Epilogue

EPILOGUE

KING

Two Months Later

I pull at my suit jacket and stare out at the crowd. It seems like everyone is here. Well, everyone except for my brother, Ledger. He's somewhere in a foreign country, and he couldn't make it back in time. But Holden, Dom, Gabe, and Chrissy are all here, and they know what my plans are for tonight. It's supposed to be a party, celebrating Haven and my marriage, but I'm hoping it's more. My wife is laughing with her friends, and I try to hide my nervousness as I walk over to her. As I get to her, I put my arms around her, and she leans into me. "Hey, wife. "

She smiles up at me. "Hey, husband."

I look at her friend, Cassie. "Thank you for putting this all together. It's perfect."

Cassie claps her hands together, and I know she's excited because she knows what's about to happen. Hopefully, Haven will just think it's because of the party she's so happy.

The community center is full. No matter how hard I tried, Haven was determined to have the party here. I'm hoping she won't regret it later. As I look around, I'm amazed at the transformation of the place.

I hold my hand out to her. "Want to come up front with me? I need to make a speech."

She scrunches up her nose. It's always amazing to me how she's a model, but she doesn't like to have attention on herself. But she puts her hand in mine. "I'll go anywhere with you, Mr. Beckett."

As we make our way to the front, people stop us to congratulate us, and I can't help thinking about how different my life is now with Haven in it. I was just getting by before she came along. Yeah, I had money, more money than I'll ever need, but nothing compares to having Haven's love. She has made my whole life better .

When we finally make it to the front, Callan is standing there with a microphone, and he pins it to my shirt. I turn to the crowd and start to talk. "Hey, everybody. Can I get your attention?"

People stop talking, and with Haven's hand in mine, I thank everyone for coming. "Haven and I wanted to thank each and every one of you for joining us today. You know, she became my wife a few months ago in a rushed ceremony. I was so afraid she'd change her mind that I sort of sprang it on her. I don't regret anything about that day, in my mind it was perfect."

I turn and look at my wife and continue talking. "I know you said that you didn't need the big wedding, but I'm hoping you'll humor me. We don't have any pictures from our wedding, since none of our family or friends were there to witness it."

"I was there," Chrissy hollers out.

I chuckle. "Well, my sister was there, of course, but I want us to do it again and do it right this time." I get down on one knee. "Haven, you are everything to me, and I love our life together. I know that you are already my wife, but I'm hoping that you'll marry me in front of our family and friends. Will you marry me… again? "

Haven looks so happy, and it's only then that I knew I made the right decision. I don't know why this is so important to me. Maybe I still worry that I cheated her with our rushed wedding in our living room.

She goes to her knees in front of me and wraps her arms around my neck. "You know I will, King. I love you."

I hold on to her as the room erupts in cheers.

I help her up, and Holden comes forward. I put my hand on my brother's shoulder. "I hope you're okay with it. Holden's going to walk you down the aisle to me."

Her eyes are shiny with wetness as she looks at Holden. "Thank you. I would love that."

In most people's eyes, my brother is considered a player, but he is completely enamored by my wife and is taking his job very seriously. He looks at Haven proudly. "No, sweetie, it will be my honor to do it." There's been a change in my brother recently. A few weeks ago, he told me he was jealous of what Haven and I have, and he wants to settle down. It's hard for me to picture, but I'm ready for him to prove me wrong.

I kiss Haven. "I'll be right here waiting for you."

She walks away with Holden, and I take my place next to the pastor, who is now standing in the front. My other brothers stand next to me, and after I hug each of them, I wait for my wife to come.

The music comes on, and my sister Chrissy walks out first. Next, Haven's friend Cassie walks down the aisle. When they're both at the front, I take a deep breath as the wedding march comes over the speakers. Everyone stands up, but I only have eyes for Haven. Someone has attached a veil to her head, and she and Holden make their way down the aisle. I meet them at the end, and Holden kisses her cheek and grasps my shoulder. Then I take my wife in my arms.

The pastor performs the ceremony, and I can't take my eyes off my beautiful wife. When it's time to put the ring on her finger, she gasps when she sees the four-carat ring I picked out for her. She moves her first wedding band to her other hand, and I put the new one on her finger. As soon as the pastor pronounces us husband and wife, I take her in my arms and kiss her until we're both breathless.

After the ceremony, we stand at the back of the room as everyone comes and congratulates us. There's food, dancing, laughter, and fellowship. The night is perfect .

When Haven and I are dancing, I hold her close. "Were you surprised?"

"Yes, I had no idea, and I loved it. I can't believe you planned all this."

"Chrissy and Cassie were a big help."

"I still can't believe it. Thank you for thinking of it. I love that we're getting to celebrate with all our family and friends."

Haven

I am still shocked that he was able to pull this off. I have my own surprise that I planned to tell him later, but now seems a good as time as any.

"I have something for you too."

"You didn't have to get me anything. Having you as my wife is more than enough."

I laugh and loop my arms around his neck. My body is flush with his, and his manhood is digging into my belly, but I don't care if the room is full of people, I'm going to enjoy this. "I think you're going to want this, King."

He locks his hands at my back. "Of course I'll want anything you give me."

I lean up to tell him. My lips graze his ear, and he trembles. I laugh. "Hold still. You don't want to miss this." I lean into his arms. "You're going to be a dad."

He freezes and pulls back to look in my face. "What did you just say?"

I am smiling ear to ear. "You're going to be a dad. I'm pregnant, King."

His hands go to my waist. "We're going to have a baby?"

He's stunned, and I nod my head. "Yes."

He picks me up in his arms and swings me around in circles. He stops suddenly, puts me on my feet, and then places a hand to my belly. "Oh my God, I'm sorry. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?"

"We're fine. It's okay."

He starts to lead me off the dance floor. "Should you sit down?"

I smack his chest playfully. "Oh no, Mr. Beckett. You are not going to get fussy. I'm good. I'm feeling good. I may have to take time off from modeling for a while, but—"

He searches my eyes worriedly. "Are you okay with that?"

I bite my lip and nod. "Yeah. I told you that I was going to retire soon. It just may be sooner than later. I'm good with it, King. I'm about to have our baby. "

He clenches his eyes closed, overcome with emotion. "Thank you, Haven. Thank you for showing me what true love is. Thank you for loving me and not giving up on me. I love you so much."

"I love you, too."