Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
She carried a bouquet of lilies, matching the one pinned to my lapel. Tears stung my eyes as we walked toward each other, stopping as we met at the aisle we would walk down together.
“You look so handsome,” she whispered.
I tugged on my white cuffs, straightening my shoulders. I had never worn a tux before, but I was glad she liked it.
“You take my breath away.”
She smiled, the color highlighting her cheeks at my words. The light caught the diamonds in her ears I had sent her.
“You got my gift.”
“I love them.” She paused. “I love you.”
I bent my arm, offering it to her. “Then, shall we get married?”
She slid her hand into the crook of my elbow. “Yes.”
I swayed with Hannah in my arms, breathing her in.
My wife.
Mine now. Always.
The ceremony had been brief but heartfelt. We both got emotional during our vows. Charly wept openly, making Maxx stand to hand her a handkerchief. Once he did, Vivvy decided she needed to join her mother. Theo came to get her, and they ended up sitting together behind Charly since that was as far as Theo could convince Vivvy to go. The way they sat and held hands in the front pew made everyone smile, and we carried on with the ceremony.
Kelly made the pictures fun. I found it easy to smile every second. I was surrounded by people who loved me. Something I never thought I would experience. I had a family I had been given instead of born into. It made them all that much more precious to me. I now had a beautiful wife whom I adored beyond measure to share my life with.
Hannah sighed, and I pressed a kiss to her head. “Okay, Mrs. Gallagher?” I teased. “Are you tired? You want to escape?”
She laughed, tilting her head up. “No, I’m having fun. But I am tired.”
“You’ve been tired all week. Too many wedding plans.”
She pursed her lips. “That too.”
“What else? The other night?” I teased. “I tried to keep my hands to myself. It’s not my fault you look sexy trying on bathing suits for our honeymoon.”
Hannah shook her head, laughing. “You know, I kinda have a gift for you too. It’s not diamonds, but I think you’ll like it.”
I pressed my lips to her ear. “Did you order that little number I saw you looking at? The mechanic one?”
When I saw it the other night, I suddenly understood Maxx and his obsession with Charly’s outfits. The frilly, barely there mechanic’s uniform was what wet dreams were made of.
At least mine.
“Well, I may have ordered it.”
“Can we leave now then, please?”
“Chase,” she admonished, frowning at me. “Get your mind off sex.”
I kissed her head. “Sorry, Cinnamon. The thought of making love to my wife is rampant in my head.” I pulled her closer. “Both of them.”
Her breath caught. “Oh yes. I mean, wait. I want to give you my present.”
“Okay.”
“We need a little privacy.”
I looked around. The dance floor was busy, people laughing, talking, drinking. Kelly had finally stopped taking pictures, and for the most part, everyone was ignoring us for a moment while we danced. I shuffled us into a darker corner, my back to the dance floor. “Okay?”
“Yes.”
She took my hand and slid it between us. “The baby is making me tired.”
I was confused. “What baby?”
She lifted her eyebrows, and I froze, her hand holding mine to her stomach. “Baby?” I repeated.
“Yes. Our baby.”
It took me a moment. Then it hit me. I gave her diamonds. She was giving me a child.
I pressed my forehead to hers, my voice thick with emotion. “Hannah. Oh my God, Hannah.”
“You’re going to be a daddy.”
I didn’t care where we were. Who was watching. All I cared about was the words she shared and what they meant. I picked her up, holding her tightly, and kissed her. I kissed her until she was breathless and people were clapping. No one knew why, thinking we were simply acting like newlyweds, and I was happy to keep it that way for now.
I buried my face into her neck. “Say it again.”
“We’re going to be parents, Chase. You, me, and Baby G.”
I began to laugh. “Baby G. Perfect. You’re okay? How far? Do you know what it is?”
She cupped my face. “I’m fine. About six weeks, and no, I don’t know yet. We’ll find out together.”
I nodded. “Together.” Then I grinned. “This sort of makes Charly a nan. When can we tell her?”
She smiled. “Soon. Until then, just us. I haven’t even told my mom.” She looked at me. “Can you keep Baby G a secret?”
“I can try. It might be a good thing we’re going on our honeymoon tomorrow. I can last two weeks.” I smiled. “Or at least try to.”
I slipped my hand between us again, resting it on her still-flat stomach. “He or she is right here. Baby G is in da house.”