Once Upon A Half-Time: A Secret Baby Romance (48 page)

“Hold on, I have to find another—”

“No! I have to go
now
!”

Oh lord. This was one of those moments that would redefine our relationship.

Lindsey didn’t have to beg. Hopefully she’d drink enough tonight that she wouldn’t remember it in the morning.

We both struggled into the stall, and Lindsey pranced while I gathered the folds of her dress. I looked away and let her grab a little too high on the back of my leg to steady herself. The door couldn’t close, and my sister’s giggling fit wouldn’t make this go any quicker
or
neater.

“We’re never talking about this again,” I said.

Lindsey patted my ass. “Deal. Did you find Nate yet?”

Oh lord, this
so
wasn’t the time.

“Why? You think he’d do a better job at helping you pee than I am?”

“Ha, ha, very funny.” Lindsey wobbled, but she hadn’t fallen yet. I gathered more of her dress to keep her steady. “You know what your problem is?”

“That I’m sharing a bathroom stall with you?”

“Well, that’s a big one.”

She finished and cleared her throat. Apparently her new wedding ring was too heavy to reach for the toilet paper herself. I grappled with the dispenser and imagined this would be good, billable time for the therapist who’d make a fortune off of my family.

I so didn’t sign up for a tinkle tantrum when I agreed to be her Maid of Honor.

Lindsey did her best. She looked at me for help.

“No way,” I said.

She grumbled. “Can’t count on you for anything.”

She eventually worked it out and flushed. We popped out of the stall, and I helped to rearrange her dress. She admired her ring while I ensured she was decent to return to the party.

“Mandy…” My sister washed her hands and watched me in the mirror. “I know you think that love is something mysterious and destined by fate. Well, it isn’t. You and Nate found each other. It’s as simple as that. Now you have the choice—take him or leave him. And I really hope you take him.”

Easy for her to say. She hooked her prince in high school.

“Is there ever a sign that you’re making the right decision?” I asked.

“You want a sign?” Lindsey grabbed her bouquet and tossed it at me. I caught it with a gasp. “There’s a pretty big one.”

“Ominous,” I said.

“Is it really?”

No.

It wasn’t.

Lindsey marched me out of the bathroom and pointed me toward Nate.

“I think it’s time you two talked…” She squeezed my shoulders. “And stop hiding behind the wedding and the family. You deserve to be happy too, rat face.”

“Thanks, bubble butt.”

The dinner had finished, and the DJ began his first set. The crowds moved from the taco bar and cookie table and danced in the grass.

I stared only at one man. He approached and took my hand.

“It’s time,” Nate said.

“I know.” I glanced over the party. “Where?”

“Follow me.”

The fellowship hall was jammed with people. The dancing area crowded with Mom, Dad, the Washingtons, and everyone else in their generation getting down to the best hits of the 1970s. Our table giggled as the first round of beer went down in a chugging contest. Rick served a second to the groomsmen.

Nate tugged my hand and led me to the corner of the yard. We’d rented a photo booth as something fun for the party. Luckily, no one was using it just yet. He pulled back the curtain, and we tucked inside.

The darkness swelled. A tiny black-and-white screen flickered before us, and I stared at Nate in the dim light.

My heart beat a little too fast. I wished I had been able to sip some champagne before tackling this. But I didn’t feel scared or worried. I couldn’t, not around Nate.

I just had no idea where to begin.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

Nate spoke at the same time I did. “You have no idea how sorry I am.”

I swallowed. “You don’t have to be sorry.”

He interrupted me. “Why are
you
sorry?”

“I never, ever should have kept the baby a secret from you.” I pulled his hand to my chest. “You were right. I was hiding behind the wedding and all the problems with my family. I thought I was making it easier on myself to focus only on the party, but it was all an excuse. I was…scared.”

“You had no reason to be scared.”

“But I was. I had no idea how you’d react. Hell, I had no idea how
I
felt about it. I still don’t. I’ve kept the secret for so long, and it became just that—a
secret
. It never felt like a baby. And then…that sonogram, and when we were together two nights ago. It got real. It was…”

“Was what?” Nate leaned close.

“I felt like we could be a real family.”

“Not
could.
Will be.”

“What about California?”

“What about it?” Nate shrugged. “Since I was young, I planned to leave home and abandon the life my father wanted for me. I rebelled against it. Hard. I never wanted a life of commitments and relationships and family. But you know what I realized when I finally had you?”

He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. His hand lingered on my cheek, and I smiled.

His voice strengthened. “That life isn’t something to fear or refuse. I would be the luckiest bastard in the world if I could just share a
moment
of that with you.”

I swallowed. My heart nearly burst, and I willed it to slow so I didn’t miss a single word.

“No,” he said. “I’m not leaving. I’m not hunting for that miserable existence anymore. Not when I can have a life with you, a life worth living and protecting.”

“What about the baby?”

Nate nodded. “What about the baby?”

“Are you scared?”

“Of course I am.” He grinned. “Hell, I’ve never been this terrified—and I don’t know what’s got me more worried. Losing you…or winning you over and tackling this amazing responsibility.” He brushed my lip with his thumb. “Don’t tell me you aren’t excited.”

I nodded. “I am.”

“About what?”

“Everything. You. The baby. This change. It was sudden, and I didn’t expect it, but with you…it doesn’t seem like anything to fear.”

“That’s because it’s not. It will never be. I know you’ve watched a lot of relationships crumble, but that’s not a reason to hide from one.” He leaned closer. “In fact, it’s one of the reasons I’m so damn lucky. You know how precious our bond is. You take it seriously.”

“Of course I do. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You’re not going to lose me. You can try your hardest, but nothing you do, nothing you say, nothing that happens will
ever
push me away. I didn’t fall for you, I surrendered to you. You are everything to me, Mandy, and I don’t deserve you or the gift you’ve given me.”

His hand lowered, brushing against my tummy. I cupped my hand over his.

“I’m in love with you, Nate,” I whispered.

“I love you too.”

His lips brushed mine. I welcomed his kiss, closing my eyes as he nibbled against me.

The four quick flashes blinded me. We jumped, but the damage was done. A crowd had formed around the photo booth. We slipped out to a chorus of
awws
from Lindsey and the rest of the bridesmaids. A few others cheered.

Rick handed me the picture that printed from the booth. I covered my face in Nate’s shoulder and peeked at the photo.

It wasn’t our first kiss, but it felt like it.

I clutched the photo series, four pictures capturing the exact moment when we confessed our feelings for each other and kissed.

The caption beneath the images read
I love you
.

It was true.

Nate grinned, pulling me to his chest and teasing me for getting embarrassed.

“No sense hiding it anymore,” he said. “I love you.”

And he kissed me as our friends and family cheered.

T
he ocean lapped
at our feet, and the sand tickled between my toes. The sun glistened as it set over the horizon. Pink and orange streaks of warmth stretched to the shore to where I held Nate’s hand.

“I do,” I whispered. My smile hadn’t faded, and he was lucky I hadn’t cried yet.

Nate’s grin matched my own. He slipped the ring on my finger, and the gold band complimented the beautiful garnet stone I used as an engagement ring—our daughter’s birthstone.

Nate’s father spoke, but I didn’t hear it. I hadn’t moved, hadn’t breathed. I wanted to remember this moment forever, but everything blended into a haze of joy and happiness.

Nate kissed me.

No.

My
husband
kissed me.

The small gathering was everything I could have wanted—a destination wedding on the shores of Key West. Mom and Dad made it down together, standing hand in hand as they watched us pledge our vows. They weren’t wearing their wedding rings yet, but just that bit of contact was a good step.

Our family applauded as we embraced on the beach. Nate’s parents hugged us too. Rick wrapped his arms over his new girlfriend. Lindsey grinned, waving my baby’s hand at me. She and Bryce had hardly let Lily out of their grasp. She said they were practicing for her own little bump’s arrival.

I took Lily and cradled her. At six months, she was getting too rambunctious. She took after her daddy.

Not that I was complaining.

Nate leaned down to kiss me and her, and that sneaky little smile proved he was up to no good.

Our surprise vacation turned into a surprise wedding on the most beautiful beach in the world.

I had no idea what he planned next, but I couldn’t wait to find out.

The resort served dinner by firelight on the beach—a tropical feast in four courses…five if I counted the handful of sand Lily tried to eat. Nate held me close, delighting me with bite after bite of fruit and sips of coconut water. I never pegged him for a romantic, but Nate’s goal was to explore new and exciting ways to spoil me and our daughter. Different ways to prove his love.

He said he was lucky, but I was the lucky one.

I never expected to be loved so much. Dad had been right. No relationship was perfect, but mine was
so
close. I told Nate every day how grateful I was for him.

It only encouraged him to try harder.

“To the happy couple!” Rick held up his glass. “A long and happy marriage.”

Lindsey leaned over to hug me. Lily slammed her bottle against the table, and I giggled, toasting with the plastic pink mug. As far as I was concerned, her little bottle meant more than any champagne flute from a fancy country club wedding ever could.

We ate, laughed, and when the fire died, we said goodnight. Nate led me to our room. He grinned as I opened the door. Rose petals. Champagne. A stuffed teddy bear—one promptly claimed for Lily.

“You’re pretty slick,” I said.

“I bet you are too.”

I laughed. “And you’re as good a husband as you are a father.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.”

I lowered Lily into the tiny bassinette, and Nate helped to tuck the blanket over her. The suite he reserved overlooked the ocean, and he led me to the balcony, leaving the screen door open so we could listen for the baby. Like Nate, she had been perfect. She’d sleep through the night.

He pulled me onto the soft chaise, and those green eyes mimicked the calm sea in the moonlight. I didn’t know if it was possible to fall
more
in love with this man, but every day I vowed to try.

So far, it had worked.

His kiss was soft, gentle, and tender, everything I needed. I sighed as he held me close. He nibbled the tender spot on my neck. I shivered as arms tightened over me, aiming for the hem of my sundress.

“I want to make you my wife.” His breath tickled my ear. Everything inside me clenched. “Right here. Right now.”

The sun dress cast off. I whispered, staring into his eyes.

“I am your wife now.”

“Not yet…but soon.”

The night air caressed me like another set of hands. He cupped my breasts and layered kisses from my throat down. His lips left a delicate trail to the budded tips, and I arched to feel the skilled swirl of his tongue over my nipple.

I didn’t think I’d ever grow accustomed to his touch. Every brush of his fingers was like the first time, every excited nip of teeth or lap of his tongue as enthusiastic as the secret nights we touched, kissed, and loved each other.

I gasped as his fingers teased along the softness of my slit. I was ready for him, but his touch only thrilled me more. I twitched, bucking as he savored my sweetest spot.

“You have no idea how much I love you.” His words layered another caress over me. I never thought the truth would be so
rewarding
. “I will always love you. Everything I do is for you and Lily.”

“You’re my everything.” I kissed him, moving over his hips. He knew what I wanted, and his fingers worked quick to free his cock from his jeans. “You are the only man I’ve ever loved. Nothing will ever change how I feel about you. I know we didn’t mean to start this…”

Nate arched, holding my hips as he guided me over him. I slid down, taking him completely, filling myself with more than just his body.

I had his heart.

I had his soul.

And it was more than I ever expected.

“I’m so grateful we did.” Nate groaned as I moved against him. “I had no idea what I was doing with my life until I found you.”

“I’d waited my whole life for you…”

“No more waiting.” Nate gripped me tighter, and I fell upon his chest, crippled with passion and overwhelmed by his size. “Our life might have started a year ago, but this is just the beginning. I promise I’ll make you happy.”

“You already do.”

“I promise I’ll give you pleasure.”

“Oh, that’s
not
a concern.”

“And I promise I’ll be the greatest husband for you and father for our baby.”

“I know you are.” I kissed him, groaning as his hips moved faster. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

My words dissolved as every stroke drew a shared breath and ripple of pleasure. It built deep within me, and I surrendered to the night, the ocean, his touch.

Nate tensed, and I stared into his eyes as he arched to meet me.

We came together, just as we always did, as powerfully and
beautifully
as we always had. His heat caressed me from the inside, and I clenched, unraveling over him as he guided me through the shredded pleasure that captured me within his arms.

Nothing compared to these moments.

We had snuck around for so long in the past, and the secrets and fears that kept me from loving him faded the instant we confessed our feelings. I had wasted three months of our life before Lindsey’s wedding, but we had the rest of our days to make up for what we lost.

I rested against his chest, and he wove his fingers through my hair.

“I think I’m going to like being married to you,” I whispered.

Nate smiled. “We’re going to have a long, happy life together. I promise.”

He didn’t have to promise anything.

Nothing in the world would have torn us apart.

Love wasn’t about courage or kindness or honesty or work.

It was this.

Us. Together.

It was happiness.

And it was ours.