Page 65 of Jonathan

Their moment was interrupted by one of the band members announcing a special performance dedicated to the bride and groom. A hush fell over the crowd as the musicians began to play a tender, heartfelt melody. Jonathan and his new wife swayed gently to the music, lost in each other’s eyes.

Around them, the celebration continued. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the clinking of glasses signaled toasts being made in their honor. It was a night filled with love, joy, and promises of a beautiful future ahead.

As the final notes of the song faded away, Jonathan kissed her softly, sealing his vow of forever. The cheers and applause that followed were a testament to the love and support surrounding them on their special day.

*****

He undressed her carefully. Their honeymoon was starting the next day, but they had decided to spend their wedding night at the first place they had made love, the cabin. It was also the place that had been marred by a maniac who had kidnapped her.

But as she pointed out, it was time to put that behind them and christened the area with something good and new.

The cabin, nestled deep in the serene woods, stood as a symbol of their journey - its walls now resonating with bittersweet memories and the promise of new beginnings. With the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the windows, they found solace in each other’s arms.

And it was the perfect place to impart the joyous news. Someone had been dispatched to do a thorough cleaning and the place shone with the enthusiastic effort that had been out into the task.

The mixture of pine and lemon combined with the scent of burning peat, made for a homey and cozy feel. The sheets had been changed, the heavy quilt turned back invitingly.

A bottle of vintage champagne nestled in its bed of ice and the slices of the cream and raspberry wedding cake were on the table next to the bed. She had been queasy and had not done much justice to the rich food that had been served.

Jon had noticed it of course and wanted to know if everything was okay. She had told him that her stomach was tied in knots. “Wedding jitters.” She had passed it off as and he had accepted the excuse.

“Can we lie here a minute?” She asked him quietly as he slid in next to her, their naked bodies making contact.

“Everything okay?” He asked quizzically, studying her exquisite face. She had washed the makeup off and looked so appealingly young, that it sent a jolt straight through him.

Lifting a hand, she cupped his face. “Before I met you, I was all business.” She mused. “I told myself that all I need was my career and worked damned hard to be the best. I loved the fact that I made an impression, loved seeing my name at the byline of an article.

I particularly enjoyed breezing all over the world, tasting the different cuisines. It was a dream job. I went to Jamaica and enjoyed their local meals – curried and jerk chicken and spicy goat meat.

And I was in heaven, because – like I said before, dream job.” She paused and he watched and waited, realizing that she was building up to something. “Then I met you.” Her eyes clouded with tears. “And none of that mattered.” She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“I started to yearn for something more. Love,” her fingers trailed over his strong chin. “A family of my own. Children.” Her lipstrembled. “And now I have it all. Everything I never knew I wanted.”

Taking the hand that was cupping his face, he linked their fingers together, his own emotions veering close to the edge. And it took him a few seconds to realize what she was saying. “Wait! Back up. You said you have it all. What do you…?” His eyes narrowed as he took in her smile. “Baby…?”

“That’s exactly right darling.” Taking their joined hands, she guided it down until she was pressing against her flat stomach.

Jon’s breath caught in his throat as the realization dawned on him. “You mean..., we’re having a baby?” His voice was barely above a whisper, a mixture of awe and joy.

She nodded, her eyes shimmering with tears of happiness. “Yes, Jon. We’re going to be parents.”

A powerful wave of emotions washed over him - love, protectiveness, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Hepulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair. “I love you so much,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “And I can’t wait to start this new chapter with you.”

They lay there in silence for a few moments, simply holding each other, savoring the blissful news. The future stretched out before them, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of a shared life, now with a new life growing within her.

“When? How?”

She smiled at him. “You’re going to need to use your words, darling.”

“I know the how of it, but when? How far along are you? And when did you find out?”

“I started feeling a little dizzy a couple weeks ago and decided to check it out during the trip back home. I am three weeks pregnant.”

His joy turned to concern. “Is there anything you should not be doing?” A frown touched his brow. “I had you on that dance floor - Christ! Did I hurt you?”

“Stop.” She told him laughingly. “I am fine. We’re fine. And if you’re thinking of taking it easy with me tonight, I am going to have to hurt you.”

“Perhaps we should forget about making love…” He huffed out a breath when she jammed her elbow in his stomach. “I guess that answers my question.” His hands cupped her face, eyes turbulent, reminding her of a storm-tossed sea. “You undo me. I am humbled by what you make me feel. I won’t insult you by asking if it’s too soon.”

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