27. Illiana
“Come on, Lach. I just want you to fuck me already. I’m done with the foreplay. I want you to stuff me full of your cock and come in my pussy. Now be a good boy and do as you’re told.” I’m such a brat, but he loves me.
“I’m going to spank that ass until it’s ten different shades of red in a minute. I get that you’re pregnant and horny, but you better remember whos the one that fucks you, that controls all the orgasms you get. And don’t say anything about using your fingers or toys. You know they can’t do it like me, baby.” He’s so cocky, but so unbelievably sexy. I can’t believe this tattooed god of a man is mine, all freaking mine. Every single day, I wonder how I got so lucky. “Come on, let”s lie on the bed for just a bit and then I’ll give you what you want.”
Lach grabs my hand and pulls me towards the bed. I’m only wearing one of his shirts and it rides up, showing my slight bump. For five months, I thought I would be bigger. I was a lot bigger with Blakely when I was this far along. Pulling it up even more, I place my hand on my belly and bask in the feeling of total love and adoration. I’ve never felt this complete in my entire life. I’m just so damn happy.
Lach’s still standing up, staring at me, watching me rub my belly. He’s so happy to be a daddy. He’s been just like a dad to Blake for months. Hell, her whole life really, but I know he’s ecstatic that I’m pregnant. If it was up to him, he’d keep me this way.
He pulls a black permanent marker out of his pants pocket, giving me a small smile. If I didn’t know him so well I wouldn’t be able to tell that he’s nervous. Not really sure what he has to be nervous about right now.
“Want to play a little game with me, baby doll?” He knows that I’m always down for a game or two. So I just smile and shake my head yes. “Actually, you just need to read while I write.” Wait a minute, he’s talking about writing on my skin with the marker.
He writes, “mine” on my upper left thigh. What is this man doing? He’s already claimed me from the inside out. He’s burrowed so deep in my soul that there’s no getting him out, ever.
Then, “I dream of you” across the other. I dream of you too, baby.
Next, “You saved me” on my arm. Oh no! You saved me.
And then, “You are my queen” down my leg. And you’re my king, my love.
And then he hovers over my belly, leans down, and presses a gentle kiss to it. “Illiana, you are my queen, the absolute love of my life. Without you, I am nothing. With you by my side, I know there’s nothing I cannot do. You really saved me, baby. And for that, I will forever be thankful. Getting here wasn’t easy, but I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.” Looking down at my belly, he’s writing something else now. Something…oh God…he’s not writing what I think he is, is he? Damn, he’s going to make me cry. He wrote, “will you marry me?”
When I look up at him, tears are falling from his beautiful green eyes. His tears cause my own to start falling. “Yes, Lachlan, I’ll marry you. Spending eternity by your side wouldn’t be enough time, but I’m willing to try.”
He scoops me up and squeezes me to his chest, careful of the bump. Lach gives me a quick kiss and then drops on one knee. He pulls out a sparkling blue oval halo cut diamond ring on a platinum band. This thing has to be two or three carats. What in the world? “A blue diamond for my blue-eyed girl.”
“I’ll be your blue-eyed girl for the rest of your life, Lach.”
And then he proceeds to give me what I’ve been asking for.
Lachlan and I decided to have a beach day with Blakely today. We didn’t want to stick around the island or Destin because of all the tourists in town. There’s this little town in between Pensacola and Destin, called Navarre. It’s picture perfect. I’ve been craving shaved ice from one of the local businesses too, so it’s perfect. There’s also something else that I’ve been meaning to do. I can’t think of a better time than right now.
There’s a long bridge that takes us over from Navarre to a little island. It’s so damn peaceful. We pass a gas station as we make our way off the bridge. Taking a right at the stop sign just past the gas station, we drive for a few miles. It’s nothing but pure serenity. I wouldn’t mind living here one day.
Further down, there is a pavilion where you can enjoy a picnic while playing in the water. Navarre is a hidden gem, for sure. A few people are scattered here and there, but we will mostly have the beach to ourselves.
Blakely and Lachlan have been chattering away the entire car ride. I’ve been lost in my thoughts, reflecting on all that I’ve lost, but more importantly on what I’ve gained. Yeah, I lost Jaxon, and that broke my heart. But once my memories came back, I realized just how much I’d gained by having him in my life.
There’s something in my pocket that’s been weighing me down. I couldn’t think of a better time than now to get rid of it. I haven’t worn the wedding ring that Jaxon gave me for a long time now. Besides, now I have replaced it with something much more valuable: Lachlan’s heart.
“Hey babe, will you get Blake settled? There’s something that I need to do before I join you both.”
Lach gives me an inquisitive stare but says, “yeah, of course I will. We’ll get the picnic stuff set up and then I’ll take her in the water.”
“Thank you. I’ll be back in a few,” leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek.
Hopping out of the truck, the smell of salt assaults my senses. Nothing relaxes me quite like the beach. My tense muscles instantly relax. I walk about a half mile down the shoreline, seagulls squawk and dive into the water, looking for their next meal. I think I’m ready. My fingers have been playing with this ring in my pocket for the entire walk.
“Jaxon, I feel like I loved you for most of my life. But you broke my heart. You did more than break my heart, you broke me. I hope you’re up there living your best life. I hope you’re happy now. Thank you for leading me back to Lachlan all those years ago. Whether you meant to or not, it’s a gift that I appreciate. He’ll be an amazing daddy to Blakely.” Tears of happiness flow down the apples of my cheeks.
“I forgive you, Jaxon,” I whisper. And then I toss my wedding ring out into the ocean. I’m at peace now and I hope that Jaxon finally is, too.
Off in the distance, I can hear the squeals of laughter from Blakely. This all feels right, perfect, just as it was meant to be. It takes me about ten minutes to walk back to Lachlan and Blakely. She’s soaking and so is he, but now they’re sitting in the sand, building a sandcastle. It’s a picture perfect sight. Lachlan looks up to see me approaching, and he gives me one of those smiles meant for only me. This man sees me. He knows my whole heart, always has. Taking a seat next to him, he pulls me into his embrace.
“Did you do what you needed to do, baby doll?”
“I did. My heart feels so much lighter.” He didn’t know what I was going to do, but he knew that it was important to me. “I also wanted to tell you I finally spoke to a real estate agent and put my old house on the market last week. You’re stuck with us Lachlan Riley, and we’re never going to let you go.”
“You know I wouldn’t have it any other way, soon to be Mrs. Riley.”