Page 103 of Unexpected
I was flooded with relief, overwhelmed with excitement, and just in awe of this incredible woman. I slanted my lips over hers, needing to seal the moment with a kiss. I poured all my hopes and dreams, all my love into it.
I loved her. I loved her, and I couldn’t wait to marry her. I gathered her in my arms and carried her up the stairs to our room, where I spent the rest of the night making love to my future wife.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Ooh, girl.” Lauren stood behind me, meeting my eyes in the reflection in the mirror. “You look amazing.”
I smoothed my hands over my stomach, which had popped in the last month. “Despite the baby bump?”
“Becauseof the baby bump. This dress is perfect for your curves, and Preston is going to lose his shit when he sees you.”
I grinned, knowing she was right. He was going to love the cream gown that flowed over my body like water. It dipped low in the front, showcasing my larger breasts, but gathered around my stomach. It was the perfect mix of retro and modern, and it made me feel incredibly sexy. And it was perfect for the venue—the 1920s jazz club where we’d had our first date.
Sophia skipped into the room with Juliana on her heels. “Oh, Mommy.” She came to a halt when she saw me, and I turned to face her. “You look sooo pretty.”
“So do you, baby.” She looked so sweet in her blush-colored dress with a sparkly headband. The locket Preston gave her dangled around her neck, and I knew she couldn’t wait to walk me down the aisle.
“Everyone’s in place,” Juliana said. “So, whenever you’re ready.”
“I think I changed my mind,” I blurted.
Juliana gasped, and Lauren’s eyes went wide. “Are you having second thoughts?” she whispered.
This wasn’t my first time walking down the aisle, but it would be my last. We’d planned the wedding in less than a month, and it had been a whirlwind of excitement. But now, I wanted to savor the moment. And I wanted to take a moment to be with Preston.
“Juliana, can you get the photographer? I want to have a ‘first look’ after all.”
I could hear the collective sigh of relief, and I laughed. “Wait…did you guys think I was having second thoughts about marrying Preston?”
“If you were,” Juliana said, pausing at the door, “I was going to step in. I planned a kick-ass party, and your groom looks hot.”
I laughed, placing a hand on my belly. “Well, we wouldn’t want to ruinyourparty, Juliana,” I teased, knowing how hard this had to be for her—planning a wedding less than a year after she’d lost her fiancé in a tragic accident. But she’d been insistent.
“And keep your hands off the groom—he’s mine,” I said, hoping to keep the mood light.
“Oh, there’s no doubting that,” Lauren said. “That boy is so in love with you.”
“Not a boy,” I chided.
“Mm, girl. I know.” She waggled her eyebrows, placing her hand on Sophia’s shoulder and steering her toward the door. “Come on, Soph. Let’s give your parents a moment alone.”
“Why can’t I stay?” she asked as they passed through the door.
“Because this is a special moment just for them. One day, you’ll understand,” Lauren said.
I turned back to the mirror, checking my teeth, adjusting my earrings. I couldn’t believe I was getting married—again. But this time, I knew I was making the right decision. I couldn’t imagine my life without Preston. I couldn’t imagine our family without him.
A moment later, there was a knock at the door. “Alexis?” Preston called.
With a shaky hand, I twisted the knob, opening the door just an inch or two. “Are you ready?”
“So ready,” he said. “The photographer is here.”
The photographer took some shots, framing us on either side of the door, holding hands. We still hadn’t seen each other, and I was growing impatient.
“Okay,” the photographer said. “I’m going to have Preston wait for you at the end of the hall with his back turned.” A moment later, he said, “You can come out now, Alexis.”
As promised, Preston was standing at the end of the hall. It was the first time I’d seen him all day, and I admired the way the custom tuxedo draped over the muscles of his shoulders and back. And when he turned to face me, I felt the rightness of my decision settle over me. Not only was I happy we got to share this moment, but I was thrilled I got to share my life with him.
