Epilogue #2
He laughed. “Yeah, maybe not exactly that.”
“Good to know.”
She wondered when she should tell him. The night was supposed to consist of fancy food and toasts and speeches, and her stomach felt a little too unsettled for two of those things.
Still, it had made fitting into this dress a little easier.
And she was glad to make the effort knowing that the next seven or eight months she’d probably never look this good again.
And an hour later she was still receiving compliments on her outfit, still talking with various people who either thanked her for making Kyle smile again, or for helping the coach.
Including Coach Aitken and his wife. “Gen, I’ve been asked by my mom to tell you that she loves you.”
She grinned. “That’s so sweet.”
“She means it. And so do we. If it hadn’t been for you, then I might not be here.”
His wife nodded. “That mole could’ve killed him if you hadn’t said something when you did. It was rapidly spreading, so it feels like a miracle that you saw it when you did.”
“I believe in miracles,” Gen said.
The coach nodded. “So do I. I’m grateful to God that you did this because it extended my life. And while the last few months have been scary, now my most recent biopsy has come back and it shows it hasn’t spread, I’m so glad. This has just made me really fall to my knees in gratitude to God.”
His wife nodded. “I’ve been praying for him for years. And it took your courage to say something that saved his life. In more ways than one.”
Gen’s eyes burned, and she hoped the waterproof mascara was true to its word.
“Some people are heroes because they save someone’s life from a burning car. You took me out of a slow fire, and as the doc said, if I’d waited four to five weeks then I might not be here.” He clasped Gen in a hug. “Thank you.”
Okay, the man was making it very hard not to cry. “God is good.”
“Right?” He released her, thumped Kyle on the back. “You’ve got a keeper.”
Kyle nodded. “That’s why I’m keeping her.”
She laughed, then turned as another man drew near. Dark hair, chocolate-colored eyes, handsome, yet a little aloof.
Kyle greeted him then turned to her. “Gen, this is Liam Darcy.”
“Oh, the man who saved my career.” She shook his hand. “Thank you so much.”
He shook his head. “I’m fairly certain you managed that by yourself. Some of those board members just needed reminding about what was really important and what kind of doctor they should have representing the hospital.” He smiled. “Like the one who saved our coach’s life.”
“Well, I’m forever grateful to you, sir.”
“Just help keep this man scoring goals so we can finally win a Stanley Cup.”
“I’ll do my best.”
He nodded, and moved on, as a waiter drew near with champagne. Kyle collected two glasses and handed one to her but she shook her head.
“No?”
“No.”
His eyebrows rose. She’d been happy to quaff champagne on their honeymoon several weeks ago.
“Because?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
The speeches began and she caught the way that Kyle kept looking at her as if concerned. And while she clapped and smiled she was grateful he didn’t press her. She wanted to tell him, but not in front of all these people.
The night continued with dancing, but she didn’t want to dance. She knew this was the time to say something. They moved to a quieter section, where windows showcased the Space Needle, and he wrapped his arms around her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“Then what’s right?”
She lifted her hands around his neck. “Everything.”
He smiled and gently kissed her, then kissed her again, and then again with more fervor.
She pulled away, and smiled up at him.
He cocked his head. “You keep looking at me like there’s something I should know.”
“That’s because there is.”
“But I’m not one of these supersmart Rivas women.”
“I’m not one of them either, anymore. Neither is Bella, now your name is on her new birth certificate.”
“Come on. Help a man out.”
“Mmm, just think for a minute. What is something you really would’ve preferred me to tell you a lot sooner than I did?”
His brow wrinkled. “That you love me?”
“I think I did, like years ago. Maybe something else I should’ve said to you back then.”
He shook his head. “Hey, we’re leaving the past in the past, remember?”
She smiled. “That sounds like an oxymoron, but I know what you mean. And no, I know that I’m forgiven, but I just want you to be the very first to know.”
“To know what? Sorry, Gen, but I’m really feeling dumb.”
She drew one of his hands and placed it on her stomach. Raised her eyebrows. Watched as his jaw fell.
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“So soon?”
“I can’t help it, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, Gen.” He kissed her, very thoroughly, his body pressed close to hers. “There is nothing to be afraid of. It’s all wonderful.”
“So wonderful.”
She smiled. Because with God with them, holding their hands as they stepped toward the future, everything was wonderful, anything was possible. Because they served a God who was good, who loved them, and who could do extraordinary things.
Such as take people from brokenness to healing, misery to joy, and see the hardest hearts and most impossible-looking situations finally redeemed and restored.
The End