Page 71 of The Caress

He laughs, pulling me in for a quick kiss. "Maybe then, my love. For now, let’s enjoy every minute together."

The past six months have been the happiest in my life. Now that we’re finally married, it truly feels like the happy ending to my own personal fairytale. Except it isn’t an ending at all. This is just the beginning of our lives together. I’m so thankful I get to share it with Keir.

"We might not be able to jog as fast as normal," I say once we’ve finished stretching. "I mean, it’s probably fine if we do, but…"

He cocks his head to the side and gives me a curious look. "Are you okay, baby? Is your stomach upset? We don’t have to jog at all if you’re not feeling up to it. I’d be just as happy to lie around in bed with you."

It feels like dozens of butterflies have come to life in my stomach and are currently doing backflips as I reach down into my beach bag and pull out a small black and white photo. "This isn’t how I imagined I’d tell you, but I can’t hold it in anymore."

His brow furrows as he looks down at the picture in my hand. "What is it, beautiful? Whatever it is, you know I won’t be upset."

I laugh as I pass the photo to him. "No, I don’t think you’ll be upset at all."

"What am I looking at?" He squints, turning the photo sideways, then upside down. It takes a few seconds, but I can see the flash of recognition in his eyes when he finally realizes what it is. "Holy shit." He looks from the picture to me. "Ella, is this… are you serious? Are you sure? Is this what I think it is?"

I nod, looking up at him through my lashes, as the butterflies start to calm down. "I’m pregnant. We’re going to have a baby."

"We’re going to have a baby!" he calls out, scooping me into his arms and spinning me around before stopping abruptly and gingerly setting me back on my feet. "I’m sorry, baby." His hand moves down to my belly. "I didn’t hurt anything, did I? Is everything still okay in there?"

I can’t help but laugh in spite of the worried look on his handsome face. "The baby is fine. We’re fine. Better than fine. We’re perfect."

He grins and kisses me, holding me tight in his arms as we sway back and forth in the island breeze. "Have you told anyone else yet? Kaia, Joy, or Isla? Saffron?"

"Not yet." I love how excited he is. I knew he’d be happy, but seeing his reaction has made my heart feel full. "I figured we could sit the kids down together and tell them. And I think this will be a good excuse to bring Kaia on full-time at the dance studio. Maybe as a partner. I’d love for her to have the kind of stability in her life that I have in mine."

"I think that’s a great idea," he says, nodding, still holding me as he looks into my eyes. "Have I told you how happy you make me?"

"I’m pretty sure I’ve heard you say something like that before." I toss him a playful wink. "Maybe once or twice."

"Once or twice?" he laughs. "That means I need to make up for lost time. You make me happier than I’ve ever been, baby. Happier than I would have thought was possible less than a year ago. My life is so much better with you in it. "Now," his eyes light up with emotion as his hand skims down to my belly once more. "Now you’re carrying our child. A part of both of us. You’ve already made all my dreams come true, Ella. I’m so glad I get to share my life with you."

And now I’m crying. I don’t even try to stop the happy tears from streaming down my cheeks, though. I’m too busy kissing my husband. The love of my life. The man I’m going to spend forever with. The father of my child.

"All my dreams have come true, too," I whisper. "All because of you."

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE

KEIR

Epilogue

My phone buzzes with the text I’ve been waiting for from Ella’s friend, Kaia.

We’re on our way. I’ll be dropping her off in ten minutes.

My heart rate instantly doubles, and I think I’m starting to sweat, but I’m panicking too much to notice.

I shouldn’t be nervous. I know Ella is going to enjoy the evening I’ve planned, but it’s not enough that she just enjoys it.

This is our one year wedding anniversary.

I want her toloveit.

Tonight has to be perfect.

And now I have nine and a half minutes to make sure nothing is going to go wrong. I start rushing from room to room in the apartment, checking and double-checking that everything is in place.

Dinner is on the table. That’s a good start. I’ve used her favorite china, the set we got as a wedding gift from her aunt, along with some cutlery and silver that’s been passed down for generations in my family.

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