“Does anyone else know?” I ask.
“Why do you think your mother flew in?” Harrison smiles.
“Is...is this what you and Enzo have been so cagey about lately?” I demand, “Is this what you were colluding about at the bar?”
“I was...uh...asking his permission, that night,” Harrison says, “To request your hand.”
I stare at Harrison, moved beyond words. He went to his former rival, his competitor, my big brother, to ask for his blessing?
“I wish I could have asked your dad,” Harrison says gently.
“I hope you know he would have been happy,” I tell him, resting my cheek against his shoulder, “He really did like you, Harrison. He would have been happy to have you as a son.”
They word “son” catches in my mouth. I got so caught up in the moment of Harrison’s proposal that I forgot one very important detail that we have yet to discuss. My heart slams against my rib cage like a wrecking ball. This is it—the moment I’ve been trying and failing to plan for since that little blue plus sign popped up on my pregnancy test.
I’d been wishing and hoping that Harrison would want to marry me on his own, that he wouldn’t feel pressured into it because of surprise pregnancy. But it turns out that he didn’t need any pressuring or pushing. He came to it on his own. He was honest with me about what he wants out of our life together. Now I have to be honest with him, no matter what.
“Harrison,” I begin, “While we’re dealing in life changing events, here...there’s something I really need to get off my chest.”
“Of course, baby,” he says, “What is it?”
“Oh, man...” I laugh nervously, “I really can’t believe I’m about to start this conversation. I’ve been scripting it in my head for so long—”
“I know the feeling,” he smiles, “You can tell me anything, baby. Go ahead.”
“Well,” I go on, “There’s something I’ve been keeping from you, since the season ended. Not because I wanted to, just because I wanted the moment to be right when I told you.”
“Is everything OK?” he asks, brows furrowing with concern, “You aren’t sick, or—?”
“Far from it,” I tell him, “I’m...pregnant.”
The word falls between us in all its permanence. The seconds that pass feel like centuries as Harrison takes in my news.
“Baby?” I say tentatively, “What do you—?”
But his lips stop my words as he kisses me, hard and fast. My every cell relaxes, the weight of my secret finally lifting. After all these weeks, he finally knows the incredible truth. I’m going to have our first child, and soon. And even better than that—he’s happy about it.
“We’re having a baby?!” he breathes, elated, pulling away to look at my face.
“We are,” I grin, “This is good news for you, right?”
“Are you kidding?” he cries, kissing every part of me he can reach, “I’m going to be a father. We’re getting married. Things couldn’t possibly be any better!”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” I say, “I just didn’t want you to feel like you had to stay with me because—”
“I could never feel that way,” Harrison says earnestly, “I’m definitely surprised, but it’s the best kind of surprise, Siena. This is what I want—I just didn’t expect it all to happen at once, is all.”
“That makes two of us,” I laugh.
The car slows to a halt, the Bishops’ townhouse standing just outside the window. Who knew that so much could happen in the course of one little drive?
“Guess we have some news for everyone,” Harrison says, grabbing my hand.
“A lot of news, I’d say,” I reply.
“I hope you don’t mind too terribly that I didn’t invite my mother to celebrate with us,” Harrison winks.
“I think I’ll live,” I tell him.
We all but fly up the front steps and ease open the front door. I step inside with Harrison on my heels, and find the entire wedding party gathered in the foyer. Clearly, they’ve been waiting for us to return.
“I had to tell them,” Bex says breathlessly, “I couldn’t help it!”
“Well?” Gus prompts, “Are you guys—?”
“We’re engaged!” Harrison announces, slinging his arm around me.
The room erupts into a happy din as everyone closes in around us. Hugs and kisses rain down until I can’t keep track of who they’re coming from. We’re surrounded by love, basking in it. I won’t forget this moment for as long as I live.
“Congratulations, Siena,” Enzo says, kissing the top of my head.
“Thank you for giving your blessing,” I tell him, squeezing his hand, “It may not seem like a lot, but it means everything to me.”
“I wouldn’t have given it if I didn’t believe that Davies is good enough for you. Well. No one’s good enough for you, but he comes pretty damn close.”
“My baby’s getting married,” my mother sighs, cutting in on Enzo, “And did you tell your husband-to-be the other good news?”
“He’s all caught up,” I smile.
“What other good news—?” Enzo starts, looking suddenly alarmed.
Bex bounds over, brimming with excitement. “We’re going to be married ladies together!” she squeals, “Siena, can you believe it?”
“Not really,” I tell her honestly, “This whole thing feels like a dream.”
But it’s not a dream. Harrison and I are going to be husband and wife. Parents, too. And even though my life is about to change forever in the face of this news, I’m not afraid. How could I be, when I have Harrison here beside me? It’s going to be a wild ride, this next stage of our life, but if anyone can handle it, it’s us. We’ve always made quite the team, after all. And what are a husband and wife if not perfect teammates?
We celebrate well into the morning hours together, until Bex and Charlie say farewell and take off for their honeymoon. The rest of us part ways at last, head off to our beds for some well-earned shuteye. I can’t keep my eyes off my new ring, the gift from my new fiancé. That’s going to take some getting used to.
Harrison and I collapse into bed the second we make it back from the hotel. With our arms wrapped around each other, we drift off to sleep. My dreams that morning are the brightest I’ve ever had.
Epilogue
“Wait,” Harrison says, tugging me back toward him as we move toward our hotel suite
“What is it?” I ask, straightening his bow tie, “Didn’t you get enough time on the dance floor, Mr. Davies?”
“It’s not that, Mrs. Davies,” he grins, testing out my brand new name on his tongue, “It’s just that it’s customary for me to carry you over the threshold.”
“Harrison,” I laugh, “You can’t carry me now.”
“Why not?” he replies.
“Umm, look at me,” I tell him, gesturing toward the swell that rises beneath my ivory gown. I haven’t gone to any lengths to hide my six-month baby belly from the rest of the world. My high-waisted, flowing dress sits perfectly well on my blossoming body. Long, lacy sleeves cascade down my arms, and the generous train trails down the hallway after us.
“All I see is my beautiful bride,” Harrison says, resting a tender hand on my belly.
“Your bride is just a bit heavier these days. I wouldn’t want you to throw out your—Harrison!” I cry, as he scoops me up into his arms.
“You were saying?” he smiles, walking down the hall with ease.
“Show off,” I grin, kissing him on the cheek.
This isn’t the first time Harrison has carried me to bed. The very night before I found out I was expecting, a scene very similar to this one played out. But never before and never again will it be the night of our wedding. I let Harrison have his moment and carry me into our suite. He sets me down gently, being more careful than ever since he learned of my special cargo. I take in the sight of him in his tux as he checks the lock on the door. My gorgeous husband.
We decided for a
small, quick wedding—though not quite as small and quick as Bex and Charlie’s. We settled on France for the venue's setting, somewhere between England and Italy, of course. Our ceremony took place in a stately little park beside the river, along a tree-lined path. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect as Enzo walked me down our makeshift aisle, toward the place where Harrison waited for me.
About fifty people or so came out for our nuptials. Our families and friends, of course, but also quite a few of our team members. McClain and Ferrelli are us much family to Harrison and I as our flesh and blood, after all. It only seemed right that they be in attendance. I have to say, watching the owners of both teams make small talk over appetizers at the reception was rather hilarious.
The after party took place in a fine, elegant hotel in the middle of Paris. Harrison and I danced as much as my feet could stand, drank sparkling cider, and made our exit as the clock struck twelve. We wanted most of our wedding night to ourselves, to marvel at the fact that we’re now husband and wife.
“Look at you,” Harrison breathes, drinking in the sight of me, “I never thought in a million years that my bride would be this beautiful.”
“I never thought in a million years that I’d get you into a tux,” I grin, “But here we are.”
“Here we are,” he says, taking my hand and kissing it sweetly.
“This place is gorgeous,” I sigh, looking around at our sprawling suite. “Man, how many hotel rooms have we been in together? Sneaking around, stealing moments when we could—it feels like another life.”
“It was, I think,” Harrison says, wrapping his arms around my belly as we look out the window at the city of Paris.
“Did you ever think we’d make it this far?” I ask him, admiring our reflection in the darkened window.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get to be so lucky,” he says, looking down into my chocolate eyes with his royal blues. “But I do think I was hoping from the start that you’d keep me around.”
“Well, now it’s official,” I say, loosening the pins in my hair, letting my curls fall down around my shoulders.
“I wonder if the little guy will have your curls?” Harrison muses, looking at me reverently. “I hope he looks exactly like you.”
“You realize he’d be a clone of Enzo, then?” I point out.
“Well...maybe not exactly,” Harrison backtracks.
We only just found out that we’re having a boy a couple of weeks ago. It was like an early wedding present for us. I didn’t have a preference, either way, but knowing that we’re going to have a little boy makes this whole thing feel so much realer. As if my swelling belly and insatiable need for chocolate weren’t clues enough. We’ve already decided to name him Alfie, after my dad.
“Did you see our moms chatting it up at the reception?” Harrison asks, sinking down onto the couch to take off his shoes, “They actually get along. Who knew?”
“I’m as surprised as you are,” I say, sitting down next to him, “They’re both a bit...um...”
“Domineering?” Harrison offers.
“You said it, not me,” I insist.
Jackie Davies is never going to be warm and cuddly toward me, that’s a fact. But a funny thing happened the second she found out I was carrying her grandchild—she started to like me a whole lot more. Hey, I’ll take it.
“Today was perfect,” I say to Harrison, leaning against him as we enjoy the view, the peace and quiet.
“I hope it was everything you always dreamed out,” he says.
“I was never really the type to think about my dream wedding,” I tell him, “I honestly never even thought it would happen to me. I thought I’d be a career woman, and nothing else. But it looks like I get to have my cake and eat it, too.”
“It’s great that the owners have come around to giving you the responsibility you deserve,” Harrison says.
“It was actually easier to convince them, once we were engaged and pregnant,” I say, “Probably because no one writes tabloid articles about the happily married.”
“That’s probably it,” Harrison says, “And they even forgave you for punching that reporter in New York?”
“Are you kidding?” I ask, “Once they knew I did it to protect the heir apparent of F1, they practically gave me a medal of honor.”
“I’ll be damned,” Harrison says, “Isn’t everything just coming up roses?”
“For now it is,” I say, “But it’s going to be hard work going forward. We’ll have our careers, our teams, our families, our new little family of our own—”
“I’m not worried,” Harrison says.
“But it’s going to be a crazy juggling act,” I press, “We’ll be traveling, and working, and raising our son—”
“Hey,” Harrison says, cupping my chin in his hand, “What is it you’re always telling me? If anyone can handle all of this, we can. You have faith in that, don’t you?”
“Of course,” I say.
“I know it’s going to be hard. Every marriage is hard. But that’s part of it. We’re a team, Siena, and a damn good one at that. Whatever we run up against, we’ll be able to take it. Because there’s no other option. This is the only life I want, right here, with you.”
“With us,” I say, nodding toward my belly, “Even better.”
“You just have to promise me one thing right now,” I say.
“Anything,” Harrison replies.
“If Alfie decides he wants to go be a doctor, or an accountant, or a dog walker, we have to let him,” I say.
“Deal,” Harrison laughs, “Though be honest, Siena. Do you really see him wanting to do anything but race?”
“No,” I sigh, “He wouldn’t be ours if he did.”
“I love you, my darling,” Harrison says, bringing his lips to my neck, “My beautiful wife...”
I lay back against the pillowy cushions as Harrison kisses along my collarbone. Paris sprawls out before us in all its sparkling beauty. This would never have been the wedding night I would have expected—it’s far, far better than that. Harrison pulls me onto his lap, pressing his lips to mine.
“Help me out of this dress,” I whisper deviously.
“I suppose that’s my duty, as your husband,” he smiles, “Or rather, my privilege.”
“Look at my bad boy race car driver,” I say, standing as Harrison works the zipper down my back, “I should have known you were a big softy from the start.”
“We’ll see about that,” he says, shrugging off his suit coat. His rippling muscles are barely restrained by his fine white shirt. I can’t believe I get to call this man my husband.
I step out of my wedding gown, take Harrison by the hand, and lead him to bed once more. We’ve had to get creative with our lovemaking of late, what with the bump and all, but we make do just fine. In fact, I think Harrison adores my body now more than ever.
Our entire future plays out in my head as we fall into bed together. I’m sure there will plenty of stops and starts, mishaps and accidents. But there will also be love. And family. And Harrison Davies, for the rest of my life. It’s going to be a crazy ride, but as far as I’m concerned, this life is a race we’ve already won.
THE END
I hope you all enjoyed Siena and Harrison's story. I'm so sad to see these characters go...but at least they both ended up where they belong, happily ever after in each other's arms. Thank you all for reading!!!
If you enjoyed this series check out my next book in a new upcoming series:
Impossibly (Dante's Nine Motorcycle Club) - OUT NOW
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Take Me Series (COMPLETE BOX SET) Page 62
