Page 20 of Lollipop

“My photos…you got my photos for me?”

He nods. “I couldn’t let them ruin them because they’re petty fuckers. Not when they mean so much to you.”

“I…,” don’t know what to say. I finish the statement in my head instead of saying it out loud.

“And we’re getting married. I understand today is about your friend but I have every intention of asking the couple to wait one more night to start their honeymoon so she can be here for the wedding.”

“What?!”

“I know you want her and the brunette to be here for that and I’m not waiting one more day for you to be mine in every possible way.”

“Wait! You want to marry me?!”

Instead of answering me, he takes out a box from his jacket pocket and opens it. My mouth falls open.

“I can’t wear that!”

“Oh, you bet your sexy ass you most certainly can, my sweet girl! You can and you will. I can’t do without you. I’ve not been able to breathe for three fucking weeks. I don’t just want you. I need you. And I think you might need me too?”

The last is said in a question. I can’t believe this man…this gorgeous, smart, wonderful man doesn’t realize he owns me. He can’t tell that I can’t breathe without him either, that the past three weeks have been the worst in my life. I felt like I was dying more and more every day and now he's here and he's brought me back to life.

“Yes. I want to marry you. But more importantly…I love you. I love you so much it hurts. And I want to be with you forever. I want to raise our baby together, build a house together, and live happily ever after with just you.”

“Maybe you should go lock the door, sweetheart.”

“Oh my God, I have to be at the alter…”

“If the men are anything like me and the girls like you, they’ll understand if you are a few minutes late. Right now, I need you and I need to make sure you’re real and I’m not dreaming.”

Our lips meet and I feel like I’m home. It makes no sense since I’ve only known him for a very short time, but it doesn’t make a difference. Ever since I turned around and saw him standing in the kitchen doorway, I’ve been captivated, and the love I have for him has just solidified from then on.

“I thought I lost you. I thought you didn’t feel about me the way I feel about you, that maybe I was feeling the way I did because…because you were my first.”

“I’ll be your last too. Your only. I’m going to take such good care of you, Lilly. Show you every day how thankful I am to have found you.” His hand drops to my lower belly. "And take care of our baby too."

Our kisses turn urgent and needy. My body goes hot and liquid as he picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. For the first time since learning I’m pregnant, I feel like the world isn’t spinning out of control and everything is falling apart around me. I feel like I have something to hold on to and someone who will keep me, and our baby, safe. For the first time since running away from Ander, I feel like I have hope for the future, like I have a partner for life that will treat me the way I've always wanted to be treated. For the first time, I have the kind of love you could spend your whole life looking for...right here, in my arms.

Epilogue I

Ander

One Week Later

I make sure to be right where I need to be when my sweet wife wakes up, which is right by her side. I watch as she reaches out for me, her eyes popping open when she doesn’t find me. She quickly tracks my movement though and gives me a sleepy, happy smile.

“Hi, handsome. How long have you been up?”

“Long enough to step out and bring these back to you.” I hold the bag up. Her eyes light up as she pushes herself up against the headboard and pillows slowly. My angel has some rough morning sickness and going slow is the only way she can try to combat it. She takes the bag from me and opens it, moaning once the scent of maple bacon caramel doughnut hits her nose.

“Oh my God! How did you know? This is exactly what I need.”

I chuckle as I watch her pull the large, round…creation from the bag. I know because it has become her favorite thing to eat -and not just in the mornings. I know because my sweet Lilly has told me, more than a couple of times, she wanted one and I’ve gone out to find it for her. Thank God, Bonny's been helping me snag a few from the girls' shop.

We didn’t take a honeymoon after we married because Lilly didn’t want to leave Candy all alone with the work in the shop since Bonny would be gone on her honeymoon. I was fine withthat as long as I got the weekend with her where we didn’t do anything but love one another. When Bonny and Gray come back, we’ll think about taking one then but not far because I worry about Lilly traveling with how sick she tends to be. I want her close to the doctor we picked out and already talked to.

Bonny did stay the extra day for us so she could be one of Lilly’s bride’s maids. Candy being the other of course. I’ve spoken to Gray and Storm quite a few times and when Gray gets back, we’ve planned a cookout so everyone can get together and talk and relax at his and Bonny’s place. Storm is very interested in the plans I have for the new house. He’s given me some good suggestions that I’ve woven into the design. It’s also nice that we all have pregnant wives we are crazy about at the same time, if for nothing else, moral support.

My wife takes her first bite with eyes closed and a deep moan falls from her lips. I kick my shoes off and crawl on the bed beside her watching her devour the savory sweet treat. When she’s on her last bite, I start unbuttoning her nightdress. Her eyes meet mine and a smile comes to her lips.

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