A/N: First, let me say I'm so sorry for the delay! Life got in the way. Once I got a draft, I had to sit on it for a bit because I was entirely happy with it. I think this is as close to happy as I will be with this chapter. Thank you all for sticking with this story and commenting/reviewing!
Looking at the new diamond ring on her finger and her—their—baby's sonogram still felt like a dream that someone would come wake her from soon. After years of failed dating attempts, she was sure she would be single forever. Then, Patrick happened and her life was now forever changed.
As it was an evening of celebration, they let Annie stay up a little longer playing with her new doll before sitting out the chocolate chip cookies and milk for Santa. After they got her to bed and placed Santa's gifts under the tree (and shared Santa's milk and cookies), Patrick lifted her in his arms.
She laughed at the sudden shock of Patrick lifting her. "What are you doing?"
"Santa is taking Mrs. Claus to bed for her present."
He started to climb the stairs as she giggled at him. He gently sat her down on their bed. He leaned in and kissed her. "Will you take your pajamas off for me?"
"Why? Don't find the reindeer sexy?" She wriggled her eyebrows at him, making him laugh.
"You can make anything sexy, my dear. It's just hard to reach the parts of you that I want with those pajamas covering you head to toe. Plus, I expect we are supposed to wear these again in the morning." He found the sensitive spot on her neck and started to kiss her.
"Hmm. You make a good argument." They made quick work of their clothes and laid in bed, where he quickly found her lips as he pulled her half way on top of him.
He pulled back slightly. "I wonder what would make my lovely fiance most happy tonight."
She mounted him. "I thought you knew all of the ways to make me happy by now."
"I do, which is why I know my lovely fiance doesn't actually want me to do anything. She wants to ride me until she's ready to scream her pleasure-and I'm totally fine with that. I'm happy to be of service."
She scoffed. "Oh really?"
"Yep, I'm always happy to give her what she wants." He let his fingers on his right hand trail down her sternum, between her breasts, and all the way down her belly. She leaned down, lightly dragging her teeth across his neck and making his cock jump.
"I can see how happy you are."
"My fiance is a very foxy lady. She rouses a lot of good memories that really help get the juices flowing." She chuckled a bit before kissing him. He held her close to his chest as he shifted his hips under her and found her entrance.
She started to ride him, finding their rhythm for the evening as she continued kissing him in a series of long, deep kisses laced with shorter, more chaste kisses. Though, within a few moments she had pulled back into a prone position to increase the pace of her hips. He began to caress the sensitive spot on her side, making her gasp. She could see that he watched her from beneath his relaxed eyelids. She loved this position, but not just for the reasons he thought. Being in control was nice, but it was nothing compared to the thrill of him watching her make love to him. When he watched her like she was his goddess, it empowered her.
Nearing her peak, she leaned down to capture his mouth once more. She started doing this when Annie moved in to quiet herself. He joked he didn't mind swallowing if she did. Of course, she slapped him on the arm for his crass remark while grinning all the same.
As usual, she pulled him along with her. She tried to roll to his side, but he held her in his arms on top of him.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
He stroked her hair, winding it between his fingers. "For making me such a happy man."
She kissed him. "You deserve every bit of happiness and more."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
He laughed. "I can't believe we're having a baby! We really went from zero to two kids so quickly!"
"It's funny how life just happens sometimes. If you think about it, us being here and together is just a series of events that converged at just the right moment."
"Wow, Teresa Lisbon, I didn't know you're also a philosopher." She swatted his chest before he grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You're right though. If I hadn't been miserable and in the mood to upstage your hustle, we would've never connected."
"Hmm. But did you upstage my hustle? Like ever?"
He grinned. "A poor choice of words, but I was so sure I would win that game at first. At least I got the girl. That helped my pride a lot."
"You picked that up nicely, didn't you?"
"I always want to please you."
"And you do." She kissed him again.
"I know sometimes you have a hard time letting me please you where money is involved."
"Because your money isn't what pleases me about you."
"I realize that, but that doesn't mean I don't want to take care of you."
She narrowed her eyes as she pulled back a bit. Obviously, this was headed somewhere. "What's this about?"
"I want to get you a new car. You know, something that's good for the family."
"My car is fine for the family."
"And I knew that's what you would say. I'm not asking you to get rid of it. I don't think our kids should be in the car you drive around California collecting criminals in."
She closed her eyes. "I don't want you to get the habit of buying me-or the kids for that matter-expensive gifts. You don't need to buy our love."
"I'm not buying your love. I'm giving you a car."
"An expensive car that you will pay for when I already have one?"
"Teresa, I just want to give you a nice car. Please let me do this?"
"I let you buy the new house."
"You did, but everything I have is yours...well, in seven days." He winked at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine! Just don't make a habit of buying stuff for us, Patrick. I mean it."
"Will you ever stop being so weird about money?"
He grinned as she placed her hand on his chest just over his heart. "I'm not Angela."
His grin fell from his face. "No, you're nothing like Angela. Not exactly a subject I'd like to talk about right now either."
"It's not, but I need you to know that I don't want anything from you, Patrick. Well, nothing material. What I want is for you to promise that you love me now and forever, that you will be a faithful, supportive husband, and that you will love our children. Even if something ever happens between us or if something ever happens to me-and I hope to God it doesn't-I want you to promise me that you will always love our kids and give them everything of yourself. I want them to be proud of their dad because he's a good man who loves them, not because he bought them some cool new gadget or paid for the pool out back. I don't want them to ever know our heartbreaks. Besides, we both know that wounds can't be healed with money. All I ask is that you keep an open heart and love us. That's all I ever want you to do for me."
At some point, she had started rubbing circles in his chest. Her eyes were a bit wet, and she couldn't help but notice the gloss over his eyes as well. He began to stroke her hair.
"I can promise you all of that, Teresa. I love you and Annie-and this little one." He moved his hand down to touch her abdomen. "I don't even know how I could live with myself if I ever let you down. My family means everything to me, and I'm not trying to buy your love with anything. It's just that as much as you don't want our kids to know our heartbreaks, I don't want them to know our struggles. We have the means to provide for our family. I would just also like to give you this really nice Lexus on my lot."
She kissed him. "A Lexus?"
He smiled. "Yeah. A gold LX came in early this week. I figured you'd like it."
"Well, in that case, I suppose the car is ok."
"See, that's what I'm talking about!" She laughed as he kissed the side of her head. "I'll get it detailed and you can pick it up the day after tomorrow. Consider it a wedding present."
"But I meant what I said."
"I know, and I meant what I said, too. Let me spoil you sometimes. I promise I won't make a habit of it. You want to go for round two?"
"With pleasure." She smiled as she shifted on top of him.
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They decided to get married in the backyard of the new house, which meant making sure the rest of the furniture and their belongings arrived and the house put together this week. Everything was just happening so quickly!
On Christmas Day, they moved more of their belongings to the new house. They already had enough of their new stuff there, like bedroom furniture and the dining room set, to live there. They decided tonight would be their first night here, the first night of their new adventure.
"When can I go swimming?" Of course, Annie immediately started to inquire about the pool.
Patrick looked at her nervously. They discussed this, and neither of them was sure whether she could swim. "Well, can you swim, sweetie?"
"Yep!" Her answer came quickly—a little too fast. She wasn't prone to lying, but this was a rather big deal.
"Annie, you're going to have to wait for us to get in the pool." She cast her eyes down in disappointment.
"Ok, but how long do I have to wait?"
"One of us needs to be in the pool with you every time you get in."
Annie huffed. Clearly, Lisbon attitude hadn't skipped a generation. That would be something to look forward to with the new baby. "I can swim!"
At that moment, Patrick swooped her in his arms and kissed the side of her head. "And we believe you can. But you need to pass a big girl swim test first."
"A test? But it's not school!"
"It's not! But swimming is very dangerous, so we have to make sure you can swim like a big girl. Then, you can swim as much as you like."
"Really?"
She interrupted quickly, before Patrick could give her an unqualified answer. "Well, after your homework and you still need to make sure we always know you're going swimming."
After they decided the work for the day was done, the three of them got into the pool. She was still in awe at how big this place was...and the fact that it had a split pool and hot tub in the back. Never in a million years did she expect to live in a place like this—let alone own it.
She made Annie get in with arm floaters first. Annie huffed when she saw her blowing them up.
"Annabeth Rachelle Lisbon, you either keep that attitude or you go swimming. You can't do both."
She nodded and placed the plastic bubbles over her arms. The three of them got in the pool. They made her paddle between them a bit.
"This is so easy! I told you I can swim!"
Patrick watched her with his arms held out even as she moved further from him, waiting to jump into action if necessary. "You're doing great, Annie. You want to try without the floaties?"
No sooner than he finished the question was she already discarding them. "Can you hold your breath under water?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to see who can hold their breath longer?" Of course, it wasn't a real competition. He wanted to make it fun for her. He was good like that.
They both placed their hands on the wall of the pool. At the shout of "go," they were both underwater—but Patrick came up just a second or so later. Wiping the water from his eyes, he watched Annie to see if she was distressed.
About 10 seconds or so later, she popped her head up. "Look at that! You beat me!"
"I knew I would!"
"Oh, I see that Lisbon competitive gene doesn't skip a generation." He winked at her as she scoffed. "Why don't you show us how good you can paddle between us now?"
She did as he asked. She paddled back and forth well. "Good job, Annie!"
"Did I pass the test?"
Patrick pursed his lips and rubbed his chin. "What do you think, Teresa?"
She nodded. "I think so, but you still need to get us. For now, I don't want you out here alone." Their social worker would have a field day if she thought they weren't utilizing water safety techniques.
"There you have it! Annie Lisbon is officially a big girl swimmer!"
Annie smiled widely at that. "Uncle Patrick, are you a good swimmer?"
"Of course! I'm one of the best there is. Watch this!"
He flipped and took off in a butterfly to the other side of the pool, splashing her in the process. On his way back, he did a back stroke.
"That's so cool! You really are one of the best! How did you do that one? I want to swim on my back like you!"
Clearly, they were about to have a moment. She loved when that happened because they both had the tendency to just exert raw passion on any given subject. "While you two practice being fish, I'm going to go get dinner started."
As she got out and dried her legs, she noticed Patrick watching her with a rather sweet look in his baby blue eyes. If she hadn't seen it before, it might have made her uneasy. Now, she just returned it with a smile before getting inside and letting them have their swim lesson. Periodically, she looked out through the window to see him teaching Annie the different elements of the backstroke.
Once they were done and inside, Annie darted to her room. Patrick sought her out in the kitchen. He stood behind her and brought his arms around her waist, letting his hands rest on her abdomen, before kissing her neck.
"You know, we could have ordered in. Annie did a fantastic job."
"I saw."
"You look amazing."
She smiled. "Well, enjoy it while it lasts."
"Imagine thinking I'll ever stop enjoying this view: my beautiful wife and my family, in our home."
She grinned as he kissed her neck again. A bit of heat rose in her chest as he continued to hold his hands over her belly. Not that it was the most intimate they'd ever been, but there was a possessiveness in it that when paired with his words, excited her. She loved being his.
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When she returned to work two days after Christmas, she felt rejuvenated. Since Annie was on school break, and this was the only day she would be working until after the new year, she brought her to the office with her. It was bound to be a slow day. They wouldn't likely get any calls until after the holidays. Nothing pressing seemed to happen in the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Besides, Annie begged to see where the police officers worked. There was no better day than today! Patrick volunteered to be there in a hurry if she needed.
She pulled her team into her office for their morning rounds. She figured she may as well give them the news (and invites) now.
"Good morning, guys! I hope everyone had a nice holiday."
They all nodded. She noticed that Rigsby kept sending Van Pelt glances, but she deflected them. She hoped that was nothing serious.
She checked to make sure Annie couldn't hear them. Her humongous headphones were on her little head, and she was completely absorbed in watching cartoons on her iPad (both courtesy of Santa). "So where are we on the Wilson case?"
Cho began filling her in on the leads that he and Rigsby chased down before Christmas. Van Pelt talked her through the details of the victim's cyber presence.
"Ok, well it sounds like we have some leads to follow. I just don't want them to dry up this week."
Her phone buzzed with a message from Madeleine. It distracted her briefly as she saw the message: "Bridal spa trip booked for tomorrow!"
Of course, Madeleine was the first person she told about the wedding...and the baby. They were planning to wait on telling people about the baby until after the wedding. But Madeleine swore her secret was safe.
She responded to her message. "Ok, I'll get the details tonight!"
"No details. Just be here with Annie by 11. Mimi is looking forward to having her over again!" They'd done several playdates for the girls over the last few months, and they seemed to hit it off.
"You got it!"
She realized her team was still waiting for her guidance. Though, they had looks of curiosity on their faces. When she held her phone up to type, their shocked expressions made it obvious that they saw the diamond ring on her finger.
Cho spoke first. "So you are getting married then?"
She smiled. "Yes, we are."
Rigsby was grinning like a kid. "Aw! Congrats, boss!" Once again, he looked at Van Pelt nervously.
Van Pelt nodded in agreement at his words, ignoring his look. "That's amazing! Are you having an engagement party?"
"Well, not exactly. We are getting married on New Year's Eve."
"In four days?"
"We decided we don't want to draw out the engagement. Besides, we're already moving into the new house and adopting Annie. It's not a stretch for us to be married."
Cho shrugged his shoulders. "Makes sense."
"Cho, you're the most practical person I know."
He grinned ever so slightly, taking an obvious pride in that statement. "Thank you."
Rigsby was looking at Van Pelt with the pleading look again. She didn't know what that was about, but Annie finally registered Grace was there in the office too. She was by her side within seconds.
"Hi Grace!" She jumped in her lap and gave her a hug.
"Hey Annie! What are you watching?"
"It's this show called The X-Men. My daddy—Patrick—told me about it. It's really cool!"
"Oh nice!"
"Sweetie, do you remember what I said? It's not like game night. We have to let people work in the office and not interrupt when grown ups are talking."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
She noticed a tear escape from Grace's eye as she held Annie. "Are you ok, Van Pelt?"
Rigsby reached for her hand and nodded. She gave him a slight shrug in return. It was like they were having a conversation no one else was in on.
"I'm fine, boss. It's just that we're going to have a baby."
"No fucking way." She whispered as she met Cho's eyes. He wore a similar expression on his face.
"We were planning to make an official report on our relationship to you later today."
"Ok."
Van Pelt looked upset. She realized then she probably had a look of horror on her face that led her to believe she was upset and not trying to figure out the odds—and logistics even—of both of them being pregnant at the exact same time. Since she considered them friends, it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Grace probably thought she didn't have the support of a friend.
Just as she was going to walk it back, Annie interrupted before she could stop her. "You're having a baby? My Mommy Reese is too!"
Then, all eyes were on her. She smiled nervously. "That was the reason for my reaction. I'm getting married, and I'm also pregnant. We were just planning to wait until after the wedding to make that announcement. It seems I didn't make that point clear enough to Annie."
For her part, Annie just shrugged her shoulders. "You and Daddy have been really happy about it. You kept doing sex, and you always say we should talk about what makes us happy."
Cho laughed—actually laughed—at that as her face turned beet red. "You guys are always talking about how honest I am, when you're out here having kids that will be more painfully honest than I am."
"Ok, first of all, Annie we have to talk about privacy and things that happen at home again. Second, Annie told us that she learned that sex is when a mommy and daddy kiss. We kissed! Annie, please just call it kissing!"
Cho laughed again, drawing a bit of laughter from Rigsby. "It's fair game if you didn't tell her the truth." He seemed to be enjoying himself today.
She turned her attention back to Van Pelt. "I'm sorry for my reaction. I just immediately started thinking about office logistics, and that wasn't very supportive."
"It's ok! Don't worry about it. How far along are you?"
"Six weeks tomorrow. You?"
"Seven weeks today!"
"Wow! That's...I don't even know."
Annie made her way over to her side now, leaning into her side. "What does that mean, mommy?"
"It means that me and Grace will have babies born about the same time in about 7 months."
The little girl frowned a bit. "That's a really long time. I want to meet them now."
"Awww, sweetie, I know you do. Me too. We just have to wait for them to grow strong and healthy. They will come when they're ready."
Annie started to cry. "What's wrong, Annie?"
"I'm sorry I told when I wasn't supposed to. Please don't be mad. I love you, Mommy Reese. Please don't send me away." Her little body squeezed her as tightly as she could.
"Annie, no! We won't send you away. I'm not even mad. It's just sometimes there are things that we wait for other people to tell because it's their story to tell. I'm sorry I made you think that I am mad. I would never send you away!"
She kissed the side of her head, squeezing the little girl in her arms. In her desire to correct the story, she hadn't taken into account how she spoke her words. Annie was still prone to bouts of fear that she would be abandoned again if she did something wrong. Her therapist advised her that those fears could increase with the addition of the new baby. "Why don't you go watch your cartoons until it's time to go get one of the most delicious muffins in all of California?"
Annie smiled and nodded, returning to her spot on the sofa. Thankfully, she was able to diffuse that situation well. She returned to her team.
"Ok, so I am talking to Minelli this afternoon. Can we just make this your official report? We're going to need support for the team once we're off field work in a few weeks."
Rigsby shifted in his chair. "Just not Bosco please." They really needed to work out that bad blood.
When she hit Minelli's office after lunch, with Annie in tow, he took the news exactly like she thought he would: happy that she was getting married, pleased that "the young man" was responsible for taking care of his family already, and pissed that she'd let Rigsby and Van Pelt carry on a months long relationship that resulted in a pregnancy. Having Annie along definitely softened his language somewhat. In the end, he was happy enough about action items one and two that he promised no reprimands would be coming—but he expected Rigsby and Van Pelt in his office after the new year to explain themselves.
"Boss, our team is going to need some coverage."
"I can have Bosco and Haffner swing over to cover the field."
She groaned and shook her head. "Is it possible to get someone else?"
"I can see who we have, but that's the best choice. We're going to be in a tight spot on this. Everyone might just have to kiss and make up." She grimaced at that. "I'm sorry. That was an inappropriate word choice."
He rang Bosco and Haffner to both come to his office.
Haffner arrived first. "Hey Lisbon!" Looking at Annie who was seated next to her on the couch, he greeted her too. "And little Lisbon. I don't think I've met you. What's your name?"
Annie shrank into her side a bit. "It's ok, sweetie."
"I'm Annie."
"Annie! Well, it's nice to meet you. I'm Ray. I'm a good friend of your Aunt Teresa's." Even though he was being nice to Annie, the way he said "good friend" still made her skin crawl a bit. Though, she didn't have time to dwell on that as Bosco entered the office with a grumble.
He motioned around the room. "What is this family meeting about?"
She laughed a bit at his choice of words. Minelli gestured to her. "Do you want to tell them why we are here?"
Clasping her hands together, she exhaled sharply. She did not particularly want to to tell them, but professionalism being what it was, she supposed she didn't have a choice. All eyes were on her, and suddenly she wondered if she had given Annie the talk about privacy prematurely.
"I'm pregnant."
Bosco blew out a large huff of air, as Haffner looked at her with a stunned look on his face. Thankfully, Minelli started speaking again.
"Agent Lisbon has informed me of her current status. When she nor Agent Van Pelt are no longer able to go into the field, their team will need coverage."
Bosco blinked in confusion. "Van Pelt?"
"Also pregnant."
Haffner chuckled. "It seems like you guys have been having a lot of fun in your unit. Maybe a little too much fun. Sad to say I wasn't invited."
"Ok, not only is that borderline inappropriate, but there's a child present."
Bosco pursed his lips. "So is this a daycare now then? Did your significant other already shirk his responsibilities?"
She just focused her gaze away from him, refusing to acknowledge his questions. About two months ago, he tried to have another talk with her about Patrick and protecting herself and Annie. Indeed, he told her how much he had always loved kids and offered to help her with Annie—help that she never asked for. The whole thing was bizarre as he told her how Mandy could never have kids. It almost seemed like he was making a pitch to her as he promised her safety and stability and that he would do anything she asked of him. It did not go well, especially when Rigsby overheard her shouting at him and telling him to get the fuck away from her. Hearing just enough, he threatened to write up a harassment report. They hadn't really spoken since, and she was able to convince Rigsby to let it go without telling anyone. She didn't need those rumors out there.
So yeah, to say there was bad blood there was an understatement. Right now, her own feelings toward the man she would've once stood up for and called a mentor were now ice cold.
Annie shifted next to her and tugged on her elbow. "Hmm?"
"Can I go sit with Grace? He's scary."
"Honey, we're almost done here." She looked at Bosco pointedly. "Annie is here today because she wanted to see where police officers work and what we do. I don't think you're making the best impression."
He rolled his eyes before leaning toward them in his chair. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I hope you are having a fun day." As he looked up, he caught a glimpse of the ring on her finger. "And what's that?"
"An engagement ring."
"Hmm. So what does Mr. Husband to Be think of you out in the field?"
She grasped the arm of the couch, taking nearly everything she had not to come up and start wailing on him. While it would definitely get her in trouble, she thought more of the bad example she would be setting for Annie. Stilling herself, she spoke.
"Please do not ever, and I do mean ever, ask what my husband says about my body or career choices. What I do with my body is my choice, especially at work." Not that it was any of their business, she and Patrick had briefly discussed this last night. He told her that he trusted that she would make the right choice regarding her time in the field.
"I just figure he had something to say about his wife and kid being in the field. But I'm sure it won't be long before he has you make the full transition to prissy housewife. Maybe he'll even get you on one of those tv shows."
"You know what? Why don't you worry about your own wife? And while you're at it, go fuck yourself!" She heard Annie try to stifle a giggle as she turned back toward Minelli whose mouth was agape. "What about Madeleine Hightower?"
Haffner, who had been snickering, stopped abruptly at the mention of Hightower. "Isn't she out of San Francisco?"
She shrugged. "She might do it. She would be a great fit for our team."
He leaned forward. "Isn't the reason she's out of San Francisco because of a run in with...a colleague here?"
She laughed as she remembered that day. Haffner was being Haffner, and well, Madeleine didn't exactly have a "grin and bear it" approach to life.
He sighed. "I'd prefer that my agents get along and at least act professionally."
"Well, exactly how much harassment and pregnancy discrimination should I sit here and take before I talk to HR?"
Minelli put his hands up in surrender. "Do you think she's open to it?"
"I'm sure she's in if she's not working on anything pressing." And with a quick rundown of the situation with Bosco and Haffner, Madeleine volunteered for a temporary transfer.
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With preparations for the new house and getting settled, four days flew by quickly. New Year's Eve came much quicker than she expected. Citing the tradition that a man shouldn't see his bride the night before the wedding, Patrick chose to stay at the old house last night.
Madeleine and Mimi were at her front door at 8am sharp. They planned for breakfast before getting ready for the day, so she got to work making pancakes, bacon, and eggs. She briefly wondered how her appetite grew so quickly. After finishing their food, the girls were off to play in Annie's new room.
After breakfast, she showed Madeleine around the new house, showing her their living space and the room next their master bedroom suite that they intended to convert into a nursery.
"Teresa, this house is insanely gorgeous."
"Thanks. I mostly liked how spacious the kitchen was, but...do you think it's a bit much?"
Madeleine scoffed. "No! It's your home. Though, I did notice you have lots of extra bedrooms." She winked at her.
Teresa laughed. "Space is nice."
"Especially when you're planning for a big family."
"We've not really discussed how big of a family we want, but it would seem Patrick has a 'the more the merrier' mentality with kids. I just want to see how this one goes first."
"I think that's the right approach." Both women laughed at that.
Teresa found herself staring out the kitchen window into the backyard. "You know, I never thought this would happen."
"What?"
"Finding Patrick. He's the love of my life. I don't know what I did to deserve him, or any of this!" As she motioned around her new home, she felt a few tears escape her eyes.
"Oh honey!" Madeleine grasped her shoulders and pulled her into an embrace. "I am so glad that you found the love you deserve."
"I'm happy, but I'm so scared. What if I'm terrible at being a wife and mother? What if I let them down?"
"You won't be. You've been taking care of people your entire life. Besides, look at how happy Annie is. With how quickly you moved in that situation, and the kind of relationship you have with Patrick, I have a feeling you're going to be alright."
They stood like that for a few more minutes. As a wave of hunger washed over her again, her tears subsided. "Thanks, Madeleine. Do you want a muffin? Oh! And maybe some strawberries with yogurt? The strawberries are fresh!"
With a smile on her face, the other woman politely declined. Not long after her mid morning snack, the hairstylist arrived—and her day was a flurry from there. They made sure the girls were dressed and ready, which was a much easier process than she thought. She hadn't anticipated they would see this as a game of dress up and want to take part. Patrick hired a couple of guys from the dealership to direct their guests and there was a small catering operation. When they arrived, Madeleine disappeared for a few to get them going.
As showtime drew near, she stepped into the strapless cream colored gown that hugged her tight as it flowed to the ground. Stepping into her high heeled sandals, she felt like she had basically left her body. Her stomach roiled as her hands grew shaky. She hoped she wouldn't fall-or worst, vomit-walking down the aisle.
A short time later, one of the men Patrick hired knocked on her door to let her know it was time. She grabbed Madeleine's hand.
"When I moved here, I basically created a whole new life for myself. You're one of my oldest friends in this new life. I know I asked you to stand up for me, but do you mind walking me down the aisle? I don't have anyone to do it, and I didn't think I needed anyone to do it, but honestly, I'm so damn nervous right now. I'm afraid I might embarrass myself." Both women laughed.
"Of course, I'll walk you down. You're not going to fall on my watch. Besides, I have a feeling that all will be right with the world when you see him."
Madeleine smoothed down her lavender dress and grabbed her own bouquet of flowers before extending her arm for Teresa. As they approached the aisle, Madeleine stepped out front and motioned to the DJ. He started playing the bride's song. On cue and with a gentle tug from Madeleine, they began their walk.
He smiled as he focused on her walking down the aisle, but on her approach, there was that tender, intimate look in his blue eyes again. Madeleine was right. When she saw him, the temporary wave of nervousness left her. She wanted to spend her life with this man with kind blue eyes who she'd spent nearly the last year with, the man who wanted to have a family with her, the man she wanted to have a family with.
As she reached him, Madeleine kissed her cheek before stepping to her side. He took her hand as the officiant began the ceremony. Within 15 minutes, they took the kiss to pledge their love and souls to one another.
As they turned to face their rather small audience for the first time as husband and wife, he whispered in her ear. "Wife, you look rather stunning in that dress. I can't wait to peel you out of it later." He gave her a quick, chaste kiss on the lips.
"You're not so bad yourself, husband." He smiled at her.
"Thank you for not running away like Julia Roberts in that movie. I'm not sure what I would have done."
She laughed. "I was never going to run away."
"Oh? Then, what was the last minute change with Madeleine?"
"Congratulations. You picked up on my sudden onset of nerves, but I would never run away from you. Besides, you're stuck with me now."
"It's really more of an honor than an obligation." He winked at her. "Should we go greet our guests?"
Clasping their hands together, they walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Patrick and Teresa Jane.