My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “So are you.”

The vows weresimple but heartfelt. Hudson’s voice was steady as he spoke, his words wrapping around me like a warm embrace.

“Naomi,” he began, his eyes never leaving mine, “you came into my life like a storm—unexpected, undeniable, and completely unforgettable. You’ve shown me what it means to fight, to love, and to believe in something bigger than myself. Today, I promise to stand by your side, through every challenge,every triumph, and every quiet moment in between. You are my home, and I choose you, always.”

Tears streamed down my face as I repeated my own vows, my voice trembling but sure.

“Hudson, you’ve been my anchor, my strength, and my light in the darkest times. You’ve shown me what it means to trust, to believe, and to love without fear. Today, I promise to build a life with you, to fight for us, and to cherish every moment we have together. You are my forever, and I choose you, always.”

The reception was heldin a nearby barn, its rustic charm transformed by soft lighting and carefully placed decorations. Laughter and music filled the air as we danced, ate, and celebrated with the people who had supported us through everything.

At one point, Hudson pulled me aside, leading me out to the open field just beyond the barn. The stars above were impossibly bright, the night quiet save for the faint hum of the celebration behind us.

“This is my favorite part,” he said, pulling me close. “Just us.”

I rested my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. “Me too.”

He tilted my chin up, his gaze soft and full of emotion. “We did it, Naomi. We made it.”

“We did,” I said, smiling. “And this is just the beginning.”

As he leaned down, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that felt like a promise, I knew he was right. This wasn’t just a wedding. It was the start of everything we’d fought so hard for—a life filled with love, hope, and possibility. Together. Forever.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Naomi

The morning sunlight spilled through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the small table where I sat, staring at the little plastic stick in my hand. My fingers trembled as I turned it over, the two unmistakable lines staring back at me like a secret I wasn’t sure how to hold.

Pregnant.

The word echoed in my mind, both thrilling and terrifying. I pressed a hand to my stomach, a rush of emotions flooding through me—happiness, fear, hope, uncertainty. I thought about Hudson, about how his face would light up when I told him, about how he’d pull me into his arms and promise me the world. But beneath the joy, a shadow of fear loomed.

The trauma of what we’d been through wasn’t gone. It had faded, dulled by time and the safety we’d built, but it was still there, buried deep. The idea of bringing a child into a world that had once felt so dangerous made my chest tighten.

Would we be enough to protect them?

Hudson walkedinto the kitchen a few minutes later, fresh from the morning run he insisted on taking every day. His hair was slightly damp, his cheeks flushed from the cool air, and he wore that easy smile that always made my heart flutter.

“Morning,” he said, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “What’s got you up so early?”

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the test. “I... couldn’t sleep.”

His brow furrowed slightly as he sat down across from me. “Everything okay?”

“Yes. No. I don’t know,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “Hudson, there’s something I need to tell you.”

His smile faded, replaced by concern as he leaned forward, his hands covering mine. “Naomi, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage I had. “I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Hudson’s eyes widened, his lips parting as he processed my words. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face, so full of joy it made my chest ache.

“Pregnant?” he repeated, his voice filled with awe. “We’re... we’re going to have a baby?”

I nodded, tears spilling over as I laughed softly. “Yes. We are.”

He stood abruptly, pulling me into his arms and holding me so tightly I could barely breathe. “Naomi,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You just made me the happiest man alive.”