Page 46 of Kiss me Forever

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” I tell him.

With no one around we make love in the water, holding each other close, and creating some steam to rise into the air. We’re both quite sated this night as we head back to our yacht where we anchor in a secluded bay, the perfect setting for a romantic candlelit dinner all by ourselves. We eat a delicate feast of fresh seafood, bread, cheese, and an assortment of tropical fruits. I’m going to be a lot pickier back at home when preparing dinners.

We stay up long into the night looking at the clear skies filled with bright stars, and talk about our future, the adventures that are still to come, and about how much we love each other. This honeymoon might come to an end, but our lives will always be one long adventure, just how it should be for everyone.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Piper

Life after our honeymoon has been just as magical as our two-week adventure in Greece. We’re excited to travel more, but we’re just as happy being at home. Every single day we’re together feels like a new chapter in the books I’m continuing to write. Our home is filled with each other, with family, with friends, and with love, laughter and an occasional challenge that we face together with humor and grace.

Magnus and I have settled into married life with ease. If I’d have known married life could be this wonderful, I would’ve searched for Magnus much sooner. I wouldn’t have let him go that first time we met when he wasn’t quite as nice. It wouldn’t have taken him long. The best part of being married is that we find joy in even the simplest moments, and our bond continues to grow. I know it will only get better, even when we do have those difficult days that are sure to come. I’ll remember these moments now, though, and won’t let the hard times keep me down.

We’ve been married for three months now, and I have a surprise for my husband that I’m sure he’s going to be as thrilled about as I am. Not telling Livie first has been killing me, but I need to remember I’m a wife now, and so is Livie. We have to share each other with our husbands. It still makes me smile every time I even think that word. It’s absolutely beautiful.

Today is the day I’m going to let him know that we’re going to be parents. We talked about it before we got married, the day we held Julie for the first time, and it’s what we both want. The anticipation bubbling inside me is making it difficult for me to think of anything other than our baby. I rub my flat stomach and can’t wait to feel it grow to see our child showing itself to the world. I’m not even worried about getting fat. I have no doubt Magnus will still think I’m beautiful, and my body was made to carry our child.

One other thing I can think about though, is my book has been accepted by a publisher. I did get two denial letters, but the third was an acceptance. It’s still blowing my mind. In about nine months I’ll be an officially published authors. It all seems so surreal, more than one dream coming true at once.

I’m a little horrified at how long it takes for a book to go from finished to readers, though. I had no idea. Maybe self-publishing doesn’t seem so bad. A book will certainly get out to readers much faster. But then again, what if no one wants to read my books? Nope! Not going there. Today is a beautiful day and I’m not going to worry about a thing. I’ll do some research because patience isn’t one of my virtues.

Despite my racing thoughts, I spend the day preparing for Magnus’s arrival. I want everything to be absolutely perfect. I have a special gift box hidden in the closet that I pull out. I meticulously arrange the contents in it, looking down at the tiny little onesie that says “Future Chef” on it, and the pair of sweet little knitted booties. Next to this, I place the letter from my blood tests, saying I’m definitely pregnant. We have an ultrasound scheduled for next week. That is something I want him at my side when I go to.

I pace the house as I wait for him to get back home after his meeting in Seattle. Though he’s never late getting home, I’m more than a little impatient today. I munch on chocolate, blaming it on the pregnancy as I move back and forth from the front door to the kitchen and back again.

Finally, about three in the afternoon, I hear his vehicle pull up and my heart starts racing. As difficult as it is, I wait in the kitchen on a stool next to the box. He moves this way first thing. I can hardly contain my excitement. His handsome face still takes my breath away as I once again love how lucky I am that he’s mine and loves me so much. Him being home instantly fills our place with warmth and love.

“Hello, my love,” he says as he leans in and kisses me. “Did you have a good day of writing?”

“I do normally write better when you aren’t here distracting me,” I tell him with a chuckle. I’ve had to kick him out of the house a few times when a chapter is flowing through me. He’s much too distracting for me to live in a fantasy world when I have the real hero right here next to me.

“I don’t mind distracting you,” he tells me before he notices the box. “What is this?”

“I have a surprise for you,” I tell him while trying to keep my excitement out of my voice.

“You’re my surprise,” he says as he kisses me again. I pull back and laugh as I push him toward the package. His eyebrows raise in curiosity.

“Open it,” I tell him, not able to stand the wait. Maybe I should’ve just told him. This is killing me. He’s not a huge gift person, doesn’t get as excited as I do. I don’t know how he can look at a present and not rip into it. Odd, incredibly strange.

Magnus finally lets me go and opens the box. He then goes still as he sees what’s inside. He picks up the onesie, then the booties, and finally the pregnancy paper that he slowly reads. He looks up, his eyes shining as joy radiates from his faces sending tingles all through my body. I can’t hold back my tears as we gaze at each other, neither of us moving.

“Is this real?” he softly asks, his voice choked. He’s gazing at me like I’m a porcelain doll he wants to make sure not to break.

I nod, trying to contain my emotion so I can speak. “We’re going to be parents, Magnus,” I huskily whisper.

He finally moves as his face lights up with a smile. He’s still gripping the onesie as he rushes to me and gently scoops me into his arms, spinning us in a circle. “This is the best news I’ve ever heard . . . other than the moment you told me yes,” he shouts with joy. “I’m going to be a daddy.”

“Yes, you are,” I say through a sniffle. We hug for long moments, both of us utterly overwhelmed with the raw joy we’re feeling. He finally sets me down, then cups my cheeks before leaning over and kissing me breathless. When he pulls back I’m choked up all over again.

“This is so wonderful. I can’t wait to tell mom. I want to shout it to the world.”

“I can now tell Livie. You had to be first though,” I assure him.

“I wouldn’t have been upset with you. I know you two rely on each other. There’s no chance I’d even think of coming between you,” he assures me.

“That’s just one more reason I love you so dang much,” I tell him.

The two of us spend the rest of the night celebrating, talking about how different our lives will be, and our hopes and dreams for our first child. Magnus already has many ideas on how he can be the best father in the world. He’s already got that down because our child is the size of a peanut, and he already loves it big.

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