Page 75 of In Her Shadow

Maybe it’s not appropriate to say, but my girl looks on fire as she stands at her best friend's graveside in a tight, black dress that’s far too short, made of lace, and shows off her round, fertile belly magnificently. There's no one else here but us and the pastor, which surprises me since I made sure a memo was sent to Katelyn's workplace. I also made sure her grandma knew what was happening. They may not have spoken for a long time, but she had a right to know.

I always got the impression Katelyn was popular. I guess I really did get her all wrong.

“You know we’re going to Hell,” Eloise tells me as I steady her by her elbow and help her back to the car. She insisted on wearing black heels, which are far too high for a woman in her condition, but I wasn’t going to argue.

I’m always going to be there to catch her if she falls.

“I’ve already got a ticket there, but something tells me you'll be spared.” I wink at her as I open the car door and help her inside.

“I can’t wait to get home,” I moan once I open my own door and get behind the wheel. “We really need to serve this little monster her eviction notice.” She tries her best to getcomfortable in her seat, and when I try helping her with the seat belt, she swats me away and tries to fix it herself, then eventually gives up and lets me do it.

“It was a lovely service.” She smiles at me once she’s calmed down. “Thank you for arranging it.”

“You're welcome.” I reach over to kiss her before turning on the engine and pulling away.

“You know this isn’t the way home, right?” She questions me when I make a right and start heading into the city.

“I know it’s not. I have a little surprise for you before we go home.” I smile, keeping one hand resting on our baby girl and the other on the wheel.

“What kind of surprise?” I can’t tell if she’s excited or disappointed. I know today will have taken its toll on her, and that despite the front she’s putting on, she’ll be blaming herself. I want to give her something to be happy about. At least, I’m hoping this will make her happy.

I keep her in suspense for the rest of the journey, despite her keeping on at me to tell her where we’re going, and when I pull up outside the courthouse, she still doesn't seem to have a clue.

“Ren Ashcroft, what are you up to?” she asks suspiciously.

“You're about to find out.” Jumping out of the car, I rush round to her side, supporting one hand under her stomach, and the other on her back as I aid her out and onto her feet.

I have to remember not to walk too fast as I guide her up the stairs and into the foyer, and when she sees my uncle waiting on one of the benches with Mary-Ann from her office, she really looks confused.

“Sorry, we’re a little late,” I apologize to them.

“Don’t be sorry, Mary-Ann here was telling me all about her third marriage.” Stefan glares into my eyes as if he wants to strangle me.

“It started and ended right here in this courthouse. I was?—”

“This is for you.” My uncle quickly interrupts Mary-Ann before she can continue, handing Eloise the bouquet I had made especially for her. White roses for her, black ones for me.

My girl must really be off her game because shestilllooks confused.

“Every bride needs a bouquet.” I bite my lip, hoping she won’t be mad at me. I took on board what she said a few months ago about not wanting a fancy wedding. I get that most brides want to plan this kind of thing themselves, but she’s had a lot on her mind, and I want this deal sealed before our baby gets here.

“Ren, we’re both dressed in black.” She looks down at her dress, then at the black suit I’m wearing, and the giggle she makes has me wanting to rip the black dress right off her.

“It’s perfect.” I drag her closer by her hip, kissing her hard and making my uncle clear his throat. “Come on, you two have kept the registrar waiting long enough,” he warns, and I still hear her giggling as I take her hand and drag her through to the room where the court clerk is waiting.

Uncle Stefan watches on proudly, and Mary-Ann blubs all the way through, despite the fact that there is nothing deep and meaningful in his words. I asked for the basic, standard legal procedure because we don’t need words of love and promises. My vows to her are sealed in blood, and hers to me glisten in her eyes when I slide the wedding band over her finger.

“Just a few more formalities before I can announce you as husband and wife.” He unscrews the lid from his fountain pen, and Eloise shocks us all when she presses her palms to the desk and lets out a loud moan.

“Kitten?” I check she's alright, wrapping my arm around her hips while pressing my hand to her stomach.

“I’m fine, my waters just broke.” She looks up at me with a huge smile on her face, and when I glance down at the floor, I see a wet pool on the carpet between her feet.

“Oh… how exciting!” Mary-Ann claps her hands, while I go into panic mode.

“Hospital! We need to get you to the hospital.” I swallow hard, trying to remember the procedure I had planned out in my head. The first thing I need to do is grab the bag. But the bag isn’t fucking here, it’s at home.

“We’re good.” Eloise takes hold of my wrist. “He said just a few more things to do. I can make it through,” she assures me, trying to get her breath back as she stands back up.

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