Page 16 of Against the Odds

Felicity is a vision in her fitted lace gown with her long hair curled to perfection. It isn’t the gown or the perfect makeup on her face that makes her a breathtaking bride. No, it’s the happiness that surrounds her. The large smile on her face and the look of forever love when she looks at her groom. A tear slips from my eye and I dab at it with the tissue I’ve hidden in my hand.

My eyes lift to Ian, his still focused on me, and I offer him a small smile to set his worried mind at ease. It’s a wedding. Everyone is crying.

The vows are exchanged and promises of forever are made. I survived two contractions and pray that while we’re walking back down the aisle, our child relaxes for a few minutes. I need to get to the cake cutting at least. I am the maid of honor and dammit I will give my toast and eat a piece of cake.

Group photos go quickly which is probably thanks to the laminated list Felicity gave the coordinator. We promised the bride we would not do any ridiculous dance or routine to enter the reception. For a brief minute the groomsmen considered going against her wishes but ultimately, we all agreed this town is too small for us to embarrass ourselves.

“Are your feet hurting? I can grab your slippers from the bag in the car.”

Ashton and Taylor are announced as I look up at Ian. “My feet are okay. Why?”

“You flinched back there like you were in pain.”

Shit. Here I thought I was pulling this off.

“Oh. I’m okay. Once we get our dance out of the way I’ll take you up on the slippers.”

“Next up, the Best Man, Ian Wilkes, and Maid of Honor, Katy Westbrook.”

The crowd goes wild with shouts and whistles as we enter the room. Ian chuckles at the response as he twirls me out and back to him. I laugh and fall into his arms. Well, stumble is more like it. He leads me to our seats at the bridal party table. I settle into my seat and my entire body relaxes. Except my abdomen, it begins to tighten and I close my eyes, breathing through the contraction.

I look at the time on my watch and note it’s been about eight minutes since my last one. A warm hand touches my shoulder and I pry my eyes open. The contraction has passed and I have roughly eight minutes to act normal. My eyes seek out Addy who has been keeping an eye on me from a distance. She knew as soon as we left the ceremony that something was going on, so I had to confess my secret. Thankfully she’s not a worrier and told me what to pay attention to.

“Have some water. I think we have two songs until we have to dance.” Ian’s smile is so sweet I almost want to tell him I’m in labor. Almost.

I take the offered water. The cold liquid feels good as it slides down my throat. The six of us at the table watch as the bride and groom have their first dance before transitioning to Felicity dancing with her father.

The DJ invites the wedding party to come to the dance floor. My hand slips into Ian’s and I follow him to the edge of the hardwood floor. The huge beach ball protruding from my body keeps us from getting too close, but we manage. I’m not looking forward to seeing the wedding photos. I’m sure I look like a big pink puff of cotton candy. The options for a maternity dress that could be altered easily was more complicated than we expected.

Ian and I sway, our steps slow as we move. Neither of us says anything and while I can’t speak for Ian, I am enjoying the music. Lyrics of coming alive with first kisses seems fitting for this moment. The night I spent with Ian nine months ago changed my life. Lying with him, talking and more, it all brought me to this moment. Back in his arms, feeling safe and protected.

The arm that wraps around my waist, pulls me a little closer, squeezing my belly between us. Lifting my chin, I look into his eyes. The dark brown almost black orbs fall from my eyes to my lips. Do I want him to kiss me? Yes. I want to feel those lips again. I want him to hold me again.

“Katy,” my name is a whisper as he stops moving us, his hand lifting to cup my cheek. We both move toward one another, but I stop.

Eyes wide, I step back and look down. Unless my bladder released itself, I won’t be making my speech tonight.

ChapterThirteen

IAN

I knew Katy was amazing the first five minutes we spent together in Vegas. What I didn’t realize was how strong and brave she is until tonight. Or rather, this morning. After her water broke at the reception, she waved me off when I started rushing to grab our things. Addison moved quickly by finding staff members to clean up the puddle and pulled Katy aside to check her vitals.

Turns out, my son’s mother had been keeping a secret from me all day. That’s right, my son. A perfect and amazing baby boy we named Alexander Michael Westbrook Wilkes. We hadn’t discussed last names over the last week and when Katy suggested both I didn’t bother hiding the tears. Hell, I’ve not stopped crying since he screeched his first wail announcing his arrival.

“Are you going to put him down?” Katy teases from her bed.

“Never. We’re best friends forever, right buddy?”

A loud yawn falls from her lips but I can see Katy fighting sleep. How she hasn’t fallen asleep I’ll never understand. For hours she walked the halls or moved around the room to keep the pain at bay. I did my best to be there for her but I felt more in the way than anything else. She never made me feel like that but it was still there in my gut.

When it was time to push, I stood next to her, holding her legs, telling how proud I was of her and showering her with compliments. Between contractions she told me words of affirmation were not her love language. She prefers acts of service.

“If I could trade places, I’d do it. That counts as acts of service, right?”

“Ian, that would be acts of service and gift giving. As much as this hurts I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

It was in that moment I knew for sure I wanted more time with this woman. With her and our son. Building a family, no matter how that looks. We’re in this together and there is no doubt in my mind that we will rock this parent thing.

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