Chapter 41 #2
“Not half as beautiful as the person wearing it,” he smiles, kissing me once more before helping me to stand. “I’ve got one more surprise for you.”
“I’ve actually got one for you, too,” I say excitedly, reaching for my purse.
“Let’s get you off this cold ice first,” he says, picking up the discarded blanket and taking my hand.
“Wait, what about the roses? I don’t want to leave them here.” I look around at all the bouquets, wanting to enjoy their scent for as long as I can as a reminder of today.
“The guys are picking them up soon and delivering them to the house. They’ve been up my ass for the past week helping me with the details, so I’ll gladly put them to work,” he grins.
Laughing, I hug his arm as we walk back toward his car.
“I’m going to do my best to find them each a girl. Everyone deserves to be as happy as we are,” I grin, sliding into the car as he holds the door open for me.
Bending down, he reaches in and buckles me up.
“Don’t hold your breath, sunshine. Those guys are set in their ways,” he chuckles, shutting the door and getting behind the wheel.
“So were you,” I remind him. “Love changes everything.”
“Not going to argue with you there,” he smiles before picking up the blindfold.
“Again?”
The world goes black as he secures the fabric over my eyes.
“The blindfold didn’t seem to bother you in bed,” he smirks, starting the roar of the engine.
“That’s because your mouth distracted me.”
His hand rests on my thigh before my sundress hikes up as he moves his thumb over my lace panties.
“Guess I’ll have to distract you then.” I don’t need my eyes to tell me he’s grinning wickedly right now as he leisurely rubs his finger in circles before massaging my thigh.
Feeling relaxed, I lean back with a sigh.
“I’m so glad I get to feel this for the rest of my life.”
“You and me both,” he chuckles.
A short time later, I feel the car turn onto a gravel road.
“Taking me out to the woods to have your way with me?” I ask, turning my head in his direction.
“Maybe.” We eventually come to a stop, and he kills the engine. “Or maybe,” he whispers, removing my blindfold. “I’m taking you home.”
“What?” I gasp, staring at the house I loved from the flyer weeks ago. My eyes follow the white wood lap siding that covers the beautiful three-story home to the wrap-around porch overlooking the ocean below.
Shrieking, I fumble with the door handle and scamper out of the vehicle. Running up the porch stairs, I stop when I reach the view in the back.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I whisper when I feel him come up behind me and wrap his arms around my waist. “You bought this house,” I say in disbelief, still not believing it.
“I heard it had a beautiful library,” he grins against my cheek.
“It does,” I squeal, turning around and jumping into his arms. “This is our home,” I whisper in awe.
“It’s all ours,” he smiles, walking to the front of the house with me wrapped around him as he dangles the key in his hand before unlocking the door and stepping inside. Gently setting me down, I stare wide-eyed at the beauty of it all.
Dark hardwood floors greet us, with tall wood beam ceilings. The living room is warm and inviting with the neutral walls and wood contrast. A beautiful stone fireplace leads up to the second floor, where a balcony overlooks the living area.
Beyond the living room are gleaming white marble countertops and beautiful white cabinets with open driftwood shelves mixed in. A large island sits in the middle, with plenty of room off to the side for a dining room table.
Just like my family’s beach house, the back is covered in windows, giving us a view of the beautiful blue waters off in the distance. We are far enough from the water that beyond the pool and deck area is a yard perfect for a swing set and an area for kids to run around and play.
A short black iron fence securely houses the space with a gate leading down to the beach below. Perfect for keeping pets and children safe from exploring on their own.
“Want to see the library?” He whispers, grinning against my neck.
Overcome with emotion, all I can do is nod as he leads me up the stairs to the second level. My hand runs along the smooth wood railing with black iron accents as we climb the wood steps covered in a pretty grey carpet that runs down the middle.
He shows me the three bedrooms on the second level, complete with a loft overlooking the living room that would be perfect for a game room and movie area, before we walk up another level and enter a landing with a beautiful view of the ocean.
“Wow,” I breathe, going over to the window. “The view from up here is breathtaking.”
“The master bedroom and bath are this way, he points to the left, but over here is what you’ve been waiting for.”
He guides me to the other side of the landing and opens the door.
Another vase of pink roses sits in the middle, next to a mound of cozy blankets and pillows. A bucket of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries sits on a tray beside it.
Wall-to-ceiling bookcases surround the area, with a view of the ocean lining the back wall, complete with a cozy window seat to curl up on.
The pictures don’t do it justice as I stare at the beautiful library, already imagining the books I can’t wait to fill the shelves with.
“Knox…I.” My words fail me as I run my hand along the white wood.
“Did I make Savannah Montgomery speechless?” He chuckles. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so quiet.”
“It’s rare to do, but yes,” I laugh. “I love this house so much.” Looking around the room, I can already picture and hear the sound of our kids’ bare feet running around the house…the laughter that will fill these walls for years to come.
Closing my eyes, I can feel the love seeping into the wood and a deep knowing that even more in the days ahead are coming as I place a hand on my stomach.
Turning, I blink back the tears and reach my hand into my purse, taking out a small box.
“This is for you,” I say softly, handing him the blue-wrapped gift with the pink bow on it.
Lifting his eyebrow, he takes the box and carefully lifts the lid. He stills when he sees his name and number on the small black fabric.
Discarding the box on the floor, he pulls out the tiny sleeper that’s identical to the uniform he wears. The socks attached even look like skates, and the beanie mimics the helmet.
His blue eyes are a swarm of emotions as he fists the newborn outfit in his hand.
“I thought our baby needed to wear their daddy’s jersey when we cheer for him at every home game,” I smile through my tears.
“Savi,” he whispers, swallowing hard. “Are you sure?” He takes a step forward and glances at my stomach.
“I went to the doctor yesterday just for the extra confirmation. According to the time frame, I guess you scored a goal that first time after your game,” I laugh softly. “I should have known you wouldn’t miss based on your high-scoring stats.”
“No, I don’t suppose so,” he gives a slight chuckle before dropping to his knees and laying his head against my belly. My fingers run through his hair before he finally speaks. “Did the doctor say anything else?” He asks so quietly that I can barely hear him. “Everything is okay?”
My hand stills on his head before I sink to my knees in front of him. It didn’t even occur to me he’d be worried about the pregnancy because of his mom.
Taking his face in my hands, I lift his head, so he’s looking at me.
“Everything is just the way it’s supposed to be,” I smile, trying to erase the fear I see on his face. “It’s still early, of course, but I’m healthy, Knox. The baby will be too.”
Nodding his head slightly, he kisses me softly before his hand touches my stomach.
“I’m going to be a daddy,” he whispers, staring at my nonexistent bump in wonderment.
“You are,” I laugh softly, wiping a tear away.
“I’m not like him,” he murmurs. “Not even in the slightest,” he says, furrowing his brow as he keeps his palm against my stomach.
“I was scared I was going to feel like him, but I don’t.
” He shakes his head and blinks away the tears that have suddenly appeared as he struggles to find the right words.
“My mom felt it, though,” he says, looking up at me.
“Love,” I smile, brushing his hair back. “I felt it too the minute I found out. You were her gift, Knox, not her demise, like your dad blamed you for. Even if she had known the outcome, she still would have chosen you over a life of never having you in it.”
“Fuck,” he whispers painfully, bringing me to his chest and holding me tight.
“I didn’t understand, but I do now. I blamed myself for so long,” he chokes out, “but I would have done the same damn thing if I had been in her position. Our baby is part of you, and I would rather die than lose any piece of you.”
“I know,” I whisper. “I feel the same. You will be an amazing father, Knox. Our child is lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one. I get to love both of you.”
Pulling back, I bring his lips to mine as I sink into the kiss I started, but it doesn’t take long before he fully takes over. Lifting me up, he lays me down on the soft blankets as his tongue dances with mine.
Running my hands through his hair, he lifts my dress and exposes my stomach as he trails kisses down my neck before stopping at my belly.
“I can’t wait to see you round with my child,” he breathes against my skin as he places soft kisses over our baby. “Is it wrong to be so turned on by a pregnant woman?” He asks, lifting his head.
“Not if it’s your fiancé,” I laugh.
“I’m not waiting a second longer to make you my wife,” he says, shaking his head. “Especially now that we are going to be a family.”
“How quick are we talking?”
“How fast can you throw on a white dress?” He asks, causing me to laugh. “Just tell me what you want your wedding day to look like, and I’ll make it happen.”
“I don’t want a big wedding,” I say, shaking my head. “Just family and close friends. Maybe we can have it here,” I smile. “There’s no furniture yet, so we can easily turn it into a wedding venue.”
“Here,” he asks, surprised. “Are you sure? Money’s not a problem. I can secure any place you want.”
“It’s in the middle of your season, and the team needs you to get to the playoffs, so taking time off is not an option. What?” I ask when he grins at me.
“Nothing, I just love how you are scheduling our wedding around my hockey games.”
“Of course I am,” I scoff. “You’re the captain, for crying out loud. Who’s going to lead them to the cup? Besides, I’m in love with our home. I would love nothing more than to become your wife and create this memory in the same place where our children will grow up.”
“And the honeymoon?”
“Can be done after you bring home the Stanley,” I grin, pulling his head closer to me. “Are you okay with having the wedding here?”
“I can’t think of a more perfect place,” he smiles. “We’ll talk to a wedding planner tomorrow so you can let them know what your vision is.”
“Now that we’ve got that figured out,” I whisper, tracing my tongue over his bottom lip, “your fiancé really needs you inside of her now.”