Epilogue Ashley
For March, the Caribbean was beautiful. When I told Jack I wanted a destination wedding in the Gulf, he tried to tell me I was crazy and that we'd have to wait more than a year for the wedding since baby Stewart was due in early May. I, however, insisted that we marry before the baby got here because I didn't want to have to find a sitter for a week while honeymooning.
It took a lot of begging my OB, with a healthy dose of Lamaze training for Jack in case the baby decided to come early, but I stood with my bare feet in the sand inside the grotto on the edge of the beach. It overlooked the chairs and floral arch we had erected for today's luau-style wedding and reception. Guests had flown in from all over the country to join us, and despite the warmth, my swelling feet and ankles, and having a large, round belly, it was the wedding of my dreams.
"You ready, sweetheart?" Dad asked from behind me, and I turned to smile at him.
"I've never been more ready in my life." I hooked my arm around his, and he led me down the narrow aisle between rows of chairs. I wished my mother could have been here, but I knew she was watching me from above.
I carried a pink and red hibiscus bouquet to match the brightly colored sundress Julie wore as my maid of honor. My similar style white sundress had been purchased at the maternity shop, and I splurged on a great cut and color. Jack's eyes lit up when he saw me. My hair was a few inches shorter, with fresh curls and highlights added. We hadn't seen each other in three days, having opted to fly separately to the islands.
Dad kissed my cheek and put my hand into Jack's before backing away and taking his seat in the front row. The ceremony was beautiful and short. The officiant spoke on the value of sacrifice within love and good communication, and then we presented our self-written vows. Baby Stewart decided to do a flip-flop when he said, "You may now kiss the bride," and Jack got to feel it.
We turned as husband and wife with our hands clasped and faced our family and loved ones. The steel band started playing, and everyone stood to their feet, clapping and cheering. Jack and I jogged up the aisle, followed by Julie and Michael. The sand kicked up and caught the sea breeze, and with my large belly, I found it challenging to run very far.
We slowed, leading the way to the entertainment tent we had rented for our reception. Jack panted, but not as heavily as me. His hand was in the small of my back, but his heart was safely tucked away in mine.
"That was the shortest wedding I've ever been to. Do you think it's really official?" he asked, and I chuckled.
"I'm pretty sure we signed the paper and that's all that was necessary." I rolled my eyes at him as Julie moved up alongside me and Michael strolled up beside Jack.
"You mean I could have kept you in the bungalow by ourselves and skipped all this?" Jack was playful, and I loved that even though there were so many years in age difference between us, he fit in with Julie and me, and even Michael, who had been making eyes at Julie for the past few weeks of wedding prep.
"Mr. Stewart, let me remind you that we have hours before you get to have me alone in that bungalow." My elbow connected to his ribcage, and Michael just had to chime in.
"Yeah, Jackie. Keep it in your pants." He smirked at Julie, and the two of them ran ahead to the tent, leaving us to walk alone.
Wedding planning and being pregnant at the same time had gone by so quickly, but I was glad. My huge belly was uncomfortable, especially in the heat. Large fans overhead circulated the air in the tent as we ate and danced. Jack graciously opted for sparkling water with me so I wouldn’t feel left out when it came time to toast. And when our guests were eating cake and celebrating into the night with plans to return home the next day, Jack and I slipped away.
He carried my bouquet and veil, and I held his hand and leaned on his shoulder as our feet sank into the sand behind the receding tide. The breeze had kicked up, tossing ocean spray across my dress, but I didn't care. Nothing could ruin this night for me. My heart was at peace and I was ready to embrace the next leg of my journey with Jack—motherhood.
"I'm in love with you, Mrs. Stewart."
"And I'm in love with you too, Mr. Stewart, but I think you’re going to have to get used to condoms again." I had six weeks left, barely enough time to enjoy our honeymoon and return home to start nesting. I still had so much to do. We hadn’t even built the crib yet.
"Not if I plan to keep you barefoot and pregnant," he said with a cheeky tone, and I playfully smacked his butt.
"Only way I stay barefoot and pregnant is if we move to the islands. Because Boston is too cold to go barefoot between September and April."
Jack grew quiet as we neared the bungalow. The docks that led to our private oasis floated, making me a little unstable on my feet, but he steadied me with a firm hand.
"Are you okay?" His silence always indicated that he was lost in thought.
"Yeah, I'm alright. I'm just wondering if I'm going to be the father you think I'll be. Sometimes, I worry that I'm too old or that I'll seem out of touch to a child or teenager. By the time Jackie Junior is fifteen, I'll be sixty, you know?" He stared out over the ocean, and I smiled softly.
"You are going to be an amazing father, just like you're an amazing surgeon."
Now only a few paces away from our bungalow, I took his hand and walked in front of him, taking cautious steps backward. "But I'll tell you one thing you're going to have to be very careful about."
The moonlight overhead lit up his confused expression. "What's that?" he asked, but before he fully had the words out, I was draping my arms around him. His hands rested on my hips, and I continued moving us slowly backward toward the door.
"Well, there is one thing you are exceptionally good at, and you need to be super careful because it could be dangerous." I nipped his lower lip and guided one of his hands beneath my sundress where he found that I wasn’t wearing panties. His fingers traced my folds as he groaned.
"My God, woman… Seriously?" Jack's fingers rubbed my clit and he said, "What am I being careful about?"
"That you don’t make me come so hard my water breaks. If that happens, you're going to have to put all your medical training to use and see if you could pass as an OB." I smirked and backed into the swinging door, pulling him with me.
I couldn't wait to consummate the freshness of this union, and I hoped it felt like the first time all over again. Jack and I had a bumpy start, but it was smooth sailing from here. Nothing that is worth anything comes easily. And anything worth having is worth fighting for.
Especially if it's true love.