Page 44 of Thanksgiving With Dad's Best Friend

“Let’s do it,” Lexi murmurs with a smile. I take a step toward her, forgetting everyone else as I cup her face in my hands. I know we’re not supposed to kiss until the end of the ceremony, but I can’t help myself. These vows have made my heart feel so full. As we kiss in front of everyone, there’s a collective sigh and we hold each other tight. I never want to let go.

And now I don’t have to.

The wedding party we’ve prepared is even more impressive than the wedding itself. At the hotel we’ve booked out, there’s a beautiful garden where waiters are milling around with glasses of champagne. The five course meal has just finished, and Lexi hasn’t stopped smiling the whole time. Even her parents are on good terms, politely making small talk at the top table to please their daughter. And best of all, Eddie is back to his normal self, laughing and joking with me and Lexi. It’s the first time I’ve truly felt like this whole thing is going to work. There’s absolutely no bad blood between us, and it’s more than I could have ever asked for.

The music that the live band is playing seems like the perfect song for a first dance. I take Lexi’s hand under the table and squeeze it.

“Want to dance with me?”

She bites her lip. “Actually…I’m going to say no. Not because I don’t want to dance with you. But because I’ve been waiting for this moment for another reason.”

I frown. “Okay…care to explain?”

She smiles to herself. “I requested this song earlier…it was playing on a commercial when we first spent a day together watching TV on the couch. And every time I hear it it makes me emotional…because it was at that point that I realized I loved you. It was such a normal moment that we shared, and yet I looked at you and came to the conclusion that you were the man of my dreams.”

The comment is sweet, but I’m still confused. “Okay…but isn’t that why it’s perfect for our first dance?”

“Maybe…but I have a better idea. You’ll see…I have something I want to give you.”

I glance at Eddie and catch him looking at us in interest. Lexi produces a rectangular box from beneath the table and hands it to me.

“Look inside…you’ll see the best thing I could ever give you.”

I can’t help feeling a little pressured. The three people at this table are looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to see what’s inside. I have no clue what it could be, but I sense that it’s important, otherwise Lexi wouldn’t have made this such a priority.

When I open the box, I can’t help gasping. Inside is a pregnancy test…and as I look at it, I see the word on the tiny screen that I’ve been waiting for. I look up at Lexi with my heart soaring in my chest.

“You’re…you’re pregnant?”

She’s blushing with pride. “We’re finally going to be parents, baby. I wanted to tell you…but it lined up so perfectly with the wedding that I couldn’t resist…I wanted it to be the perfect surprise. I’m six weeks along…and I know there might still be risks, but-”

I lean in and kiss her lips, cutting off her speech. She laughs as she wraps her arms around my neck. Lexi’s parents clap in delight, their faces lit up with the knowledge that they’re going to be grandparents. This moment was so perfectly timed…after all Lexi’s stress about whether her father would forgive us, it almost feels like this was timed with his blessing. Now, we have the most perfect thing growing inside Lexi. I’ve spent six months trying to put a baby in her belly, and now, our dream will become a reality.

Lexi shifts herself onto my lap and I cradle her stomach through her dress in awe. I can barely believe it…we’re finally going to be parents. She leans her head against mine and I hold her tight, feeling dizzy with emotion.

“Are you happy?” she asks me, nuzzling up to me. I close my eyes.

“More than you could ever know.”

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

Lexi

Fifteen Years Later

There’s always been a special place in my heart for Thanksgiving ever since I met the man of my dreams. Knowing it’s what brought us together makes the traditions even better. And now that we’ve got a family to share it with, it’s even better than before.

I woke up at the crack of dawn to get the preparations started. The turkey’s in the oven, and my favorite pecan pie from the market where Flynn and I first bonded is sitting in the fridge for later. The house smells of Thanksgiving food, and I can hear the kids shuffling around upstairs, heading to get showers before the festivities begin.

After our first kid, it was like me and Flynn couldn’t stop having kids. We had three kids in five years, and then another a few years afterward. Now, our four babies are growing up and things are changing, but I feel a sense of warmth knowing that today will be all about our family.

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