Worth Every Risk

by Laine, Terri E.

  “Chase, I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”

  “Yeah, right. Okay then.”

  “And I’ll gladly marry you.”

  “Marry me?”

  “Yes. Didn’t you just ask me to be your wife?”

  I scratch my head where the thick hair is growing back already. “Uh, yeah. Oh! Marry me. Yes!” I dig into my pocket and drop back down to my knee so I can slide the ring onto her finger. I’m numb with the news of her pregnancy. It’s overshadowed anything I was planning to say to her. “Andi, you’ve surprised me more than I can say. I was going to sweep you off your feet with my proposal, but you’ve managed to do that to me with your news. I’m a bit speechless here.”

  Her hands frame my face as she leans in close to mine. “Chase, it’s the best of surprises for the both of us. How can we possibly be any happier? We have the two of us, and Violet is getting stronger every day. Her energy is bounding back faster than I ever imagined it would. And now this. Another baby on the way. Our Team Wilde is getting larger, isn’t it?”

  A breath huffs out of me. “Yeah, it is. But now are you sure you want to go back to Europe?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “You’d be farther away from your mom.”

  “Um, aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “Like what?”

  “I had Violet and I was completely alone. I could’ve been on Antarctica for all intents and purposes. I did everything on my own. So, being in Europe with you will be a breeze.”

  “When you put it that way, I guess so.”

  Her sweet lips press to mine, but I stop her before things get a chance to heat up. There are a few things that need to be discussed first.

  “Can we talk wedding plans?” I ask.

  “Small and intimate,” she says.

  “I know, but I was thinking timing.”

  “Next week?”

  I bark out a laugh. “You’re joking?”

  “Nope. Let’s do it. I only want the family, so what does it matter?”

  When she puts it like that, it doesn’t matter at all.

  She grabs my arm and says, “We can do it right over there.” She points to where there’s a gorgeous view during the day. “And afterward, we can have drinks and appetizers. That’s all I want.”

  “Well, we would need to ask the owners of the place if that’s okay.”

  She grimaces. “Oh, yeah. I sort of forgot about that.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be cool.”

  “I hope. But would that be okay with you?”

  “I’d love it. We need to check about the marriage license.”

  “It takes twenty-four hours, I believe. I remember when Ryder and Gina got married. Someone mentioned it.”

  “Then let’s call our parents and get the show moving. Oh, there is something else. Max called. He said Germany is still interested in talking with me at the end of the season in July. We can discuss this later, though.”

  “Chase, this is your career. You— I mean, we—would be foolish not to listen to what they have to offer.”

  I can’t stop the smile from extending across my face. This woman is everything to me. I pull her into my arms and kiss her, slowly and passionately. Then we go and make the calls. Our parents couldn’t be more excited for us. It makes us both so happy to know we have their love and support. When we tell them about our wedding plans, they agree with us in thinking it’s a great plan. And then Andi lets them know that baby number two is on the way. You would think by the way they cheer and celebrate they were standing in the room with us. My ears are ringing by the time we end the call.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever heard my mom that excited. And that includes when Fletcher and I both ended up with professional contracts. Now I know where her priorities are,” I say.

  “Where they should be. A mom always looks out for her child’s best interest, and in sports there is always that chance a kid could get injured. That’s why she’s like that.”

  “You think she worries about us?”

  “No, I know she does. I would be frightened to death. So just know if our kids decide to play professional sports, I will be walking on pins and needles the entire time.”

  Another thought occurs to me. “Do you worry about me like that?”

  “Of course I do. But you’re doing what you love and I know you’re careful.”

  I’m not careful. I’m aggressive as hell out there. That gives me pause because I have two kids to worry about now.

  “So what if we bought a house here, so when we come back we’d have our own place to plop down in?” I ask.

  “Really? You’d do that?”

  “Not at all. We’d do that. What’s mine is ours now. We’re Team Wilde, remember?”

  “I guess. It seems weird though.”

  “You’ll have to get over that and get used to it. One other thing. If we stay in Italy, would you like to go back to our villa? Maybe buy it? Or would you rather build something?”

  “I liked that villa. It was awesome.”

  “Yes, but we could get something closer to the stadium.”

  “If it makes it easier for you, then yes.”

  “Okay, I’ll check into it.”

  A week and a half later, Andi and I say our “I dos” on a gorgeous summer’s evening. She wears a plain white lacy dress. It isn’t fancy, but it is sexy, with one bared shoulder showing off the glowing tan she’s gotten since we’ve been here. Her hair is twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck with flowers tucked into it. Violet wears a matching dress, only hers isn’t off the shoulder. Her hair is growing back and the soft downy fuzz tops her head and crowning it is a halo of summer flowers. She looks like the little princess that she is. She leads the way down the aisle for her mama, tossing petals to pave the way. When she gets to me, she says, “Pick up, Dada.” How can I possibly resist?

  So it’s the three of us together as the minister says the vows and we all promise our love to each other, Violet piping in now and again. At the end, he finally says, “I now pronounce you husband, wife, and Violet.” Our families break into a huge round of applause, but it’s Violet who gets the biggest charge out of it. “You may kiss the bride,” the minister says.

  “Kiss Mama,” Violet says. I don’t waste any time with that order. But soon, she yells, “Now me.”

  Now that she’s well, I have a strong feeling this kid’s gonna be a handful. A very loving handful. And I’ll gladly take it.

  Epilogue

  The day is warm with spring giving way to summer. I sit out back in the chair swing that’s tethered to a tree, watching the kids playing with bubbles. Everyone is here at our newly renovated farmhouse in Waynesville to celebrate my birthday, a surprise from my husband.

  Things didn’t work out with the Germany deal and we’ve only been back from Italy a few days and haven’t seen the family yet. We are getting over jet lag and trying to get our two kids back on schedule. I wasn’t expecting a big to-do for my birthday.

  With the Wildes all involved in different professional sports, it’s rare when they all can get together without a conflict. But somehow, everyone is here—Fletcher and Cassidy, Ryder and Gina, Riley and Mark. Even Chase’s cousins, Kaycee and Landon, who both are heavily into winter sports, are here and all the parents. We haven’t all been together since my brother’s wedding back in February.

  Colt wiggles in my arms. He’s been patient, almost to the point of sleeping after being fed, but with his sister and the cousins all playing, he wants in on the action.

  “Okay, bud. Here you go.”

  I set him down on chubby legs and he takes off in that awkward run a boy at his age does after only learning to walk a few months ago.

  The happiness inside me is almost to the point of bursting. How close did I come to missing out on this?

  “Hey, you.”

  I look up to see Gina, Ryder’s wife, waddling over. Her belly looks huge and I glance down at my flat stomach, reminiscin
g about my pregnancy with Colt and how different it was than with Violet. Chase had been there every step of the way with his What to Expect When You’re Expecting book he’d kept close like it was a Bible.

  “Hey,” I say, scooting over so she can sit next to me. “How’s it going?”

  She shrugs. “My back hurts. My feet hurt.”

  We laugh.

  “Just wait until the baby comes. Your back and feet will hurt because you’ll be chasing the little guy. I don’t need Zumba with Colt.”

  Our chortles have the guys looking in our direction. She cups a hand over her mouth and lowers her voice.

  “Watch this. Ryder’s eyes are going to narrow. He thinks I’m talking about him.”

  I can’t help but snicker when he does precisely that.

  “What exactly does he think we’re talking about?” I ask.

  “He probably thinks I’m telling you about the room we put in our house.”

  I giggle. “You just did. Besides, I’ve heard about the swing.”

  She winks at me. “Yeah, Mr. Vanilla over there has crossed over to the dark side.”

  “Really?”

  She nods. “Not completely, he has limits.” She sighs wistfully. “But he prefers giving me what I want in our house instead of going to a club.”

  “Good luck on finding the time when the baby arrives.”

  She glances over and tips her head in Ryder’s parents’ direction. “Their first grandchild. Pfft. Now that they’ve moved back since Riley and your brother’s wedding, we have built-in babysitters. His mom has already told me she wants to be a large part of the baby’s life.”

  “What does Ryder think about having a daughter?”

  They’d announced this at her baby shower.

  She snorts. “He’s freaked the fuck out. I think it’s cute.”

  Cassidy walks over with a sleeping baby swaddled in her arms. “What are the two of you talking about?”

  “The room,” I say dramatically.

  We practically wet ourselves laughing so hard at poor Ryder, who’s either red with embarrassment or pissed as hell.

  “I hear you’re considering going back to work,” Cassidy says.

  “Chase and Fletcher gossip like girls,” I tease. “But yes, I’ve considered it. How do you manage it with two boys?”

  She doesn’t hesitate with an answer. “I cut back my hours after the first was born. I only go in three days a week when the oldest is in preschool, and my mother-in-law takes the baby. But since Fletcher has been off, he’s taken on a larger role. So I’m able to go in five days, but still, I don’t do full days.”

  I nod and her eyebrow lifts. She continues. “But you said you considered it?”

  Shrugging, I say, “There’s a lot to consider.” I change the subject because I want to talk more to Chase about it first. “What is it like being the only girl in the house?”

  Cassidy is about to answer when Riley joins us.

  “We’re considering trying again for a girl so I’m not the lone one,” she says.

  We then turn to Riley. She holds up her hands. “Don’t look at me. Yes, I want kids, but not yet. Mark and I are going to wait a few more years.”

  Her career as a professional golfer has taken off. She’s the number one ladies’ golfer in the world.

  Cassidy says, “Don’t you want your kids to be able to play with ours?”

  Riley’s eyebrow lifts. “I don’t see any of you stopping the baby making any time soon.” Her eyes land on me and then the other girls stare at me too.

  Uncomfortable with the scrutiny, I get to my feet. “I need to find Chase.”

  “Sure.” Riley smirks.

  I’m going to kill my brother. He can’t keep a secret. “Besides, Gina needs to put Ryder out of his misery.”

  Gina curls a finger at her husband. His frown flattens and he heads in our direction.

  I tease, “Just don’t scare the kids with any public displays. We have more than enough guest rooms if you can’t contain yourselves until you get home.”

  Owen, Fletcher, and Chase are all playing with the kids. Owen’s presence is another surprise Chase had for me. Holly and Violet have been thick as thieves since they showed up.

  When Chase sees me coming, he breaks off from the group.

  “Are you happy?”

  He presses a quick kiss to my lips.

  “Deliriously.” I snuggle to his side and watch as Fletcher loops an arm around the shoulder of his wife, Cassidy.

  He’s one of the nicest guys you can ever meet. I’m glad that he and his high school sweetheart worked things out.

  As Violet organizes the kids in a circle, they begin playing Duck, Duck, Goose.

  The bone marrow transplant has done the trick. Violet has been fine, though blood work is done at every routine visit. And by the grace of God, Colt doesn’t have the dreadful disease. We’ve had him tested to be sure.

  “Chase,” I begin.

  “You see it too,” he says, looking at Owen, who is now in a conversation with a smiling Kaycee.

  Owen and Chase have become fast friends, having sports in common.

  “Isn’t he seeing someone?”

  Last we spoke, he’d been dating a woman he’d met from Holly’s preschool.

  Chase shrugs. “I don’t think it’s serious.”

  We watch as Kaycee blushes and I leave it because I want to talk to him before we get inundated by family again.

  I meet his beautiful gray eyes before glancing at my nails, suddenly tongue-tied. His beauty inside and out floors me on a daily basis.

  “How did I get so lucky?” The words spill out of my mouth instead of remaining in my head.

  “The luck is all mine.”

  He bends down and presses our lips together.

  “Hey, you two.”

  I yank back because I know that voice. Chase’s mouth splits in a grin. “Surprise.”

  Then I’m enveloped in a hug from my best friend, Beth. Tears leak from my eyes because I haven’t seen her since I formally moved out of my apartment in Chicago and gave her and the city a final goodbye.

  We screech and bounce on our toes as we spin.

  “I’ve missed you,” I say through sobs.

  I’m not sure she’s heard me until she says, “Me too.”

  Violet tugs on my shirt. “Mama okay?”

  I reluctantly separate from my friend, still a little surprised she’s really here. Then I bend down.

  “I’m okay. These are happy tears.”

  My little girl leans in and kisses my cheek. Then she turns to Beth and holds up her arms. “Bef.”

  Beth picks her up and swings her around, gracing her with loads of kisses.

  I knock on Chase’s shoulders. “You got me.”

  He smiles. “Anything for my girl.”

  There is no time to say more because my mom comes out with a cake and everyone is singing “Happy Birthday” to me.

  I don’t hold back on emotions. For once, I let it all pour out, unafraid because everyone here is family, blood or not.

  Chase and I don’t get another moment alone until after I’ve fed Colt and Chase has tucked in Violet. We’ve left Owen and Beth downstairs watching a movie with a promise to return.

  “Wait,” I say before Chase tugs me out the door. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you all day.”

  He cups my chin and rubs a thumb lovingly across my cheek. “Worried about the trip to see your aunt?”

  Though my parents have passed, I made contact with my mom’s sister months ago. With Colt’s birth and going back to Italy, I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet. But judging by everything I’ve gotten to know about her, she’s a lovely woman.

  She’d told me how Mom struggled with the decision to give me up for adoption. When my dad died in service of the U.S. Army, she’d taken it hard and didn’t have the means to take care of me. So she’d given me up. I will forever be grateful for her decision. If she hadn’t, I might neve
r have met Chase and have two beautiful children with him. Not to mention Mom, Dad, and Mark.

  “No, not about that. Actually, I’m looking forward to it.”

  She’d said she had lots of pictures of her family and some of my father.

  He brushes his lips over mine. “It’s okay to be nervous.”

  I nod because I am, just not for the reason he thinks.

  Though the door is cracked, we are far enough away not to be overheard.

  I lift my head and gaze at the man who’s made my life a fairytale.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  We’ve never really talked about how many kids we wanted, just that we wanted them.

  His eyes drop to my belly. I try not to let insecurity rise, as it’s not as flat as the first day he put his hands on me. And just like the first time, when his big hand splays over my stomach, butterflies take flight. I cover his with my own.

  “Say something,” I whisper.

  He stares at me with wonder. “Every day I wonder how I could ever be happier than I am. But you’ve done it again. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

  “Are you sure? We’ve never really—”

  His finger stops me from saying more. “If I didn’t want more kids with you, I would have pulled out, worn a condom, or asked you to go on the pill. Any child we have will be lucky to have you as a mother.”

  “And you as a father.”

  “We can have twenty kids.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, no,” I say firmly.

  His hand lifts and gently closes the door. His hooded eyes are a dead giveaway to his mood shift.

  I playfully back away with two hesitant steps.

  “What about our company?”

  The corner of his mouth lifts in a sly half-grin as he prowls forward. “They’re adults. They can take care of themselves.”

  For a mere millisecond, I think about Owen and all of the female attention he’s gotten. He’s given them all equal time, which includes Beth. I’m not sure where things stand between her and Joshua. They’ve had a few dates, but nothing has turned serious yet.

  All thoughts disappear as Chase scoops me up and tosses me onto our bed. When he crawls across the mattress, my insides boil and drench in anticipation. I vaguely wonder if the door is locked before his hungry kiss completely turns my brain into mush. My last thought before I’m consumed is how he was very much worth every risk to my heart. The reward is priceless.