“Dear, do you know that woman over in the doorway? She’s looking at you.”
Marie looked up, and there was Ms. Anderson in the doorway, looking quite apprehensive. Marie gave her a big smile, which was returned by Ms. Anderson. Marie quickly stood up and went to her and took her hands.
“I wasn’t sure I should come, I wanted to, but I didn’t know. If you were just trying to be nice for Lucas’ sake, I didn’t know.” Marie hugged her.
“I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you.”
“I’m so relieved. I’ve been wanting to talk to you after my horrible manners. I never meant to be rude or to hurt you. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. You’re here now and I’m so grateful. Let’s just start from here, shall we?” Ms. Anderson smiled with great relief.
“Okay. Let’s do that. Thank you so much for wanting me here.”
“You’re so welcome. Come on over and meet my mother. You’ll love her.” She led Ms. Anderson back to their table and asked for another water and more coffee.
“Mom, Vivian, I’d like to introduce you to Lucas’ mother, Ms. Anderson.” Ms. Anderson looked disturbed at being called by her formal name.
“Please, it’s Anita. To you, too, my Dear.”
“Anita. We haven’t ordered yet, you’re right on time. Let me show you what I have so far.”
“Oh yes, I’d love to see.”
By the end of the brunch, the two mothers were giggling over Mojito’s and had all but forgotten about their children getting married.
Marie was in heaven. Her life was almost complete. She was getting everything she’d ever wanted in life. Almost.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The night before the wedding, Lucas was staying at his mother’s house, as tradition mandated.
Sonja was spending the night with Marie. They had a wild last night as a single lady planned that included a Jason Momoa movie and a bottle of Merlot.
Just as the star removed his shirt in the movie, the doorbell rang.
“Oh really?” Sonja proclaimed. “We’re just getting to the good part!”
Marie paused the movie.
“It’ll only take a second. I’ll get rid of whoever it is.” She went to the door and opened it. The shock of seeing Douglas standing there left her utterly speechless.
“Hello, Marie.”
“Douglas!” Still in shock and not sure she was actually seeing him standing there, “What are you doing here?”
“Can I come in?”
“I don’t really think this is a good time. I have company.”
At this point, Sonja heard who was at the door.
“Hi Douglas,” she yelled from the living room.
“Ah,” he said. “Sonja.”
“We’re kind of in the middle of something. What do you want?”
“I heard you’re getting married. Tomorrow.”
Marie raised her eyebrows and gave him a look.
“Oh really. Heard how?”
“Through the grapevine. Can we talk.”
“Uh . . . I don’t . . . .”
“I’ll be in the kitchen finishing the wine. You two can have the room,” Sonja said.
“Okay, I guess we can talk for a minute. But only a minute.”
Douglas and Marie went in and she motioned for them to sit on the couch.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Douglas?”
“I’ve been thinking about us a lot over the past couple years. Then I heard you were getting married.”
“How about you? Are you married? You have those children you wanted?” The sting hit its mark on him.
“No. No kids. No wife. No one since you.”
“So what do you want?”
“Just wanna talk.”
“About?”
“I need to tell you that it’s not too late. I still love you. You don’t have to do this.”
“Do what? Marry someone who loves me unconditionally?”
“I think you’re marrying him to get over me.”
“You do.”
“I hurt you, I know I did. I left you for the wrong reasons.”
At that moment, Lucas walked through the door.
“Ah, so the rumors are true. The prodigal ex returns.”
Marie, stunned to see Lucas at the house, stood up and went to greet him.
“Honey, what are you doing here? We can’t see each other before tomorrow.”
“I know. But I got an urgent text that you were being bothered in our own home and to get my ass over here. Here’s my ass. I want to make sure there’s no trouble.”
Douglas stood up.
“No trouble. Just wanted to talk to Marie.”
Lucas looked at Marie.
“Are you okay?” She smiled back at him, with great love in her eyes.
“I’m fine. We’re through talking anyway. He’s just leaving.”
“Actually, I’m not. Marie and I have some things to discuss if you don’t mind, Son.”
“Son? I’m not your son. And you’re an uninvited guest in my home.”
Douglas looked at Marie in disbelief.
“This is what you want? A child?”
“That’s it, Douglas. Leave.”
“You don’t have to do this. You can come with me, we can start over. Remember how great it was?”
“I remember how ‘not real’ it was. Lucas is more of a man than you could ever hope to be. He’s strong, he’s kind, and he loves me for no other reason than that he loves me. And he’s way better in bed than you ever were.” With that, Lucas held the door for him to leave.
“I believe that’s your cue, Mr. Ex. Thank you for stopping by. Don’t do it again.”
Douglas walked to the door and looked deeply into Marie’s eyes.
“I wish you all the best, Marie. I want nothing but happiness for you. But if that ever changes, you know how to find me.”
“I won’t be looking for you. Goodbye, Douglas.”
As soon as she closed the door behind Douglas, she turned around and looked at Lucas.
“How did you know he was here? He wasn’t even here fifteen minutes before you showed up.”
“That would be good buddy, Sonja, telling me to get my sexy ass over here because the douchebag just came knocking.”
They looked over to the doorway of the kitchen at Sonja, who was standing there sipping on the bottle of Merlot.
“I was texting as I left the room. Douchebag. Show up here and ruin our movie. Asshole.” Marie laughed.
“Yah, that he is. But you didn’t need to come rushing over.”
“Oh yes I did. It’s a man thing. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“I know he was trying to talk you out of the wedding. Are having any doubts right now? We can deal with it if you are.”
“I’m not having one single doubt.”
“Whew, what a relief. I didn’t think so, but I needed to hear it. Am I really better in bed than he is?”
“Most definitely.”
“Gag! Either he goes or I take my Jason and go home,” said a pretty drunk Sonja.
“You stay. I’ll go.” He kissed Marie on the lips. “I’m going to order you girls some Chinese food, you finish watching . . . whoever she’s talking about . . . and enjoy tonight. I love you.”
“I love you too, my hero.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
The beach where the couple had their first date ended up as the locale of choice. No shoes allowed.
Lucas awaited at the driftwood arch, decorated with ribbons and floral spray, for his bride to appear.
The guests, Anita, Vivian, Sonja, and Lucas’ young siblings, all watched the nervous groom standing next to the Justice of the Peace.
The attire for the event was beach dressy.
Suddenly, Lucas’ eyes opened wide as he looked up the path to the beach. Everyone followed his gaze.
The bride had appeared on the arm of her father.
The vision
was something out of a movie.
The bride wore a soft yellow, full lace wedding dress. It was a very modest, A line style with jewel cap short sleeves. The asymmetrical neckline of the dress was the perfect complement to the subtle hi-low hemline. The dress was a sexy reminiscent version of a vintage style, yet not one inch of cleavage or overt skin exposure was present. The dress was flawless and perfect for the setting and the day.
Marie went very simple with the makeup but went all out on the hair. Her rich brunette hair lay in silky piles on top of her head, framing the subtle tiara she chose instead of a veil, with just the slightest sparkle of shimmer accents. There was one lone lock of hair left down that curled and rested on her shoulder.
“Looks like your groom approves. He’s gonna catch some flies if he doesn’t close his mouth,” Clint chuckled.
“Just the reaction I was looking for,” Marie said.
“You ready, my Darlingest love of my heart?”
“I’m ready, Daddy.”
As they walked toward the small wedding group, the tears began to flow like rivers down the cheeks of both mothers.
“Vivian, she’s so beautiful,” Anita said through her gasping tears.
“I know! I’m so happy,” Vivian sobbed.
Father and daughter arrived at the arch. Clint let go of Marie’s hand and embraced his soon-to-be son-in-law. Then he took Marie’s hand and gave it to Lucas. And stepped back, with tears of joy in his eyes.
“Dear Friends and Family, we are gathered here to witness the union of Lucas and Marie. It’s only fitting that, since Lucas and Marie are not the traditional couple, that their wedding should not be the traditional kind of wedding.”
The family was looking perplexed right at this moment.
“The couple have declared that they will make no vows to each other. Vows can fail. Vows can be broken. Situations change in all marriages where vows no longer apply.
“Instead, Lucas and Marie make only the promise to each other that no matter what path their journey as a married couple takes them on, they commit to each other. They commit to love and support each other and do whatever may be necessary to keep their marriage strong and loving. With this commitment, I ask you, Lucas, do make this commitment to Marie? To love and support her and do whatever is necessary to keep your bond strong and loving?”
“I do.”
“And do you, Marie, also commit to love and support Lucas and do whatever is necessary to keep your bond strong and loving?”
“I do.”
“Well, then, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you man and wife. Lucas, you may . . . .” Lucas was already on Marie’s lips. “Er, uh, you may do what you’re doing legally,” the Justice chuckled.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Anderson.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
After the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Anderson went back to Marie’s house, their house.
“I can’t wait to go to all of these amazing places, Marie,” Lucas told her in excitement.
“Iceland, Norway, Ireland. They all look so beautiful. You know, I’ve never been abroad. Sheffield Shores will always be my home, but I’m excited to finally do some traveling. I can’t believe your parents gave this to us!”
“That’s because we saved them a bundle with our little teeny tiny wedding. Daddy felt guilty,” she replied from the bathroom.
Lucas noticed that Marie was in the bathroom a lot over the past week and she seemed like she wasn’t feeling well. He walked over to her to see if she was okay.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Do you feel sick?” he asked her.
“I have some kind of stomach thing. I don’t know what it is. Feels like food poisoning, but it keeps coming back.”
“Really? Is there a pattern? Like right after you eat something in particular?”
“No, just random. Most times I don’t even have anything on my stomach at all. I’ve just been stressed for the wedding and the new business. Just all of it. I think it caught up with me. Give me a day or two and I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t know, Honey. Just a thought, when was your last period? Seems like it’s been awhile,” Lucas said while holding her hair back as she leaned over the toilet.
“Hmm, I don’t know. I haven’t paid attention. Oh it can’t be, not after all this time.” She took a moment. “You don’t think so, do you?” Lucas smiled.
“I don’t know. There’s only one way to find out. Want me to run and get a home pregnancy test?”
“Actually, I think I have some left from years ago. Do you think it’s still good?”
“Let’s find out.”
Lucas walked out of the bathroom to give Marie some alone time to finish the wave of nausea in the bathroom.
When she was done, she dug through the back of her linen closet looking for an old pregnancy test. She’d stockpiled them years ago.
She took the test and set it down on the vanity.
“Lucas, I just took it. You wanna come in and wait with me?”
“Definitely,” he responded. “Let’s do this together. How long do we need to wait?”
“About three minutes.”
“How long has it been?”
“Thirty seconds.”
A few seconds went by.
“How long now?” Marie looked at him.
“One minute.”
Several more seconds.
“Now how long?” Marie was amused at his impatience.
“Really?”
“I can’t help it. This is awesome. I wanna know.” He was chuckling with glee. “Now how long?”
“Okay, let’s look.”
They both looked at the stick together. Marie’s mouth dropped.
“I don’t believe it. After so many years of trying, I can’t believe this.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m pregnant.”
Lucas smiled ear to ear.
“You’re pregnant. We’re pregnant.”
It was the ultimate sign of redemption for Marie. She was pregnant after failing for so long.
She started to cry being overcome by emotion. Finally the chance to be a mother and with a man worthy of being the father of her child.
They embraced each other.
“Lucas, are you happy?”
“More than I ever thought I’d be. Are you?”
“I thought I had everything when you and I became a couple. Now I have more.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arabelle Stevens lives in Maine with her husband, their Mastiff’s, cat, and chickens. Her background, other than writing, is as a criminal paralegal. She has retired from that latter life and now when she isn’t writing, she stays busy with her husband on their mini homestead in Maine, in the town she grew up in. She feels very strongly about the arts and is heavily involved with encouraging new writers with public speaking, workshops, and a great deal of personal email advice. To her, it’s not about competition, it’s about love of the art of writing. There’s plenty of work for everyone to be successful. She loves hearing from her fans and tries to personally respond to each contact, sometimes easier said than done.
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