Page 105 of Moonlight & Matrimony
Luca pushes up his sleeves, and the air evaporates from my lungs as I glance down at the compass tattoo on his forearm. What used to be a beautiful, albeit simple, design has been transformed into something much more elaborate. Swirls of black ink now cover his entire forearm from wrist to elbow. Behind the compass is a rustic skyline with mountains and trees along the horizon, a crescent moon hanging overhead, and stars dotting the sky. Off to the right, illuminated by the glow of the moon, is a large oak tree with a swing hanging from its branches.
There’s a stillness in the air as I trace the black ink with my fingertips, and I don’t notice the tear that escapes until Luca reaches out to wipe it away, his hand lingering on my cheek in a gentle caress. “I never knew where this compass would lead me until it brought me to you; until it guided me home. You’re my home, Ivy. You and Rylin. I’m going to do everything in my power to be the man you deserve.”
“You are more than enough, Luca.”
I don’t know when I fell for him — but it feels as though this love has always been there in some ways. Maybe it was a gradual slide into oblivion, or maybe my heart made the leap long before my consciousness followed — whatever the case, I know I’m irrevocably changed and my heart is safe in his hands. There’s just one more little complication I need to address.
“Where would we put the nursery?” Luca’s jaw goes slack, his gaze flicking down to my belly, then back up to my face, searching for the answer to a question he hasn’t asked yet.
“When? How?”
“Turns out, birth control loses its effectiveness when you spend a bunch of time in a coma,” I explain. I reach into my back pocket, pulling out my 8 week ultrasound. Luca takes thelittle black and white paper in his hand, stroking his finger along the tiny jelly bean shaped baby. I didn’t find out until I came back to Oak Ridge. I knew my period was late, of course, but I chalked it up to the aftereffects of the trauma. I didn’t suspect anything was amiss until I started to feel a little off kilter. Four pee sticks and an OBGYN appointment later, all my suspicions were confirmed.
“We’re having a baby,” he whispers, his voice full of wonder.
“Yeah. We’re having a baby,” I confirm.
Luca
I stare at the photo in my hand for several minutes, wondering when I would wake up from the vivid dream I’m immersed in. This is more than I could ever hope for. When I brought Ivy out here, I only had the faintest hope that she’d want to stay and build a life with me. Now, I have tangible proof of our connection resting in the palm of my hand.
“You okay there?”
“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat. “Just processing.” I glance at my girl, noticing the sullen expression on her face, only now realizing my reaction might leave a lot to the imagination.Luca, you fucking asshole.
“Sweetheart, this is… fuck. I couldn’t be happier,” I clarify. “It almost doesn’t seem real.”
Her face changes to amusement as she absorbs my words. “I can assure you that the several bouts of nausea and vomiting would say this is very much real. Are you sure this is something you want?”
Her question catches me off guard. “Yes. Fuck yes. I never once considered the alternative. I want it all with you, Ivy.” I pull her to me, kissing every inch of her beautiful face before pullingaway to place my hands on her belly. “My baby.Ourbaby. Does Rylin know?”
“God no. She wouldn’t be able to keep a secret. Besides, I wanted you to be the first to know. I thought we could tell her together.”
I shift onto my knees, cupping her cheeks in my palms as I bring her lips to mine, taking her mouth in a languid kiss full of every unspoken emotion and weeks of longing. Carefully laying her back on the blanket, I settle my hips between her thighs, letting her feel exactly what she does to me.
“Luca, it’s too cold outside for this,” she says with a giggle, and fuck, I want to memorize that sound. It’s been too long since we’ve been able to laugh together. I rub her frozen nose against mine, then kiss her forehead. “Let’s get some more food in your belly. You’re eating for two, now.”
“We’re both fine, Luca. The baby is only the size of a raspberry right now.” She goes on to tell me about the app she downloaded that tracks every stage of her pregnancy, and I immediately pull out my phone to download it for myself. I’m going to do everything I can to give her the experience of a real partner this time around. She deserves to know what it feels like to be loved, completely and effortlessly.
“I guess this wine was a bad idea,” I chuckle. “Let’s pack up. I have plans for you, wife.”
“I hope it includes a hot bath. I’m pretty sure my toes are ready to fall off.”
We work together to pack up the remnants of our picnic, tucking them away for Griff to retrieve in the morning. “Fuck, should you be riding a horse?”
Ivy laughs. “Calm down, babe. I’m fine.”
“I have a lot to learn,” I admit.
“I’ll take you to the library. For now, let’s just go home.”
“Actually, we’re not going home. The guest house is all set up and Liam should be dropping Rylin off with Paige and Cade right about now.”
“Luca! I don’t even have any pajamas.”
“If you think I didn’t plan ahead, you don't know me at all. But if I have it my way, you won’t be needing any clothes.”
Chapter 32
