Tony leans over and whispers in my ear, “You still have time to run.”
I glance at my brother and shake my head. “I love her too much. She’s never getting rid of me.”
“Damn right,” Jon mumbles from the other side of my brother. “You try to run out on my little sister and I’ll kick your ass.”
The judge clears his throat and glances over at the back door as the music starts. I forget all about the two jackasses next to me and turn to watch my love walk down the aisle on her father’s arm. I’m not sure how my girl and her mother found a dress in such a short amount of time, but it’s beautiful. The off-white, knee-length, silk dress hugs her luscious curves while giving just a peek at her stunning cleavage. She’s pulled her hair up into a twist with a small, pale pink rose tucked behind her ear. As she approaches, I notice tears in her golden eyes and wonder if it’s emotions or pregnancy hormones causing them. Jeremy places her hand in mine and leans over to whisper, “Just remember, if you ever hurt my little girl, I can make it look like an accident.” Then he straightens and smiles. “I’m happy for you two.”
I turn, holding my love’s hand. The rest of the ceremony passes in a blur. When the judge finishes up, I wrap my arms around my luscious wife and kiss her until we’re both breathless. As I turn, I see my mother wiping her cheeks and my dad giving me a thumbs up.
A few hours later, my wife is beginning to droop. Her tired eyes keep falling closed, and she’s about to nod off standing. I wrap my arm around her and whisper in her ear, “We need to get you to bed.” My mother-in-law arranged for us to stay in the bridal suite at a hotel a few minutes away, and Mrs. Stokes delivered our luggage to the room earlier today. Tomorrow, we’ll have breakfast with our families before flying back to Red Falls.
Lexi agrees, and we say goodbye to everyone and head out the door. Halfway to the hotel, I glance over and find my new wife sound asleep in the passenger seat. Love for her overwhelms me, and I smile to myself at how fortunate I am.
When we arrive at the hotel, I carry my sleeping bride to the room and lay her across the bed. After pulling her blue strappy sandals off her feet, I strip and crawl in next to her. I drag the covers over us and fall asleep with my new wife cuddled in my arms.
12
Lexi
We’ve been back for two weeks, and so much has happened since we returned. On his first day back in the office, Dane informed the faculty board about our marriage. They issued a reprimand for our relationship, and Dane gave his notice. He’ll finish the semester, then plans to take a job designing mathematics programs. I worried he was giving up his profession for me, but he assured me he’d thought long and hard about this. His new position will allow him to work from home and spend more time with our child.
After my morning class, I head over to Dane’s office. Today, I have my ultrasound appointment, and we’re going together. I’m a nervous wreck. I won’t breathe easy until the doctor tells me everything is okay with our baby. I knock on his door and wait. “Hello, Wifey.” He wraps his arms around me and places a kiss on my lips. “How are you feeling today?”
I’m not going to lie. It’s been rough. Morning sickness hits me at the oddest times. “So far, I’m okay,” I tell him.
As we walk out to his car, he holds my hand. “Hopefully, the doctor can prescribe something for the morning sickness.” He helps me into the car and leans over to buckle me in.
I’ve done research online, and I think I’ll just have to tough it out, but I don’t tell my husband. Dane is already worried enough. After buying and reading the latest pregnancy book, he’s been a nervous wreck. My thirty-three-year-old husband may have gray hair by the time I deliver our baby.
The nurse calls my name, and we follow her back to an examination room. I cringe when she weighs me in front of my husband. “Has she gained enough weight?” Dane asks.
“The doctor will answer all your questions when she comes in.” The nurse smiles at us. Before I undress for the examination, the nurse asks me to step out and give her a urine sample.
When I return, my doctor is standing in the hallway. She turns to me. “We’re going to send you back for a quick ultrasound, then I’ll meet you in my office.” I open the door and get Dane to come with me.
An hour later, we walk out of the building in shock. Not one baby but two, and I’m already thirteen weeks. Holy cow. My husband is still pale, and his hand trembles slightly as he opens the car door for me. “I love you.” He kisses my forehead as he helps me into the passenger seat. “And I can’t wait to meet our two little ones.” The color is returning to his face as the shock wears off.
“I love you, too.” I kiss his cheek before he runs around to the driver’s side of the car.
On the way home, he stops by the pharmacy and picks up the over-the-counter medicine the doctor recommended for nausea. If it continues, she promised to prescribe something stronger. We step inside the house and Dane pulls me into his arms. “I’m so happy about our babies.” Relief flows through me when I realize he’s thrilled with this turn of events.
We spend the next few days absorbing everything before we tell any of our family. My parents are over the moon when we break our news to them. My mother hangs up and immediately calls Mrs. McKinney to discuss the twins. The two women became close friends over the weekend of our wedding, and they’re making plans for a girl’s trip in the near future.
“I can’t believe our mothers are going on a trip together,” Dane grumbles as he rubs my belly.
“I think it’s wonderful everyone is getting along.” I sigh as his soft touch causes my eyes to droop. Lately, I fall asleep at the drop of a hat. After carrying me upstairs, Dane helps me shower before laying me on the bed and crawling in behind me.
I’m already half-asleep when he whispers in my ear, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I snuggle into his warm embrace and drift off to sleep.
Dane
Over the next few weeks, my wife’s morning sickness improves. Certain smells still cause her to gag, but she’s past the everyday puke fests. I’m hopping in my SUV to head home when my cellphone dings with a text. As I glance down and read it, my heart stops.
Forget the ice cream and pickles. I need you to come home, NOW.
My shaking hands make it hard to dial, so it takes me two tries to punch in the right numbers. She answers on the first ring. “Get home.”
“What’s wrong?” Nightmares flash through my mind as I take deep breaths to calm myself.
“These hormones are making me crazy. I need you to come home and take care of this problem.” Throwing my head back, I breathe a sigh of relief. She’s fucking horny.
“You scared ten years off my life,” I grumble as I rush home. Pregnancy hormones are fickle creatures. I need to take advantage of her sudden desire, or she’ll find something else to satisfy her cravings. Nothing worse than being replaced by buttered pecan ice cream and dill pickles.