Page 116 of Upon an April Night

Duncan pressed a soft kiss to her belly and whispered, “Daddy loves you, Coco.”

Jamie snickered at that. “We’re not naming the baby Coco. What if it’s a boy?”

“A boy could be named Coco.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Is it a boy?”

Jamie shrugged. “I’m not telling. We’re not married yet.”

He stood and wrapped his arms around her. “Now, where were we before we were so wonderfully interrupted?”

Jamie raised on her toes and brushed her lips against his. “Right about here.”

Chapter 44

One month later, as the late afternoon sun bounced off the colorful fall leaves in Aunt Pauline’s yard, Duncan stood under an arbor of flowers beneath one of the giant oak trees, waiting for his bride to emerge from the house. The last time Duncan had stood on this lawn before family and friends, he had been engaged to another, and now he was marrying the only woman he had ever really wanted.

It felt crazy how quickly everything came together. Some might say they were moving too fast, but they knew it was right. They had both known it from the night they spent together. It had just taken Duncan a little bit longer to figure it out and let God show him how wrong he had been.

The music shifted as first Sophia and then Shannon came out of the house. Beside Duncan stood his father—his best man—and Micah. Duncan watched his sisters walk the aisle, each of them reaching out and squeezing his arm as they moved into position.

Then the music changed again, and Jamie stepped from within.

She looked beautiful. Her hair was colored a soft shade of pink, and her dress was a pale blue with sheer sleeves over her shoulders and embroidery and beads covering every inch, but he only saw her eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes now looked at him with more love than he deserved.

The ceremony was brief, the vows short and sweet and not without a few tears.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the pastor declared. “You may kiss the bride.”

“Gladly,” Duncan said, hearing a few chuckles from their guests.

Jamie smiled at him, and he was struck by the happiness radiating from her. She was so beautiful, and she was all his. He took her in his arms and brought her close, kissing her for the first time as his wife.

The guests applauded, then whooped and cheered loudly when the kiss went on a little longer than was traditional.

Jamie pulled away first, smiling demurely, and he loved the soft, pink blush of her cheeks.

Duncan took her hand to head down the aisle, but she leaned close to his ear.

“Do you want to know what we’re having?” she whispered.

His wide eyes darted to hers. “Now?”

“We’re husband and wife.”

A smile spread across his face. “Okay.” For the past few weeks, he’d been looking forward to this with great anticipation.

Jamie gave him a coy smile. “Do you like my hair?”

His eyebrows pinched together. “You know I like whatever you do with your hair.”

“Do you like the color?”

Her meaning became clear as she pointed to her newly pink hair.

His mouth dropped open. “A girl?” he whispered.

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