Page 95 of Conflagration
“I am.”
He bends down and captures my lips in a searing kiss, and I return it, pouring every ounce of longing and passion I feel for him into it. Even though I could get lost in his kiss, I pull back.
“Branson,” I start, looking up into his eyes. “I’m sorry for running. I shouldn’t have left things the way they were.”
“Baby, no, you have nothing to be sorry for,” he whispers, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I should’ve listened. I shouldn’t have been so quick to think the worst. When I think of all those things I said to you? I could punch myself.”
“I mean, you did tell me I give a mean blow job,” I tease, and he groans.
“I’m such an asshole.”
“You can be, and that’s okay. The thing is, I’ve had plenty of time to think about it, and I can understand why you jumped to the conclusions you did. You were wrong, and I could’ve kicked you in the balls that day, but hindsight tells me I could’ve avoided this whole thing if I’d just been completely honest with you. I gave you a reason not to trust me when I deliberately didn’t answer your question.”
“That doesn’t make what I did right. I don’t want to be that guy anymore, Ari. No matter what I said, I never have and never will see you as a trophy wife. You’re my equal. My partner. I don’t want any of this if I don’t have you.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Branson.” I step back, pulling the ring out of my dress pocket before holding it out to him.
He holds his hands up, misunderstanding me. “No, I don’t want that back. I meant what I said. It’s yours.”
“Take it, Branson,” I tell him, forcing it into his palm. Then I hold my left hand out for him. “And place back on my finger for the last time.”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Ariana Covington, I will love you until I take my last breath, and I will ask this as many times as it takes. Marry me. Be my forever. Be my permanence. Be mine for the rest of our lives.”
“For the third time, and I will say this as many times as it takes… Yes, Branson. I’m yours. Permanently.”
He slips the ring on my finger and pulls me into his warm embrace, his nose nuzzling at my neck. Everything that’s been wrong shifts, and my world is right again. There’s just one more thing…
“Hey, Branson,” I murmur against his chest.
“Hmm?” is all I can make out as his breath tickles my bare skin.
“It’s a good thing you’re okay with my not being a trophy wife.” I wait a beat, and he doesn’t respond. “It’s just… In about seven months or so, I’ll be as big as a house.”
I feel him stiffen, and I have to bite my cheeks to keep from laughing. He pulls back and looks at me, his eyes shifting back and forth between mine.
“Meaning…” he says, trailing off as he puts it together. I nod in confirmation. “But…how? We’ve been safe since the beginning.”
“Ironic, right?” I tease, grinning up at him as I bite my lower lip. “Are you happy? I know it’s soon.”
He picks me up and whirls me around. “Are you kidding?! I’m going to be dad!” he yells, and I have to shush him, but it’s no use.
Everyone heard him, and the rest of the Wellingtons join us in what I can only call a weird, massive, pile-on group hug, shouting congratulations as laughter and tears fill the night air. This is what I’ve been missing my entire life, and I feel extremely blessed that my child will grow up surrounded by so much love.
Branson pushes us out of the foray and pulls me closer to him. His hands cup my cheeks, and my heart flutters as I look up into the eyes of the man I love.
“We’re having a kid,” he whispers almost in disbelief. “When did you find out?”
“Just before I came here. I had a feeling, and I wanted to know, so I made a pit stop and took three different tests. All positive. The perfect ending to a perfect evening.”
“Baby, it’s perfect, but this is only the beginning. I’m never letting you go again.”
And as his lips cover mine, I know he’s right.
This is only the beginning for us, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Five Years Later
AS I walk into my brother Knox’s place, chaos greets me, and all I can do is grin. When I greet my sister-in-law and her girlfriends, they rag on me about the time Charlie put me in that arm bar. Seriously, six years later and I’m still not living that one down. I’m not looking forward to the day my brothers tell my kids that story.
