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Addie’s own wedding is in six months, and they have decided to get married in Houston. Addie asked her dad to walk her down the aisle just last week. They have had the hardest time in terms of their reunion, but they have worked hard to find peace with each other.
My life has been the most unexpected adventure. Over the last decade, I have wanted to give in to my fear and my doubt, but love, real love, is stronger than all of those things.
And I believe in fairy tales; I know we’ve got some work to do, but I’m chasing my own Happily Ever After. I’m so close I can taste it. I kiss the top of Henry’s little head and survey my family.
Oh yes, I can taste it. And it’s delicious.
* * *
* * *
When the song ends, Dean and I slip off the dance floor. Anthony is still dancing with Louis’ mother, and I want to take the opportunity to get Dean alone.
I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to tell him what I found out this afternoon. I didn’t want to distract from Cara and Louis’ day, but I can’t hold it in any longer. I turn to him as he starts to lead me back to our table.
“You want to go for a walk? Get some fresh air?”
He smiles. “Great minds think alike; I was just about to ask you the same thing.”
We walk past our table where my mother sits with Henry asleep on her lap with my dad and Lilly on either side of her. Lilly looks forlorn. And I don’t know why. I need to get her alone so we can talk.
I put that aside and focus on Dean. He cuts a dashing figure in his tux. I admire the view while I trail behind him as we make our way through the crowd on our way outside.
We walk in a companionable silence until we are at the lake which is at the center of Louis’ parents’ property. Dean sits down on the bench and pulls me onto his lap.
“You having a good time, Red?” he asks, smiling up at me. Even in the dark with the moon and the fairy lights strung in the trees around us as our only light, I can see so much love in his eyes.
“I’m having the best time.” I smile and place a quick peck on his lips.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a worn piece of paper. He doesn’t say anything as he hands it over to me, but he’s got the biggest smile on his face.
“What’s this?” I ask, my curiosity peaked.
I take it from him and unfold it. He pulls his phone from the inside pocket on his suit and turns on the flashlight feature. He shines it on the paper in my hand, and I see that it’s my list.
“I found this, tucked away in a kitchen drawer. I saw you’d crossed everything off, but I thought it was missing something. So, I pulled it out and put in my pocket. I wanted to wait for the right time to talk about it.”
My stomach sinks a little, and I feel myself getting annoyed.
“It’s not really for you to decide whether it’s complete or not,” I snap as I fold it back up and start to move off of his lap.
“Hey, Red, don’t be upset. You’re right. It’s not for me to decide, but I thought I could ask you to add one more thing and see if you thought it was a good idea,” he says, not looking the least bit contrite.
“I mean, I guess. But, I have to tell you, I asked you to come out here so I could tell you something. And this isn't the romantic conversation I envisioned us having.”
I stop, trying to get up, but stiffen my spine so I’m not leaning on him anymore.
“You wanted to tell me something?” He looks very pleased with himself, his smile only widens.
“Yes, I do. And it’s something amazing,” I clip. But just saying that completely erases my annoyance because I remember the happy news I have to share.
“Okay, well then go ahead,” he says, his smile incandescent and huge.
“Are you ready?” I ask him. He only nods, and I can see his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat as he swallows hard. I cup his face, look into those beautiful green eyes, and tell him.
“I’m pregnant.” I see his eyes widen, and then I see them fill with tears he doesn’t shed. I feel my own tears prick the back of my eyes as his smile softens, but his eyes radiate true joy at me.
His hand drifts to my stomach, still flat and showing no signs of what’s to come. His eyes never leave mine, and I'm rendered breathless by the love I see in them. I bring my lips to his, and whisper against them, “It’s really early, but I got the call from my doctor this afternoon. I'm just a little over nine weeks along, if I’ve done the math right.”
