The Scandals of Life
Page 20
I don't hear anything the registrar says, I can't stop looking into James’ eyes. I'm so happy and so in love. I never thought this day would come. “Mama.” Hearing Carter's voice just solidifies everything. My little boy, so much like his father, fills my heart with love. “ Preey.” He’s trying to say pretty but he can't get his tongue around it properly.
“Stefanie, do you take James to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the registrar asks me with a soft smile.
“I do.” My face is going to hurt tomorrow with all the smiling I’m doing.
“James, do you take Stefanie to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.” He looks amazing and happy.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.”
Everything goes silent, my ears buzz as James’ lips touch mine. I'm lost in this kiss; it's more than anything we've shared before. James pulls back and I'm gasping for breath.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to introduce to you, Mr and Mrs Moore.”
Applause rings out as we start to walk down the aisle. I stop and reach for my little boy and the three of us walk towards the hotel as a family.
Lying in bed, arms and legs tangled we just lie holding each other. Sylvie and Thomas have taken Carter for the night and I have a surprise for James. Last month I found something out, something I know that he’s going to be over the moon about.
“Stef?”
“Mmm?” I reply, I’m fully sated and right now I’m wondering what the hell he wants?
“We’ve been spending a lot of time in Cotswolds, should we make it a permanent move?” He pulls me a bit tighter to him and I kiss his pec, just where his heart is. “We don’t have to.”
I sigh. “It’s not that I don’t want to because I do, I love it there. I feel so at home there.” I don’t know what to say to him, if I could I would move there in a heartbeat.
“It’s Adam; you don’t want to be further away from him.” I nod. That’s not the only reason, but it’s the main one. “And my mum is a bit too much for you, isn’t she?”
Bingo. “James, whenever we’re there, she’s over every day.”
“I know, beautiful. How about we leave it for a bit, maybe have a word with her when we’re there next?”
“Sounds good. I’ve only just got Adam in my life, I don’t want to move and lose him.”
“I know, beautiful.” He loves Adam too; they get on and became really good friends.
“Plus, the nursery is set up in our London house. By the time the baby comes, Carter can move into the bigger room.” I’m smiling into his chest.
“Fucking hell.” Is that all he can say? “Beautiful, damn! Shit, fuck.” He’s so eloquent.
“James, are you going to say anything other than swear words?”
“Don’t laugh at me. God, Steffy, we’re going to have another baby?” I look up at him, his eyes wide with wonder.
“Yes, we’re ten weeks. I’ve known for about a month, I was worried.” I shrug, not wanting to get into why I didn’t tell him.
“But everything’s okay?” He turns so we’re face to face.
“Everything's good,” I promise him.
“How did I get so lucky?”
This day has gotten better and better as it has gone on.
“Whatever it is you did, I did too. We started off as a scandal, but now, now we’re happy.”
“I quite like being scandalous.” He rolls on top of me and reins kisses along my jaw.
“Me too. I love you, James. Thank you for giving me Carter and this baby.”
He stops the kisses. “Beautiful, I should be thanking you. You brought me back to life.”
The End
Afterword
For all those who have suffered the loss of a baby.
I’m sorry for your loss, for your pain, for your grief, for your sadness.
Each and every one of you are in my thoughts.
xoxo
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Acknowledgments
Darren and Alannah: You both mean the world to me and thank you so much for putting up with my crazy. I love you both more than words could ever say.
Wendy Porter: I love you! You are seriously amazing. You’re there to offer encouragement and support not only that, you’ve become such an important person in my life, you’ve become an amazing friend. Thank you so much.
Jessica and Stefanie: You two have been with me from the very beginning and there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not grateful for your love and support. No matter what, you’ll always read anything I write and you both are amazing women who I love dearly.
My Beta Readers: Jessica Davey, Stefanie Carney, Julie Tinkler, Nancy George, Kim Jones, Katy Birch and Trisha Reynalds, Ladies you are the best, Thank you so much for your input, Thank you for loving my books like you do and thank you for supporting me in every single way possible.
Lee Ching: I love the design, you captured what I wanted and magnified it. It’s beautiful. There’s so much I want to say but I’ve said so much already. You know how much I love and respect you. You’re a great friend and it’s been such a pleasure to get to know you. Get some new pillows cos girl you’ve earned them.
Natalie Louise Hill; My sounding board and the other half of my brain. I love your face so hard!!
Rachael Tonks; Lady, you’re amazing, thank you for being on hand to do this format and making it gorgeous in the process.
Erin Toland; Thank you for the amazing edit! I can’t thank you enough for the amazing work you’ve done for me.
Judy; Thank you for proofreading for me, for being supportive.
My Brazen Bitches you and that group are my sanctuary, Thank you each and every one of you for being a part of this process.