She stares at me while she ponders my words. “Hear me out,” she says, and I brace myself for a fight. She grabs her bra and covers her breasts. “I’ve been thinking about it.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really.” She puts on a pair of jeans and a black V-neck sweater.
“And?”
“And if we’re going to get married, I want to do it right. I want to feel good, and right now, I feel sick quite a lot. I also want to look good.” She takes my hand. “I swear, I will deny it if you tell anyone, but I want to put on a wedding dress so beautiful and sexy, that you fall on your ass. I want to drink champagne and dance with you. I want to cringe at whatever stupid joke Alan tells when he makes a speech. I want to take Mary Leigh shopping for her mother of the groom dress. I want to recite my own wedding vows, and then I want us to go to a family friendly resort for our honeymoon because I’m not leaving Evan and this baby behind.”
I shake my ear and pretend to knock debris out of it. I pull her in my arms and lift her off her feet. “And this dress, what color is it going to be? White?”
“Whatever damn color I choose,” she huffs. “And there’s one more thing.” She gets serious again. She gestures to the bed and we both sit. “If you say no, my feelings won’t be hurt. In fact, I’ll never mention it again, okay?” I lift her hand and kiss it and wait. “Maybe, we can consider—” She stops and looks down as if she’s gathering her thoughts. She’s never been nervous to speak her mind before, so that unsettles me.
“What is it? You know I’d never deny you anything.”
“How would you feel about the possibility of me, down the line, maybe talking to Evan about me adopting him? If you say no, I’ll drop it. Ifhesays no, I’ll never bring it up again.” She stops and stares into my eyes. This is the first time she’s ever been nervous about a reaction from me. I lean down and rest my forehead on hers.
“The most traditional woman on earth. I knew it the moment I saw you.” I cup her cheeks and stare into the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. “Yes. I would love nothing more than for you to be his mother.” She rests her head on my shoulder.
“Of course, I don’t want to replace her. I’ll honor her memory in every way.”
“I know you will. I was not worried about it.”
“But let’s give him some time to get used to me and a new sibling.”
“Deal. Now, there’s one thing I want. What you talked about earlier is a wedding. We’ll have whatever wedding you want when the baby is born, but I want a marriage. Right now.”
* * *
No one issurprised when we walk into the kitchen together holding hands. In fact, John says, “It’s about time. I was tired of pretending I didn’t know. Colt, get my daughter some breakfast.”
“Yes, sir. Whatever my queen wants.” I turn to Victoria and say, “I am but your lowly servant.” I bow, and she throws a napkin at me. I pull a chair out for her and ask the chef for oatmeal and fresh berries, a favorite of hers. I sit next to her, intertwine our fingers, and bring her hand to my lips, relieved to finally be able to do that with the family.
Family. This is my family now. I never could have predicted this a year ago, or even months ago when I went to the Taylor family home for the first time.
The boys come running into the kitchen with Alan chasing behind them.
“Well?” her dad says to us.
Alicia and Cheryl both look on, anxiously waiting.
“Since when is this family so old fashioned?” Vickie asks.
“Since always. So, now what?” her dad insists.
“Now, I ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage.” The words are barely out of my mouth when Vickie elbows me hard in the ribs.
“Chastain, I warned you about asking my father for any part of my anatomy.”
“Permission granted,” her father says.
Her eyes widen in shock when I drop to one knee and pull the ring out of my jeans pocket.
“Yes, I’ve been walking around with this thing since you went to Mexico.” I clear my throat and begin my speech. “Victoria, my queen. Since the day I laid eyes on you—”
“Oh my God, enough with the drama! Yes!” she screams. “Give me my ring!” She holds out her ring finger, and I slide the ring on. The instant I do, I stand and she jumps into my arms, tears streaming down her face. The entire kitchen cheers, and the women pull her away from me to admire the new jewelry. It’s a five-carat yellow solitaire diamond. It’s beautiful and rare just like her.
“We’re still planning Tara’s wedding, so I want to wait until after I have the baby for a big wedding, but Colt wants to get married now,” she tells everyone.
