Natalie
"Are you ready?" Frank asks me. The sun casts him in luminous light, and the breeze outside the church smells like the ocean. "No cold feet this time, right?"
"No. Because this time, I will push open these doors and wind up with the right man." I hand him a smile. "I'm ready."
There are actual tears in his eyes. "Your new designer wedding dress is gorgeous—wait until Linnea and Carmen see you walking down the aisle. They are going to cry their eyes out."
My smile only grows, but I tilt my head to meet his eyes before I push open the doors. A question has been burning inside my mind for quite some time now.
I wet my lips. "Can I ask something?"
Frank's wrinkly face turns serious. "Anything."
"Why did you refuse to walk me down the aisle last time?"
His lips form a knowing smile. "Were you in love with Alaric?"
I shake my head. "No."
"That's your answer."
"Good answer."
"I always rooted for you and Noah," Alaric nods at the doors. "Are you ready to get married?"
"I can't wait."
My smile grows brighter, and I push open the doors. Music is playing, and this time when I look forward, my chest doesn't fill with dread. Noah is standing there, smiling at me.
Bubbles of joy fill my chest.
Some people say those fairy tale endings don't exist in real life. But as I'm standing there, I'm where I'm supposed to be.
I hook my arm with Frank, and the walk starts.
There aren't many people inside the church, but they are all essential to us. Linnea is holding Emma. Johan sits next to her with Carmen. North is also here, surprisingly enough bawling his eyes out—Noah must have talked a lot about me.
Paul and Chad are sitting on Noah's side among a few other football players, and I fight a smile when I catch Cynthia glaring at me. Not even the evil stepmother can get in my way this time.
I'm marrying Noah, and no one can stop me.
I walk up to him, and Noah takes my hands. I'm not even listening to the priest. My eyes are too spellbound by the blue ones belonging to my future husband.
"The wait is finally over," Noah whispers with a slight curl to his lips. Amusement is shining in his eyes. "Or what to do you say?"
A soft chuckle leaves my lips. "What are you talking about? And aren't we supposed to listen to the priest?"
The priest turns to us. Noah and I both smile to pretend we are paying him attention. But as soon as he turns around, Noah focuses those eyes on mine again.
He looks so gorgeous wearing his expensive suit combined with professionally styled hair. I'm already thinking of ways to mess it up by raking my fingers through it.
Noah dips his head, whispering. "You're wearing a beautiful dress, and you're about to be my wife. I'm three seconds away from ripping that thing off your body."
I laugh. "You wouldn't dare to—"
Noah hauls me to him, and what kiss it is. The priest doesn't get to finish his speech before I drop the bouquet and sink my fingers into Noah's shoulders. The audience gasps, and I forget about them too.
I'm home
This is the man I'm supposed to be with.
My entire body tenses up in response to Noah deepening the kiss until I give in and let the feeling of weightlessness wash over me. I melt into his arms and allow him to kiss away the pain and make up for the year we have lost.
There is so much in our kiss—unspoken words and a sense of need within both of our hearts. A promise of renewal.
Noah tastes like delicious, searing flames—I can't get enough of him, but I know we should stop. My chest might be filled with butterflies, but we have a wedding to attend.
But right then, I hear the priest sigh heavily. "And this is why I don't even like weddings," the priest mutters before raising his voice. "Let us welcome for the very first time as husband and wife, Noah and Natalie Parker! Please give them your heartfelt applause!"
I break from Noah's lips, hear our audience cheer, and clap their hands while gazing up at him.
His lips form an affectionate smile. "Are you ready to spend every day waking up to me?"
I squeeze his hands with tears gathering in my eyes. "Yes."
Noah bends down to kiss me again, but he whispers something new into my ears before that. "We better get this wedding over with, so I can shove my cock into your ass."
I snort in amusement. "That will count as you surrendering to the stay-away-from-sex challenge, and it will be your loss, Noah Parker."
He pulls me closer and plants a kiss on my head. "Oh, I don't mind losing our sex challenge, not when every day with you will be a victory. I have so many plans for us..."
I smile in his chest. We are probably supposed to walk out of the church, but I can't stop hugging him. "You're being too corny and sweet."
"But you love it."
Laughter sips out through my lips, and I lift my chin to meet his handsome face. Beautiful bastard. "Yes, because you taught me loving someone wasn't a weakness but a strength. People aren't meant to be alone, and I'm so glad we found each other."
He arches an eyebrow yet keeps the smile on his lips. "Now you're the one who is being corny and too sweet, Natalie Parker."
I beam up at him. "I know, but I don't care. Not one bit."
I say those words, and then we kiss again. It's longer this time, and I can taste the lust on Noah's tongue, knowing we will find a dark room later tonight to get the sexual frustration dealt with.
As I'm pulling Noah's lips to mine, I have to fight not to claw at his clothes. I want them gone. But patience is a virtue, and after today I will have unlimited access to what Noah is hiding in his boxers.
And maybe, we will get another baby—it would be the cherry on top of the cake. I want Emma to have a sibling, and with two children, my dream of having a real family would feel complete.
Sure, you can have more than two children, but I'm sure Noah and I can settle with two.
Let's see what the future will bring us.