Chapter 152 CHAPTER 152
Chapter 152 CHAPTER 152
ROBIN
“Lana,” the officiant prompted. “Are your vows ready?”
She smiled up at him, using her bent thumb to gently dab away the moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes.
“Mike…” she began, earning a soft laugh from him.
“I’m totally speechless because of your promise to me, even though I’m not surprised in the slightest. You show me every single day how much you love me—how much you care, how much my happiness means the world to you and how you never stop reminding me that you’d give me everything I deserve in this world.
“For years, I was told how to love, who to choose, who to settle for. Does he have enough class? Does he measure up to the standard set for me? Does he have the wealth required to win my heart?
“But I’ve never cared about any of that. I’ve never cared what a man could offer me in material things, because I already had enough… more than I could ever spend.”
She smiled softly, holding Mike’s gaze before proceeding.
“Loving you came to me as a surprise, choosing to love you is a decision I make every single day, because you’re exactly what I pictured a perfect man to be.
“You listen to me. You care for me. You’re there to fulfil every whim I have. You see me not as the rich boss’s daughter, but as a woman who is worthy and deserving of real love.
“You love me in a way I can’t even comprehend. So pure, so true, so rare. And for that, I’ll always be grateful for you. Today, in front of everyone I love, I promise to love you, to be your safe place, to be your confidante, and to be yours forever, until death do us apart.
“I love you, Michael Hart, more than you can ever imagine. And through thick and thin, through hell and high water, I’ll always be by your side. I’ll be the woman who pulls you up when you’re drowning, when you’re doubting yourself, your strength, your capabilities, your worth. You’re all I need Mike. And even though you insist on giving me every material possession in the world, all I truly want and desire is you. Only you.”
A sudden roar of applause erupted in the room, as the intimate gathering of family and close friends rose to their feet in a standing ovation.
“Exchange your rings,” the officiant said. They did. “By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” the officiant said, turning to Mike. “You may kiss your bride.”
He did. Pulling Lana into his arms and gently pressing his mouth on hers, caressing each other as the applause continued around them. When they finally broke apart, Mike lifted Lana into his arms, carrying his bride out of the ballroom, leaving the room booming with cheers.
I joined them in the applause, watching them disappear into their forever.
The whole entire tea terrace at the Betton Manor had been transformed and redecorated beyond recognition for Lana’s wedding reception. The cool evening air drifted through the terrace as guests drank, danced and ate beneath strings of twinkling lights.
I sat slumped in a chair, sipping on my iced tea and water. This was the part of pregnancy I hated the most. I huffed.
“Is the fairest lady in the world upset about something?” Jack snuck up behind me, his face turning into the crook of my neck and staying there, stealing playful nuzzles and nibbles on my skin, my seated position making his affection all the easier.
“I miss drinking wine,” I grumbled, pouting stubbornly.
“Tell you what, I’ll get you your own winery, stocked with every kind of wine under the sun, all waiting for you whenever you want it.” He grinned, pecking my cheek. “How’s that sound?” I nodded. That was definitely an offer I’d most likely consider accepting, even though my tolerance for alcohol was terribly low. He stretched out his hand to me. “May I have this dance?” I beamed, slipping my small manicured hand into his much larger one, instantly swallowing mine whole.
We made our way to the core of the dance floor, one hand settling at the small of my back, while the other held my waist steadily. Grasping my hand, he flung me out gently on a spin, his hand never leaving my waist before pulling me evenly back into his arms.
“You’ve got some serious moves, Mr McCullen.” A devilish grin tugged at his lips.
“There’s a whole other layer you haven’t experienced yet, Mrs McCullen.”
I rolled my eyes at the name, only to wince as a faint cramp tightened low in my abdomen.
“You don’t like it?”
“I’m not Mrs McCullen.”
“But you could be.” His smile softened, his eyes losing confidence. “I’ve been thinking about it, Robin. Far too much, actually. I want you to be Mrs McCullen soon.”
“Fuck no!” I blurted, sensing a shift in Jack’s facial expression, his face screwing up. The horror that crept across his face would’ve been hilarious under other circumstance, except my attention wasn’t on him anymore.
My legs felt a little wobbly and faint, another cramp gripping my stomach, then something warm trickled down my legs.
My breath caught.
No…
Was this what I thought it was?
“Do you… not want to marry me?” he asked, his voice quiet, stabbing with sadness, hurt evident in his demeanour.
“Jack…” I breathed, another contraction rolling through me.
“We love each other so much, Robin. Why wouldn’t you want to—”
“The babies are coming!” I screamed over the music, cutting him off entirely as the warm fluid continued to run down my legs.
“Oh, fucking shit!” His eyes grew impossibly wide, threading a trembling hand through his hair, his chest heaving and falling, panic completely taking over.
“Fuck. Baby, are you okay? Are you in pain? What do I do? What do I do? Do you need to sit? Stand? Lie down? What? What? Tell me what you need! What do you need, baby?” I glared at him as he rambled on, looking more panicked than I was.
“Calm the fuck down, Jack!” I wheezed through another contraction, a bout of pain flowing through me. “Get me to the hospital.”
“Okay… okay…Um shit. Right. The car. My car.”
“NOW!” I screamed, finally jolting him into action. Without another word, Jack scooped me up into his arms and hurried through the crowd. Guests scattering out of our way as he raced towards the Betton Manor parking garage. He fumbled for his keys, bundled me into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut before throwing himself behind the wheel.
The tyres screeching against the tarmac as we tore out of the Manor.
Our babies were coming now!