"Well, crap, there goes my makeup," I said out loud, looking down at the beautiful necklace.
Clare knelt down in front of me and wiped away my tears. "Let me put that on you, okay?"
I agreed and slid my hair to one side. After she closed the clasp, my hand immediately went to the stones, loving the feel of the necklace against my skin.
"Well, I hope you have something to top that," Clare said.
I smiled, looking at the envelope in front of me on the counter. "Oh, yes, I have something better.
~Declan~
"Christ, Declan. Calm down!" Logan said.
I was pacing the pathway for the twentieth time. "I'm not nervous," I said. "I just don't want to wait anymore."
He gave me a lopsided grin. "I get it, but at this rate, you're going to attack her the second she steps outside. So, do us all a favor, and calm the f**k down."
I looked at him and Connor. They were both grinning like damn fools, and I finally nodded, taking a deep breath, as I tried to stay in one place for more than five seconds.
I checked my watch. It was five minutes after six. Why are we running late?
Just as I was about to start pacing again, the minister told us to take our places. This was it. In just a few minutes, Leah would be my wife. Two months ago, I'd finally gotten full custody of Connor, and now, Leah and I were going to be married. My life was now complete.
The music started, and I watched as the bridesmaids made their way down the aisle. Colin and Logan both admired their wives, and Clare gave a little wave to their newborn son, Ethan, who was in the arms of her mother in the front row.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I reluctantly pulled my eyes from the aisle. I was afraid I might miss Leah's grand entrance.
Logan was holding an envelope out to me. "Hey, man, Leah said I was supposed to give this to you right before she came out. It's your wedding gift."
"I'm supposed to open it now?" I asked.
He just shrugged and smiled.
I did as I'd been told. I lifted the lip of the envelope and pulled out the note.
Declan,
I couldn't think of anything better to give to you for a wedding gift than the present that is now growing inside of me. Congratulations, Daddy. - Leah
My eyes went wide as I pulled out the picture tucked inside the envelope. It was a close up shot of a small white pregnancy test. A test that had one word printed on its digital screen in bold letters —pregnant. I looked up just in time to see Leah turning onto the rose-covered path, and I lost the ability to breathe.
She looked absolutely stunning in a cream gown that hugged her curves and made her look like a goddess come to life.
She joined me at the end of the aisle, and I took her hand in mine.
"You're..." I started to say.
But she just smiled and answered with a simple, "Yes."
As we said our vows, binding our souls and lives together as one, I looked past her shoulder and saw my son. Then, I glanced down at the child growing in Leah's belly, and finally, I focused back on the face that had made it all possible. She was my world, my beginning and end, and she had shown me everything I never thought I wanted.
It was only supposed to be one night, but with Leah in my arms...only forever would do.