I’m touched.
“And, at first, I don’t think I wanted to know,” she continues. “Because if I didn’t, it would be easier when it didn’t work out. But, stupid me, I went and fell in love with you anyway.”
I smile. “I am so glad I pulled my head out of my ass and came back to you.”
“Me too,” she laughs. “And I’m so happy that I get to marry you today.” She rolls her eyes. “Again.”
When the laughter dies down, I look into her eyes.
“Is that it?” she asks. “Are we married? Can I kiss you now?”
I cut off anything else she might say with a hard kiss on her lips. She melts into the kiss, her hands on my neck.
“I love you, Aya,” I murmur against her lips. “More than I know how to say.”
“I love you, too,” she says, kissing me some more.
The lodge has a small outdoor patio with enough chairs and tables for the eight of us and I’ve arranged for a local restaurant to cater dinner tonight. It’s definitely not as fancy as the banquet hall, but it’s perfect in its own way. Aya’s got my jacket on over her wedding dress and she’s curled up against my side, my arm around her.
I look around at the group of us. I didn’t think I’d ever see the day where all four members of our band were in solid, stable relationships. Then again, I didn’t think I’d see the day when our band was playing big shows and making a living doing what we love. Just goes to show that you need to have a little faith.
Jane and Dylan are in the middle of a conversation with Jack and Nikki about something or other. It’s strange seeing my stepbrother with a girlfriend. A live-in girlfriend no less. Especially someone he’s been friends with for years.
And I’m glad to see Dylan hanging around with the rest of us more often. He’s generally one to go off on his own, but since getting together with Jane, he’s been more present. Maybe he’s finally embracing this idea that the band should be a family. Or maybe it’s that he’s finally realized that he’s stuck with us no matter what.
From the other side of the patio, I see Ian helping Cora up from her lounge chair. She’s very, very pregnant, and I’m sure she’s looking to get out of her dress and into bed. I know her pregnancy hasn’t been easy, so I’m happy that she’s here for us today.
“Heading out?” I ask Ian as they walk by.
He nods. “Congratulations, you guys.”
He gives me a hug. Aya is hugging Cora hard and patting her baby bump.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she gushes. “You’re the best ever.”
“You’re the best ever,” Cora replies. “Congratulations. I love you.”
“Love you too,” Aya replies.
“Just… no more weddings till after the baby comes,” she says. “Please. My poor feet are too big for heels.”
Aya laughs.
“I think we’re officially wedding-ed out,” I assure Cora, kissing her cheek. Aya gives Ian a quick hug and we watch the two of them head back to their room. Aya sighs, her eyes still on Cora.
I think I know what she’s thinking.
“Do you like the name Olivia?” she asks.
“It’s okay.”
“Maybe Laura?” she offers.
“What makes you so sure we’d have a girl?” I ask. “Also… you’re not even pregnant yet.”
“I know. I’m just preparing for… a year from now? Two?”
“Now?” I offer.
“What?”
“I mean, I’m not saying we have to rush into anything, Aya,” I assure her. “But I’m ready whenever you’re ready.”
Aya’s face softens and she kisses my cheek. She stands, pulling me up with her.
“Can we ditch this party yet?” I tease.
Ten
Aya
Shawn and I saw a quick goodbye to the others and head back to our room.
I close the door behind us and in a split-second, I’m pressed against it, Shawn’s body against mine and his hands on my waist.
“You looked so pretty tonight, Aya,” he says before leaning in to kiss me.
I want to tell him that he looked amazing too. Handsome. Hot. Whatever. But it doesn’t look like I’ll be coming up for air any time soon. He kisses me until I’m breathless and dizzy. His lips are soft, and his kiss is intense, but still sweet. He’s not trying to ravage me. He’s going slowly.
He undoes my zipper and my dress slips off my body, pooling at my feet.
I look around the room at the dozen or so pink dresses that I didn’t choose.
“What are we going to do with all of them?” I ask, giggling.
“Not sure,” he answers. “Probably donate them. I can’t say I’m really worried about that right now.”
He unhooks my strapless bra and rolls my nipples between his fingers. I unbutton his shirt and push it off his shoulders.
“It’ll be pretty hilarious,” I joke. “Rolling up to a donation place with, like, a million pink wedding dresses. The people taking the donations would be like… what the hell?”
Shawn tenderly strokes the side of my face.
“Are you nervous?” he asks.
“Huh? Why would I be nervous?”
“I don’t know. But you’re kind of babbling,” he points out. “And you do that when you’re nervous.”
My hands are shaking. I didn’t notice till right now.
“Maybe a little,” I confess.
Shawn pulls me closer, and I rest my head against his strong chest. He wraps his arms around me.
“I guess I just feel like things have changed,” I admit.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Or, well… they’re about to.” I look up into his eyes. “We’re married now. Like… really married.”
“I know,” he jokes. “I was there.”
I laugh against him. “This is forever.”
“Don’t tell me you’re having some kind of buyer’s remorse.”
“Oh my God. No. Never,” I hold him tighter, so he knows I’m not kidding. “I love you. I just… We got married today. And we could be parents soon…”
“It’s a lot,” he agrees.
“Yeah. I guess I just… feel different.”
“Bad different?” he asks, looking genuinely worried.
“No. I’m just scared,” I tell him, hoping that I’m saying this right. “I thought I wanted to feel different, but I’m worried that we’ll lose what made us… you know, us. I’m worried that we’ll lose that fun, free, easy thing we had.”
Shawn leads me over towards the bed. He sits, leaning his back against the headboard and pulls me into his lap so I’m straddling him. We’re chest to chest, face to face, and I love feeling this close to him.
“Things are going to change, Aya,” he says. “Life is nothing but change.”
“I know.”
“And, I mean, in some ways we’ve already changed.”