by Fifi Flowers
So many unexpected things since meeting Saffron...no complaints.
It felt like we were forever growing our desert family: several non-blood related add-ons along with blood relations. When Perry and Makayla finally arrived back in the states and started looking for a location to open their first restaurant, they fell madly in love with the boutique hotel. The only downside was no ocean, but that was resolved thanks to the quiet summer months when they could escape to a small beach house they co-owned on the coast. They were given carte blanche to design, decorate and create their own preferred cuisine. I was thrilled to have them on board as partners.
It seemed like everyone was happy and getting what they wanted...except for me. Happiness was not a problem, but I really wanted to marry Saffron but she wanted a wedding without a bump. She really wanted to wear some unexpected dress that had arrived at the wedding shop before we had met. She did, at least, agree to marry me and accepted an engagement ring with the understanding that there would be no wedding until after the baby was born. Well, time seemed to slip away from us in all of the happiness that came our way and she did not end up being the first of the girls to wear the magical dress. Of course, I cannot divulge who wore it first as that is a whole other story and not for me to tell.
Our story was about two fortunate people having their worlds turned upside down the minute they saw each other. Two individuals who lived for planning: writing out lists, scheduling, plotting, and following through. It was the best unimaginable stumble. Not planned at all, we fell hard for each other and created a new life together. A greater force had to be working for us...definitely not against us. I just wanted to make it legal, but things turned again for us.
We celebrated Adelaide’s first birthday with a daisy cake and welcomed Bailey a month later. As soon as we had the green light, being careful—condoms do not work for us—Saffron unexpectedly turned up pregnant. No time to get off the baby weight to even squeeze into the dress I was starting to hate, our wedding date took a backseat. I was certain not to go crazy the second time I received the green-go-ahead light in our bedroom. I let her know right up front; two forms of birth control were a must. I was tired of the subtle hints or blatant words from friends and family...
“Before number three comes along you might want to marry Saffron.”
“I’ve wanted to marry her since the first time I saw her at Perry’s wedding” was always my retort. I always threw her under the bus and made her the bad guy.
I was innocent. I didn’t care what she wore. I was ready the day she nodded yes. Unfortunately, she never brought it up. I couldn’t blame her. She was busy with our two girls, her business and giving me the attention I needed but not the piece of paper that said she was officially mine. Finally fed up when I saw her wearing the raspberry dress that I remembered fondly, it was time to take matters into my own hands. It was a sign! The magical dress was sure to fit. Saffron looked amazing—in great shape, chasing two toddlers around while planning everyone else’s weddings.
Not wanting to hear any more excuses from the mother of my two little girls, I enlisted her two best friends, my family and hers, along with some key friends. Saffron thought we were simply going on a vacation to meet my extended family and see the beaches where I grew up.
What she didn’t know was that our wedding would be another event to take place on a beach.
Perry served as my best man and, of course, London and Savannah shared the spotlight standing up for Saffron.
Makayla, not to be left out, begged celebrity chef Owen Walker—who I hired to create our wedding feast—to be his sous chef. Thankfully, his lovely wife Sienna talked him into it.
Everyone was happy. Especially me. I was pretty sure that what I had planned would be to Saffron’s liking. The only part I wasn’t certain about was the barefoot on the sand part. I knew that she loved the whole matching ensemble from head to toe so I did have shoes for her to wear at our reception—I needed to make her happy. Thankfully, London and Savannah knew exactly which footwear Saffron planned to team with the magical dress.
When they arrived at our rental beach house on the morning of the big surprise, our girls were running around excited to hit the beach. They loved hunting for shells and racing away from the tiny waves tickling their toes. I was sure they would be happy to see their two aunts and what they were bringing. And I was right when I heard them squealing and dancing around when London and Savannah barged in with boxes and bags. Saffron wore a confused look on her beautiful face.
“What are you two doing here?”
“We’re here delivering dresses for the girls.”
My little angels jumped up and down clapping before looking through shopping bags and tossing tissue paper everywhere. At three and four years old, they were just as excited as their mother when it came to clothes—they loved to play dress-up.
“And there’s a magical one for you.” I pointed to a pale pink box.
“What’s going on?” She was so cute with her hands planted on her hips.
“Our wedding day in front of our family and friends...” Time to do it right, I got down on one knee and pulled out a box that held two wedding bands—one plain platinum for me and one diamond encrusted for Saffron. She was already wearing a single diamond engagement ring from the first time I proposed to her. “Will you marry me?”
“It might be bad luck...” Saffron touched the closed lid of the dress box. “...you’ve seen the dress.” She bit her lip and sighed.
“I’m a guy. I couldn’t tell you more than it was white...and it wasn’t on you. And there’s no such thing as bad luck when it comes to us. We have been blessed with two beautiful healthy girls and a wonderful life together. I love you more every day...” I got up off my knees and took both of her hands in mine once I stuffed the rings back in my front pocket. “I’m done proposing, it’s time for doing.” I pulled her in for a deep passionate kiss which earned me applauses and hoots from our girls. “Now, get dressed and meet me on the beach...your father will lead the way.”
Not giving her a chance to refuse or question, I disappeared out the front door.
Ready a short time later, dressed in a lightweight suit, I stood barefoot on the beach next to an arch decorated with flowers waiting with our guests. We all smiled as my two adorable princesses—clothed in matching white dresses with raspberry bows in their hair—playfully walked up an aisle between rows of folding chairs. I nearly lost it when Saffron appeared. The magical white lace dress hugged her curves and the raspberry sash around her waist made me grin. But it all faded in comparison to her gorgeous face, her dazzling gaze, and her hand in mine as she arrived at my side.
I couldn’t keep my eyes off her and was thankful that the ceremony was relatively short and sweet. I couldn’t wait to seal the deal with a kiss that probably made everyone blush. I couldn’t care less...I had waited long enough. I tried to keep her as close to me as possible and welcomed our first dance as a married couple, the same song that I had said was ours years ago played.
Saved me...no living without you...
“You remembered,” Saffron whispered in my ear as I held her tight in my arms.
“How could I forget? I remember everything.”
“Thanks to lists, your planner...and your tablet,” she giggled. Saffron had talked me into carrying around a mini-tablet instead of my usual notepad or phone.
“You have made my life organized and totally disorganized and I’m not sure which I love most. I just know that I am so thankful for you...the girls...and a license that proves you’re mine.
“I’ve been yours since you took me in your arms. I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else. We unexpectedly found each other once and found each other again for good. We were meant to be, Mr. Fantasy... Things are the right way for us.”
I had to laugh when she told me that was her name for me because she was in every fantasy I ever had. She hadn’t called me that in a long time and I was happy she still felt that way
about me. I knew... I know that I will always love her, desire her.
Saffron is the ultimate item on my agenda for life.
The End
Acknowledgements
Thank you to Fiona Davenport for creating the Passion, Vows & Babies World and thank you to THE READERS interested in reading more books in this world.
Thank you to the people that helped bring this book to life… Kristen Hope Mazzola, Lizzy, Maria, Nickiann, Debbie, Roxanne, and Tammy, along with everyone that has supported me… Ma Maman, Bloggers and my Cafélicious Reader Group—you are ALL truly appreciated.
Don’t miss other stories in the Passion, Vows & Babies World
All releasing January 30th, 2018
Rainy Days by C.M. Steele
With This Ring by Elle Jefferson
Unexpected Bliss by Fifi Flowers
Training, Daddy by M.C. Cerny
About the Author
Fifi Flowers, an internationally known artist turn author from the Los Angeles area of California, writes romance novels and paints fantasies with a Parisian flair while daydreaming of her time spent sipping cafe crème in the cafes of Paris.
She penned her love of Paris and romance to the pages of her first novel, A Window to Love, published in 2013, when she sat down, and instead of putting paint to paper, put her pen to paper and began her first novel. Since that first novel, Fifi has self-published several steamy contemporary romances and has many more in the works.
To keep up with Fifi’s next releases, sign up for my newsletter.
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Other Books by Fifi Flowers
WINDOWS:
A Window to Love
DOWNTOWN:
Just A Number
BROTHER DUET:
Drawn to a Cowboy
ENCOUNTERS:
Reclining Nude in Chicago
Taming the Curator
Falling in Paris
ENCOUNTERS HOLIDAY:
Love Me Now
HOOKUP CAFÉ:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
HEARTS:
Clashing Hearts
Stealing Hearts – coming soon
FOOLISH HEARTS:
Arranged (Imperfect Love crossover)
Deceived
Hacked - releasing February 2018
STAND-ALONES:
Awakening to You Trilogy
Making Waves
Martini Sunday
For more updates: www.FifiFlowers.com
