AFTER THE EPILOGUE #2
I glance over at Reed and see her face all lit up, and I can’t wait to share the secret I’ve been hiding from everyone for eight days now. It’s been twisting me up inside, keeping it from everyone, but I’ve got a fabulous plan.
Now it’s finally time to exchange rings.
“Dominic, please place Este’s ring on her finger and make your vow to her,” the pastor prompts him.
When Dom slides a gold band on my finger beside my engagement ring, he kisses my hand sweetly, dries his tears, and then promises, “With this ring, I wed you, Celeste Evans, and pledge my undying love and unwavering support to you and our union, today, tomorrow, always, and forever.”
His green eyes shine with love as he speaks his promises.
I slide a golden ring on his finger and pledge the same words back to Dom, tears sliding down my face as I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight.
I run my fingers through the back of his silky hair and breathe in Dom’s intoxicating scent, a mix of bergamot-based cologne, amber aftershave, hairspray, and the familiar musk all his own, that sets me at ease.
The pastor seems to get the picture—we’re beyond ready.
He finally declares, “By the powers vested in me by the good Lord and the great state of Texas, I declare you husband and wife. Dom, you may kiss your bride!”
Dom’s lips are already pressed against mine, and I’m jumping up into his arms, to the place I feel safest and most loved.
He catches me just as easily as he always does.
I slant my head and give Dom my tongue, which he sucks into his mouth as the kiss becomes more R-rated than either of us anticipated.
We’d even talked beforehand about a nice, tame, closed-mouth kiss at the altar, but fuck it.
Everyone knew by now we weren’t exactly a PG-rated couple.
Our friends and family laugh as Dom finally sets me down, and we clasp hands and turn to look at our small beloved audience.
Every person there holds a piece of our hearts, of our stories.
They cheer as my favorite song comes on and line up at the ends of the rows with bubbles to anoint us when we walk back down the aisle, but I have something entirely different in mind.
“Thank you,” I tell the officiant and then turn to wave to our audience.
“Come on, let’s go.” I grab Dom’s hand and pull him toward the creek, kick off my bedazzled gold shoes, and then run as fast as I can in such a heavy dress.
Behind us, laughter and shouts ring out as we depart.
Of course this day should end in our creek.
So, with skill perfected over three decades, I grab the knotted rope hanging from the old oak tree and swing myself out over the water.
I let myself drop with a squeal. Plunging beneath the cool water, I come up sputtering, and laughing just as Dom falls into the water beside me several feet away.
“Get over here, wife,” Dom demands, desire all over his face.
I slowly glide through the water to close the distance between us, my legs naturally floating up to come around his hips.
We bridge the inches between our lips, tangling our mouths in a hot, sexy kiss, a prelude of what’s coming later in bed and our backyard hot tub.
The girls are staying with Daisy’s family tonight, thank God.
I pull back and drink in the sight of his cheerful expression.
It’s like he’s glowing from the inside out as he traces my face with his forefinger.
I can’t help but remember our first time together in this creek and all the overwhelming passion and excitement I’d felt when we’d become one up against the ladder.
A fire burns in my belly and sinks between my thighs as the memories come into bright, brilliant focus.
It’s right to do this here. Where else could I possibly make this announcement? The creek had been my constant companion for three and a half decades.
“I’ve got news for you, husband.” The words burst from my mouth. I press my lips together in excitement and finally blurt out, “We’re having a baby!”
The sheer shock that crosses Dom’s face makes me giggle, and I wonder if he understands me. I repeat, “I’m pregnant!”
“H-how? Are you serious? Really?” Dom stammers as he draws me into the circle of his arms and presses his nose to mine, and as I stare into his green eyes, they appear bewildered.
“Really, baby. You’re going to be a daddy! IUDs apparently quit working after a certain number of years, and mine was old. Who’d have thought?” I wink at him as joy and a wide smile spread to his face. Dom giggles like a little kid surrounded by puppies and unlimited candy.
“Holy hell, me? A dad? I’ve wanted this my entire life! And to be parents together? Jesus, a dream come true!” Dom grabs my face and kisses me in a frenzy, our teeth clashing as we make out desperately in our creek.
We’re still kissing when Reed and Daisy tiptoe over to the creek’s edge. I hear someone clear their throat.
“Is this a private party?” Reed calls out, a grin splitting her face.
“No! Please jump in!” I call. God knows I can’t wait another minute to share the happy news with my girls.
Reed reaches us first, and we pull her in for a group hug.
Daisy isn’t far behind, and I love the primal scream she gives as she flings herself into the rushing creek. Dom opens his arms and pulls Daisy in.
“Girls, I have some exciting news to share. You’re going to be big sisters soon. I’m pregnant!” I do a little dance within Dom’s embrace as Reed’s eyes widen into saucers, and her mouth drops open in awe. Then, she bursts into tears as she wraps her arms around my neck.
“Congratulations, Mom and Dom. I can’t believe this is happening! I’ve always wanted a sibling!”
“Me too!” Daisy cries, jumping up and down in the water while she claps her hands.
I look around at my family surrounding me, feeling deliriously happy and luckier than one woman should ever have the privilege of being. My heart has never felt so full.
We’re all smiles, filled with contagious, outrageous joy. I can’t wait to tell everyone I love that I’m going to be a mother, again, and Dom is finally getting his lifelong wish of becoming a father.
I cherish this unforgettable moment with my family in Holland Creek, where I’ve made a lifetime of memories—a place that means everything to me and will continue to be a part of our lives for generations.
I hope Reed and Daisy will get married here one day, and I long for the day that this baby will be old enough to launch off the swing and trust fall over the open arms of the rushing water.
Dom pulls me toward him, and I part my lips as his mouth nears mine.
“Forever starts now,” my husband declares, and he seals it with a kiss.