Wilted

by Mia Michelle

“Kylie Reynolds, watch your mouth!” my mom scolds as she returns with Skylar’s clothes.

  The contraction lets up, and my best friend has the nerve to chuckle.

  “Shut up, bitch,” I whisper.

  “Kylie!” My mom looks at me hard. Fucking hell! I’m grown and she makes me feel like I’m four.

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say in defeat. We help Skylar with her clothes and finish just as Nik comes in.

  “Car’s up front,” he says out of breath. I think it’s cute as hell how he’s all excited.

  “What took you so long?”

  “I’m sorry, but it was blocked in. It took me a while to get the person to move the other vehicle. Where’s Sebastian? Is he ready?”

  “I’m here. The doctor is on the way there now. Are you ready, baby?” Sebastian asks as he walks towards us.

  “I guess, but what about all the guests?”

  “Most of them have already left or are about to. Everyone understands, trust me.“ Nik adds.

  “Kylie, your father and I are going to lock up and follow you guys to the hospital.”

  “Okay, thank you, Mom.” I say, giving her a quick hug. “Come on, girl, let’s go have a baby.”

  Everything happens so quickly once we get in the hospital. One minute, we’re helping her inside, and the next, Sebastian is coming out with an enormous grin on his face. I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyes on their angel. Langston Rose Thorne stole my heart with one glance. I know people say it all the time about being biased, but she is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. When I hold her for the first time and she wraps that tiny finger around mine, it’s as if I’ve met an old soul. She’s not mine, but I’ll do anything for her, including spoil her rotten. I see lots of loud toys and candy her future. I live to aggravate her parents.

  As I sway her back and forth, I can’t help but hope to have this with Nik one day. I know the idea terrifies him, but no parent will tell you they are never scared or had doubts about their ability to be a good mom or dad. Kissing her on the head, I hand her off to Nik, who’s looking at me like I’ve grown two heads. I catch the look in his eyes as he looks down at her and I smile. Langston Thorne has just wrapped her little finger around his heart, too.

  NIKOLAS

  I swear, the woman takes my breath away. While everyone’s taking pictures and cooing over the baby, my eyes remain locked on the woman I love. Seeing the tiny, pink bundle in her arms does something to me that I have never expected, that I can ever possibly explain. I want it to be our child she’s holding. As she gently sways side to side, I watch her smiling face as she adoringly takes in our beautiful Godchild. It looks so natural and perfect that it damn near brings tears to my eyes.

  When she looks up, her smile melts me a little more. What I don’t expect is for her to walk over and place the baby in my arms. Something changes in that moment. I don’t remember ever holding a baby before, but somehow it is the most natural thing on earth. The minute I look down at her, she has me. Such precious innocence lies in my arms. It’s beyond breathtaking to look at. And just like Kylie Reynolds, I meet the second girl who steals my heart.

  Laying the baby back in her father’s arms, I stand back and wrap my arms around my beautiful fiancée while she snaps picture after picture of the new family. In a room full of loved ones and new life, you can’t help but believe in the power of true love. When you have that, you have everything.

  And I, Nikolas Thorne, have everything.

  KYLIE

  As I stare at myself in the full-length mirror, I can’t believe this is actually happening. Gazing down at the beautiful, form-fitting, cream designer dress, I can’t help but feel butterflies in my stomach.

  It’s actually happening. This isn’t a dream.

  “You look absolutely beautiful,” Skylar says as she steps behind me. I lock eyes with her in the mirror and smile. If I want to define gorgeous, she’d be it. Nothing in the universe could ever top how stunning those eyes are to look in. The clearest waters of the tropics could never come close to it.

  “So… have you told him yet?” she asks, smiling.

  I’d just found out for sure a few days ago, when the doctor had confirmed that I’m about six weeks along. Skylar had gone with me to the doctor and I’d sworn her to secrecy. Thankfully, I can more than trust my best friend not to spill the beans. I’m not worried about telling him. I just want to make it perfect when I do. As much as Nik had fallen in love with Skylar and Sebastian’s daughter, Langston, I know there’s no doubt he will change his mind about being a dad one day. That girl has him wrapped so tight around her finger that it’s hilarious. Hell, she has me practically tattooed around her finger, so who am I kidding?

  “No, not yet. I didn’t want to freak him out with the wedding happening, too. I want to make it special, you know?”

  “I think that’s wonderful,” she says, squeezing my hand.

  “Now let’s get you married, bitch.”

  “God! You’re so fucking demanding!”

  “Baby girl, you take my breath away,” my daddy whispers as he walks into the dressing room. I’d wanted a special moment with him before we go out in front of everyone. Right now, I need one last minute of being just his little girl, not that I’ll ever stop being that. If I live to be a hundred, I’ll always be his baby.

  “Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much. Thank you for everything!” I say, falling into his arms. I adore his hugs. So many times, this has been my solace, my comfort. I never believed I could find this with anyone else, not until I’d met Nikolas Thorne, that is. Regardless of how good it feels to be in Nik’s arms, there’ll never be anything like my Daddy’s.

  “And I love you, sweetheart. He’s a good man, Kylie. You did good. Watching you grow up, all I ever wanted is for someone who I knew would take care of my baby. I know Nik is the man for that. He’s the man I prayed you’d find one day.”

  I smile at his approval. Even though my mom and dad still don’t know the details of our breakup, the fact that Nik had broken their little girl’s heart was enough to land him in the hot seat for quite some time. It had taken a while, but he’d finally proven himself worthy in their eyes again. Their blessing is so important to me, and when Nik realized that, he had made it his priority. I think I love him even more for that. The thought of it makes me tear up.

  “Let’s get you married before you ruin your makeup,” he teases as he rubs my arms.

  Smiling, I nod and straighten my dress. Skylar knocks on the door and hands me a tissue. The girl seriously knows me like the back of her hand. After quickly fixing my makeup, she slides the lace veil around to where it hangs on both sides of my face. The hundred-year-old veil had belonged to my great-grandmother Tilley. Although, I know she’s watching over me, I wish she could be here to see me in it.

  “How do I look now?” I ask my Daddy and watch as tears form in his eyes.

  “You look so beautiful, baby girl. Nikolas Thorne is a lucky man and I’m one proud father,” he says, pulling me into him.

  Shit! He’s already making me tear up again. Taking my hand, he leads me out the door.

  Sweet laughter rings in my ears and I look to see baby Langston waddling over to me. At ten months old, she’s walking so well. I squat down and smile as she wraps her little arms around my neck. I swear I adore this angel as if she were my own. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who hurts her will pay dearly for it. I will totally take down some punk-ass, teenage boy one day for breaking her heart. Already a knockout at almost a year old, I have a feeling she’s the one who will be breaking hearts.

  Skylar reaches for Langston’s hand and leads her to their place in line. My daddy takes my arm and smiles as he pats it. Pushing back the tears, I certainly hadn’t expected to be this emotional. My heart beats so hard as the music starts to play. Mesmerized, I watch the engraved, mahogany doors of the church open. Nik can’t see me from where I am standing, but I can see him clearly.

  Fucking hell, he loo
ks hot in that damn tux! I’m totally pulling his ass into the dressing room for a quickie before the reception.

  That’s another thing about pregnancy hormones. I’m horny all the fucking time. Which, I guess you can say isn’t unusual for me anyways.

  The wedding planner nods for Sophie to begin her journey down to the front of the church. The butterflies in my stomach take flight. Today seems like some magical dream, and I want nothing more than to marry this man.

  Skylar looks back over her shoulder at me and winks before mouthing, “I love you.” Holding Langston’s tiny hand, my best friend walks through the doors.

  For a moment, I take my eyes off my soon-to-be husband to witness Sebastian proudly take in the sight of his family. No one can ever deny the love he feels for them. I love the way he looks at Skylar. It’s the same way Nik looks at me. If you think I’m bad, you should see those two. I swear they are all over each other every chance they freaking get. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t do her in the back before this even started.

  I glance back in just enough time to watch Nik’s face light up when he sees Langston standing beside Skylar. The tender smile on his face is priceless. Even from here, I can feel the love he has for our beautiful goddaughter toddling down the aisle towards him.

  When the music changes, I smile. We didn’t want traditional music at our wedding. It’s why we chose Sons of Serendip’s “Wicked Game”. As I walk down the aisle, I smile at the faces of friends and family, but then my eyes land on my husband-to-be, and everyone else fades away. He’s all that matters. He is my heart, my life. My future.

  My father kisses me on the cheek and shakes Nik’s hand before pulling him in for a hug. I fight tears as my daddy places my hand in Nik’s and moves to sit beside my mother. Nik squeezes my hand and brings it up to kiss. Pure love, that is all that is in his glistening dark eyes. Love meant only for me.

  And as the preacher begins the ceremony, I stay lost in those eyes. For in those eyes is where I forever want to be. Once, I was wilted by love, but now? Now, I’m saved by it.

  NIKOLAS

  “Calm down, dude. You’re sweating bullets,” Sebastian whispers in my ear.

  “Fuck off, asswipe! I remember you sweating worse than this not so long ago.

  “That’s because it was ninety-eight degrees and we were on the beach.”

  “Yeah, right!” I huff.

  “Seriously, dude, just relax and enjoy the day.”

  Adjusting my tie, I try to take his advice and calm down, but the moment we walk into the church to take our places, my nerves only get worse.

  This is it. I’m gonna pass out.

  “Hold it together, man, because you’re about to seriously lose your breath,” Sebastian says as he peeks above my shoulder. From where he’s standing, he can obviously see what I can’t.

  As the music begins to play, I watch Sophie make her way down the aisle. A tall, muscular man in a tan suit looks at her in a way I know all too well. The problem is, another guy a few rows back is looking at her the exact same way. It seems we have a love triangle here, of sorts.

  Skylar enters next with a smiling Langston holding firmly to her hand. The crowd giggles at the way my sweet Goddaughter toddles down the aisle beside her mommy. Yep, she totally just stole the show. Once Skylar moves to the side, I look up to see the most beautiful vision ever. To say she takes my breath away is an understatement. Standing there, in a gorgeous form-fitting gown, she looks like a dream. When she begins walking to me, I see her beautiful smile and all my fears and nerves melt away. Never taking our eyes off each other, I feel a nudge from Sebastian.

  “That was what I was waiting for you to see. There’s nothing like it, is there?” he whispers in my ear.

  He’s right. I’ll never forget how she looks today, for as long as I live.

  I don’t miss the tears in her father’s eyes when he places her hand in mine. The doubt that was once there has now thankfully disappeared. I’d broken his daughter’s heart. Typically, to a Texan man, that means war. Earning his trust back had definitely not been an easy thing. There were many times I’d been sure he’d show up on our doorstep with a shotgun in hand. Recently, our heart to heart talk had been emotional for both of us. I know having his blessing is important to her. What she doesn’t know is that it’s just as important for me. More than anything, I want her father to know how much I love her. I’d made him a promise to take care of his little girl, and, until my dying day, that is exactly what I will do. Bringing her hand up to my lips, I place a tender kiss on her delicate skin and smile. As I look back into Kylie’s twinkling eyes, I’m overwhelmed with the love I feel for her. From this day forward, I will look into the eyes of my wife, and thank my lucky stars above that she is forever mine.

  “Oh God! YES!” she screams as I thrust into her one last time before following with my own release.

  “I’m pretty sure God and everyone else heard that,” I joke as I kiss her hard.

  “I don’t fucking care who heard us, I’m a married woman now.”

  “A married woman who just got fucked on an antique table, mind you.”

  “So you’re saying you already have regrets in this marriage?” she teases and I pull her in to feel how hard I am right now, looking at her in her corset and thigh highs.

  “Sweet Jesus, I’m ripping those off you when we get on the plane.”

  “Deal, now zip me up. I told them I had to change for the reception.”

  By change, she meant taking off a train attachment from her dress. The whole process takes maybe two seconds, so our twenty-minute absence, along with her screaming orgasm, speaks volumes, I’m sure.

  “Hurry up and put your pants on. We haven’t cut the cake yet, and you still have to dance with me,” she says as she wiggles her eyebrows up and down. My sneaky little minx has no idea what I have in store for her when it comes to that.

  “Get ready, because you’re about to get some cake up your nose,” I warn as I zip my pants.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Mr. & Mrs. Nikolas Thorne!” the deejay shouts into the microphone as we enter the room full of people we love.

  As I whisk her onto the dance floor, I pull her close to me. With every eye on us, I want the world to know this beautiful creature is mine. Forever.

  The enchanting voice of Sam Smith singing “Latch” plays as I hold on to her. I don’t ever want to let her go.

  “I love you,” she whispers into my ear, dragging her teeth over my lobe.

  She knows that drives me fucking wild and yet she pulls that stunt in front of a room full of our friends and family. If the girl thinks I won’t fuck her in front of all these people, she has another thing coming. Well, there is one exception to that… Langston. I wouldn’t want to scar the child for life when I bare my white ass to the room. But the rest of them? Well, they can either watch or go home.

  “I love you too, baby. More than you’ll ever know,” I say, stroking her face.

  Sweet baby Langston runs onto the dance floor and grabs hold of my leg. Sebastian quickly stands to come get her, but I wave him off. What’s better than dancing with one beautiful girl? Why, dancing with two, of course. Kylie beams as she moves in closer to us. I pull both of them together and we dance. One day, I hope to be dancing with our own child. After being passed around a thousand times, I hand off a very sleepy Langston to her daddy and make my way to rescue Kylie from dancing with her Uncle Elton. God help him, the man just doesn’t know when to shut up.

  When I get my girl back in my arms, I notice how tired she looks. As a matter of fact, she’s looked tired for several weeks now. I’ve warned her to slow down with the wedding, but arguing against Kylie Reynolds? Yeah, we all know how that turns out. As we say goodbye to everyone, I take her hand, and we run through the line of sparklers to the car. We won’t talk about the amount of condoms my idiot cousin paid some kids to put on my car. Don’t worry, from the looks of things, my black Jaguar F-type, wo
n’t be reproducing anytime soon.

  “You know, you’re going to make a wonderful daddy.” Her eyes are so full of love.

  Smiling at the thought, I look over to where Sebastian holds a now sleeping Langston in his arms. Honestly, I can’t wait for that to happen for us.

  “One day, it will be wonderful,” I say as she turns and tosses her bouquet to the crowd of screaming single women. I swear I will never understand why women will practically commit murder to catch that damn thing.

  “Well, yeah. But I think it will be more wonderful in about eight months from now.”

  Her words paralyze me. At first, her gorgeous eyes grow worried, but then I look down at her hand on her stomach, and I can’t help but break out into a huge ass, face splitting smile.

  “You’re…”

  “Pregnant.” She finishes my sentence with a beaming smile.

  A baby? My beautiful girl is carrying my child. Not so long ago, this same scenario had played out very differently, but now, in this moment, I’m so overjoyed that there aren’t enough words to express it. I may not know the perfect thing to say to her right now, but one thing’s for sure, I know damn well the perfect way to show her how I feel. In one giant swoop of my arms, I surprise her by tossing her over my shoulder and waving goodbye to everyone. I don’t want to be rude to those who are seeing us off, but it’s time for us to head to my jet and get it to rocking.

  Six Months Later

  KYLIE

  Do I believe in fairy tales?

  You bet your fucking ass I do! My tale had not been easy, but it’s an epic example of how true love can survive anything. All those years, my sweet mom had been right. After all the frogs that had broken my heart, I’ve finally found my Prince Charming. So, I take back everything I said before at the beginning. I, Kylie Reynolds Thorne, believe in fairy tales, love, and rainbows and sunshine. My best friend has taught me that, even through the darkest of days, the sunshine is always there.