His eyes widened. This was the first time she agreed there would be a wedding. Now she felt guilty for dragging her feet.
“How about a simple civil service now before the baby is born and a huge party later with the dress and pictures?” Rebecca suggested.
“I love that idea,” Holly chimed in, sitting down next to her mom. She had a plate filled with food. She had already given Faith her approval on Adam’s new attitude. “Alicia and I can plan the party for a few months after the baby gets here.”
Alicia, who was sitting across the room, grinned at Faith. “I would love to do that, Faith. I helped plan Alana’s wedding and I enjoyed it. Maybe I have a new career as a wedding planner.”
Faith looked at Adam and nodded in agreement. It sounded like a wise plan.
He grinned with happiness. “I like how you think, Rebecca. That is a great idea.”
Faith wrapped her arms around Adam’s waist. She loved how he relaxed into her. “Then we have plans to make, mister.”
Everyone cheered and clapped, lifting their drinks to Adam and Faith. Adam kissed her lips in a soft and tender kiss right there in front of everyone. “I love you, Faith.”
She caressed his cheek with her hand. She loved his golden colored eyes, especially when there was such happiness in them like now. It made her feel good about the future. “I love you, Adam. I’m sorry I dragged my answer out for so long.”
“I understood. I was a jerk to you, but I hope you believe me now.”
She nodded with honesty. She placed his hand on her stomach where their child was kicking furiously. “I think she agrees too.”
He laughed out loud. “Because she is so smart. She will be as beautiful as her mother.”
Faith felt such hope floating around in her soul. Hope for a wonderful future filled with love and family. Her mom was talking to Mrs. Garcia about planning a future wedding. Mr. Garcia and Ted were talking sports. Alicia was laughing with Liam, Holly, and her brother Ray. Noah and Alana were all snuggled in a booth, whispering to each other as if they were all alone. This was her family.
She looked at Adam and let him see all the love she was feeling. He gasped and his golden-colored eyes looked watery.
“We should name our daughter Hope,” Faith said loudly. She wanted to share it with her family.
“Hope.” Adam tried out the name. “I like it. Simple and beautiful.”
“And with a wonderful meaning.” Her mom spoke up, sniffing into a tissue. “Hope is wishing for something with optimism.”
Faith nodded and leaned her head on Adam’s shoulder. She had confidence that with Adam she would have a wonderful life. There would be ups and downs, but they would face them together. “It seems we have to make an appointment with the courthouse. The sooner the better,” Faith told everyone. She was ready for the next step in her life. No more being afraid of the what-ifs. That was no way to live her life.
“Finally,” Noah muttered. Alana smacked his arm with a laugh.
“I agree, brother.” Adam let out a happy sound and Faith couldn’t help but smile. She couldn’t agree more. Finally she had all she ever dreamed of. A love, a baby, and a family.
Epilogue
Faith rocked her eight-week-old daughter until her eyes closed. Today was her wedding day. The sun was shining bright. It was a nice autumn day and the opened window let in a nice cool breeze.
“Everything okay with my girls?” Adam whispered from the doorway. He had jeans on and nothing else and Faith felt her body react to his sexiness. She squeezed her thighs together. They were on a tight schedule or she would just spend the morning in bed with him. She nodded and stood up.
He carefully took Hope from her arms and kissed her small head. Light red strands of hair barely covered her head. He placed her in the crib and looked at the sleeping baby with a gentle smile.
“Ready to celebrate, Mrs. Blake?” He kept his voice low and walked her out of the nursery and into their bedroom across the hall.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her cheek against his bare chest. They had gotten married by a judge the week after the baby shower, but today a priest would reaffirm their vows. She had moved in with him as he wanted, and Holly and her friend from school were renting Faith’s old house.
“I sure am. I am most excited about tonight though.” She grinned up at him.
He gave her a mock look of confusion. “What’s tonight?”
She punched him lightly in the stomach.
“Okay geez.” He laughed, kissing her neck. “I can’t wait to make love to my wife with no interruptions.”