“Shane,” she whispered, smiling up at me as her father placed her hand in my grasp. Everything else faded into the background as I gazed into her green eyes and gripped her hand in mine.
“You ready to become my wife, sugar?” I asked in a teasing tone, hoping to get a little smile out of her as I watched tears well in her eyes. Her emotions had been all over the place lately with all the stress from planning the wedding.
“Absolutely!” she sighed as she flashed a smile at me, and we turned so the ceremony that would tie us together for life could begin.
****
“You’ve got to eat something,” I whispered to Charlotte as I watched her sliding food across her plate during the reception. So far, she’d barely touched anything except for a few nibbles of bread and a couple of sips of champagne and they were already clearing the plates.
“I will. I promise,” she replied with a tilt to her lips as though she found my concern funny.
“Don’t think for a second that I haven’t noticed you’ve lost weight. I let it slide because I knew how focused you were on making today special, but that ends here and now. You’re my wife, and it’s my job to take care of you,” I reminded her, lifting a bite to her mouth.
“Just you wait,” she muttered under her breath before closing her lips over the fork.
“Wait for what?” I asked, confused.
She just pointed at her mouth like she couldn’t answer me since she was eating. And then she gestured at the stage, where the band was trying to get everyone’s attention so we could kick off the dancing with our first dance as a married couple.
“I’ll let it drop for now, but you will eat something tonight even if I have to shove cake down your throat instead of mashing it into your face later,” I warned her while I led her to the dance floor as they began to play “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait.
It was the song Charlotte’s parents had danced to at their wedding, and she’d insisted that it had to be ours too. I hadn’t had the heart to tell her no since it meant so much, but I did have a little surprise in store for her as well. When the song died down and she stepped away from me, there were tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
I pulled her close again as the band announced that the groom had a special request before they began to play “I Could Not Ask for More” by Sara Evans. The song meant everything to me because, while we’d danced to it at our senior prom, Charlotte had finally told me that she loved me. I couldn’t let tonight pass by without dancing with her again while this song played, knowing that she was now my wife.
I whispered along in her ear, and as I told her that I couldn’t ask for more, Charlotte took my hand from her waist and placed it over her stomach.
“You might not have to ask for more, but I’m going to give it to you anyway. You’re going to be a daddy in about seven months, Shane.”
I stopped abruptly as her words sank in. “A daddy?” I asked in a whisper, almost afraid to hear her response and find out that I’d imagined it.
“I wanted to wait and tell you later tonight when we were alone, but I just couldn’t hold out any longer. I know you had no idea when you planned this dance, but you gave me the perfect moment to share my news with you.”
Everything suddenly clicked into place. The mood swings and weight loss weren’t from planning our wedding. She wasn’t drinking anymore because she was carrying my baby.
“And you’re okay with this?” I asked, worried that it was too soon for her.
“I’m better than okay, Shane,” she said, squeezing my hand.
“Shit. I better get moving on our house then,” I realized out loud. As Charlotte giggled in response, I picked her up, twirled her around, and shouted at the top of my lungs, “We’re having a baby!”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My Boys – I love you!!! Thanks for letting me get lost in my head sometimes when I’m in the middle of writing.
Mom – Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to make this happen. I love you!
Mickey – I am so grateful to have found an editor like you! Thanks for putting your mad editing skills to good use for me.
Melissa – You did an amazing job with this cover. Thank you!
Yolanda – You’ve always been there for me, and your friendship means the world to me. Thanks for being my number one cheerleader!
Midian – Seriously, I don’t know if there are words to describe what your input means to me. Thank you for being gentle while giving me your insight on how to make this a better story and kicking my butt when needed.
Love Between The Sheets Promotions & all the Bloggers who have supported me – Thanks for helping me get the word out about my books. The time you give to the reading world is very much appreciated.
Readers – Thanks for taking a chance on me! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my stories as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I absolutely adore reading—always have and always will. When I was growing up, my friends used to tease me when I would trail after them while trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing.
I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.
When I told my mom that my new year's resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me, "About time!"
Connect with me online!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rochellepaigeauthor
Twitter: @rochellepaige1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7328358.Rochelle_Paige
Website: http://www.rochellepaige.com
Summer Nights: Push It Forward & Hold Your Horses Page 8