“Thank you for saying yes, Mama,” he tells me.
I look at him and tilt my head. “You thought I’d say no?”
“Well no, but I didn’t know,” he says with a laugh. “I’m just happy Noah will be in our lives forever.”
“Forever, baby,” I tell him with a grin.
Loretta approaches and says they’re going to do some more activities, and Anthony asks if Owen can join them. Wanting to have some alone time with Noah, I agree.
“I’ll bring him home after we’re done here,” Loretta says.
“Memaw, can Owen stay the night?” Anthony asks with a twinkle in his eye, and I know I can’t say no to that.
“Only if Katie says it’s okay.”
He comes over to me and smiles. “Ms. Katie, can Owen pretty,prettyplease stay over?”
I laugh. “Sure. That’ll be fine.” The boys give me a handful of thank-yous. Owen gives me a hug goodbye, and I thank Loretta for everything.
As they walk away, Noah pulls me in close. “You ready to get outta here, fiancée?”
I lift my brow at him. “I like the sound of that, but I think I’ll like being called wife better. Also, does that mean what I think it means?”
He bites the corner of his lip and smirks.
“Hell yes,” I say. We stop and pick up my gigantic wreath that may or may not fit in the trunk of my car, then leave. When we get home, we make love until nightfall, then fall asleep naked.
I can’t believe I’ve been calling Noah my fiancé for two weeks. It feels like a dream, all of it. Having the house finished, the proposal, and now the baby shower for the twins. How’s this my life? If someone would’ve told me at the beginning of the year I’d be engaged and pregnant before Christmas, I would’ve asked them if they had fallen and hit their head.
When I roll over in the morning and feel his strong arm wrapped across me, I almost pinch myself. It’s a dream come true, and I don’t dare take a damn day for granted.
“Babe, almost ready?” I hear Noah call from the other room.
I chuckle because I’ve changed clothes at least ten times, and now I’m exhausted. “No!” I yell back.
Moments later, I hear footsteps padding down the hallway, and the door to our room swings open. Noah grins from ear to ear. “What you’re wearing looks hot,” he tells me.
I lie back on the bed, not able to see over my stomach. “You’d be fine with me going naked! You’re very biased!”
He laughs. “That’s true, but honestly, that dress is adorable on you.”
I glare at him even though I know he’s being sweet. “Nothing is adorable on me. I feel and look like I’ve stuffed two beach balls under this dress. Do I absolutely have to go?”
“Yes,” he gently says. “If you didn’t, I’m not sure your mother, Gemma, or Everleigh would forgive you. Belinda would, though. I don’t think you can do any wrong in her eyes.”
I sigh, and he helps me up. “You’re sure I look fine?”
He pulls out his phone and snaps a picture of me, then turns it around. “Cute as fuck.”
A blush hits my cheek. “Maybe you’re right.”
Noah glances at the stack of clothes on the foot of the bed. “Done with these?”
“I guess,” I say, slipping on some slides because wearing any sort of real shoe right now is torture. My body wants to burst out of whatever I put on it—shoes, bras, shirts, you name it.
Eventually, he coaxes me out the door so I’m not late to my own party, and I’m happy he did. When I show up, Noah escorts me inside, gives me a kiss, then leaves. The decorations are gorgeous, and I’m in awe at what they did. Beautiful flower displays adorn every table, along with powder blue balloons.
Gemma and Everleigh rush up to me, wearing huge smiles. Belinda gives me a nod, but she’s so enamored with Scarlett that she brings all of her attention back to her. She’s an adorable baby, though, so I don’t blame her one tiny bit.