29. Ava
Ava
“Are you sure it’s not too tight?” I ask, studying my reflection as Amelia fastens the back of my dress.
“It’s perfect,” she assures me, giving the white fabric a gentle tug. “Seriously, Ava. You look stunning.”
I smooth a hand over my belly, where the dress curves around a slight bump. “I don’t know if I’m glowing or just hot and sweaty.”
“Definitely glowing,” Amelia laughs, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
I twist sideways to inspect the flow of the dress and feel a giddy rush. “Who knew Nick would actually be a true romantic?”
A warm breeze floats in through the open French doors, carrying the salty scent of the ocean. Music drifts up from below—someone testing speakers on the beach. I try to imagine what it all looks like: chairs in neat rows, flowers lining the aisle.
“Lisa said everything looks beautiful down there,” Amelia says, reading my mind. “How are you feeling?”
“It’s surreal,” I admit, feeling a flutter of nerves and excitement.
“Oh!” Amelia exclaims suddenly, darting to the bed and retrieving a small blue box. “Before I forget.”
“What’s this?”
She hands it to me with a grin. “Something old, something new …”
I untie the ribbon and lift the lid to find a delicate silver necklace nestled inside.
“It was Grandma’s,” Amelia explains softly. “Mom wanted you to have it. She gave it to me to give to you.”
My eyes well up as she clasps it around my neck. “Thank you,” I whisper.
Amelia squeezes my shoulders from behind, both of us staring into the mirror at our reflections.
“Not too late to run if you change your mind.” She winks.
“No way. This is exactly where I want to be.”
A familiar voice calls out from beyond the door: “Bride check! Dressed or undressed?”
Lisa pokes her head in without waiting for an answer and gasps dramatically when she sees me.
“Ava! You’re an angel!”
“Thank you.” I smile.
Jessie appears behind Lisa, smirking in his tuxedo with his tie already loosened.
“Nick says he’ll cry if we don’t get started soon,” he says with a grin.
“That sounds like him,” I laugh.
My heart is racing as they all make their way downstairs ahead of me, leaving me alone for a moment.
It’s been a whirlwind. But a good one. I’m happy. More than I thought I could ever be.
I walk downstairs where Amelia is waiting with my dad.
“Last one,” he says with a big smile. “I didn’t think we’d be marrying two kids off in a matter of months.”
I laugh. “I think my wedding is way easier than the rest of your children.”
“This is true.”
This isn’t the big, extravagant wedding my parents always imagined for me. It’s small, intimate, and perfect. Just the way Nick and I wanted it.
We didn’t want to wait until after the baby was born. And I was not thrilled with the thought of walking down the aisle wearing a tent. A wedding on the beach felt like the best option.
“You ready?” Amelia asks.
I nod, my heart pounding. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
My heart thumps loudly in my chest as Dad and I step outside. We make our way down the stairs to the beach. My sandals hit the sand just as another breeze brushes over us. Chairs are set up in two rows.
“You okay, kiddo?” Dad asks.
“Couldn’t be better.”
At the end of the aisle, Nick stands with Jessie by his side. His face lights up when he sees me, breaking into that lopsided grin I adore. There’s a flicker of disbelief there, too—like he can’t quite believe this is happening.
Amelia waits beside them. As my father walks me down the aisle, I can’t help but notice how different this is from Jessie and Lisa’s wedding: No sprawling guest list or elaborate centerpieces—just our closest loved ones and the sea.
“I’m so proud of you, Ava,” Dad says quietly. He sounds choked up.
I blink back tears. “Thanks, Dad.”
We reach Nick, who seems to forget he’s supposed to wait until after vows to kiss me because he leans forward impulsively, as if he just needs to know I’m real.
A chorus of laughter rises around us.
My dad clears his throat. “You’re supposed to wait until after the vows to do that.”
“Sorry, sir.”
Dad relinquishes my hand into Nick’s.
We turn toward each other fully then. The officiant starts his spiel, but I barely hear him. All I can think about is Nick and our future.
When it’s time to exchange vows, I feel a flood of warmth and joy as I look into Nick’s eyes.
“Nick,” I say, my voice trembling. “I never thought I’d find someone who makes me feel the way you do.
You’ve changed my life in ways I never expected, and I’m so grateful to have you by my side.
I promise to love you, to support you, and to stand by you through everything.
You’re my partner, my best friend, and the love of my life.
” I take a shaky breath. “I can’t wait to start this journey with you and our little one. ”
Nick squeezes my hand before speaking.
“Ava, I was an idiot before you. You taught me what love really is. You and this baby are the greatest gifts I could ever ask for. I promise to be there through every drop of morning sickness,” he grins, “every midnight craving, and all the chaos in between. I love you more than anything in this world.”
I’m laughing and crying so much that my vision blurs as Nick slides the ring onto my finger.
“You may now kiss the bride.”
This time, I’m ready for it, meeting him halfway as his lips press against mine. It feels like falling into a dream—a perfect one.
Cheers erupt around us as we turn together to face everyone else.
We walk back up the aisle through a rainstorm of tossed flower petals, grinning like fools. Amelia pulls me into a hug as soon as we’re clear.
“Congratulations! Ava Sullivan has quite a ring to it.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” I say breathlessly.
We spend the evening dancing and celebrating with our friends and family.
“Time to get out of here, Mrs. Sullivan.” Nick grins after checking his watch. “Our chariot is waiting.”
We weave through the crowd of friends and family all waving sparklers, leaving a glowing tunnel for us to run through.
A black car waits for us with the typical shaving cream announcing we’ve just been married. Our family is all about maintaining traditions.
“Quick getaway,” he says, his warm breath tickling my ear. “We'll be at the airport in no time.”
I can’t stop grinning as we drive away.
“Surprised you’re not asleep yet,” Nick teases with a kiss to my temple.
I nudge him playfully. “Who can sleep when you’re dragging me off to some secret destination?”
“Good point.”
We reach the private airstrip where his jet waits for us.
We land in Fiji twelve hours later. He takes me directly to our suite. There’s no time to look around. We’re both desperate to be together.
The door swings shut as I laugh against his mouth. Hands everywhere—urgent, warm, pulling me close. He lifts me easily into his arms and carries me to the bed, laying me down gently.
Nick hovers above me, eyes dark and filled with want. “I love you, Ava Sullivan,” he murmurs.
I pull him down to me. “Show me.”
His lips travel from my mouth to my neck as he pushes my shirt up over my head.
He kisses a trail down my chest. My fingers tangle in his hair, savoring the feel of him so close. When he reaches the swell of my belly, he stops and presses a tender kiss there.
I tug at his shirt impatiently, needing him now. He obliges with a low chuckle, stripping it off along with everything else. His skin is hot against mine as he settles back over me.
Nick's kisses trail from my lips to my throat, slow and relentless.
I grip his shoulders, pulling him close. “Nick,” I whisper, already aching for more, for everything. He pauses between my breasts, grinning up at me like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
He slides his hands over my body. His mouth is everywhere—hot, insistent—as he takes his time exploring every inch of exposed skin. He pauses briefly at the curve of my belly for another tender kiss there, and something inside me melts completely.
I pull him up toward me frantically, unable to keep still. “I need you,” I breathe against his mouth, biting back a moan when he obliges by pressing closer.
His hand slides between my thighs. I gasp as he touches me, his fingers finding the place that needs him most. He pushes one finger inside, sliding over my clit and touching me in the way he knows drives me crazy.
“Nick,” I whimper, my voice thick with need.
He takes his time, driving me higher and higher until I’m crying out in ecstasy against him.
“Please,” I manage, feeling like I’m about to splinter.
Nick doesn’t make me wait any longer. He shifts above me, his eyes locking with mine as he slips inside.
The sensation is overwhelming—a perfect blend of warmth and urgency that pulls a gasp from my lips.
He moves slowly at first, savoring the feeling, his forehead brushing against mine as he whispers my name like it’s a prayer.
“Ava,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “You’re everything.”
“I love you,” I reply.
He moves slow and deliberate. Our eyes are locked, the bond between us feels unbreakable. He’s my soul mate.
“Oh shit,” he groans. “Dammit. You feel too good. I can’t hold back.”
“We’ve got two weeks,” I moan. “Me, you, and the beach.”
His pace quickens. My fingers dig into his back as I cling to him, every touch, every movement sending sparks through me.
His breath comes in ragged gasps against my neck, his hands tangled in my hair as he kisses me fiercely. I feel myself unraveling, the pressure building until it’s impossible to hold back. I cry out his name as I shatter around him, my body trembling with the intensity of it.
Nick follows me over the edge moments later, his body shuddering with release. He collapses beside me, pulling me into his arms as we both struggle to catch our breath. His heart beats wildly against my chest. I press my face into the curve of his neck, inhaling the scent of him.
My husband.
We lie there for what feels like forever, tangled together in the aftermath. His fingers trace lazy patterns on my skin as we bask in the afterglow. The room is quiet except for the sound of our breathing and the distant crash of waves.
“I’m hungry,” I say.
He laughs. “Of course you are. We’ll order room service. My baby mama needs food!”
I giggle and kiss his chest. "I love you. You take such good care of me.”
“And I always will.”