other choice. I love you, Charlotte Olivia Mason. My life will only be complete with you in it.”
My heart has been tugged every which way, and I have to finally say the words because I need him just as much as he needs me. “The baby—”
“This baby, Charlotte, is a part of you. Anything that’s a part of you can’t possibly be wrong. It just means that he or she will have another person who will love them more than they can ever imagine.”
I pull him into me, hugging him tightly, clutching onto him for dear life. He’s willing to be with me no matter what. This man loves me for everything I am, for every mistake I have ever made. I give myself a few seconds to take it all in—the enormity of love and selflessness enveloping me, and I want to return just that, give him hope, happiness, and the love he deserves.
Lex Edwards deserves the world, and I must give him that and everything beyond.
No more lies.
No more hiding the pain.
The truth needs to be told.
“Lex… this is your baby.”
With his hands dropping to his sides, he steps back with an incredulous stare. In silence, he searches my face until his eyes become glassy, and a small smile plays on his lips.
“M-My baby?” he stammers.
“I doubted myself when I knew the truth. I lied, Lex. There’s so much behind why I felt like I needed to lie, and I’m so sorry I hurt you, that I caused you so much pain, and I want my chance to tell you everything, Lex. Everything I’ve been holding back since the day it all fell apart eight years ago, but for now, for right now, I need to kiss you. I just… I just need you so much in my life… I need you, Lex. Forever.”
Without any hesitation, my body is flush with his, our lips only inches apart. His warm breath lingers in the air between us. I close my eyes, waiting in anticipation to feel his lips against mine, but it’s his finger grazing my aching lips, tracing my bottom lip with a perpetuating touch.
My chest is rising and falling at a fast pace, my entire body shivering at the simple touch of his finger against my lips. His mouth lingers on my bottom lip, and what only is seconds but passes like hours, the anticipation mounts until he gently sucks on my lip.
Savoring this moment, everything which weighs heavily on my shoulders slowly begins to lift as his kiss spreads throughout me, shining a light on every part of me which has been encased in darkness.
He is mine, and I am his.
And together, we have started something beautiful growing inside of me.
“My baby?” he asks again.
“Yes, Lex… this baby is ours.”
This time, with an elated emotion driving him, he kisses me deeper, lifting me slightly as I let out a small squeal. An eruption of clapping and whistling sounds around us. We pause, pulling apart and turn to look around us. The whole room is giving us a standing ovation, and as my face begins to blush from his family and the many strangers watching on, I turn to look at Lex. His face is beaming with pride, eyes sparkling underneath the dance-floor light. I draw him closer to me, his nose touching mine before he spins me around like a lovesick fool.
We dance, never letting go of each other. There’s no other place I want to be besides right here. That is until Emily cuts in asking for a quick dance with her son. Slightly relieved because I have to pee, it serves me right for drinking four mocktails during dinner.
I quickly duck off to the bathroom which proves a little difficult in the dress, but I make it with moments to spare. As I stand there checking my makeup, Erin, one of the bridesmaids, walks in, and I can’t help but smirk, silly bitch for trying to get her claws into Lex earlier during the day.
“So, you and Lex, huh?”
“Yes, Lex and me.”
“You never mentioned it when I spoke about him earlier. I thought he was screwing that blonde chick… Victoria… something or other.”
“Oh my God, you’re joking? I didn’t know that. Maybe I should break up with him?” I answer, sarcastically.
“Maybe you should… I know a lot of ladies who’d be interested in him.”
“Clearly, sarcasm wasn’t your major, but you should try picking up a dictionary some time. It might help you understand when