THE WEDDING TOOK PLACE the following year on Valentine’s Day among the patrons and staff of Ye Old Dirty Dogwhere they’d first met.
Arguably, it wasn’t the most romantic or conventional venue for a wedding ceremony, but there was plenty of romance as far as Ransom and Dani were concerned. Taking their vows before their friends and family in the very place they’d started their journey was as close to perfection as it would ever get, and if they had it their way, every monumental moment would be made under the same roof.
“By the power vested in me by Chicago ministry dot com, I now pronounce you man and wife,” Rebel declared, grinning widely. “You may kiss my brand new sister-in-law.”
The room erupted in congratulatory cheers as Ransom jerked his wife against his chest, bent her back over his arm, and dropped a too-hot-for-public-consumption kiss on her bow-shaped lips.
“I’m the happiest man alive,” he said for her ears only.
Misty honey-brown eyes found his. “And I’m the happiest woman alive.”
Righting her, Ransom lifted his arm and shouted, “First drink’s on me!” Everyone shouted, music flooded the speakers, and he and Dani found themselves being passed from arm to arm, hug to hug.
There was no better feeling in the world than knowing that, for the rest of his life, he had the love of a good woman to keep him in line.
Lord knew, he needed it.
“Dance with me,” Ransom whispered in her ear when he was finally able to break away from his guests and find his bride.
He didn’t wait for her answer.
Whisking her out onto the floor, he twirled her around, then brought her back in, keeping her close to his heart where she belonged.
Her smile was vibrant and beautiful, just like her, and Ransom couldn’t stop staring. “I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the world,” he told her. “You’ve given me everything I ever wanted.”
Her answering smile was shy. Sexy. It made him want to find someplace private and christen their marriage, solidifying their vows.
“Maybe not everything,” she hedged, pulling a frown from him.
“I have you. What more could I possibly want or need?”
“What about kids?”
A grin spread across his face. “Of course I want kids. In fact, as soon as we leave here, the first thing I plan to do is put my baby in you.”
“What if I said you didn’t have to wait?”
His eyebrows shot up into his hairline and his cock punched against his zipper. “You want to do it now, here?” Without a second thought, he threaded his fingers through hers and began pulling her through the crowd toward the back of the building.
“No,” Dani protested, laughing hysterically as she pulled against him. Bringing him to a stop, he turned back, his brows knitted together in question. “I didn’t mean that.” He must have been pouting, because her expression softened and she moved in close, tracing her fingers over his lips. “Ransom, what if I told you that you didn’t have to wait because I’m already pregnant?”
Suddenly, the world seemed to fall away and all Ransom could see and hear was Dani and her sweet voice. “Are you…Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she nodded vigorously.
Grabbing both of her arms, Ransom said, “Say it. I need to hear you say it.”
She grinned. “I’m pregnant.”
His expression flattened and he swallowed thickly. “Marry me.”
“I just did,” she said with a laugh.
“Then tell me you love me.”
“I love you.”
“Again. All of it. Tell me again.”
She frowned, but did it anyway. “Um…I’m pregnant, and I love you?”
“God I love you, woman,” he professed as he yanked her to him and kissed her soundly. Lifting his head, he shouted, “We’re having a baby!” to everyone in the bar, and to another round of celebratory cheers, they kissed again, laughing and crying in their immense joy.
As Ransom held his bride and unborn child in his arms, dancing the night away, he thought about the journey his life had taken. He’d never thought he’d love again, but Dani had slipped into his life during a time when he desperately needed a friend, and she’d proven him wrong in the best ways. Now, with a ring on her finger and a new life on the way, Ransom was looking forward to a bright and happy future.
The end.