Chapter 32
Claire
“Isn’t that Shaun’s boat heading this way?” I pointed in the distance.
“Oh wow. I think it is. He must be feeling better.” Jenni grinned.
“What’s all that red and white?” I asked.
“I have no idea,” she said.
The boat pulled up next to ours.
“Hey, everyone.” Shaun smiled, tying his boat to ours.
“Feeling better, baby?” Jenni asked.
“Much better.”
I stared at the beautiful floral arrangements and noted the rose petals scattered on the deck.
“Oh, my God, Jenni. I think Shaun planned something special for you two. It’s not your anniversary, is it?”
“No. It’s not.”
Shaun extended his hand to me. “Come on, sis.” He smiled.
“Me?” I pointed to myself. “Don’t you mean your wife?”
“No. Come on. Give me your hand.”
I furrowed my brows as I took his hand, and he helped me to his boat. Once I was on it, he jumped over to the other boat.
“What is going on?” I asked as I stared at my family on their boats.
“Hi, babe.”
I turned around and saw Nick walking toward me, holding a bouquet of red roses.
“Nick? What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at work.”
“I guess they didn’t need me after all.” A handsome smile graced his lips. “These are for you.”
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
He took hold of my hand and got down on one knee. My heart started racing.
“Claire, I love you so much that I can’t imagine my life without you. You have brought me so much happiness. Not only are you my best friend, but you’re also my soulmate and the love of my life. When I look into your beautiful eyes, all I see is a future with you. Will you do me a favor and turn around?”
With tears in my eyes, I turned around and stared at my five smiling brothers, who each held a sign in their hands that read: Claire, Will You Marry Me?
Placing my hand over my mouth, tears fell down my cheek. Turning around, I stared down at the beautiful diamond ring Nick held in his hand.
“Will you marry me, Claire?” he asked.
“Yes! Yes, Nick. I will marry you.”
He slipped the ring on my finger, stood up, and kissed me. My familys shouting and clapping could be heard across the water.
“I love you so much.” I smiled.
“I love you too, babe. Thank you for making me the happiest man alive.” He held me tight.
“Congrats, you two. Let’s celebrate!” Simon shouted.
“Did you do all of this?” I asked.
“I had a little help from your brothers. I wanted it to be romantic because that’s what you deserve,” Nick said, kissing my lips. “I know you just changed your last name to Kind, but I’m hoping you’ll take my last name when we’re married.
“I will definitely take your last name, Dr. Russo. I can’t wait to become Mrs. Claire Kind-Russo.”
“That sounds beautiful, just like you, my love.” He softly stroked my cheek.
We partied the rest of the day on the boats, enjoying fine food, music, and a lot of laughter.
“We have to Facetime Richard before it gets too late,” I told Nick.
“Let’s do it now.” He led me down to the cabin, which was quiet.
Pulling out my phone, I Facetimed Richard.
“Hello, sweetheart.” He smiled. “Hello, Nick.”
“Hi, Richard,” Nick spoke.
“Guess what?” I grinned.
“Guessing by that grin on your face, I’m going to assume it’s good news.”
“Nick asked me to marry him!” I held up my hand and showed off my ring.
“Oh, Claire. It’s beautiful. Congratulations, you two. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. Nick and I want to come to Connecticut to see you soon.”
“I’d love that. Just let me know, and I’ll rearrange my schedule.”
“I will, Richard. Talk to you soon.” I ended the call.
“There you are,” Jenni said. “I’m stealing your bride, Nick. We need to talk wedding dresses.”
“Go ahead.” He chuckled. “I’ll go hang with the guys for a while. Just don’t keep her too long, Jenni.”
“Please, Nick. Just go with the guys and let us girls talk wedding stuff,” she said. “Go on.”
“Okay. Okay. I’m going.” He laughed.
One Month Later
Istood in the bathroom, holding the stick and staring at the positive sign in the control window. We put the deposit down at the Beverly Hills Hotel for the wedding and reception yesterday. Nick and I took the first opening they had, which was in nine months. Maybe this was a false positive, and I wasn’t pregnant. Grabbing my phone, I texted Georgia.
“Hey, I need to come see you at your office. Would you be free to see me today?”
“Yeah. Of course. Is everything okay?”
“I think I’m pregnant.”
“Oh my God. Come in now if you can.”
“Thanks, Georgia.”
After getting dressed, I climbed into my car and called Tessa.
“Hi, Claire.”
“Hi, Tessa. I have an appointment this morning, so I’ll be at the office after.”
“Okay. See you then.”
I walked into the Kind Medical Center and took the elevator up to the second floor. Opening the door to Georgia’s practice, I stared at the pregnant women who sat in the chairs, waiting to be seen.
“Hi, Claire.” Her secretary smiled. “Georgia said you were coming in and asked me to take you right back to a room.” She stood up, walked around, and opened the door, leading me to an empty room. “She’ll be in soon. Just make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
A few moments later, the door opened, and Georgia walked in.
“Hey, you.” She smiled, walking over and placing her hand on mine as I sat on the table. “You think you’re pregnant?”
“I took a pregnancy test this morning, and it was positive. But I think maybe it’s a false/positive.”
“Let’s find out.” She smiled. “I’ll have my nurse come in and draw your blood, send it down to the lab, and we’ll see what the results are. What’s wrong? Are you not happy about it?”
“It’s not that. I want kids, but just not yet. If I am, and my calculation is right, the baby would be due on my wedding day.” I started to cry.
“Oh, Claire.” She squeezed my hand. “Don’t worry about that. Let’s see what the blood results are.”
A few moments later, Georgia’s nurse drew my blood. I sat on the table, swinging my legs back and forth as my belly was tied in knots. I felt so nauseous as fear rose inside me. The door opened, and Georgia walked in.
“You definitely are pregnant, Claire.” She smiled. “You’re about six weeks along.”
Tears streamed down my face, a mix of happy but scared tears.
“Are you happy about it?” Georgia asked.
“I am.” I placed my hand on my belly. “I’m just a little overwhelmed.”
“Don’t be.” She smiled. “You’re going to be a mom.”
“That’s why I’m overwhelmed. Plus, the wedding.”
“Everything will work out. I’m giving you a script for prenatal vitamins, and I want to see you back here in two weeks.”
“Thanks, Georgia.”
“You’re welcome.” She hugged me.