Page 42 of Nick

“Good, because I’m starving,” I said, kissing her back. “Are you sure this dress is going to fit?”

“Yes, I just bought it, and it stretches. See how it goes.”

“Oh, I can see how it goes, alright. Damn, you look so hot in this dress. All the men will want you to be having their baby.”

“Well, that’s not going to happen, so that thought will have to leave their head. You are pretty handsome yourself. If that woman who kissed you that day comes around, don’t you let her lips touch yours. I don’t kiss men’s lips that have touched another woman’s.”

“Sweetheart, no other woman’s lips will ever touch mine. That’s not something you will ever have to worry about. Are you ready? Where are your shoes?”

“I don’t know. They must be in my car. It’s in the parking lot. Amber has the keys.”

“I have your shoes with me. Can I come in?” When we walked out, the family was lined up against the walls, all of them smiling. Amber gave Opal her shoes. They were the first pair of flats I’d ever seen on her.

“These shoes look way safer than the others you wear. Did you just buy them to satisfy me?”

“No, I bought them because the heels were uncomfortable while I’m pregnant. Is everyone coming to my house?”

“No, we are going to let you rest,” Samuel said, kissing her cheek.

“I’m getting married on Saturday. All of you have to be at my wedding. Nothing fancy, but I will need a white wedding dress.”

“We’ll take care of that for you,” Jade said, smiling.

19

Opal

Jade, Ruby, and Amber were helping me dress. They still hadn’t shown me the dress, and I cried when they finally brought it out. “Where did you find this? It’s beautiful.”

“I found a little shop in Montana. I knew you would love it. Sandy made sure it was your size.”

“How is Sandy?”

“She’s great. She said Jeff came back to the shop and asked her out, so she went out to dinner with him last night.”

“Wow, I’m in shock. I thought Jeff’s type of date was beach bunnies. I hope he is kind to her.”

“Sandy is adorable and so sweet. She told us that you had saved her life. She said you told her to get down and took her place at the register.”

“I knew she would freak out, and he would shoot her. I didn’t know how to open the cash register, so he shot me. I knew he would shoot the babies. That’s why I hit him.”

“Of course, you had to hit him. Let’s not think of him anymore.”

I put the dress on, and my heart swelled. This dress made me feel beautiful. I loved this dress, I might have been pregnant, but I felt sexy. I knew Nick would love it. “You have found me the perfect dress. Nick is going to love it. I’ll wear my white and silver heel with this dress. Thank you for finding this for me.”

“You’re welcome. Where is Julia? She’s with her grandparents. She’s a little shy with everyone still, so she wanted to sit with them.”

“Mom, are you ready? Are you ready to walk down the aisle?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

“Aunties, it would be best if you took your seat.”

They hugged me and left crying. I looked at Axel, he was growing up so fast. I took his arm, and we started our walk down the hallway of Grandpa’s house. I saw all my friends and family sitting there smiling, and some cried. I was overjoyed. I couldn’t believe that this was my life—that I was having twins with the man of my dreams.

Finally, I looked at Nick; his eyes were watery like mine. I saw Julia crying. I stopped, took her hand, and walked up to where her daddy waited. Now we had our whole family standing together. Jax stood next to Nick as the pastor married us. I looked down at Julia. “Now you are my child. Is that okay?”

“Yes, can I call you Mommy?”

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