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She drew a steadying breath. “Maybe we can, at that.”
So many decisions remained to be made. So many discussions and compromises. But he had almost convinced her that what they had was worth fighting for.
“I love you,” he said, giving her even more reason to believe.
“I love you, too.” The words felt so strange and new on her lips, but somehow so right.
“Looks like we’re about to embark on a new adventure, Esmeralda.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “So, you think you’re up to it, Jones?”
“Oh, I think I can definitely be up to it,” he quipped, hauling her closer, a laugh in his dark eyes now.
A new adventure, she thought, lifting her mouth to his. A new love. A new family. And it had all begun with a kiss in the moonlight.
All in all, she thought that had been a very promising beginning.
The wedding took place on New Year’s Day. Jason and Madison had agreed that the first day of the new year was as good a time as any to begin their new adventure.
Wearing a cream-colored, tea-length dress that framed a modest amount of cleavage and floated softly over her tummy, which was just beginning to expand, Madison mingled happily with her guests after the simple ceremony. It hadn’t been easy to keep the event small, considering the size of Jason’s family, but they’d managed to convince his extended relatives that they wanted an intimate affair and would celebrate with a big party in a few months, after Madison completed her residency.
She still hadn’t heard for certain where she’d been accepted for her fellowship, but she had ranked Dallas as her first choice and she felt reasonably confident she would get in. She was content with her choice, both because it was a very good program and because she and Jason would be comfortable there with his family nearby and her own within a few hours’ drive.
They had exchanged their vows in the little church Madison had attended all her life, followed by a small reception hosted by Jacqui and Mitch in their lovely Craftsman-styled house in a historic Little Rock neighborhood. To the delight of everyone, Jacqui and Mitch had announced at Christmas that yet another member would be joining the family within the next few months.
Having adjusted to the surprise events in Madison’s life with admirable poise, her family had welcomed Jason into the growing family with warm approval. They got along famously, as Madison did with Jason’s close and demonstrative relatives.
Jason’s parents, siblings, brother-in-law and nephews had traveled from Dallas to attend the wedding, and his Little Rock family was also in attendance. Madison watched Alice flirt with Justin D’Alessandro across the room, and then she laughed softly when Seth smoothly drew his daughter away to help Jacqui serve drinks. Seth had his hands full with his active teenage daughter; and he and Meagan had just learned the new baby was also a girl. Though Seth had wondered aloud if he would survive raising another daughter, there was no doubt to anyone who knew him that he was thrilled.
BiBi and Carl were there for the event, too. Madison couldn’t have left BiBi out of the celebration, since it was at BiBi’s wedding that this had all begun.
With her talent for rewriting her own personal history, BiBi took full credit for the match. “I knew you and Jason would make a great couple,” she said, giving Madison an enthusiastic hug.
Madison laughed, not bothering to point out that BiBi had tried to match her with another man altogether. “I’m so glad you could be here.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” BiBi assured. “Oh, and Corinna wanted me to give you and Jason hugs from her, too. She’s very happy for you both, you know. She doesn’t want any awkwardness in the future because of her silly crush on Jason. She and Brandon are really becoming an item these days. I wouldn’t be surprised if they announce an engagement within the year.”
“I’m glad she’s happy.”
“I’m glad we’re all happy,” BiBi agreed expansively. “And I can’t wait until you move to Dallas. Aunt BiBi is going to spoil that baby of yours rotten, you know.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
Jason joined them to hand Madison a flute of sparkling grape juice. “You two aren’t plotting anything over here, by any chance, are you?”
Madison smiled at him over the rim of the glass. “Worried that I’m going to hit you with another big surprise?”
He grinned recklessly at her. “Bring it on. I can take it.”
Laughing, she reached up to kiss his cheek. Her responsible family practitioner definitely had the soul of a fearless adventurer, she thought happily. Something told her that was going to come in quite handy during the busy, unpredictable and sometimes hectic life they would undoubtedly share.
Encouraged by the love that grew stronger with each passing day together, she had no doubt they were both up to the challenge.
* * * * *
