by Tea DeLuca
Mark waited for her on the beach in jeans and a white linen shirt that was casually opened at the collar. His hair a little longer, the gentle breeze tossed it and made him the handsomest man on earth. With their parents and siblings and Liddy and Leo between them, they repeated their vows and exchanged rings. A fitting way to make them officially a family since the day they had left the chapel.
Liddy had wanted hotdogs and ice cream at the reception so Grandpa Pete was barbecuing in his backyard. Grandma Bea made a lovely cake and plenty of sugar cookies. Late in the afternoon, Maggie and Mark left the children with the grandparents for a four day weekend honeymoon. Before leaving, Mags tossed her bouquet over her shoulder into the shocked arms of her best friend, Gayle. Maybe Perry would get the hint. “Where are we going?” Mags asked her new husband.
He reached for her hand as they drove up the coast. “I rented a beach house about a half an hour from Charleston. Big wrap around porch, an amazing view of the ocean, and four bedrooms. I know it’s a lot of space, but…”
“It sounds perfect,” she interrupted. “A perfect day.” She was out of the car and heading to the beach behind the house before he even finished parking. “God, Mark, look at it. Isn’t it amazing?”
“You want to see amazing?” He led her through the remodeled kitchen, passed the cozy living room to the stairs, and to the master bedroom. The huge wall of windows would be their view of the ocean as they awoke to the morning sun.
“This was such a mistake,” she said with awe.
“Why?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.
“I am never going to want to leave here.”
He chuckled against her ear. “I thought you might say that. It’s yours, Maggie.”
She turned to face him, searching his eyes. “What?”
“I didn’t want to out and out buy it without your approval, but I put a deposit on it. Do you want it? It’s only thirty minutes from Charleston. I don’t mind the commute if you don’t. You can work at the store or not with your degree. Or you can stay here and raise our family, though Liddy will be in school, and Leo will be in another year.”
She kissed him to shut him up. “I love it. I can’t believe you bought this for us.”
He exhaled slowly. “Consider it a wedding present.”
She slipped out of his arms and sat on the bed. “Do you think the house might be a little big for us?”
“Well, Liddy and Leo can have their own room. There’ll still be an extra bedroom we can convert to anything you want.”
“A nursery for baby xx or xy?” She pushed up on the pillows and reached for him.
“You want to adopt again? Sure, I guess we could do that.”
Her eyes lit with something else as she pressed his hand to her abdomen. “You hear the stories all the time, Mark. Couples who can’t get pregnant then adopt and…” she shrugged and waited for the light to go on.
He studied her carefully and focused on his hand she stroked. He almost couldn’t say the words. “Are you …?”
She kissed him lightly. “Wedding present. Yes, I’m pregnant.”
“Maggie,” he whispered.
“I know.” She pulled him closer. Her father’s words above her bed haunted her now as she gazed at the man who would always have her heart. The man whose heart would always be tangled with hers. All things are possible with love. ♥
The End
Tea’s Novels
Standalone novels to be read in any order.
Miss Not So Fine (Steven and Samantha)
Opposites! He is intense, a risk taker, and scares the hell out of her while she is pretty, a people pleaser at her own expense, and afraid to experience life. Can she open him up to love while he forces her to try new challenges?
A Grip on His Heart (Tim and Sarah)
A love story that faces the greatest challenge. Sarah is accused of murdering her husband. Can her lawyer and her lover find the evidence to acquit her and make their happily ever after?
Danny’s Sister
(Sam and Becca & Stephanie and Tats)
Military, serving his country, taking care of a nation against threats, risking his life, but who takes care of him? Who’s there in the darkness of the night, loving him, wanting him, needing him? What woman is strong enough and courageous enough to marry him and the Army?
Cue Stick (Grayson and Lacey)
Love grown over a pool table, but a former boyfriend now stalker threatens their happily ever after?
Paige’s Heart (Greg and Paige)
Following your heart is never easy, but will it find the right man? The one who will excite your passion and make your future? Will Greg steal Paige’s heart and eliminate his competition?
Tangled Hearts (Magnolia and Mark)
A second chance at love after losing each other for five years. The attraction and love obvious, but circumstances have changed them. Can Mags and Mark find the happily ever after they seek with each other?
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Thank-you,
Tea
♥