Page 170 of Falling for the Wife

“You and chocolate?” She licked her lips. “You’re on.”

The mess we left for the next day was unbelievable, much to my housekeeper’s delight since she wanted us to make babies…

A baby, however… comes later.

For now, I have to start at the beginning.

? C

I wanted to renew our vows because, this time, it was the real deal. I wanted to see her eyes as she said the words to me. We had even returned to where it had all started, St. Lucia, because I wanted to be in a place which held great memories for us.

I chose to propose to her next to Richard’s burial plot. It might seem weird to some, but I wanted her family to be a part of this, too. I also wanted them to know, if they were watching, that I was serious about Stella.

“Ever since you came back into my life, nothing has ever been the same. You came and you marked me anew.” I looked into her eyes, seeing only her; her big heart, her love for me as well as my future with her, my wife. “I was suffocating, drowning in my sorrows—and you—you came and you breathed new life into me. You have seized my soul when I didn’t want it possessed. You burned and made your mark even though I held you at arm’s length.

“I love you. I am so in love with you that I want to make you my wife twice. I want to hear you say the words to me, before our friends and family, that you’re mine and I’m yours becauseI amyours…

“You—” I spoke, breathless as I tried to reign all the flooding emotions that were overwhelming me at the moment. “You own me, Stella, and I wouldn’t want for anything if you make me your husband again. Marry me and be mine forever?”

Tears formed in her eyes as she broke down in front of me.

My wife was a beautiful mess and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

That same day, when Stella fell asleep after we made love, I found myself before my best friend’s grave. I stood there a moment, understanding the meaning of it all. Rehashing memories of that very same day I came back to the island, Richard bearing bad news along with the request of marriage to Stella.

“Thank you for bringing me to her,” I murmured. “Even though you’re gone, you’ve still looked out for me. I will take care of her. I love her more than anything. We miss you.” Silently, I spoke to my departed friend as if he was still alive.

? C

The next day, I had our family and friends flown in for our wedding. Eleanor was the one who handled it all and I couldn’t have been more grateful for her help.

Our ceremony was held during sunset since it had been during one that I realized that I had been in love with Stella all along. I wanted to see the sun set on her again as we shared our love.

It was an intimate gathering. One that was sealed in my heart. This time, when I spoke my vows, it was spoken with truth—mytruth.

That very same night, we were out on our bedroom’s balcony, draped only with a sheet while we stared out to the sea with the moon and the stars above as we cooled our heated bodies in the hammock, when Stella broke the silence.

“You know what I thought when I first saw you?” She cocked her head sideways, reminiscing.

This ought to be interesting. “Love to hear it.”

“I thought you were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and I wanted you for myself. When I told Richard what I thought, he laughed me off, saying that maybe someday, if I let fate do its own will, it just might happen.” Stella crawled a little closer to my face. “I love you, Callum Kensington.”

I paused, looking at her grinning, beautiful face as my heart squeezed tighter. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

Epilogue

Callum

“Your baby is so beautiful,”Stella cooed at Ally’s newly christened baby girl named Elizabeth.

“Here, why don’t you try to burp her? I need to go and check on something in the kitchen.”

Stella looked skeptical. “Uh, yeah. If you really want me to.”

“I’ll hold her if you like,” Blake Knightly, who was sitting next to Sienna on the outdoor settee, offered Ally as he placed his drink on the coffee table.

Ally reddened. “You would? Thank you, Blake,” she muttered, not looking him in the eye as she moved closer to pass the small, cute bundle over.

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