“Clio’s not allowed to blow anyone while I’m still single,” Jules states, prompting us all to erupt into laughter. “Sorry,” she adds as we descend into giggles, “I’ve drunk too much champagne. That’s your fault, Poppy. This is really good stuff.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” I’ve only had a small glass, topping it up with lemonade so hopefully nobody notices.
I lift my face to the sea breeze and sigh. “Thank you all for coming tonight. I’ve had such a wonderful day.”
“Aw,” Izzy says, “I’m so pleased you got your happily-ever-after. You deserve it.”
“You too,” I tell her, and we reach out and hold hands for a moment. She’s officially my sister-in-law now, and we’ve been spending quite a lot of time together over the past two weeks, talking about her and Marc’s mom. She’s given me a lot of insight into their childhood, which has helped me understand him more, and I think she’s appreciated being able to talk about the problems she had with her mom with someone other than Hal.
“What’s going on over here?” Marc says, approaching with the rest of the guys. “There’s far too much fun being had without us.”
“We’re talking about Clio being a guided missile,” I begin, then laugh as she shoots daggers at me. “Come on,” I say, taking Marc’s hand. “Dance with me.”
I lead him back to the small dance floor, and lift my arms around his neck as he pulls me close. Around me, some of the others also start dancing, and I sigh and give him a dreamy smile.
“Having a good time?” he murmurs, bending to kiss my nose.
“Wonderful. I’m trying to fix Jules and Clio up,” I tell him. “I want everyone to be as happy as I am.”
“Aw.” He bends his head and kisses my lips. “I’m so glad you’re not regretting marrying me.”
That makes me laugh. “Not at all. I’m so happy, Marc. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” He glances down at my belly. “And little Fitz.”
I giggle and glance around. “Shh.”
“You still haven’t told anyone?”
I shake my head. “I want to wait until I’m three months. It’s our secret. I still can’t quite believe it.”
“Me either. It’s so funny to think there’s a little person growing inside you.”
“Your little person,” I whisper, looking up into his eyes.
“My little person. And now you’re my woman.” He takes my hand from behind his neck and shows me my wedding ring. “I’ve branded you. So every man will know you belong to me. Do you mind?”
“No,” I say honestly.
He releases my hand and lowers his hand back to my hips, pulling me close. “And tonight I’m going to brand you in another way. I’m going to write my name all over you, on every inch of your skin, so you never forget whose girl you are.”
“How could I forget?” I lift my face to his for a kiss. “You’re the only man for me, Marc Fitzgerald. Till death do us part.”
*