After Mack had proposed, she’d told him she wanted a wedding, and he’d been all for it. They’d waited for two reasons. One, so she could plan it properly and give all of their friends and family time to plan New York City vacations around their nuptials. Two, so Rose Alexandra could be included in the ceremony.
Their daughter.
Iris sat in the pew, keeping an eye on baby Rose, whose shiny black hair and gorgeous almond-shaped eyes made her stand out in the crowd. They’d traveled all the way to China to pick up their baby, and Lauren had immediately bonded to the little girl.
She was Rose’s mom. She felt it in her soul.
Rose giggled, watching her older cousin Callie toddle down the aisle, a tiny flower girl led by an older child who was able to guide her and keep her from eating too many of the flower petals in her little basket.
Joe and Marisol beamed at the girls from their seats. Of course, Joe liked to take all the credit for Mack and Lauren getting together, since it was his poorly-worded will that had made them tie the knot.
Thank God for poorly-worded wills.
The bridal music started and Lauren walked down the aisle, moving slowly despite her frantically beating heart. She grasped her bouquet— created from the miniature roses that had bloomed to perfection during the past year. Mack stood at the altar, so handsome in his custom tuxedo it was like she was looking at a movie of a wedding instead of real life.
But it was real. This was her life, and she wanted to stand up in front of everyone and tell the world she loved Mack Hansen.
Her dress had a long train trailing behind her. She’d worn white despite some raised eyebrows from her grandmother, since they’d already been living as a married couple for a year. Her grandmother didn’t seem to mind now. She was sitting in the front row, smiling up at them as Lauren took her place next to Mack.
The reverend, a lovely middle-aged woman wearing a black robe, raised her arms to shush the murmuring audience.
“Welcome, friends and family,” she began. “We are gathered here today to bring Lauren and Mack Hansen together under God. Today is a day of reaffirming the vows they took one year ago on this day, of reaffirming their love for one another, and of their continued commitment to each other under the eyes of God.”
Mack took Lauren’s hand in his and spoke, his voice steady. “Lauren, we married one year ago because we had no other viable choice. And we’re renewing our vows today because now, after falling in love with you, there is no other choice for me once more. I’d be lost without you. I love you so much.”
Tears filled her eyes. She felt the same way, although with her voice caught in her throat she feared she wouldn’t be able to express her vows as nicely as he had done. She cleared her voice, determined to give it her best shot.
“Mack,” she began, “You’ve helped me grow as a person, and as a wife and now, mother. I never thought I’d be standing here today, but I’m so glad I am.” Her hand trembled in his, and she couldn’t go on.
The reverend nodded into the pew, and Iris brought baby Rose up to the altar. She held her chubby arms out for her mommy, and Lauren took her, holding her close.
“As you renew your vows, let’s take this opportunity to welcome your daughter, Rose Alexandra, into your family. May she grow up to find the same true love that you have found in each other. And Mack—you may kiss your wife.”
He kissed her, leaning over their daughter, who giggled in delight and reached up to touch her daddy’s clean-shaven cheek.
Everything was perfect. Lauren looked at her husband and daughter, and knew they would truly live happily ever after.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to my editor Erin Molta, along with the whole Entangled/Indulgence team for working with me to make The Tycoon’s Convenient Bride…and Baby the best it could be.
Thank you to Courtney Miller-Callihan for finding the perfect publisher for this book.
Editor Stacy Boyd first helped me with the idea and execution of this book. If not for her encouragement, Mack and Lauren’s story may never have been written in the first place. Thank you, Stacy!
My family is wonderful when it comes to supporting me in my writing career. Thank you to Nana especially, for babysitting so I can squeeze in a few extra hours of writing time!
And thanks to my Darling Husband—the only man I’d want by my side during a zombie apocalypse. Sometimes he even brings a plate of food to my desk so I won’t forget to eat. I love you!
And for you, my readers, I love you too—without you, I’d be writing into the abyss. Special shout-out to the Shoshanna Street Team—you guys are awesome. I am truly blessed to have readers like you.
To find out when my next book releases, please sign up for my newsletter on my website at ShoshannaEvers.com, follow me on Twitter @ShoshannaEvers, and on Facebook at facebook.com/shoshanna.evers
Let’s stay in touch!
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shoshanna Evers has written dozens of sexy stories, including The Enslaved Trilogy, The Pulse Trilogy, and Snowed in with the Tycoon.
Shoshanna Evers has been listed as one of the “Most Popular Authors in Erotica” on Amazon in 2013, and one of the “Most Popular Authors in Contemporary Romance” and “Most Popular Authors in Romance” on Amazon in 2014.
Shoshanna used to work as a syndicated advice columnist and a registered nurse, but now she’s a full-time romance writer and home-schooling mom. A New York native, she lives with her family and three big dogs in northern Idaho, and loves to connect with readers on Twitter @ShoshannaEvers, and on Facebook at facebook.com/Shoshanna.Evers
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