Page 78 of The Biggest Secret
He places his hand over her stomach. “How do you think we got here? It all starts with a little kiss.” He makes kissy faces at me, and I have to resist tossing Chelsea to the ground and jumping from my seat so I can rearrange those lips of his.
“You’re lucky Mom is here,” I tell him and my mom chuckles, stillwith that permanent smile on her face. My dad sits back with a content look, his eyes shining.
This. This is what I missed the first time around. The laughter, the tears, the excitement. The shots. I roll my eyes as Billy passes out another round. But I’m okay with it. I got my second chance and I’m holding on tight. I tap Chelsea Jo’s thigh signaling I need to get up. I help her stand then head over to the outside bar I built for Dad years ago and put my glass down. Sliding my hand into my pocket I finger the ring I’ve had for four years.
Some would say it’s bad luck now. That I should trade it in for something else since we aren’t in the same spot we were when I originally bought this ring. But I don’t agree. I’ve been in the same mindset since I met CJ all those years ago. She’s mine and it doesn’t matter when I bought it. I bought it with only her in mind.
I clear my throat, suddenly feeling a little off balance. Jackson’s eyes snap to me and that same grin of recognition lights his face. Fucking guy, I could never hide anything from him. I lean against the bar top, the stone cool against my arm.
“You know, years from now, when Dom asks how I knew his mom was the one I want to say it’s because she was the one who never left my mind. I want him to know she grabbed a hold of my heart since day one. Since that first business class we had together in college.”
Jackson laughs. “You were so corny and uncool. I don’t know what you saw in him, CJ.”
“He was sweet and wasn’t cocky like someone else I knew back then.” Jackson grabs his heart at the dagger she threw, but they grin at each other.
I slip my hands in my pocket and walk closer to Chelsea, continuing the speech I’ve had playing in my mind for some time. “I want Dominic to know she ran,” her head snaps up to give me a dirty look. I just shake my head and brush the hair back from her shoulder. “She was too proud to let me chase her, but I want him to know she came back to me. She chose me. A true love will always return. And I want him to know I wasn’t perfect either.” I kneel down now in front of her, ignoring the gasps and sniffles I hear coming from my mom and sister. “That I took her time for granted and yet, she still loved me. We accepted our faultsand flaws and no one else ever came close to being the one I need. I want him to know all this because when he finds his one, I want him to hold onto her with everything he has.
“Chels, I’ve never in my life felt so at ease and content, yet onfucking fireevery time you look at me. I know deep in my bones you’re the one who was made for me. The bravest thing we can do now, is be unafraid to feel, to love, to not keep secrets. When I told you all those years ago that I’d never let you fall, I meant it. You’re my kryptonite and my superpower all in one. That means I need each of those in order to live, to breathe. I needyou, to breathe.” I play with the ring on my pinky finger as I take her hand in mine.
“You’re beautiful inside and out and being here with you, seeing you tonight with our family, it’s perfect. I have never felt more sure that you, my natural beauty, carrying my baby, are the one for me.” Taking a breath, I move in even closer. “You’remy morning hello and goodnight kiss.You’remy home after a hard day at work. You’re everything younger me wished for, and everything grown me is lucky enough to hold onto the second time around. Chelsea Jo, you’re what the rest of my life looks like.” I slide the ring on her finger. “Marry me.”
Tears roll down her cheeks and she leans forward in the chair wrapping her arms around my neck. “Yes! Oh, Adam! Yes, I will marry you.”
Everyone is clapping and whistling, and our son comes running over jumping onto my back, wraps his arms around my head and buries his head into Chelsea’s neck. She pulls back from me, and I swing him around in between us.
“Yay!” he yells and claps his chubby little hands. “Happy!”
I couldn’t have imagined a better life than what is in front of me right now. We walked through hell to get here, our own misguided directions taking us straight through it, but we came out the other side, still holding onto each other and a growing family.
“I told you I’d eventually replace this first one.” I twirl the love knot ring she wears on her right hand.
She smiles with a raised brow. “Yes, you did. And I’ll ignore the fact that you justtoldme to marry you, instead of asking.”
All I can do is shrug. She’s right. There was never a choice when it comes to her and I. It was always going to be us.
“Smart move, Adam.” Billy comes over and claps me on the shoulder. “Your baby momma preggo with your second child? Forget Chess’ three-week wedding, you better get your ass to the courthouse. Tomorrow.”
A slow smile spreads across my face. “Funny you should say that.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
CHELSEA
When Adam proposed last night, I have to say it wasn’t a shock. I knew we were heading here. We’ve always been heading here. Telling him I’m pregnant pushed the proposal into fast forward. Not to say we aren’t ready, we are. But I know that look I saw on his face and Adam was not going to wait another minute.
What is a shock? That I am currently in the back of Jackson’s Tahoe traveling to the courthouse. Turns out, Billy’s sarcastic comment was already on Adam’s radar. He had gone to the courthouse the week earlier and secured a wedding license. All I have to do is sign it in front of a notary today and say, ‘I do’.
Francesca is a little upset we aren’t doing a big wedding, but I don’t need the fanfare. I definitely don’t need the stress; I saw what it did to her. I’m just ready to become Mrs. Chelsea Casanova.
But of course, the Casanova’s do nothing small. The courthouse is currently housing Frank and Janet, Tom and Farrah, Jackson andFrancesca, Bobby and Britt and Billy, who is keeping watch over Dominic while Adley preps me in the hallway.
“How are you feeling? Any morning sickness today?” She’s securing my hair back on one side with a pale pink rose that matches my dress. Since I’m running on the hot side these days—no matter the temperature outside—I had just bought a few summer dresses and now I’m happy that I did. I have on a light pink, sleeveless dress that flows. It hides my belly which Adam didn’t like, but I don’t need to advertise everything right now.
“I feel good. No nausea, no nerves. I’m ready.”
She smiles at me. “It’s about time, sis.”
I shrug. “As long as we got here, right?” She pushes my hair off my shoulder, running her hands down my arm until we link fingers. “Thank you. For everything, Adley. I know you’ve given up a lot the last few years and I appreciate it. I wouldn’t have made it without you.” I start to cry, the tears run down my face.
