Always Ever After (Always 2.50) - Page 19

My voice almost won’t work. “I’m pregnant. I went to the doctor to be sure.”

His arms rope around me and he pulls me close, burying his face in my neck, his breath hot against my skin. He holds me tight, but there’s a gentleness to it. He’s so tender, like he’s already making room for this new thing in our lives. I cling to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, and close my eyes. I suppose there are people walking by, but I don’t care about them. This is our moment.

He pulls away, just enough that he can look at me. “Did you just say you’re pregnant?”

I nod.

He swallows hard. “A baby?”

“Yes.”

His lips brush against mine, almost a kiss, as he speaks. “Our baby.”

I smile and he takes my mouth in a deep kiss, his arms still pressing me against him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” I say. “I made you a card, and I was going to give it to you tomorrow. I wanted to see my doctor to be sure, and then there was all the wedding stuff. I’m so sorry I made you worry.”

He leans his forehead down to mine. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re all right.” His pulls away a little and his brow furrows. “You are okay, aren’t you?”

I nod. “So far, so good. I’m so tired, though.”

He kisses my forehead, then my cheeks.

“You’re not freaked out?” I ask. “Or upset?”

“Why would I be either of those things?” he asks.

“Well, this is a surprise,” I say. “It’s not like we planned it.”

He kisses my forehead again. “It’s the best surprise I’ve ever had.”

We stand there for long moments, resting in each other’s arms. I’m filled with warmth. It radiates from my chest through my whole body.

He pulls away and wipes his thumb beneath my eyes.

“Happy tears,” I say.

He nods. “I know.”

He slides his hand down my neck, brushes between my breasts, and touches my belly. A wide smile crosses his face as he splays his hand, palm down, just below my belly button. “My sweet baby girl, having my baby.”

I giggle and bite my lip.

“I guess we should go back in,” he says.

“Yeah, we should.”

Braxton keeps his arm tight around me as we walk back into the reception. Some people are still at their tables, eating cake and drinking wine. Others are on the dance floor, swaying back and forth to a slow song.

Selene and Ronan are together, talking to a few people near the bar. Selene looks over as soon as we walk in. I see her eyes lock with her brother’s, and a huge grin spreads over Braxton’s face. She doesn’t even say anything to the people she’s talking to, just strides over to us, her hand covering her mouth.

She lands in Braxton’s arms, and he hugs her so tight he picks her up. My lower lip trembles and tears start to leak out of the corners of my eyes. Again. Brax and Selene stay there for a long moment, holding each other.

Then Ronan walks over, his eyebrows raised, a small smile playing across his face.

Selene pulls away and wipes the tears from her cheeks. “Oh my god, Brax.”

“I feel like I missed something,” Ronan says. “Is everything okay?”