Page 13 of Dear One Night Stand
“I didn’t think you’d come.”
“I only just got the letter,” I say. “Your falling in love with me?”
She smiles but shakes her head. “No, I’m already hopelessly in love with you.”
I feel the vise clamped around my heart loosen, and for the first time since I left her apartment early this morning, I feel like I can breathe.
“I’m so in love with you.”
“I’m so sorry about—”
I cut her off with a kiss. I understand why she did what she did. If this painful time apart is what I have to pay to know that she is mine forever, it’s a price I’d happily pay.
“Forget about it,” I tell her. “Today is a new day. And I have two coins in my pocket ready to make our dreams come true.”
She chuckles. “We don’t need them. We have each other.”
Epilogue
CHRIS
The curtain closes on stage, and the lights dim. I'm the first one out of my seat, clapping for Annie. The curtains open again, and the cast is lined up and holding hands. They step forward as one and take a bow. Annie’s eyes find me when she straightens, and the bright smile that spreads across her face takes my breath away.
I lean over to the guy next to me and point to Annie. “That’s my wife.”
He nods but shows no interest in this fact. It’s only been a few weeks since we got married and I’m still not used to saying that. We had to push our plans for a honeymoon out because Annie is lead in the Milson Theater’s rendition ofBarefoot in the Park. But tonight is the last night of its run. Finally, I can take my bride off on our honeymoon in Bora Bora.
The audience claps until the curtain closes for the last time, and I follow the crowd out the doors. But instead of heading towards the exit, I make a turn around the corner and wait for Annie to come out. The bouquet I picked out for her is hidden behind my back when she comes out.
“There’s my star!” I call to her.
She smiles and runs over to me. I catch her as she jumps into my arms. I feel something wet splash against the back of my neck.
“Oops! I’m sorry,” Annie says, trying to wipe my neck with her sleeve. “I got sparkling cider on you.”
"Wow." I shake my head. "Dozens of performances, and they can't spring for a bottle of champagne on the last night?"
“They did, but I can’t drink that—” she stops, her eyes widening like she’s said too much.
“Since when can’t you drink champagne?” I ask.
Annie sighs and smacks her hand against her forehead. “I was going to wait until the perfect moment in Bora Bora, but I guess the cat’s out of the bag now.”
I stare at her in confusion until I playback the conversation in my head, trying to catch what I missed the first time around. I stiffen and grab her shoulders gently.
“Wait, you aren’t saying what I think you are saying, are you?”
“I don’t know. What do you think I’m saying?”
“That we’re pregnant,” I whisper, as if saying the words out loud will somehow jinx this moment.
She nods. “The doctor called this morning to confirm.”
I scoop Annie up in my arms and swing her around but realize that what I’m doing could hurt her or the baby, so I put her down quickly.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m pregnant.” She rolls her eyes. “I’m not breakable."
