Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87601 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87601 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Two years ago, I was a different man,” I say. “If you’d asked me at the time, I would have said I was happy. I had rewarding work, time to volunteer and pursue my hobbies, and all the money I could ever need. To a lot of people, I’m sure it looked like I was living the dream.”
I pull in a breath, swallowing past the lump in my throat as Sydney’s eyes begin to shine. “But I wasn’t. I wasn’t living my dream. I wasn’t even going after my dream. I thought what I wanted most from this life had passed me by. I didn’t think a wife and family were in my future, but I knew that was partly my fault. Because I didn’t want to compromise. I wanted that big, life-changing, heart-stopping, forever love or nothing at all. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine a woman like Sydney existed.”
Tightening my grip on her hand, I continue, “You’re everything I hoped I’d find and so much more, butterfly. You’re my best friend, my teammate, my encourager when times get tough and my biggest cheerleader on the victory laps. You are kind and funny and so damned smart. You bowl me over every day with the way you think, but it’s nothing compared to the way you love.”
Sydney sniffs and swipes at her eyes with her free hand.
“You have the biggest, sweetest heart,” I say, fighting to maintain control. “You’re a gift to your friends, your family, and to me, and I intend to spend the rest of our lives making sure you never doubt how special you are. I love you, baby, and I know you’re going to be the best mother any kid ever had. Thanks for choosing me. I promise I’ll never give you a reason to regret it.”
“Beautiful, Gideon,” Elaina says, passing Sydney a tissue. “It’s your turn when you’re ready, Syd.”
She sniffs and wipes her nose, before standing frozen for a moment, clearly torn about where to put the tissue.
“Here,” Elaina says, curling her fingers. “Give it to me. I’ll put it in my pocket. We’re basically sisters by this point. I’m not afraid of your snot.”
The moment brings some much-needed levity, giving our guests a laugh and both of us the chance to compose ourselves before Sydney’s vows.
“Gideon Gabaldon,” she says, her voice wavering only the slightest bit. “You are so many things to me. My best friend, my protector, my champion, and always first in line to celebrate my successes. But more than all that, you always make me feel like I’m enough—more than enough—just the way I am. If there’s a better gift in all the world than that, I can’t name it. Thank you for loving me with all your big heart and letting me love you with all of mine. I can’t wait to spend my life with you and to see all the things we dream up next.” She smiles, her eyes shining again. “Starting with our baby. I couldn’t ask for a better father for our son or daughter. They’re going to be the luckiest person in the world, right after their mama.”
We exchange rings, Elaina finishes the rest of the ceremony, and we kiss in the warm sunset light, applauded by the people we love.
Afterward, as we’re finishing our feast at the picnic tables, Sydney leans over and whispers, “Ready for your wedding gift?”
I smile. “I am, but I have a confession to make.”
She arches a brow. “What’s that?”
“I already know what it is.”
Her jaw drops. “What? Maya told me she’d keep it a secret.”
“She did. But when she told me the lighthouse had already been sold a few weeks ago, I went snooping for records in town. It took about ten minutes to get the dirt from the listing agent.”
Sydney curses. “I knew I should have reminded her it was a surprise. Helen is a doll, but her memory isn’t the best these days.”
“I doubt mine will be at eighty-one, either,” I say, squeezing her thigh beneath the table. “But it didn’t ruin the surprise, I promise. It made it better in a way, knowing we’re still on the same page, as always.”
“Always,” she echoes, smiling as her lips drift closer to mine. “And now we can spend every summer in Maine with the baby, visit whenever we want, and bang in the same place we banged the first time for the rest of our lives.”
I hum against her lips as we kiss before pulling back to whisper, “Speaking of banging…”
“Oh yeah, we’re gonna,” she says. “I can’t wait until the party’s over. I’ll pretend I need to pee. Meet me in bed in five minutes for a quickie.” She starts to rise from her chair, but turns back to add, “Actually, make it eight minutes. I really do need to pee. The baby’s tapdancing on my bladder again.”