Page 84 of Drunk on You

While he’s gone, I sit on the edge of the bed and give Ana a kiss.

“Thank you for giving me everything I never knew I wanted,” she says, her voice filled with emotion.

“You never have to thank me for loving you, Red.” I give her another kiss. “This thing between us was inevitable. The moment I laid eyes on you, I was drunk on you.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “You’re so cheesy, Mr. Parker.”

“Only for you, Mrs. Parker.”

Anastasia

Four Months Later

“You look beautiful. Like a princess.”

I spin around to find my dad standing in the doorway of the dressing room, dressed in a black tux, ready to walk me down the aisle. It’s been three months since he finished his cancer treatment, and he’s officially cancer-free. Of course, he’ll have to get rechecked every so often, but right now, he’s okay, and that’s all that matters.

“Thank you,” I choke out, my emotions getting the better of me. “And look at you.” I stand and walk over to him, adjusting his bow tie so it’s perfectly straight. “As handsome as ever.”

“This is from your husband,” he says with a chuckle, handing me a small box.

I already had his mom bring my gift over to him—a bottle of scotch I had made for him for today, along with another last-minute gift he’s going to freak out over.

I open the top and find a gorgeous Tiffany bracelet nestled inside with a few charms already attached. The first one I look at is a heart-shaped locket that has Marry Me inscribed in the middle. On the back, it reads, Forever drunk on you.

I laugh at my romantically cheesy husband. My engagement ring also has the same inscription. He had it engraved before he proposed again while we were on a babymoon vacation, which he surprised me with, at the place where we fell in love—Maui.

Another one is of a heart with Mom engraved in the center. My heart swells. These past four months of being a mom have been the best of my life. I was so worried about failing at it, but what I didn’t consider was that unlike when I isolated myself in London, here, I have family. Even my best friend, Paige, made the move to the States—after her boyfriend took a job in Houston and she moved with him—and is now working for Kingston as the new chief marketing officer.

The next charm is a crown, obviously meant to symbolize Kingston—how we met, my maiden name, and our son’s name. It’s sterling silver with tiny diamonds dotting the tips. It’s beautiful.

And the last charm is of a champagne bottle. It’s absolutely adorable. All the charms are. Julian couldn’t have picked a more meaningful gift if he tried.

Under the bracelet is a note. I open it up and find Julian’s chicken scratch.

Red,

Today isn’t the beginning, but rather a continuation of the life we’ve already begun. I can’t wait to marry you again, and I look forward to all the memories we’ll create together.

Love,

(Jul)ian

“I love that sound,” Dad says when I laugh at the way Julian signed his name. “And I love seeing you happy.”

He envelops me in a hug, and I kiss his cheek.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I whisper. “And you need to stay that way.” I back up and smile at him. “Especially since you’re going to be a grandfather again in nine months.”

Dad glances down at my stomach with wide eyes, then looks back up at me. “You’re pregnant?”

“I think so,” I say with a laugh. “I took a test this morning, and it came out positive. I’m going to make an appointment with the doctor once we get back from our honeymoon.”

Since neither of us is anywhere near ready to leave Kingston overnight, we’re keeping it simple and spending a week on the beach at a resort in Galveston.

After the wedding photographer we hired takes a few pictures of me with my dad, the wedding march begins, telling us it’s go time.

The walk down the aisle is far too quick, and I choke up when my dad and Julian shake hands and hug, Julian promising to continue to love and care for me.

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