Chapter 126 126
He opened the box and plucked a gorgeous round solitaire in a platinum setting from the box. He slipped it onto her finger. It was a little big—in both band size and heft—but it was perfect. She clasped her other hand over her mouth as she admired the ring and the way it sparkled.
“It’s absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Literally. I’m not sure I could carry around a bigger diamond without some help.”
He laughed quietly. “I swear it didn’t look that big in the store.”
“Of course it didn’t. Your hands are huge.”
“All I care about is seeing it on your hand. It couldn’t make me any happier.”
He leaned forward and kissed her, softly. It was the first time their lips had touched since the breakup, and it was as if she was being reborn. That gentle brush of a kiss told her just how much they were made for each other. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t have found a way. This was where she belonged, with him, on the other side of their troubles. Or at least a few of them.
“This would be the part where we tear off each other’s clothes and make love all night. Sorry about that,” she said sheepishly.
“Don’t worry. I can hold off for a few nights until the spotting stops. Then I’ll make you mine.” He cozied up next to her, wrapping his arm around her, making her feel as protected as she could’ve imagined. “In the meantime, we wait for what comes, and we go through it together.”
She took a deep breath, fighting the tears that fought to take over again. She wouldn’t cry—there had been too many tears in the last year, and now was a time to be happy. She would focus on Justin, the ring. She would focus on the baby, on her hope that everything would turn out okay for once. “It’s raining,” she said, looking out the bedroom windows, with the glorious view of the city.
“Just like that night.”
“I guess it did rain that night, didn’t it? I remember the puddles the next morning.”
“It rained like crazy and you slept right through it.”
“I take it you didn’t?”
“Not a wink. I was too busy wondering how I was going to get past your brother to get to you.”
“Well, you did it. Big props for that.”
“Now we just need to hope he can take care of your other brother.”
She turned to shush him. “Let’s not talk about the bad. Let’s just think about the good.”
He smiled and pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head and raking his hands through her hair. “I have all the good I’ll ever need right here in my arms.”
With morning came the sun. After the steady deluge of rain all night, Justin could only hope this was a good sign. He hadn’t slept at all— consumed with a mix of gratitude for Sherry’s answer to his proposal and hope that today would bring good things.
Sherry was asleep on her side, his arm draped over her. He loved having her back against his chest where he could feel her breaths—that steady, measured reminder that she was here again and wasn’t leaving any time soon. They hadn’t slept in the same bed in weeks. He’d remembered it as being wonderful, but it was even better with the promise that they would be together. Forever.
Sherry stirred. As happy as he was to be able to talk to her, that feeling faded as he realized that she would soon get up and go to the bathroom and they would have news—good or bad.
“You’re up,” he said, pushing his hair from his face.
“I am,” she answered, sleepily, shifting her weight and swinging her legs out from under the covers.
“Are you?” He nodded toward the bathroom.
“I am. Fingers crossed.”
He sat up in bed. “Do you need me to come with you?”
She sighed and managed half of a smile. “I’m okay. I’ll let you know what happens.”
“Whatever happens, Sherry. I’m here. Good or bad.”
Sherry tiptoed off to the bathroom. Justin climbed out of bed, wondering when it would be okay to ask how things were going. Luckily, the flush of the toilet gave him his cue. “Well?” he called from the other room, his heart threatening to pound its way out of his body.
“Nothing,” she called back with an elated squeak. “No more spotting.”
Justin had never moved so fast, arriving at the bathroom door in a flash. “Really? Nothing?”
She nodded, going to the sink to wash her hands. Thank God. He came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist. She was so stunning in the morning—fresh-faced, simply beautiful. The fact that she was carrying his child and had his ring on her finger made her that much more irresistible. He was the luckiest man in creation.
“I am so glad.”
“I know. Me, too.” She looked down and pressed the palm of her hand to her belly. “Me, too.”
“You know, you and I are going to make really cute babies,” he said, kissing the top of her head. It was the truth—their children would be absolutely gorgeous.
Turning in his arms, she looked up at him. “Babies? Plural?”
“Of course. I want a whole pack of little Covingtons running all over the penthouse.”
She coughed so loud she practically sputtered. “A pack of Covingtons?”
“Yes, Sherry. I had to swallow my pride with your brother. I have to beat him at something. Surely you’ll grant me that much.”
“Sorry. I don’t get your point. Beat him at what, exactly?”
“However many kids he and Nina have, we’ll just have one more.”
“So this is about being competitive with my brother. That’s going to get expensive, you know. What with college and keeping them all outfitted in tiny baby motorcycle jackets.”
He laughed. Never had he imagined he could ever be so happy. “Sherry, darling. You just leave that to me.”
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After everything over the last year, Sherry had very much looked forward to dancing with her brother Adam at his wedding. She’d imagined the grand hotel ballroom, the legion of happy guests, stunning centerpieces of purple tulips and white irises picked out by Nina, and the enormous wedding cake that likely took more than a week to create. She’d just never imagined that she’d be watching her other brother, Aiden, dancing with his girlfriend at the same time.