now swimming in tears, he said, “That’s why I know that eventually you’ll forgive me. Love heals. Now, my love, you say it. Tell me you love me.”
She reached out, grasped the silver medal that hung around his neck, and rubbed her thumb over the angel’s wings. Then she released the medal and tenderly touched his cheek. “I do love you, John Gabriel Callahan. I forgive you. Just don’t do anything so stupid again, okay?”
“I won’t. I promise. I love you. And since I’m on a roll here, there is something else I want to ask you. Have you chosen names for the babies yet?”
“You want to name the babies?”
“I’d like some input.”
Gladness filled her expression, but her lips twitched. “I don’t know, Gabe. You haven’t exactly made me confident with the name you chose for Tiger. I mean, really, Clarence? Why Clarence?”
“He was the angel who saved George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life. Seems like an appropriate choice. That dog saved me.” He kissed her hands one more time. “That dog and you saved me.”
This time she didn’t try to hide her smile. “Okay, that makes sense. And actually, Clarence fits him better than Tiger.”
“Will it confuse him if we change his name, Dr. Delicious?”
She rolled her eyes but shook her head. “No, he’s smart. It’ll be fine. However, as far as baby names go … what are you thinking?”
“That my knees are too old for this hardwood floor.” He rose and pulled her to her feet, saying, “C’mere. I want to hold you.”
He led her over to the padded window seat, where he sat with his back against the wall and one leg spread along the length of the seat. He pulled her down between his legs, wrapped his arms around her and their children, and stared out at the view of Hummingbird Lake and Sinner’s Prayer Pass beyond. So beautiful. So joyous.
He cleared his throat against a lump of emotion, then patted her tummy. “How about Beryl and Beulah? Beryl and Beulah Callahan. What do you … whoa! Did you feel that kick?”
“A reaction to the name, I’m sure,” she dryly replied.
“So, what do you think?” He nuzzled her neck.
“I think you’re a bit rusty at picking names. We’ll work on it.” She scooted forward, then twisted around to look at him. “Gabe, are you busy tomorrow morning?”
His brows dipped in a quizzical frown. “Celeste’s grand opening is tomorrow.”
“The festivities begin at noon. I’d like to schedule something else for the morning.”
His eyes went wide. “You’re gonna have the babies in the morning?”
“No, I hope not.” She laughed softly at the panic in his eyes. “Celeste put the opening off a week so that I could be there, and as much as I want to have these little guys, I hope they’ll cooperate and wait until after the party and … the wedding.”
“Wedding?”
“Will you marry me again, Mr. Callahan? Tomorrow morning in church?”
“You’re proposing to me?”
“I am.”
“Cool. In that case, I will absolutely marry you tomorrow morning in church. As long as the babies don’t rearrange our plans.”
“They won’t dare.” As Clarence crossed the room and plopped himself down at Gabe’s feet, Nic looked down at her belly and said, “You let me have my wedding, kiddos, or otherwise I’ll let your daddy pick your names.”
Shortly before nine o’clock the following morning in the rectory at St. Stephen’s church, Sage and Sarah helped Nic don the flowing white silk dupioni gown that Celeste had produced for the occasion. Strapless, it had a bodice big enough to contain her bountiful breasts, an empire waist, and an A-line skirt that actually flattered her enormous belly. It fit her to perfection, and when Nic took a look at herself in the mirror, her mouth gaped in disbelief. “I don’t look like a whale!”
“You look like an angel,” Celeste said.
“A wanton angel,” Sarah corrected.
Sage shook her head. “You look gorgeous, luscious, and happy.”
“Happy.” Nic nodded and accepted the bouquet of red roses that Lori handed to her. “That I am.”
She looked at Celeste and said, “I don’t know what made you decide to order this dress to have on hand, but I’m thrilled you did.”
Celeste gave a dismissive wave. “I believe in being prepared. With that in mind, I have a gift for you. It’s not a wedding gift, but I suspect you might wish to wear it today.”
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a delicate silver chain and pendant. “This is the official healing center blazon that