Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ben The wedding ceremony didn’t take long. Mom and Winston quickly said their vows, exchanged rings, signed the necessary documents with Ben and my signatures as witnesses, then led the wedding party out to get some pictures, before we quickly moved on to the reception.

While the morning was hurried, the rest of the party wasn’t, which was just fine with me, because this way, I could gape at Angela all I wanted.

She’s so beautiful.

The cut of her dress bared part of her shoulders, back, and chest, and I could already picture myself pulling it off her. Or, better yet, just sliding the shoulders lower so I could get at her breasts as I lifted the skirt around her hips. The dress looked too nice to ruin, but I couldn’t help thinking what it would look like covered in my come.

I did my best to control my expressions, so no one would guess what was on my mind, but I wasn’t sure I was doing it very well.

There weren’t a lot of people I knew at the party. I wasn’t close with any of my mom’s friends, especially since a lot of them were people she’d met after dad was out of the picture. Few of her long-term friends were there, and there wasn’t anyone I knew well, so I was stuck sitting by myself.

Angela, on the other hand, was busy mingling with her family’s friends. I wasn’t sure whether to be dissatisfied, because she wasn’t beside me, or be ecstatic because I got a better view of her as she moved around.

Besides, she would be all mine later tonight, and for a long time to come after that, I hoped.

Time moved quickly, and finally, it was time for the bride and groom to have their first dance together as a married couple. As Mom and Winston moved over to the open dance floor, I made my way to Angela. She was talking to a few people, but I just tugged her away with a smug smile. Angela, instead of getting angry, just laughed.

“Where are you taking me?” She asked.

“Can’t you guess? Or do I have to ask you to dance with me?” I stopped and turned around. Then, I released her hand and held my own out to her. “Miss, may I have this dance?”

“Yes, please,” Angela whispered, eyes slightly widened.

I pulled her with me to the dance floor as more and more people came out. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and I wrapped my own around her waist, holding her close as we swayed together. I led, and she easily followed my steps, though she looked even more surprised.

“What?” I asked. “Is there something on my face?”

She shook her head. “Sorry, no. I don’t know; I just didn’t expect you to know how to dance.”

I shrugged. “I had lessons when I was younger, but I don’t do a lot of dancing. That doesn’t mean I forgot how to, though.”

I moved her carefully through the crowd that slowly filled the floor, making sure not to bump into any of the other couples. We arrived at a small corner near the edge of the dance floor; then we stayed in place.

“You looked like you were having fun earlier,” I murmured.

I had to admit, as I watched the entire time, I did feel a little jealous.

Angela patted my chest. “They’re all people who either know my dad or are in the profession. It would have been rude to just ignore them.”

I allowed myself to be mollified because I wanted to be happy today. I held Angela tighter, and she sighed as she laid her head on my shoulder. Her eyes closed, and she hummed gently to the song. I wanted to lean down and kiss her, but in this unfamiliar crowd, I didn’t dare. Instead, I pecked her forehead and tucked her head beneath my chin.

“As soon as I leave college,” I said quietly. “I’m going to make you my wife.”

I felt Angela’s body go stiff beneath my hands, but I didn’t stop slowly swaying us around. She relaxed little by little, but she’d pulled back, so she could stare at me. I was a little worried about her reaction. Maybe I shouldn’t have just come out and said that even if I did mean it. Then, a corner of her lips tipped up as her eyebrow arched.

“College boy?” She teased. “Aren’t you a little young to be thinking about marriage? Not to mention, a little fast?”

“Age has nothing to do with it,” I said quickly. “And graduation is months away, so I have plenty of time to think about it, but I doubt I’ll be changing my mind.”

She stared at me, stunned, for the longest moment. Then she laughed, and it sounded genuinely happy. Her eyes looked a little moist.

“Well then,” she said. “You’re going to need money for the baby.”

It was my turn to freeze, and Angela had a teasing smile on her lips as she nudged my body to keep swaying. I could see, though, that her lips were a little shaky at the corners. She was nervous.

“What baby?” I blurted out.

“The one I’m carrying,” she said, voice a little quieter.

I managed to get back my equilibrium after a while. It hadn't fully sunk in yet, but I heard her.

“I kind of thought you couldn’t have kids,” I admitted quietly.

Her eyebrows jumped up. “Oh? How so?”

I hesitated. “Well, you were married for so long, and you didn’t mention a kid between you and the ex. You might have just not wanted one, and I couldn’t know for sure, but I didn’t want to pry.”

“You’re half right,” she said. “I didn’t think I could have kids, either, but I’m pregnant.”

A baby… I looked down between us, even knowing it would be too soon for anything to show. Her stomach was pressed flat against mine, but inside of it, a baby was growing. Our baby.

“It’s a miracle, right?” Angela said, her voice small. “Good or bad?”

She bit down on her bottom lip, actually looking worried about my reaction. While it wasn’t something I’d pictured for quite a while, I could still feel a growing excitement at the thought of a child that had parts of both of us.

“Good,” I reassured her, grinning.

I decided, fuck it, and leaned down to give her a quick, hard kiss, before I twirled her happily around the floor, marveling at the twinkling laugh it got me.