Page 38 of After the Vows

“Where do you want us, Melody?” I ask as Natalia and I join Lucas at the table holding the cake.

Melody’s a few years younger than me. She’s not a professional photographer but it’s her dream to be one. Since I’m all for women following their dreams, I asked her to be our photographer today.

We pose for shots until Natalia complains. “I’m ready for cake.”

I pick up the cake knife. “I guess I better cut this cake then.”

Lucas wraps a hand around mine. “I believewebetter cut this cake.”

“Ready?” He nods and we slice one piece of cake before plating it.

“Are we really going to feed each other a piece of cake?” I ask.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

Gah. I could fall in love with this sweet man. He really needs to stop being nice to me. Good thing I have the best idea to help him stop being so sweet.

“I’m good.” I give him my back so he won’t notice me pick up the entire piece we just cut.

“Me first,” I say before whirling around and shoving the entire piece in his face.

“Best wedding picture ever!” Melody shouts.

“Great,” Lucas mumbles as he wipes cake out of his eyes. “I was worried you didn’t capture the moment.”

“Stop fooling around, Dad. I want cake.”

“You want cake? I’ll give you cake, my little cupcake.” Lucas lunges at Natalia and she screeches before running away. He chases after her.

Sophia throws an arm over my shoulders. “Look at you, with your little readymade family.”

I slap her arm away. “They’re not my family.” I lower my voice. “This isn’t real, remember?”

“I remember. The question is – do you?”

I can’t pull my gaze away from Natalia and Lucas goofing around. I do remember this isn’t real. Even though I also wish it were.

But it’s not meant to be. I can’t be a mother and Lucas doesn’t want me.

Today is a show. Tomorrow, we go back to ‘normal’.

With a start I realize. I don’t want to go back to normal.

Chapter 14

Girl dad – a father who can remove hairpins without causing baldness

Lucas

“Holy cow,” Chloe murmurs when she opens the door to the honeymoon cabin. “Hudson should not have included this in our wedding package. It’s too much.”

Hudson didn’t actually include it. I paid for it. I couldn’t help myself. When Chloe suggested we return to my house after the party, she got this sad look on her face. I don’t want her to feel sad. I want her to have everything she desires.

“What do you think?”

She throws out her arms and spins around in a circle. “I love it! This cabin is everything.”

She smiles at me and warmth fills my chest. Only for Chloe would I fork out the money for this honeymoon cabin. But it’s worth it. She’s worth it.

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