by Katie Ashley
“Hmm…my feminist sensibilities should get riled at that insinuation, but I do like the sound.”
As he took off his pants, Aidan asked, “You don’t want to do something crazy like Emma Harrison-Fitzgerald, do you?”
“No, Mr. Neanderthal, I don’t.” She grinned up at him. “I just want to be your wife.”
“And as soon as possible right?”
“Of course.”
“Think we could throw something together in a few weeks.”
Emma sucked in a breath. “Wow, I didn’t know you were in such a rush.”
His knuckles tenderly grazed her abdomen. “We don’t have that much time before Little Man’s arrival.”
“That’s true, but wedding planning isn’t easy—even for a small one like we’re considering.”
He poked his lip out. “I just wanna be your husband.”
She laughed. “And you will be, Mr. Impatient. I’m not going anywhere, and if you try to make a run for it, I’ll lasso and hogtie you.”
“Mmm, there’s my naughty cowgirl.”
“You’re impossible.” Raking her fingers through his hair, she shook her head. “We may not be bonded together in holy matrimony, but our relationship was cemented the moment Noah was conceived.”
As Aidan’s lips met hers, his fingers went to the zipper on her dress. With a flick of his wrist, the dress fell open, and he pushed it off her shoulders. His brows furrowed before his lips quirked up at the sight of her granny panties. “Ooh, Em, can you get a few more pairs of these?”
Emma’s face turned the color of the fuchsia dress pooled at her feet. “I had to wear these, thank you very much.” She crossed her arms over her bare breasts in a huff. When he chuckled, she shot him a death glare. “It’s not a laughing matter, Aidan. I mean, I’ve always been a curvy girl, but you better prepare yourself for a lot more of me to love.”
“I already told you that you’re nothing but a belly…but any fat that wants to set up shop here,” he paused to cup her breast while his other hand went to her ass cheek, “Or here, is fine with me!”
She rolled her eyes. “Once again, you’re completely and totally impossible.”
“And you’re so sexy when you’re pissed off.” He kissed her before she could back talk him. Her mouth tightened with her resistance, so he slid his tongue against her lips. When she refused to budge, a low growl came from the back of his throat. “Quit being so damn stubborn, Em,” he muttered against her lips.
His hand snaked between them to cup between her thighs. He stroked and caressed her over her alleged granny panties, causing Emma to tense. When he slipped a finger between the elastic and into her warmth, she gasped. He took the opportunity to thrust his tongue in her mouth. Her hands that had been hanging limply at her side went to his hair, and as she threaded her fingers through the strands, Aidan knew she had surrendered. “There’s my girl,” he said as he feathered kisses across her cheek. When he got to her ear, he plunged another finger inside of her as he whispered, “My beautiful, sexy girl who takes my breath away no matter what size she is or what underwear she has on.”
A breathy moan turned into a laugh. “You’re smooth, Big Papa. Very, very smooth,” she replied, repeating Casey’s line from earlier that day.
With his fingers still working their magic, he eased her down onto the bed. He curled up beside her. Her eyes pinched shut as she writhed against his hand, bucking her hips against him as he sped up his pace. “Mmm, please,” she murmured, her breath hot against his cheek.
“Please what, babe?”
“Make me come, Aidan.” The moment his thumb brushed against her clit, her fingers gripped the edges of the blanket as she cried out.
Not wasting anytime, he slid his fingers out of her still clenching walls and discarded her panties. He wrangled out of his boxers and rose up on his knees. With her expanding belly, it was always interesting finding a position. Spreading her legs, he thrust himself inside her.
Emma wrapped her legs tight around his waist, and he gripped her behind the knees. As he pounded into her, she raised her arms above her head and fisted the sheets. When she bit down on her lip to keep her passionate cries quiet, Aidan stilled his movements. “Don’t be bashful, Em. Let me hear you,” he urged.
Her cheeks tinged pink. “What if someone else does?”
“Who cares? I want to hear you. I want to know what I do to you.”
She trembled at his words. “Okay,” she murmured.
He grinned down at her. “Good.” When he plunged back inside her, he was rewarded with a low moan from Emma. Bringing his hand between them to stroke her while he moved in and out caused her to shriek and then scream. He closed his eyes and threw his head back as Emma’s cries were music to his ears. It wasn’t long before she went over the edge, calling out his name over and over again. He continued thrusting in and out of her as her walls convulsed around him. He wasn’t ready yet. He wanted to prolong his pleasure as long as possible. But when he felt Emma tightening herself around him, his eyes snapped open. She smiled triumphantly at him as he started to let himself go. Now it was his turn to emit deep, throaty cries and groan.
Once he finished shuddering inside of her, Aidan rolled over on his back, collapsing beside Emma on the bed. His chest heaved, and he fought to catch his breath.
She snuggled up to him and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Aidan.”
“I know,” he panted. The loud smack of her hand coming down on his thigh echoed through the room along with his deep chuckle. He turned to catch her outraged expression. “And I fucking love you too, Emma.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Three Weeks Later
Emma surveyed her reflection in Grammy’s full length mirror. Turning left and right, she let the poofy layers of her bridal gown twirl around her. In her mind, the dress had been the most beautiful thing she had ever seen with its empire waist flowing into yards of satin along with the intricate pearl and sequined encrusted beading of the bodice. She never imagined finding such a beautiful maternity bridal gown, especially on short notice.
But now that the big day had arrived, she wasn’t so sure. “Ugh, I think it’s safe to say I look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man,” she moaned.
“Oh hell no, you do not!” Casey argued, adjusting the glittering tiara at the top of Emma’s head.
Emma’s cousin, Stacy, nodded as she helped to fluff out the long veil. “Don’t be silly, Em. You’re absolutely gorgeous.”
“If I were straight, I’d totally want my bride to look just like you,” Connor said, with a wicked grin.
“Oh God, you’re starting to sound too much like Aidan,” Emma replied.
“Now you listen to them, sugar. You look stunning!” Grammy cried from behind Emma. She hadn’t even looked up from digging around in her jewelry box for one of Emma’s “borrowed” items. The blue lace interwoven into her garter counted for her something “blue” while the dress and veil completed the “new”. Carefully concealed under the yards of fabric was her “old” in the form of a pair of cowboy boots. Today she was going for comfort as well as shoes that fit on her swollen feet and wouldn’t make her trip and fall.
Emma sighed. “I appreciate you guys trying to make me feel better, but seriously, it’s a toss up between the Stay Puff dude and The Michelin Tire guy.”
Casey snorted. “Stop fishing for compliments.” Grasping Emma’s shoulders, she turned her around. “You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen in my entire life, and I’m including myself in that figure! It doesn’t matter if you’re seven months pregnant. The moment you start down that altar, you’re going to take Aidan’s breath away.”
Tears welled in Emma’s eyes at Casey’s compliment. “Oh shit, don’t start the waterworks now and mess up your makeup!” She waved her hands frantically in front of Emma’s face.
Emma pushed them away. “Okay, okay, I won't cry.”
“Good.”
With a strand of pearls in her hand
, Grammy stepped over to them. “Can you all give us a moment?”
Casey smiled. “Sure. We’ll go get the bouquets out of the fridge.”
“Don’t even think I’m letting you put on my boutonnière.”
“And just why not?”
“Because you always end up stabbing me!” Connor cried. They continued bickering as they went out the door.
Once they were alone, Emma arched her brows expectantly. Grammy’s expression was so serious it made Emma uneasy. Trying to lighten the mood, she joked, “You know you don’t have to have the sex talk with me, right?”
Grammy waved her empty hand dismissively. “I should hope not. Of course, I assume that ship sailed back with Travis.”
Emma’s face warmed as she nodded. Without another word, Grammy moved to stand behind Emma. She brought her hands over Emma’s head and then slipped the strand of pearls around her neck. They rested a little past Emma’s collarbone.
After she fastened the clasp, Grammy gripped Emma’s shoulders and then caught her gaze in the mirror. “All my life, I wanted a strand of real pearls. For our third wedding anniversary, your granddaddy worked two extra jobs to buy these pearls for me after he did something much like Aidan did.”
Emma gasped in horror. “Oh Grammy, I can’t believe Granddaddy would ever do something like that!”
“He thought he could run from marriage and commitment, but when he did, he realized his mistake. It’s something I’ve never told anyone, not even your mama.” Grammy smiled. “Of course, our making up after his affair was the whole reason why she was here in the first place. I guess I got these pearls and your mama out of the deal.”
“So you forgave him?”
“I’m still with him, aren’t I?”
Emma fingered the pearls while thinking of all the happy years her grandparents had together. Never once had she ever seen a crack in the façade. They were what she aspired to be when it came to a married couple.
Grammy patted Emma's back. “I wanted to tell you this today so you would understand that no marriage is perfect. There’s going to be good times and bad times and heartache and joy. Don’t ever think that because of what happened before that your love isn’t as strong or as beautiful as anyone else’s. It's the love that goes through the hardest trials and survives that is worth having.”
“Thank you, Grammy.” She leaned over and kissed Grammy’s wrinkled cheek. “Do you think Aidan and I will be as happy as you and Granddaddy have been?”
Grammy smiled. “I think you will.”
“I hope so.”
“Time flies so fast when you’re happy and in love. One minute you’ll be young, and the next minute you’ll be standing in front of your granddaughter, who looks so much like her mama did on her wedding day.”
At the mention of her mother, Emma’s eyes misted over again. She would have given anything for her mother to be standing beside her, adjusting her veil, and telling her she made the most beautiful bride.
When she met Grammy’s eyes again, Grammy shook her head. “The last thing on earth your mama would want is for you to be sad today. She would want you to be happy and to embrace the wonderful future ahead of you with Aidan and with Noah.”
“I know she would. It’s just hard.”
Grammy stepped around to touch Emma’s cheek. “I know, baby girl. She was my only daughter, and I’d give anything to have her here. But she’s never very far away. She’s always right here.” Grammy placed her hand over Emma’s heart. “She’ll be there with you today, and when that sweet baby boy comes into this world and is put into your arms for the first time, she’ll be right there too.”
Emma bit down on her lip to stifle her emotions before throwing her arms around Grammy. “Thank you for being here with me today.”
“It’s my pleasure honey.”
Granddaddy cleared his throat in the doorway. “All right, that weddin’ plannin’ woman said to tell y’all it’s time.”
Emma pulled out of Grammy’s arms. For a flickering second, she saw Granddaddy in a different light for the mistakes of his past, but then she thought of Aidan and of forgiveness, and a smile curved on her lips.
She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. When she pulled away, she grabbed the lapels of his suit and smiled. “Look how handsome you are.”
Granddaddy beamed. “It’s my best suit. I hoped it would do.”
“I’ll be honored to be on your arm.”
As they started out the door, he stopped her. “Virginia told you about the pearls, didn’t she?”
Emma’s mouth gaped open. “How did you know?”
“The look on your face when I walked in.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, Emmie Lou. I’m just surprised that Aidan didn’t tell you.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You told him? When?”
“The time he came up here to get the food while you were on bed-rest.”
“But why?”
Granddaddy grimaced. “I wanted him to understand that I knew where he was coming from, but at the same time, I wanted him to fight like hell to get you back.”
“You like him that much?”
“I do.” Granddaddy grinned. “I think I might even love him.”
Emma jerked her head up to stare at him in surprise. “Seriously?”
“I’m happy for you, Emmie Lou. I think ol’ Aidan’s gonna make you a mighty fine husband.”
“Oh Granddaddy,” she murmured, her eyes filling with tears.
“Don’t cry now.”
“They’re happy tears, I promise.”
“Yeah, but you’ll get me in trouble with all the hens around here if you mess up your make-up.”
She giggled. “All right then. I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble.”
“Good then.” Eying Emma’s dress, he scratched his head. “Let’s see how we’re gonna get you out of here in that thing.”
She giggled as she turned to the side and slid out of the bedroom doorway. As she swept out into the living room, she found the wedding planner organizing the bridal party. “How do I look Aunt Emma?” Georgie asked, spinning around in his tiny tux.
She grinned. “You look so handsome and so grown up.”
He thrust out his pillow. “I thought today I would get the real rings.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but Casey and your Papa Patrick are in charge of the rings.”
Georgie cocked his head. “Then why the hell am I the ring-bearer?”
Emma’s eyes widened while Casey tried to hide her laughter behind her bouquet. “George Byron Parker! Don’t you dare say a naughty word like that!” Emma chastised.
“Is hell a naughty word?”
“Yes, it is.”
Georgie shrugged. “Oh, I just heard John and Uncle Aidan using it.”
“Well, let them be in trouble, not you.” She patted his back. “You have a very important job as the ring bearer, even without the real rings. You’re part of our wedding party, and that makes you very special.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Georgie seemed momentarily appeased. Then his face clouded over again. “Do I really have to walk with her?” he jerked his chin over to Emma’s cousin, Sarah, the flower girl.
“What’s wrong with Sarah?”
Georgie rolled his eyes in exasperation. “She’s a girl!”
Emma bit her lip to keep from grinning. “I promise she’s a very nice girl, and you won’t have to hold her hand or anything.”
“Good!”
Marie, the wedding planner, clapped her hands. “Okay then. It’s time. Georgie, Sarah, you’ll go out first. Then I need Connor, Stacy, and Casey…oh my, that rhymed,” Marie giggled.
Casey rolled her eyes as she handed Emma her enormous bouquet. “This chick has seriously got to go.”
Emma welcomed the laugh that bubbled from her lips. It helped to ease the nerves she felt. Drawing in a few deep breaths, she tried to calm her
self down. After all these years, it was finally happening. She was getting married. As she felt Noah kick beneath her yards of fabric, she shook her head and smiled. God had certainly blessed the broken road of heartache and loss to get to this point of extreme joy.
As they stepped onto the front porch, Emma glanced up at the sky. It was like God had smiled down on their special day by blessing them with not only a beautiful cloudless sky, but one of Georgia’s unseasonably warm days for late January. She leaned on Granddaddy’s arm as they took the path around the house. Memories flashed through her mind of taking the same turn with Aidan as they snuck away for their midnight skinny dipping escapade.
The grassy aisle leading up to the altar was covered with intertwining red, pink, and yellow rose petals. Emma’s heart warmed as it was a special touch, not just to liven up the dying winter grass, but it was a reminder of happy times with rose petals in the hotel room on their first baby-making venture as well as their engagement. It brought a beaming smile to her face. But her smile grew even wider at the sight of Aidan standing at the front of the altar. He peered down the aisle, trying desperately to catch a glimpse of her.
The string quartet finished playing Canon in D and then changed over to the first strains of the Bridal March. “It’s show time, Emmie Lou,” Granddaddy said, a mixture of amusement and regret vibrating in his voice.
She drew in a deep breath and stepped forward into the aisle. As everyone rose out of their chairs for her entrance, her gaze honed in on Aidan’s as he finally took her in.
His mouth gaped open while his blue eyes widened. Her breath caught at his reaction. Instead of the cocky grin she expected at her appearance, surprise filled her when Aidan’s eyes shimmered with tears. Her heart shuddered and then restarted. In that moment, all she wanted was to power-walk up the aisle so she could get to him and throw her arms around him. She couldn’t imagine ever loving him more than she did in that moment.
An eternity seemed to pass before she reached his side. Aidan swept the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. Although a shaky smile flashed on his face, emotion raged in his blue eyes. Without thinking, she let go of Granddaddy’s arm and wrapped her arms around him. “Oh Aidan,” she murmured, squeezing him tight.