It was time to go get married.
Lilah left the room first, and she took Timothy’s hand, making their way toward the aisle. The church was full of all of their friends and many of his associates. She was touched to see the families that she had been a nanny for were there. All of the kids she had looked after over the past twelve years had swamped her in a hug. Lilah caught the moment on camera.
She was no longer the nanny, though.
No, she was Timothy’s mom, and within a few minutes, she’d be Wayne’s wife.
All eyes turned toward her, but she looked at Wayne. He was waiting for her, a wicked look in his eye.
Lilah had promised to take Timothy this evening so they could have their wedding night alone before heading out toward a cabin that he’d gotten for over Christmas. They were going to spend their time together as a family, their first Christmas.
Walking toward the man who owned her heart, she felt Timothy squeeze her hand. This boy had captured her love so easily. Her family, her future, the life she always wanted, and she had a special announcement to make to Wayne.
Timothy placed her hand within Wayne’s. “Take care of her, buster.”
The entire church laughed. Wayne hugged his son, kissing his cheek. “We’ll take care of her together.”
Their boy stood with James while she and Wayne stood before the priest.
“I love you,” Wayne said, mouthing the words.
“Love you, too.”
The priest said his prayer, the vows, and asked them to repeat theirs to each other.
“Temperance, Tempe, I promise to love, cherish, and honor you. I can’t promise that I won’t annoy or anger you, but I know that I will love you with every single part of my being. I’m the luckiest man alive because I know I’ve got the best woman. I’m not a stupid man, and I’ll make sure you never have a reason to leave me.”
There were a few chuckles.
“Wayne, I promise to be a loving wife, to cherish you always, and to honor our vows. There is no man that could drive me crazy, and no one else I ever want to share my life with. You’re my family, and together we’ll make our family and our future together. I love you, bad moods and all. Through every sickness and every fall. You own my heart, Wayne Myers.”
A few more words were spoken, and then Wayne slammed his lips down on hers, sealing their marriage.
The church went up in applause.
He stroked her cheek as he pulled away. “You look so beautiful.”
“Do I glow?” she asked.
“Yeah, you do. My beautiful, glowing bride.”
She leaned in close so that her lips were against his ear. “Your very glowing, and very pregnant, wife.”
He held her tightly. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yes, the doctor confirmed it today. He called before I arrived at the church. We’re going to have a baby.”
Wayne picked her up, swinging her around before placing her back on her feet and kissing her deeply.
“I love you,” he said.
“No, I love you. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not fighting who you are and for not hiding what you want.”
“Do you finally forgive me?” he asked.
She frowned. “Of course I forgive you.”
“You never said if you did or not. That was the biggest fucking mistake I ever made, leaving you. Tearing us apart.”
She cupped his face, and kissed his lips. “Always.”
****
News update: The nanny and the playboy are now Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Myers. They tied the knot one week before Christmas in what many are calling the most romantic wedding of the decade. Also, we’ve been told the happy couple are expecting their first child. Congratulations to them.
Epilogue
One year later
“That doesn’t look right, Daddy,” Timothy said. “It’s too small.”
Wayne stepped back from the corner where he’d placed the store-bought tree. He and Temperance had been debating for the past two weeks about getting a real Christmas tree, or buying one from the store. She wanted a real one, but he didn’t want to have to deal with the pine needles all over the floor.
The scent of cinnamon and nutmeg was heavy in their country home, and he turned, watching his wife and baby girl enter. Their little girl was five months old, and so damn cute. He just adored her.
“Oh, it looks so tiny,” Temperance said, turning toward him with a smile.
Their last Christmas had been spent in a cabin, and the tree had driven him nuts with the mess everywhere.
In the past year his life had been turned upside down in the most amazing way. First, he’d moved them out of his apartment. He wanted a huge back yard for Timothy to play in, and somewhere he could enjoy time with his family.
He’d admitted the truth of his parents not wanting him, and not caring about him. How they’d ignored him for the most part of his life, and then died. He’d not shed a single tear, and didn’t miss them. He told her that he was scared of being a father as he was scared of being like his own parents, cold and cruel.