Epilogue
One month later…
“That can’t be right,” Lexi murmured.
The knock on the bathroom door startled her. “Lex? Ruth just picked up the kids. We need to get going or we’ll be late for the appointment with the architect.”
Swallowing hard, she tried to find her voice. “Um…yeah. Okay. I just need five minutes.”
He agreed, but she could hear the confusion in his voice. And really, she couldn’t focus on that right now because all her attention was on the pregnancy test in her hands.
It was positive.
Her breath was shuddering as she tried to wrap her head around what she was seeing.
She’d like to say that it wasn’t possible, but she and Connor had been having a lot of sex and they didn’t always use protection.
Not that they were being completely irresponsible, but sometimes it just worked out that way.
They had talked about having more kids, but that was supposed to be after they were married and in their new house. She couldn’t imagine him being disappointed, but this was definitely going to change a lot of their plans.
Two minutes later, he was back at the door.
“Hey, uh…I really don’t want to be a nag, but…are you okay? Should we reschedule?”
Looking at her reflection, she gave herself the shortest pep talk ever.
It’s going to be fine…
Reaching for the door, Lexi slowly opened it. Connor took one look at her and was instantly concerned.
“Lexi? What’s going on?”
She sniffled because she suddenly felt like crying and then held up the test.
“What the…?” He took it from her as a smile teased his lips. “Is this what I think it is?”
Nodding, she felt the first tear fall. “It is.”
“Then why…?” Pausing, he put the stick down and led her over to their bed. “Okay, talk to me. I thought you would have been excited about this.”
“I am! Like…I’m a little in shock, but I want this—I’ve wanted this for a long time. I just…we had plans, Connor. And having a baby right now wasn’t part of them.”
“Okay, but…now we have even better plans!” He was practically bouncing with excitement.
She looked at him warily. “So you’re okay with this?”
“Are you kidding? I’m freaking ecstatic!” Cupping her face, he kissed her thoroughly. “This is the best news ever! A baby! You and me! Finally!”
His excitement was infectious.
“Finally?” she repeated with a laugh. “How can you even say that? It’s not like we were trying.”
“I hate to break it to you, but I’ve been seriously doing everything humanly possible to get us pregnant. Trust me, no one forgets condoms that many times or initiates sex in so many places away from our bedroom.”
“Connor Winslowe…I feel like I should be mad at you, but I can’t. This is just…wow. We’re already so overwhelmed with stuff. And how do we want to tell the kids? Do you think they’ll be excited?”
“Are you kidding? They are going to be over the moon! Annabeth already loves being a big sister to Jonah, so I can’t even imagine how excited she’s going to be about another baby.
And Jonah has said more than once that he wished he was the big brother, so…
trust me. Our family is going to be thrilled. ”
For some reason, that made her think of their extended family, and she groaned.
“What? What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I’m pretty sure your parents are going to think I did it on purpose to secure my place in the prestigious Winslowe family.” They still hadn’t talked to them, but she knew Connor was thinking about doing it more and more lately. Mainly because Annabeth had started talking about it.
“Let them think whatever they want, because we know the truth. We’re in love, we’re getting married, and we’re expanding our family. I won’t even say that we’re starting one because we are already established.” He kissed her again.
“What do we do first? Do we move up the wedding date? See about speeding up the building of the house? Or do we postpone everything until after the baby? I mean…there’s a lot to consider.”
“I told you once before that if I thought you’d say yes, I’d marry you tonight. I’d drive us to get a marriage license right now and go to a justice of the peace.”
She felt herself blush. “I do remember you saying that. And it sounds wonderful.”
“We could make it happen. We’re already heading into town to meet with the architect. The city clerk’s office isn’t that much farther away, and I can’t imagine we’d have to wait too long. So what do you say? Are we getting a license today?”
Could it be this easy?
“I want to say yes, but I’m not sure I’m mentally prepared to get married tonight. Maybe when my folks are here next week?”
He smiled. “That sounds perfect.” He kissed her again. “Thank you.”
She looked at him curiously. “For what?”
“For being the most wonderful woman in the world and making all of my dreams come true.”
“Connor…”
“It’s true. I fell in love with you when we were just kids, and then I had to let you go. When you came back, I never thought you’d give us a second chance.”
“I didn’t want to, but…just like you, I couldn’t stay away.”
“That’s because we’re meant to be,” he said gruffly.
And she had to agree.
“Now let’s go make sure we can add a nursery to the floor plan and get our license!” he said as he got to his feet. “And we need to call your parents, and we’ll tell our friends…you should call Kelsey so she and Jayce can be here for the wedding, and…”
Connor Winslowe was a consummate planner, and right now, he was completely in his element. The fact that he was making the plans for their future was the icing on the cake.
A cake that Connor would undoubtedly design and then also tell the baker how to make.
And that was okay. He was a man who knew what he wanted, and she was so thankful that he wanted her and the life they had planned so many years ago.
It was going to be worth the wait.