NICOLE
A blissful breeze floated across the front yard. Nicole closed her eyes and lifted her face to it, allowing the wind to play with her hair and kiss her cheeks. It smelled of salt and freedom. Of peace and love. All the things that Nicole’s life was made out of. Even if she spent the rest of her days living in Haven Sound, she would never get tired of it.
Shortly after they clarified the misunderstanding about the reality show, Aidan proposed to her. Four months later, they got married in a small ceremony at the local church in front of their parents and closest friends. Aidan bought the little house with the red front door that he’d fallen in love with when they started dating. Nicole got a job at Florida Conservation while he started working as a tennis coach.
She couldn’t stop thanking God for all the blessings that she’d received.
Strong arms wrapped around Nicole from behind, shaking her from her thoughts.
“What are you thinking about?” Aidan murmured in her ear. A tingle went down her neck and she wiggled backward.
“You.”
Aidan’s chuckle kissed her neck. “The likely response.”
“It’s true,” she said, turning around and laying her hands on his chest.
“Well, that would be fitting, since it’s our one-year anniversary.”
Nicole grinned so big her cheeks hurt. It had really been a whole three hundred and sixty five days since she walked down the aisle of the small Haven Sound church, all her family and friends watching. She couldn’t believe the year had flown by so fast and she couldn’t believe how much each day seemed better than the last. “The best year of my life.”
“The first year of my life.” He smirked, his arms wrapped around her. “It all starts and ends with you, baby.”
“If you ever get bored with tennis, you should consider a career in songwriting,” she teased, tousling his hair.
“You don’t appreciate my romantic side.” He shook his head with mock indignation.
“I love all your sides, honey. And your romantic side is my favorite.” She giggled, snuggling in his embrace.
“That’s good to know because I have something for you.” Aidan playfully pinched her hip before he released her from his arms. “Follow me,” he said, gesturing toward the back door.
They walked through the house and onto the back porch. The backyard, always quaint and peaceful, was covered with sparkling, white lights. They were wrapped around the trees’ bases, rested in the bushes, and dripped from the porch’s eaves. A few strands even stretched from the porch pillars to the top of the umbrella that stood over the little table by the fence.
On the table, two place settings, a bottle of wine, and a couple covered dishes waited.
Taking Nicole’s hand, Aidan guided her down the steps and pulled her chair out for her.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, a smile playing on her lips.
Aidan took his seat and leaned forward. He knew she didn’t like fancy, big celebrations. He could have rented her a giant yacht with champagne bubble baths and wait staff and she wouldn’t be any happier than she was at home.
“Thank you.” She reached across the table, touching his fingers.
Aidan squeezed her hand. “You’re welcome.”
For a long moment, they sat there and looked at each other. Dusk was settling in and Aidan lit the candle in the middle of the table. Its glow danced across his handsome face as Nicole smiled to herself. She really had to be one of the luckiest women alive.
“How were the day’s lessons?” she asked.
“Great.”
He always said that about work. As it turned out, Aidan loved teaching tennis. He only had a few students, as he preferred to spend most of his time working on the boat he was refurbishing, but the lessons he did teach he always gushed about and his students adored him.
“Wine?” Aidan asked, digging a corkscrew into a bottle of red.
Before Nicole could answer, his phone started ringing. Casting a glance at it, Aidan silenced it and slid it into his pocket.
“It’s my dad,” he explained. “He’s so excited for next week. He’s been texting me all day long.”
“You’ve done a good job of converting him. He’s gone from ‘I hate sailing’ to ‘I can’t wait for our next sailing trip’.” Nicole chuckled. “My dad said he wants to join you next time.”
“Sounds great!”
Over the last year, things had only continued to get better between both Nicole and Aidan and their parents. All three of them had routinely visited the house in Haven Sound. Rick and Aidan had been planning a new sailing trip for the last few weeks and it made Nicole happy to see something other than Aidan’s career bringing them together.
“Mikey’s book tour is taking him to Orlando. He really wants to do a reading down here, though.”
“That would be awesome. In Haven Sound?”
“Yeah, or somewhere nearby.” Aidan picked up the bottle of wine, then paused before pouring Nicole a glass. “I forgot. Did you say yes or no to wine?”
He cocked an eyebrow, the bottle poised in the air.
“I know it’s a special occasion, but not now.”
Aidan put the bottle down. “Okay. Maybe later.”
“Yeah, maybe in about seven months.”
He looked at her, narrowing his eyes in confusion. “What do you mean seven months?”
A giggle bubbled to her lips as she looked at his perplexed face.
“Wait, I—you’re—” he muttered.
Nicole nodded. “I’m two months pregnant.”
“What?” he whispered.
“You’re going to be a dad, Aidan Coleman.”
“A baby!” His face beamed as he looked up to the sky. “Thank you, God!”
In one swift second, Aidan was out of his chair and pulling Nicole to her feet. He tugged her close, the curves of their bodies melting together.
“How long have you known?” he asked.
“I took a test yesterday and then went to the doctor this morning. I decided to wait until tonight to say something, because, you know, special occasion and all.” Nicole couldn’t stop smiling. Aidan was glowing in a way she’d never seen.
“You must have noticed I gained a little weight.”
“You look amazing.” He stroked her still flat belly with his hand before embracing her again. “You always do.”
Heat filled Nicole’s cheeks. Even after almost a year and a half of being together, he still gave her butterflies. “Aidan?”
“Yes?” he murmured as he rested his palm against the back of her neck.
“You’re going to be a great dad.”
“And you’ll be the most perfect mother.”
Nicole wrapped her arms around his waist, sinking deeper into his embrace, knowing that she could relax as much as she wanted to. Aidan was there to hold her up. And he always would be.
THANK YOU
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