Page 22 of Forever, Finally

Jake—tall and handsome in a dark suit—took her hands in his. “Lily, I want to marry you.”

There was something in his voice…something rich and amazing that made her insides quiver and her heart thunder in her chest.

“For real?”

He nodded. “In fact, I’ve been looking for a way to—”

The chamber doors opened and a clerk stepped out. “She’s ready for you,” the young man said.

Lily was torn between hearing what Jake had to say and getting on with the ceremony. She released one of Jake’s hands and picked up the small bouquet of white roses she’d brought with her.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded. “You’re not feeling to need the bolt, are you?”

He brought her free hand to his mouth and brushed her knuckles with his lips. “I’m not going anywhere, Lily. You’ve always been able to count on me. Nothing about that is going to change.”

His words made her feel all warm inside. Warm and safe—two feelings that had been missing from her life for a long time.

As they walked into the judge’s private chambers, she promised herself that she would do her best to make their marriage work. She wasn’t sure why Jake had agreed to her proposal, but the second he’d said yes, she’d felt happy. Maybe they didn’t have a wild, passionate love to see them through, but sometimes wild passion wasn’t enough. She and Jake had friendship and a commitment to each other. They’d weathered storms in the past. They understood the nuances of their individual personalities. She could see herself getting old with Jake. If that was the definition of their friendship, then she knew it was more than enough to see them through.

The ceremony passed quickly and quietly. There was no large congregation, no music. Just a few words in a brightly lit room. When the judge asked about a ring, Jake pulled out a slim gold band inlaid with square-cut diamonds. Lily stared at it. While the ring itself wasn’t a surprise—she’d given him her ring size—the expensive and beautiful band was.

“We said just plain gold,” she whispered.

He smiled. “You said a plain gold band,” he reminded her. “I wanted to get you something more special.”

Tears burned in her eyes. She blinked them away, afraid that he wouldn’t understand that she was crying because he was so incredible and not because she was sad.

She pulled out the diamond-cut band she’d purchased for him and slid it on his finger. As they held hands and faced the judge, Lily’s heart swelled with an emotion she couldn’t define. Wanting filled her—a need for the man standing next to her. She wanted to hold him and be held. To touch him. She wanted to lie in the dark and talk about their future.

She wanted their marriage to be real.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The judge smiled. “You may kiss the bride.”

Jake turned toward her and rested one hand on her shoulder. He kissed her lightly. A gentle kiss that left Lily wanting more.

Tonight, she promised herself. Somehow she would convince Jake to see past her swollen belly and seal the promises made this morning. She would explain that she’d meant her vows, that she wanted their marriage to be real. No matter what it took, she would convince him that this was forever.

But first there was the issue of his family.

“Are you sure no one is upset?” she asked as they walked toward her car. “I’ve been waiting all week for your mom to call and yell at me for making you marry me.”

“You didn’t make me,” he reminded her as he held open the passenger door. “I wanted to do this. Besides, my mother adores you.”

Lily knew that things could change very quickly, especially when there was a sudden and unexpected wedding.

“Are you sure she’s not mad?”

“I promise.” He closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side. “Her exact words were that it was about time and thank God I’d picked you.”

“You didn’t pick me,” she reminded him. “I asked you.”

He stared at her. The corners of his mouth turned up and something dark, mysterious and very appealing flickered in his eyes.

“Make no mistake, Lily. You were my first and only choice.”

Happiness bubbled inside her until she thought she might float. Her baby chose that moment to wake up and start his or her morning exercise program.

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