I take Martha’s hand in my own, my expression sympathetic.
“Yes, but I do forgive James, and I think Luke does too.”
My husband makes a face and makes a “so-so” movement with his hand, so I kick him lightly under the table, but he just shrugs. Then I sigh and turn my attention back to Martha.
“Someday, we’d love for James to meet his new niece or nephew. He’s made mistakes but everyone deserves a second chance. We will welcome him when he decides to come home.”
“Thank you, my dear,” Martha says in a soft tone while tears fill her eyes. “You are more than what an old woman deserves.”
I merely pull my mother-in-law close and pat her back as she cries silently. No family is perfect, but this one is mine, and I want to contribute to its recovery.
After Martha leaves, Luke wraps his arms around me from behind and rests his hands on top of my round belly. At his touch, our baby kicks.
“I’m sorry, sweetling,” he murmurs into my ear. “Should I have had my mom leave earlier? Are you tired?”
I shake my head. “No. I love having Martha over because she’s a hoot.”
He chuckles.
“You mean, you like hearing all of the embarrassing stories she has of me.”
I giggle. “Is there a difference?”
My handsome husband trails kisses down the side of my neck and shifts the strap of my dress to the side so he can kiss my shoulder.
“Probably not, but it’s all good. I have nothing to hide,” he winks. Then he straightens and gives my belly another soothing rub. “By the way, honey, I bought something for you,” he adds with a wink. “A ‘push’ present if you will.”
I smile.
“OMG, a push present? You love shopping for me, don’t you?” I tease. “Not that I’m complaining.”
Luke smiles and pulls out a pair of sparkly diamond earrings. They’re enormous and glint even in the low lighting of our bedroom, and when I put them on, they’re absolutely beautiful.
“They’re beautiful,” I whisper, staring at our reflection in the mirror. “Thank you, Luke.”
He merely leans in to press a tender kiss to my neck, his blue eyes filled with love.
“Thank you, Patty. For everything. For this marriage, for the baby on the way, and most of all, for being my wife. Thank you, honey, for making me the happiest man in the world.”
With that, I turn in his arms and our lips meet in a passionate kiss. After all, none of this was supposed to be real. We were two people who were going to use each other for our own purposes, but instead, two hearts met and then joined. Now, Luke Montgomery is my husband, and with his baby in my belly, I know that our lives will be filled with contentment and joy from here on out.
THE END