Harvey ground his fist in his hand for emphasis, and Hannah rolled her eyes and shook her head at him.
“Can’t you be done with that?” she asked. “Can that be your wedding present to me? Not threatening to beat up the man I’m marrying?”
Josie overheard as they approached the door to the backyard. “Actually, our wedding present to you is taking Kira tonight for a sleepover—if that’s okay with you.”
“Really?” Hannah asked. “Are you sure?”
“Thought you might want a night to yourselves after your wedding,” Josie said with a cheeky wink. “Honeymoon stuff.”
Hannah felt her cheeks flush. It was so silly to still get this worked up about Dominic, but she just couldn’t help it. She found him sexier with each passing moment, especially lately.
Again, though—could be the whole hormone thing.
“Are you ready for this?” Harvey asked, eyeing her. “You don’t want to do this? No problem. Josie and I will spirit you out the front door and we’ll be out of Tucson in minutes.”
“Harvey, seriously.” Hannah heaved a heavy sigh at her twin. “I’ve been ready for this for a long time.”
“We’ll head on out, then,” Josie said, taking Harvey’s arm a little roughly, from Hannah’s point of view. “You follow as soon as your song comes on.”
“See you out there,” Hannah said, smiling as they left and a gorgeous, warm, spring breeze brushed against her face.
It really was a perfect day for a wedding, the Arizona sun still gentle enough for everyone to be able to be outside and enjoy it.
She only dimly registered the song changing—the song Kira had picked for her to walk down the aisle to—before Hannah’s daughter wrenched open the backdoor, face wrinkled in consternation.
“Mom, you’re going to be late,” Kira complained. “Should I start the song over again? You missed the cube.”
“The cue, honey,” Hannah corrected gently, trying to keep a straight face. “And you’re right. I did miss it. We don’t have to start the song over again, though. You go ahead. I’m right behind you.”
“You sure?” Kira peered up at her, the look of concern on her face so utterly Dominic that Hannah had a hard time believing it. “Because this is supposed to be perfect.”
“It already is,” Hannah promised her. “Now, since you’re the flower girl expert, you go ahead. Show me everything you’ve learned.”
“This one’s going to be a lot better than Uncle Harvey and Aunt Josie’s wedding,” Kira said, puffing out her little chest. “You’ll see.”
“I’m sure I will.”
Hannah didn’t have to hide her grin as she followed Kira down the aisle formed by the simple chairs they’d set out for their guests. Kira carefully and evenly distributed the petals from her basket over the brick laid on the backyard. She’d clearly practiced so she could have petals until reaching the very end of the aisle, throwing the last handful dramatically in the air, making them rain down around her.
Everyone in the audience chuckled, and Kira nodded solemnly before taking her post next to Josie.
Hannah caught Dominic’s eye at that moment, and it took her breath away. She’d been so intent on following Kira and making sure everything went off without a hitch that she hadn’t even seen the man she was about to marry until she was standing right in front of him.
He all but smoldered at her, shoulders straining in the immaculate Navy whites he was wearing, contrasting with his tanned skin and dark hair. He all but gleamed in the sun, and Hannah wasn’t sure why she hadn’t realized that’s what he would be wearing for their wedding.
They hadn’t explicitly discussed what they would each be wearing. Hannah had trusted that, whatever he chose, Dominic would look presentable. But this was beyond presentable. He was so handsome, and so dignified, that it was hard to absorb the words that the officiant was saying, the start of their wedding ceremony.
Gently, Dominic took her hand, squeezing it. “Breathe,” he mouthed, and Hannah remembered how. It was a close thing, though.
“Dominic, we’re ready for the vows that you have prepared,” the officiant said, snapping Hannah out of the daze she’d been lost in.
Dominic let go of Hannah’s hand so he could slip a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket.
“I don’t think I need this, but I just want to be sure,” he said, darting a quick glance to a chuckling audience. “Even as I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Hannah, I love you. And I’ve been ready to dedicate the rest of my life to you, way before I think I even really realized it. This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done, and I’m just so, so glad it’s with you.”
Hannah was almost overcome with emotion before laughing along with everyone else as Dominic rechecked his piece of paper.
“I hit everything I wanted to,” he confirmed, grinning briefly.
“Hannah, it’s your turn,” the officiant prompted.
“I didn’t write anything down,” she confessed, smiling apologetically at Dominic. “Wedding planning and getting my teaching certification has kind of taken a lot out of me.”
Spontaneous applause broke out from the audience, and Hannah fumbled.
“I didn’t mean to brag—really. It’s a lot of hard work. And Kira and I made all the beautiful decorations, so…” Hannah gestured at the paper flower garlands and chains hanging on the fence and along the chairs and tables. “I’m making a mess out of my vows, aren’t I?”
“Take your time, baby,” Dominic said, his dark eyes shining with so much love it made Hannah afraid that she was going to start crying and not be able to stop.
“Maybe I should’ve written it down so I’d make sure I didn’t get off topic,” Hannah said, shaking her head at herself. “Okay. None of that happened. Erase it from your minds. I’m starting over.”
“Except the part about the beautiful decorations,” Kira said, piping up proudly.
Hannah laughed. “Okay. Yes. Please remember the beautiful decorations. We did spend a lot of time on them. Dom, this fast and furious life is what you’re signing up for, just so you know.”
“I am well aware,” he said drily. “And I love it. And you.”
And there were those freaking tears again, welling up in her eyes, threatening to derail everything.
“And that’s what I love about you,” Hannah said. “That you’re always ready for anything and everything. That you’re taking on the role of husband and father all in one go. That you’re the reason this house is possible, and my teaching certification. That a beautiful future is possible.”
Hannah had sworn to herself that she was going to save the biggest news—bigger than getting married to the love of her life—for the reception. That she was going to let the ceremony stand on its own two feet. Take one thing at a time.
But she couldn’t keep it to herself anymore. She needed Dominic to know.
“And a future more beautiful than anything we could’ve imagined is coming,” she said. “And I’m so happy we’re embracing it together.”
She took Dominic’s hands and put them on her belly, dimly aware of the gasps from Harvey and Josie, from the truth dawning on people in the audience, so focused on Dominic’s face going slack with shock and then completely lighting up that she couldn’t process anything else.
“Really?” he asked, voice so quiet only Hannah and the officiant could hear.
“Really.”
There was more to say—Hannah could probably fill hours with her vows, about all of the various and wonderful ways she loved Dominic, but he crushed her to him instead, relieving her of the need for words, kissing her so deeply that she saw stars.
The officiant laughed as Dominic dipped Hannah backward.
“I was going to say that I now pronounce you husband and wife, Dominic and Hannah Riley, and that you’re welcome to kiss each other to celebrate, but let’s just agree that I already did—congratulations!”
It was somehow perfect
in its imperfection, paper chains slowly drooping and Kira revealing she’d in fact squirreled away some additional flower petals to toss around as confetti, whooping and cheering at the revelation that she was to be a big sister.
Really, it was the best wedding Hannah could’ve ever imagined.
Dominic
Dominic didn’t want the day to end. He was fairly convinced that it was the best day ever. That all the other best days he’d had prior to today paled in comparison. That there might never be a day as good as this ever again—except for every day of the rest of his life.
He was finally going to get to spend the rest of his life with Hannah, his first love. His only love, if he really thought about it.
Almost as important was the fact that he’d get to spend more time with Kira and be a real father to her.
And the fact that Hannah was pregnant again…well. He grinned every time he thought about it. Couldn’t help himself. That was a stunning, incredible surprise. Icing on the proverbial cake.
Hours later, the reception party began to wind up, and one by one their wedding guests congratulated them and left the house he and Hannah had purchased together. It was still so new to them that it was still “the house.” Not yet home, though Dominic strongly suspected it would soon become that—especially with the need to plan a nursery in the room they’d meant to make a guest bedroom.
A nursery was much better than a guest bedroom.
Dominic hadn’t taken his eyes off of Hannah the entire afternoon and evening. She was so beautiful in that dress, her hair swept off the nape of her neck. He’d had to resist ridiculous displays throughout the reception, including—but not limited to—the urge to grab at each and every one of the guests and make sure they knew that Hannah was his. That they’d always belonged together, but it had just taken them a while to figure it out for themselves.
And that ridiculous drive to sing out his love for his new wife only intensified when she announced the new life growing inside of her.
Their pregnancy.
The continuation of the family they already shared together.
At that point, Dominic had simply given up on resisting his various urges. He’d remained at Hannah’s elbow at all times, snaking an arm around her waist at every opportunity, kissing her in between sentences. And when everyone had finished with dinner, and the dancing had started—the playlist curated by Kira—it was simply an even better excuse to be close to Hannah.
They danced long after the last guest had left. After Harvey and Josie had carried out a sleepy Kira. After the playlist ended and it was just the cool night wind serenading them.
“I could dance with you for the rest of my life,” Hannah said, her voice dreamy.
Dominic cringed. “Hell, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
“What in the world for?” Those big, blue eyes blinked up at him, and Dominic knew now more than ever that he’d give her anything. All she had to do was ask.
“You shouldn’t be on your feet so long,” he said, drawing her to one of the seats set out for their guests. “I’ve kept you dancing this entire night, practically.”
“I’d have sat down if I’d wanted to.”
Instead, Dominic sat down, drawing Hannah down onto his lap. That’s how bad he had it, he figured—he didn’t even want to let her go to sit in her own chair.
She laughed gently at him. “Well, if I’d known you were going to be the chair, maybe I would’ve sat down sooner.”
“Have you had a good time today, Mrs. Riley?” he asked. God, he loved to say that aloud. Mrs. Riley. Mrs. Hannah Riley. She’d taken his name, and he’d only been too glad for her to have it. To belong with him in every possible way.
“The best of days, Mr. Riley.” Hannah grinned. “Makes me shiver a little, thinking about you as my husband.”
“Good shivers, I hope.”
“The best.”
He kissed her neck, and smiled against her delicate skin as she shivered in earnest at his lips.
“Have I told you recently how much I love you?” he asked, glad that everyone was gone, glad that he could simply express himself with his wife.
“Not that recently, no,” Hannah said after pretending to think about it. “In fact, I’m feeling pretty unloved right now, if we’re being honest.”
“That’s completely unacceptable,” Dominic said gravely. “I’m going to remedy that immediately. Because I love you, Hannah. I love you so much.”
She was such an expert at all the various shades of him. That’s how she knew he’d slipped from joking around into complete serious mode. And it was why she took his face in her delicate hands and kissed him squarely on the lips.
“I love you,” she said, rubbing her nose with his. “Always have. Always will.”
God, he loved her so much it was a physical thing. Dominic felt like he was in danger of being swallowed whole by it, and he didn’t even mind. He’d jump in head first, if it came down to it.
“And what about this?” he asked, resting his hand on her stomach. “Have I told you how much I love our family growing?”
“Only about a dozen times,” she said. Her eyes shone.
“Hannah, the reason I’m so excited is that it’s like I’m getting a second chance.” He held her close to him so she could be sure of him, of his words. Even if he was hesitating over every syllable, trying to translate what he felt in his heart. “I’m going to be a real father this time around. I’m going to do it right.”
Hannah’s face softened. “You’re already doing it right. Kira loves you.”
“I mean from the very beginning.” Dominic felt this was so essential to get out, to make things the way they should be. “As a real family.”
The look on his bride’s face was so tender that he hugged her just a little more tightly to his chest.
“Every family is different, Dom. Just because ours didn’t start off in the ‘traditional’ sense doesn’t mean that it’s any less of a family. Kira’s doing great. The happiest day of her life was finding out that you’re her biological dad. And with you around all the time, now, things are only going to get better.”
Dominic couldn’t take it. He couldn’t restrain himself for another moment. He stood abruptly, Hannah squeaking with surprise, grabbing him around his neck, and carried her directly inside.
“What are you doing?!” she asked, chortling as he spun her around. “Dom!”
“I love you so much,” he said. “I know I’ve told you, but now, I want to show you.”
Hannah laughed. “Is this the honeymoon portion of the evening?”
“Since you wouldn’t let me take you on an actual honeymoon, yes.”
Dominic pushed the bedroom door open with his hip and settled on the bed with the woman he’d married.
“You know why,” she retorted. “You’re still new on the force, and I’m in the middle of certification.” Hannah nuzzled at the palm of his hand as he tangled his fingers in her curls. “Just wait until my first spring break as a real teacher.”
“Spring break? I’m thinking more like an entire summer’s worth of honeymoon.”
Dominic spooned Hannah, putting him in the perfect position to unzip her dress. She sighed almost rapturously as he freed her from the material.
“That feels amazing,” she murmured. “That dress was just a bit too tight.”
“I thought it looked great. You looked beautiful.”
“You’re supposed to think that.”
A few more slips of fabric and unhooking had Hannah naked.
“I don’t think it. And I don’t care what I’m supposed to think, or do. I know that you’re beautiful. You’ve always been beautiful.”
He helped her roll onto her back, soaking in her soft smile, the expanse of her smooth skin. And there it was. The very obvious— now that he knew about it—evidence that Hannah was bearing his child. The normally smooth plane of her stomach had just the cutest, tiniest bump he’d ever seen.
It made D
ominic’s heart squeeze in a way he couldn’t quite name.
“I can’t believe it,” he said, kissing the gentle swell of her belly. “I hadn’t even noticed.”
“You’ve been busy,” Hannah pointed out, smiling down at him. “We both have.”
“It’s like you just had an extra piece of cake or something,” he marveled, almost dodging a good-natured swat from Hannah. “Hey, what did I say?”
“You’re basically calling me fat.”
“What? No. No way. I’m calling you beautiful. Amazing. A miracle. A goddess.”
The corners of Hannah’s mouth curled upward.
“That’s better. I’m just going to get bigger, you know. Explode outward, basically. Especially if this one’s anything like Kira.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“What?” she squawked. “Seriously?”
“Damn straight.”
He cradled her stomach protectively. Now that he knew, it was as if he could feel the spark of life growing inside of her. Dominic knew that was ridiculous, that there was no way he could actually feel their baby, but he embraced the idea of it. He’d already resolved to do anything he possibly could for Hannah and Kira. Now, he knew he’d move heaven and earth for his growing family.
“You’re going to be singing a different tune when I’m so big I can’t see my own two feet.” Hannah was fighting against a smile. “When all I can do is waddle around in a giant, floaty dress, good for nothing.”
“I could think of a few uses for you, no matter what you look like.”
“And just what do you—Dom!”
Without warning, he’d dipped his head down and licked a long, hot line all the way up her soft belly. Hannah was so sexy like this, laid out before him, utterly vulnerable and utterly trusting. He’d surprised her, but now that she knew exactly what he was up to, she relaxed back onto her elbows and watched him through her eyelashes.
He liked those eyes on him, liked having an audience in Hannah. It made him try even harder than he already did.
Dominic carefully watched Hannah’s lips part minutely as his tongue took a different path, retracing the wetness he’d already created, but down instead of up. He wrapped his large hands around her knees, parting her thighs, wondering, as he often did, about how gorgeous she could possibly be. How she was even more beautiful every time he spread her open like this, seeing her most intimate parts.
His Baby Secret - A Second Chance SEAL Romance (Once a SEAL, Always a SEAL Book 1) Page 16
