Chapter 203: Chapter 77

KELLAN'S P.O.V

This was the place my life began. Truly began.

I had tears in my eyes that day.

For some reason, the back of my eyes prickle now. It could be from too much laughter this morning while watching Dad wince and beg Grandma to reconsider this ‘whole escape’ of getting married again.

I glanced at where Dad sat behind me, waiting for Gran with a frown. Dad's friends, two of whom insisted on attending his mother's wedding, teased him for having a stepfather at forty-nine.

I smiled.

While the idea of Gran getting married had been odd to me at first, I've come to accept it, admire it even. To make such a decision at this age, to go this length for one person...I understood.

I understood it, too.

The courtroom was filling with guests, mostly Gran’s and Bob’s friends from the community board games. Bob sat at the front in a tux that somehow fit.

Dinner with him was... something. Bob laughed at his own jokes, smiled, and teased her till she smacked his hand and told him not to make such jokes in front of the kids—me and Ashley; ‘The Kids’

My shoulders shook remembering it. Ashley had smiled throughout, was more polite to Bob than Dad was. But amidst the chaos of dinner, when Dad's jaw had ticked countless times, when Bob started recounting how many years it took Gran to notice him, I tuned everything else out and watched only one person.

The ache in my heart built, and the small velvet box I purchased a few days ago made my pockets heavy.

Three days in Dallas brought me and Ashley closer and closer. At night we slept side by side, often after kissing each other senseless, her hand in my shirt, mind buried deep in her hair.

Sleeping on the same bed with Ashley, with her breath fluttering in the middle of the night, her warm hands on my chest, mine on the curve of her belly, I couldn't stop being in awe of her.

Spending time with Ashley again was Living. Truly living.

It was like being able to see the sun, rainbows, and beautiful sky after going blind.

It was walking in a dream, where the world made sense. Like hearing a song I've only ever heard once, a song I've searched for but couldn't find, one that had touched me deep in my soul.

Being with Ashley made my world brighter, it was more than anything I could describe.

I wanted to lay next to her every day, I wanted to do more than kiss her— but I held back. Even when Ashley pushed against me by teasing me, tempting me with licking her lips and nipping on my jaw, whispering my name in that way that drives me half mad, I had to hold myself.

Because as much as I wanted every single inch of her, to worship and love and cherish, as much as I wanted to bury myself deep in her, this time was different.

Ashley was carrying a child. A child that would be ours. And I'd burn myself first before doing anything that would make her uncomfortable or put any strain on her body.

Bob's younger brother laughed at something, besides me, Dad mutters a curse, and I cracked a smile—at my Dad, at a nervous Bob who sat at the front, waiting for Gran, at this place.

The place where Ashley Harrington became Ashley Langston. My wife.

Mine to love, mine to cherish and mine to protect. Forever. Till death do us part.

My heart ached viscerally behind my ribcage. My memory was still sharp. I remember every single detail, from how sunlight had seeped in through the narrow window, the suit I borrowed, the beautiful woman who had left her world of wealth and chosen me.

I remember signing the papers, the tears in my eyes, and how Dad had smiled. He was out only witness.

Before now, I used to think our wedding wasn't perfect, I couldn't afford a proper dress for her or a grand car or even a nice honeymoon, but sitting here again, with billions in my account, maybe.. just maybe our wedding had been perfect after all.

We didn't have much then, but we had all that mattered. Us. Our love for each other.

The doors opened, and just like she stepped out of my memory, Ashley walked in, with all the grace and beauty in the world. She waved Bob, who was looking behind her.

I barely took note of Gran in her pale yellow dress and big smile as she walked down the aisle, not when Ashley's chocolate eyes searched for mine...and found me.

Her smile was everything. She is everything. The fleeting moment between us stretched like eternity.

Maybe Gran's wedding was a sign that love was powerful, worth fighting for. If two people wouldn't let their age and past mistakes stop them from living the rest of their lives together, I could do too.

I would be better for Ashley, for our daughter.

I watched her walk slowly towards me, her breath catching in a way that made mine stop. Ashley glowed in her pink knee-length dress.

I have never seen a woman so beautiful. Warmth glided over my stomach when the soft fragrance of her perfume wafted into my senses, and she placed a hand protectively over her stomach.

I always knew pregnancy would look good on Ashley.

My hands slid into hers as she sat down. “Hey”

Ashley glanced ahead to where Gran and Bob were already exchanging vows. I could hear their voices, the official reading through their vows, the laughter and cheers, but I could only register the woman by my side.

“Hi,” she whispered back. While she watched the ceremony, I watched her. The smile in her eyes, the way her hand rested protectively on her stomach, I loved that.

I loved Ashley and the baby in her womb. I loved how she already loved that child with everything she has, I do too.

Somewhere in the courthouse, someone burst into a round of applause. Gran waved us all, her gray hair shining with the flowers in it, I grabbed Ashley's hand softly as Bob was about to kiss Gran.

“Kellan. Where are we going?”

I caught Dad looking away when the married couple began kissing.

Ashley's laughter filled my ears while I led her through the exit. “Can't handle your grandmother kissing her new husband, Hmm, Kellan Langston?” She teased and I only let out a small laugh.

Outside, the air was cool, carrying the scent of spring blooms. The gravel crunched softly beneath our feet as we began walking. I slid my hand into hers.

“I want to show you something,” I said instead, leading her down a narrow path.

Thankfully, it wasn't that far from here, so it shouldn't be much stress for Ashley to walk, and even if it was, I had no problem carrying her there.

“What?” she questioned, straightening her dress with her free hand.

I slowed my pace to meet hers. “You'll see.” I grinned with a wink.

Ashley rolled her eyes but she was smiling. “What surprise is this that you have to leave the ceremony for?”

“Almost there” I kept my hold on her hand, feeling the warmth of her fingers curl around mine. The path was lined with soft grass and beautiful flowers.

My heart was pounding behind my ribcage. Pounding very hard. I tried to keep the rising anxiety off my face as I remembered every time she had turned me down in the past five months.

Ashley tugged on my hand, forcing me to stop. When I met her face, her eyes searched mine for something, she looked worried.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Ashley observed. “I thought you’d be laughing at Grandma making your dad squirm.”

I swallowed. Right now, that was the least of my concerns, not with what I was about to do, or where we were going. The velvet box in my pocket felt heavier than it should.

“I’ve got other things on my mind,” I murmured.

Ashley raised a brow. “What's going on, Kellan? Why are you acting strange?"

I tried to force a smile, a casual shrug, anything to pretend I wasn't as nervous as hell, but I couldn't.

I couldn't tell her what I did last night when I felt the baby kick against my hand while she slept. I couldn't tell her how that single moment had brought tears to my eyes, given me the clarity I needed.

“You’re scaring me,” she continued, her voice faint, and I had to force myself to breathe before I passed out.

“We're almost there.” I rasped, my throat suddenly dry. Ashley kept looking at me with curiosity and worry.

We were almost there when I blurted something I shouldn't have. “Do you think there's hope for us, Ash?" My voice was quiet to my own ears. My heart was on a mission to tear itself out of my chest.

God, if she said no.. I'd never survive it.

Her fingers tightened on mine.

Seconds passed

One

Two

Three

“Yes,” she whispered.

I felt my shoulder sag with relief and my racing heart calmed down a notch.

The box in my pocket didn't feel so heavy anymore, and I prayed with everything in me that when I get down on one knee, she'd say yes too.

Yes to us. To a new beginning

To forever.