Getting the Axe - Nikki Mays Page 0,65

as we lay here together catching our breath. My heart rate finally returned to normal after a few minutes. I look down at my left hand and can’t believe how much my life has changed since this morning.

“Whatcha thinkin’ about?” Noah is still raised up on his left elbow looking down at me. His chest and ab muscles are a bunch up enough to let you see how well defined they are. Seriously, it should be illegal to look that good. “I have eyes you know honey.” Humor lacing each word.

I nod my head. “I know you do, but your abs are more appealing.”

He pulls me into his side and nuzzles the side of my head. “I’m so glad that you love me for my mind.” His voice muffled.

I give his chest a little pat. “I would love you for your mind if you weren’t so stubborn and hardheaded. Luckily for me, your body is a nice distraction when you’re acting like a butthead.”

“You say the sweetest things. Please continue with this awesome pillow talk.” He drawls.

I roll my eyes while looking directly at him. Old habits. Okay, fine, annoying him still brings me a ton of joy, oh well. “So, we’re really doing this, huh?” I look at my gorgeous ring again and smile.

“Yup. We’re really doing this. You’re stuck with me forever, Elle.” He pulls me flush against him, chest to chest. He kisses me so tenderly that it makes my heart skip a few beats.

“I have no idea how to plan a wedding. And I’m kind of scared to plan it while pregnant. What if my hormones go out of control and I end up as the world’s biggest Bridezilla? I could become a walking nightmare.”

I can feel his chest shaking with laughter. “You’re not going to become a nightmare, honey. You’re far too sweet for that.”

I push back a little to be able to see him better. “Sure, normally. But I’ve never been pregnant before. We have no idea what I’m going to be like, all fat and uncomfortable and Oompa Loompa like.”

“No, we don’t.” He agrees with a twinkle in his eyes. “But look at it this way. You may already have a Halloween costume picked out. All we’ll have to do is use a spray tan for your body and green hair dye.”

My eyes turn to slits. “I’m serious Noah.” My lips are thin.

He hauls me back into him. “Okay, well if you’re so worried about it, we can just let my mother handle everything. She’s already doing it for my brothers and their fiancée’s, I’m sure she won’t mind.”

I bite my lip. It would be nice to be able to just relax and not have to deal with anything. But then again, this is also Dee Ross. Our wedding could either turn out spectacular or like a train wreck that you can’t help but watch. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?” My tone is as unsure as I feel.

He shrugs. “Sure, why not? She’ll be excited and it’ll keep her busy for months. It’s a win-win, really. Mom stays out of trouble and we don’t have to do a thing.”

Tempting, so-so tempting. I take a deep breath and decide to say “screw it”. Seriously, what’s the worst that can happen? “You’re right. I’m sure that’ll keep her on her best behavior.”

Epilogue

Dee

Y esterday was such a wonderful day,” I say to my husband's gravestone. “I wish you could’ve been there to see your boys marry their perfect matches.” I sigh as I fix up the area in front of the stone. The grounds crew doesn’t do it properly. There is always weeds, no matter how often they say they clear them out.

I come and visit my husband at least once a week. After being married for forty years, it still feels so strange to not talk to him, regardless that it’s been a few years since he’s passed away. Time heals your wounds, but the heart and soul still ache for their missing half.

I went about laying down the new flowers, which are some of the flowers from the wedding yesterday. I made sure to get a few flowers from each of the three brides bouquets so that I could bring them here. It makes me feel better to know that he has something from what was a spectacular day.

I rub my fingers across the words on the front of the stone that read John “JR” Ross: Beloved Husband and Father and