Wilted (28 page)

“Most of them have already left or are about to. Everyone understands, trust me.“ Nik adds.

“Kylie, your father and I are going to lock up and follow you guys to the hospital.”

“Okay, thank you, Mom.” I say, giving her a quick hug. “Come on, girl, let’s go have a baby.”

Everything happens so quickly once we get in the hospital. One minute, we’re helping her inside, and the next, Sebastian is coming out with an enormous grin on his face. I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyes on their angel. Langston Rose Thorne stole my heart with one glance. I know people say it all the time about being biased, but she is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. When I hold her for the first time and she wraps that tiny finger around mine, it’s as if I’ve met an old soul. She’s not mine, but I’ll do anything for her, including spoil her rotten. I see lots of loud toys and candy her future. I live to aggravate her parents.

As I sway her back and forth, I can’t help but hope to have this with Nik one day. I know the idea terrifies him, but no parent will tell you they are never scared or had doubts about their ability to be a good mom or dad. Kissing her on the head, I hand her off to Nik, who’s looking at me like I’ve grown two heads. I catch the look in his eyes as he looks down at her and I smile. Langston Thorne has just wrapped her little finger around his heart, too.

NIKOLAS

I swear, the woman takes my breath away. While everyone’s taking pictures and cooing over the baby, my eyes remain locked on the woman I love. Seeing the tiny, pink bundle in her arms does something to me that I have never expected, that I can ever possibly explain.
I want it to be our child she’s holding.
As she gently sways side to side, I watch her smiling face as she adoringly takes in our beautiful Godchild. It looks so natural and perfect that it damn near brings tears to my eyes.

When she looks up, her smile melts me a little more. What I don’t expect is for her to walk over and place the baby in my arms. Something changes in that moment. I don’t remember ever holding a baby before, but somehow it is the most natural thing on earth. The minute I look down at her, she has me. Such precious innocence lies in my arms. It’s beyond breathtaking to look at. And just like Kylie Reynolds, I meet the second girl who steals my heart.

Laying the baby back in her father’s arms, I stand back and wrap my arms around my beautiful fiancée while she snaps picture after picture of the new family. In a room full of loved ones and new life, you can’t help but believe in the power of true love. When you have that, you have everything.

And I, Nikolas Thorne, have everything.

KYLIE

As I stare at myself in the full-length mirror, I can’t believe this is actually happening. Gazing down at the beautiful, form-fitting, cream designer dress, I can’t help but feel butterflies in my stomach.

It’s actually happening. This isn’t a dream.

“You look absolutely beautiful,” Skylar says as she steps behind me. I lock eyes with her in the mirror and smile. If I want to define gorgeous, she’d be it. Nothing in the universe could ever top how stunning those eyes are to look in. The clearest waters of the tropics could never come close to it.

“So… have you told him yet?” she asks, smiling.

I’d just found out for sure a few days ago, when the doctor had confirmed that I’m about six weeks along. Skylar had gone with me to the doctor and I’d sworn her to secrecy. Thankfully, I can more than trust my best friend not to spill the beans. I’m not worried about telling him. I just want to make it perfect when I do. As much as Nik had fallen in love with Skylar and Sebastian’s daughter, Langston, I know there’s no doubt he will change his mind about being a dad one day. That girl has him wrapped so tight around her finger that it’s hilarious. Hell, she has me practically tattooed around her finger, so who am I kidding?

“No, not yet. I didn’t want to freak him out with the wedding happening, too. I want to make it special, you know?”

“I think that’s wonderful,” she says, squeezing my hand.

“Now let’s get you married, bitch.”

“God! You’re so fucking demanding!”

“Baby girl, you take my breath away,” my daddy whispers as he walks into the dressing room. I’d wanted a special moment with him before we go out in front of everyone. Right now, I need one last minute of being just his little girl, not that I’ll ever stop being that. If I live to be a hundred, I’ll always be his baby.

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much. Thank you for everything!” I say, falling into his arms. I adore his hugs. So many times, this has been my solace, my comfort. I never believed I could find this with anyone else, not until I’d met Nikolas Thorne, that is. Regardless of how good it feels to be in Nik’s arms, there’ll never be anything like my Daddy’s.

“And I love you, sweetheart. He’s a good man, Kylie. You did good. Watching you grow up, all I ever wanted is for someone who I knew would take care of my baby. I know Nik is the man for that. He’s the man I prayed you’d find one day.”

I smile at his approval. Even though my mom and dad still don’t know the details of our breakup, the fact that Nik had broken their little girl’s heart was enough to land him in the hot seat for quite some time. It had taken a while, but he’d finally proven himself worthy in their eyes again. Their blessing is so important to me, and when Nik realized that, he had made it his priority. I think I love him even more for that. The thought of it makes me tear up.

“Let’s get you married before you ruin your makeup,” he teases as he rubs my arms.

Smiling, I nod and straighten my dress. Skylar knocks on the door and hands me a tissue. The girl seriously knows me like the back of her hand. After quickly fixing my makeup, she slides the lace veil around to where it hangs on both sides of my face. The hundred-year-old veil had belonged to my great-grandmother Tilley. Although, I know she’s watching over me, I wish she could be here to see me in it.

“How do I look now?” I ask my Daddy and watch as tears form in his eyes.

“You look so beautiful, baby girl. Nikolas Thorne is a lucky man and I’m one proud father,” he says, pulling me into him
.

Shit!
He’s already making me tear up again. Taking my hand, he leads me out the door.

Sweet laughter rings in my ears and I look to see baby Langston waddling over to me. At ten months old, she’s walking so well. I squat down and smile as she wraps her little arms around my neck. I swear I adore this angel as if she were my own. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who hurts her will pay dearly for it. I will totally take down some punk-ass, teenage boy one day for breaking her heart. Already a knockout at almost a year old, I have a feeling she’s the one who will be breaking hearts.

Skylar reaches for Langston’s hand and leads her to their place in line. My daddy takes my arm and smiles as he pats it. Pushing back the tears, I certainly hadn’t expected to be this emotional. My heart beats so hard as the music starts to play. Mesmerized, I watch the engraved, mahogany doors of the church open. Nik can’t see me from where I am standing, but I can see him clearly.

Fucking hell, he looks hot in that damn tux! I’m totally pulling his ass into the dressing room for a quickie before the reception.

That’s another thing about pregnancy hormones. I’m horny all the fucking time. Which, I guess you can say isn’t unusual for me anyways.

The wedding planner nods for Sophie to begin her journey down to the front of the church. The butterflies in my stomach take flight. Today seems like some magical dream, and I want nothing more than to marry this man.

Skylar looks back over her shoulder at me and winks before mouthing, “I love you.” Holding Langston’s tiny hand, my best friend walks through the doors.

For a moment, I take my eyes off my soon-to-be husband to witness Sebastian proudly take in the sight of his family. No one can ever deny the love he feels for them. I love the way he looks at Skylar. It’s the same way Nik looks at me. If you think I’m bad, you should see those two. I swear they are all over each other every chance they freaking get. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t do her in the back before this even started.

I glance back in just enough time to watch Nik’s face light up when he sees Langston standing beside Skylar. The tender smile on his face is priceless. Even from here, I can feel the love he has for our beautiful goddaughter toddling down the aisle towards him.

When the music changes, I smile. We didn’t want traditional music at our wedding. It’s why we chose Sons of Serendip’s “Wicked Game”. As I walk down the aisle, I smile at the faces of friends and family, but then my eyes land on my husband-to-be, and everyone else fades away. He’s all that matters. He is my heart, my life. My future.

My father kisses me on the cheek and shakes Nik’s hand before pulling him in for a hug. I fight tears as my daddy places my hand in Nik’s and moves to sit beside my mother. Nik squeezes my hand and brings it up to kiss. Pure love, that is all that is in his glistening dark eyes. Love meant only for me.

And as the preacher begins the ceremony, I stay lost in those eyes. For in those eyes is where I forever want to be. Once, I was wilted by love, but now? Now, I’m saved by it.

NIKOLAS

“Calm down, dude. You’re sweating bullets,” Sebastian whispers in my ear.

“Fuck off, asswipe! I remember you sweating worse than this not so long ago.

“That’s because it was ninety-eight degrees and we were on the beach.”

“Yeah, right!” I huff.

“Seriously, dude, just relax and enjoy the day.”

Adjusting my tie, I try to take his advice and calm down, but the moment we walk into the church to take our places, my nerves only get worse.

This is it. I’m gonna pass out.

“Hold it together, man, because you’re about to seriously lose your breath,” Sebastian says as he peeks above my shoulder. From where he’s standing, he can obviously see what I can’t.

As the music begins to play, I watch Sophie make her way down the aisle. A tall, muscular man in a tan suit looks at her in a way I know all too well. The problem is, another guy a few rows back is looking at her the exact same way. It seems we have a love triangle here, of sorts.

Skylar enters next with a smiling Langston holding firmly to her hand. The crowd giggles at the way my sweet Goddaughter toddles down the aisle beside her mommy.
Yep, she totally just stole the show
. Once Skylar moves to the side, I look up to see the most beautiful vision ever. To say she takes my breath away is an understatement. Standing there, in a gorgeous form-fitting gown, she looks like a dream. When she begins walking to me, I see her beautiful smile and all my fears and nerves melt away. Never taking our eyes off each other, I feel a nudge from Sebastian.