Page 152 of Holding on to Chaos
Donovan paused, his fingers on his zipper. Eva bit her lip.
“That’d be great Colby. If you need any backup… call Hazel or Minnie.”
Eva grinned and shoved her husband’s pants back down his hips.
EPILOGUE
“I can’t believe we’re finally doing this,” Eva breathed, her hand, sporting her brand new wedding band squeezed Donovan’s.
“Right this way.” The maître d’, a stuffy little man in a starched shirt and slicked back hair, led them into the dining room. It was a glitzy room with its circular shape and decadent finishes. There were actual candlesticks on every white linen wrapped table top. The wallpaper was a ruby red with gold birds and twisting vines. Half a dozen sets of glass doors led out onto a stone terrace. The room smelled like steak and fresh bread.
Donovan’s hand rested warmly, solidly at the small of her back. Since they’d been married—all of ten hours ago—Eva didn’t think they’d physically separated from each other.
They sat at a cozy corner table on velvet cushioned chairs and Eva eyed Donovan while the maître d’ made a show of spreading the snow-white napkin in her lap.
“Is that a rack of lamb?” Eva asked in a whisper, pointing at a diner’s platter.
“Why are you whispering?” Donovan whispered back.
“I feel like we’re in a library or a museum.”
He grinned and Eva sighed resting her chin on her hand. “You are so good looking. It should be illegal.”
“And I’m all yours.”
What insane twist of fate did she have to thank for that?Eva wondered. “Pregnant, married, and finally going on our first date,” she said.
Donovan drew her knuckles to his lips. “Yeah, that sounds about right where you and I are concerned. I know it feels fast. But Eva, I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this.”
“Are we insane? I mean literally insane,” Eva asked. “We’ve done everything backwards and I’m worried you’re going to come to your senses.”
He rubbed a thumb over her palm, a reassuring pressure. “When are you going to get it through your thick head that I’m here to stay?”
“Maybe by our twentieth anniversary?”
Eva picked up her menu and sneaked a peek at the tables around them. “Is this really where you would have taken me on our first date?”
Her husband gave her a dry look. “Hell no. Do I look like the gold filigree swan type? This is the only place I can guarantee we won’t run into a single Mooner. It’s twenty miles out of town and there isn’t a vegan option on the menu.”
“No interruptions.” Eva smiled sweetly.
“No interruptions. Just me and my wife on our first official date.”
Eva felt the blood drain from her head as reality punched her in the face. “Oh my god. We’re married. And I’m having your baby. And I barely know you. Donovan! What were we thinking?”
Donovan leaned in concerned. “Is this hormones?”
“I don’t know! Maybe? I’ve never accidentally gotten pregnant before. Maybe it’s just regular, run of the mill insanity? We don’t even live together! How did all this happen?” She felt dizzy.
“Here. Drink.” Donovan thrust her water glass at her and fanned her with his napkin.
Eva gulped down half of the glass.
“What if I’m terrible at being a wife? What if I’m the worst mother in the history of mothers?”
“Now, listen to me, wife of mine. You are an incredible woman and it’s about fucking time you started realizing it. Just by being you, you’re going to be great at the whole wife and mother thing. Sure, we’re both going to fuck up and repeatedly. But we’ll learn together.”
“Together.” She nodded like a bobble head.
