“Tell me I’m wrong,” Frisco murmurs, reaching up to brush his thumb over my quivering lips.
“You’re not wrong,” I whisper. “I think I might be pregnant with our child. But…” I swallow hard, finally returning to the second part of his announcement to Patrick. “You said you love me.”
“I do,” Frisco says calmly. “It’s the truth. I love you, Libby, just as you love me.”
For a moment, it’s as if we’re the only people in the universe. “Yes, I do, Frisco,” I breathe as intense emotion floods over my soul. Suddenly, everything feels right, more right than it ever has before. “I love you,” I repeat, relishing the way the words sound. “And if you’re serious about this…” I trail off, glancing down at my belly. “This is something I want. A life with you. With both you and our child.”
“I want that too, Libby,” my handsome lover rasps. “More than I could possibly say.”
I’m faintly aware of Patrick making a disgusted sound off to my left, but that doesn’t matter anymore. My whole world is standing in front of me, caressing me with his cobalt gaze, and his love for me is all that matters. Then, Frisco leans down and kisses me more sweetly than he ever has before.
“You’re mine,” he breathes hotly.
I merely smile against his lips.
“I am,” I whisper in agreement. “Always.”
Then, I melt into Frisco’s hard form, and it’s perfect. Maybe he is the brother of my ex, and maybe I was a very rash girl who made some very bad decisions in the past. But the good part is that Frisco has helped me become a better woman, and to mature into the best version of myself that I can be. Now, with our baby, we have the future before us, extending into the horizon and beyond.
Epilogue
Libby
* * *
After six months, the day has finally come. It’s something I’ve dreamed about ever since I was a little girl, but even before the fiasco with Patrick, there were always doubts. Would I ever find my soulmate? Would a guy appreciate my desire to dedicate myself to raising children as a stay at home mom? Would I find someone who loves me for who I am, curves and all?
Yes. The answer is yes, and now, standing at the altar across from my handsome groom, it feels almost inevitable. How could I have ever been unsure?
Frisco, who looks ungodly handsome in his tailored tux, takes my hands in his. He looks down at me with heartrending affection, but not before caressing my stomach gently. The baby isn’t due for another two months, and I was a little nervous about showing up to my wedding so visibly pregnant because I’m so huge now that I can’t see my toes over my tummy. Judging by the expressions of the guests, though, I didn’t have anything to worry about.
Out in the audience, I can see the faces of my parents and Frisco’s parents, as well as Dakota and her family. My friend waves merrily when she catches my eye, and I nod slightly and wink. I’m taking a break from the Blue Bean for the foreseeable future, which she understands completely. I suppose it’s possible that I’ll end up being a barista at one of Frisco’s shops later on, but that’s a question for later. For now, I want to focus on being a full-time mom to our daughter.
There are more familiar faces alongside Dakota and Jack. Bo from Club Om is present, and he’s mouthwateringly handsome in a black suit. A few ladies are sneaking looks at the enormous man and I giggle because they probably don’t know what he does for a living.
But then, my attention is caught by my ex, Patrick. We decided to invite Frisco’s brother, even though things weren’t completely healed between us, and to our surprise, he responded yes. He’s sitting off to the side with Raina Peterson, and it seems both have now gone completely goth. They’re dressed in all black, which is unusual for a wedding, but even more unusual is that they’ve both dyed their hair jet black, caked their faces in pasty white make-up, and drawn on black lips. Weird. They stand out amidst the sea of attendees, but it’s fine. I’m just glad that Patrick’s here so that we can move forward. We aren’t really talking yet - the situation between us is still decidedly awkward - and I’m sure it will still be a while before we do, but I’ve left the anger and resentment in the past. I can settle for being civil, and so can he. There’s no more bad blood there.
Pastor Ed smiles at the both of us before he begins to speak. The words are timeless and magical, and seem to float by within seconds. When my pastor utters the final words of the ceremony, my heart contracts with happiness upon hearing them.