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“Maddie, come on! I’m dying here,” Grace exclaimed from the other side of the bathroom door. I blinked at the test, then blinked some more. Grace had bought me one of those that displayed “pregnant” or “not pregnant.”
Mine showed “pregnant.” I tried to blink back the tears of joy but couldn’t. My entire body was alive with happiness. I’d hoped from the first signs, even though it was unplanned. The test didn’t say how far along I was, but I was almost certain I could trace the date baby Connor was conceived to the evening Landon signed the papers for selling his company. It was a good thing construction on the new house had started already.
I opened the door, holding the test with the display toward Grace. She shrieked, jumping up and down.
“I’m going to be an aunt! Congratulations.” She hugged me tight, then pulled back abruptly.
“You can’t cry, Maddie. Your makeup—”
“I need to tell Landon.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now. I want him to know before we say our vows.”
“Okay. I’m going after the makeup lady. She said she’d drink a coffee in the lobby before leaving. You go to Landon’s room. But you only have ten minutes, tops. Then I need you back here so we can fix your makeup and get you dressed. I looked over the schedule Lori set up. There is no time for sexy activities. Or fixing post-sexy-activities hair.” My hair was styled in a half updo, with loose waves under an intricately twisted bun. No way would I risk that getting messed up.
Nodding, I fastened the white silk robe tighter around me, pocketed the test, and dashed out of the room.
Landon’s room was one floor below. As our wedding planner, Lori had decreed we couldn’t be on the same floor. What if we bumped into each other? Bad luck seeing the bride in her dress before the altar and all that. I suddenly hoped I wouldn’t run into Lori. She and Grace were scary today.
I could barely contain my grin when I knocked on Landon’s door. It swung open the next second... and I came face-to-face with Lori.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered. “Landon can’t see you.”
“I’m not wearing my wedding dress. And I need to talk to him.”
“Is everything okay? Your makeup—”
“Lori, who’s at the door?” Landon’s voice came from inside.
“Maddie,” I said loudly before Lori could channel Grace too much.
Landon appeared at the door in a blink. He was further along the dressing process than I was, already wearing his sleek black tux, his white shirt underneath. His green eyes stood out. God, was my man handsome. I wondered how many seconds it would take to peel it off him. Grace’s warning rang in my ears. Hmm, I could climb him even with the tux on, but could I risk wrinkling the shirt? Nope. No time.
“Maddie, what’s wrong?” he asked as I stepped inside.
“Nothing. I just need to talk to you real quick.” I looked at Lori. “Ten minutes, I promise. I know we’re on a schedule.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you in your room. Actually, I’ll go find the makeup lady.”
The corners of my mouth twitched. “Grace is already on it.”
Lori took off with a nod. Once we were alone, my heart leaped into my throat. Traitorous little organ. How was I supposed to keep my voice even now?
I didn’t trust myself not to blubber while saying the words, so I took his hand and led him to the couch.
Then I retrieved the test from my pocket, holding it for him to read.
“We’re going to have a baby.” His voice broke on the last word. And then there were no more words. He brought his mouth down to mine and kissed me fiercely. I pulled him to me, needing to feel him flush against me.
“You have no idea how happy you just made me, Maddie.”
Oh, I did know. That’s why I’d wanted to tell him now.
He lowered a hand to my belly. “I will love both of you so much.”
I had no doubt, because no one had more love to give than Landon. I still couldn’t believe this was my life, that this wonderful man would soon become my husband, and that a little bundle of joy was already on his or her way.
