husband.”
“Uh-oh,” Orion said. “How much trouble am I in?”
“All of it.”
We went to the far edge of the terrace, where the city lay strewn below us and the night had fallen, rich and dark. I tucked my arm in Orion’s, and we stood with the sky’s canopy above and the city’s below.
“You didn’t have to do all this,” I said. “But thank you. It’s the greatest gift.”
Orion held me close. “And here I thought I was getting a lecture about putting you on the spot.”
“I don’t need the attention. It’s the thought you put into it. And your speech.” My throat thickened, and I wondered just how I was going to do this. Then I glanced upward, and it all fell into place.
“There.” I pointed to Orion’s constellation. “That’s you.”
“No…”
“Yes.Remember what Mrs. Andolina said? Those are the stars lost sailors use to find their way home.”
Orion nodded. “I remember.”
We both were quiet for a moment, thinking of the beloved teacher who’d passed away last year. And thinking of Dean. Always Dean.
“Ten years ago, I was lost,” I said finally. “I kept my heart locked away because I’d been hurt too many times. But then I met you. You showed me the way home.”
“Awfully romantic, Bennett,” he said gruffly, and brushed a curl from my cheek. “And I’ve had that same thought about you so many times, I’ve lost count.”
“We both wanted a real home for so long. One that was whole and warm and full of laughter and tears too.” I swallowed hard and took his hand and placed it over my lower belly. “I want that with you.”
Orion stiffened, his head shot up. “What?”
“I was going to tell you later,” I said. “Then you ambushed me with this party. But…yes.”
His stunned eyes went to our hands, then back up to me. “But…we were going to wait. We…”
“You’ve been waiting,” I whispered. “I know you have, and I’ve never felt more ready.”
“Harper,” Orion whispered. “Really? You’re sure?”
I nodded. “Yes, Orion. I’m sure.”
“I’m going to be a father,” he said, as if he needed to hear it out loud to believe it.
I slid my hand to his face, cupping his cheek. “You are.”
He laughed—one sharp, disbelieving sound—then hauled me to him. “I’m going to be so good at it,” he said against my hair.
