Nate
One Year Later
The chilly air of New Year’s Eve couldn’t dampen Nate’s spirits as he gazed around the newly completed town square.
Because of Lottie’s generous donation to the project and her ability to charm just about everyone, including a very grumpy construction foreman, everything was completed far more quickly than Nate could have hoped.
Now he, his wife, his family, and the rest of the town gathered to ring in the New Year by dedicating the renovated square.
As he looked around the crowd, Nate’s eyes automatically zeroed in on his loved ones.
Aiden and Nicole held each other lovingly in the company of Felix and Autumn.
Both couples were now married. While Aiden and Nicole’s wedding had been quite the event due to her father’s connections and fame, Felix and Autumn had opted to elope to Vegas.
It had been difficult for their mother to accept, but after a promise to record the entire ceremony, Elvis tribute song and all, she relented that they had to do what was right for them.
Nearby, Travis had Kit on his shoulders, the little girl covering his ears to help keep the noise level down for him while her mother leaned against the big man.
Travis’s hand rested on Parker’s baby bump, a wide smile on his face at having gotten everything he wanted.
Nate turned back to his wife who was busy chatting away with Willa, occasionally breaking from their conversation to coo at baby Mason who was wriggling in his mama’s arms. His mouth pulled into a wide smile.
Every day he woke up next to the most incredible woman and he spent the first minute of each of those days thanking whatever higher power existed for her forgiveness and belief in him.
After a visit to Judge Meyers, lemon bars in hand and the word please on their lips, Nate and Lottie did indeed get married the day after they’d reconciled.
Even Kemp was in attendance, and while Nate felt bad that Lottie’s parents weren’t involved, she didn’t seem to mind it.
In fact, it was so obvious to him that she had already been part of his family long before then that he could see why that might be the case.
Nate felt a bump against his shoulder, turning to see Beckett smiling proudly at him. “Ready for your big speech?”
Beckett was in attendance not just as Nate’s brother, but as the new fire chief for Applewood.
It had always been a foregone conclusion that he would end up as such, but even so, it was sometimes strange to see the same guy who had given Nate the occasional wedgie with so much authority.
Then again, he could say the same thing about himself.
Being the mayor of a small town had been no easy feat, and while he was looking forward to running for a second term, Nate couldn’t help but wonder if the woman to his right was a better fit for the job,
Beckett jostled him again, pulling him from his thoughts of the future. “You okay, Bro? Need me to fetch some Dramamine?”
Nate shoved his brother lightly. “I’m not nauseous.” He placed his hand against his stomach, feeling it roil with nervous energy. “Well, not too nauseous.”
Lottie leaned over into their conversation. “Here you go,” she said, slipping a peppermint into his hand. After kissing his cheek, she gave him an encouraging smile. “You’re going to be amazing.”
Nate looked at his wife, in awe of how lucky he was to have her. “If you believe it, I believe it.”
After a brief kiss to Lottie’s lips, Nate stepped up to the microphone and signaled for the high school band to cut the festive music they had poured out onto the square from their place on the newly constructed stage.
“Good evening everyone, and Happy New Year.” He broke for a round of applause and whoops from the audience, smiling at the level of enthusiasm the town held.
“First and foremost I want to thank you all for your support, not just this evening, but throughout the entire project. You are what makes Applewood the best town in the world and without you, none of this would have been possible. So it is in your name that our new town square is dedicated. Enjoy the festivities and give yourselves a round of applause.”
More cheers broke out around the square and the band started up again.
People rushed up to Nate to congratulate him and offer their ideas for future events that could be held in the square.
He took note of each one, no longer believing that he was the only one in the room with a good idea.
After the congratulations from townspeople had calmed down, Nate found himself back in the company of his family.
After a round of hugs from his brothers, sisters-in-law, and parents, Nate found himself back in front of his wife.
She was absolutely glowing that evening in her winter coat, her hair in pin curls and her trademark red lipstick enticing him to kiss her.
Lottie beat him to the punch. Grabbing the lapels of his jacket, she pulled him down to her lips for a fiery kiss that had a few of the people around them wooing and clapping.
When they broke apart, she smirked at him.
“Well done, Mister Mayor.” Nate chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her.
“So, what will be your big project for your next term?”
Nate smiled down at her, basking in the light that seemed to emanate from her every pore. “Well, you know that I’m proud of all the work you do on your newsletter and have done on the book you’ve almost finished, but I was actually thinking that you should run for next term.”
Lottie looked up at him, her expression incredulous before it turned sly.
“About that,” she said, biting her bottom lip.
“While I appreciate your faith in my ability to do the job, I actually might be a little busy with a different sort of project.” Taking his hand, she moved it to rest over her stomach as she gazed up at him with a knowing look.
Nate searched her eyes, seeing the joy in the brown depths and feeling his heart swell with happiness. When he’d married Lottie, he couldn’t imagine his heart could contain more love than it had in that moment, but it felt as if it had just grown three sizes. “Really?”
Lottie nodded. “Maybe your next proposal could be to create more kid friendly spaces around town.”
Nate’s mouth pulled into a smile so wide it took over his entire face. “I think that’s a great idea.” He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, reveling in the happy news. “Would you be willing to help me with that?”
Lottie tapped her chin in thought. “I think so, but this time it will cost you more than an interview.” She leaned up to whisper all the filthy things she wanted to do to him back at their house, and Nate found himself suddenly wanting to leave the celebrating to the townsfolk.
He had far more important places to be with the woman he was eternally grateful to call his own.