Page 102 of The Golden Goalie

“You know me too well.”

“So...”

When he doesn’t say anything more, I raise my eyebrows. “Yes?”

“The baby is coming soon, and I want you both here after the delivery. So how about a wedding on Saturday?”

I stare at him. “What?”

“I want to get married on Saturday.”

“This. Saturday.” I stare at him like he’s lost his mind because he obviously has.

“Yes.”

“Rico, it’s Thursday.”

He doesn’t look at all flustered. “I am aware. Listen, I didn’t want you to have another thing on your plate, so I didn’t say anything about it. But,” he pauses and looks a little uncertain. “Bri and Stephanie have been helping me. We have a cake ordered and a restaurant reserved for the reception and a small chapel for the ceremony and a pastor. It’s just going to be small. Our families and close friends. I think the count is like less than twenty.”

I stare at him, unable to form any words. “What about a dress?”

“Bri is taking you tomorrow to try on the one we ordered.”

My eyes widen impossibly. “With this belly?”

He smiles. “We took that into account.”

“Rico,” I shake my head. “This is too much. I can’t...” I sit back, feeling completely overwhelmed.

“Talk to me.”

I shake my head. “It’s so much. I don’t know.”

He takes my hand and pulls me out into the living room and down onto his lap on the couch. “Listen my love. If this is too much, then we pull it. I have no problem doing that. But,” he continues. “I do want you to come home with me after the hospital. I want to take care of you. But more than that, I’m tired of living away from each other. I want you in my home, in my bed every night.” I shift on his lap. “And I thought that if we just did this, if we took all the pressure away, you could just show up and enjoy it. You’re so busy; you have so much on your plate, I didn’t want to add any more stress.”

I listen to him, really listen and think about his words. I’m not one of those girls that dreamed of her wedding day, growing up. Honestly, I’ve never given it much thought. The idea of trying to plan one stresses me out just thinking about it. I’m too much of a control freak; I would becomethatbride. The idea of just showing up, not having to worry about any of the planning...And the idea of finally being Rico’s completely. “I love the idea of being able to come here after the baby,” I tell him softly.

“Yeah?”

I nod. “And just getting to show up to my own wedding? Not having to do any planning?” I pause and lean forward and kiss him softly on the lips. “I think you know me better than I know myself.”

He returns my kiss and then pulls back. “So, Saturday?”

“Saturday.”

I can’t help the smile that crosses my face.I’m getting married to the man of my dreams in two days.

“So, would this be a good time to show you the nursery?”

I stare at him. “What?”

He looks a little sheepish. “I was hoping you’d say yes.” He puts his hand out. “Want to see it?”

“Yes.”

He leads me to a closed door. “It’s not finished yet.” He opens the door slowly, and I suck in a breath.

“Rico.” I put my hand over my heart as I take in the room. There’s a beautiful white crib with a matching changing table. There’s a soft overstuffed chair next to the crib and a small white table with a lamp. There are several pieces of artwork on the wall. One says,Though she may be little, she is fierce.I stare at it as Rico wraps his arms around me from behind. “I thought since she’s got you for a mama, that this will be fitting.”

---