32. Sophie

CHAPTER 32

SOPHIE

N oah loved her?

Her mind was still taking it all in. After everything she'd heard him say to his father and what he was saying now, she was confused.

"You told me that you didn't love me…" Her voice was so low it was almost a whisper.

"I know. I was scared. But I'm not anymore. Sophie, I need you in my life. I want to drink coffee with you in the morning, I want to teach you how to golf, I want us to explore that little island together… And I want to marry you and raise this child together."

"You do?"

"Yes, but not like this."

Sophie's heart dropped slightly.

Noah squeezed her hand. "I saw your scrapbook in the garbage last night."

Oh.

"This wedding is nice, but it's not perfect. It's not what you deserve. You deserve blue and white flowers, and gold platters. And you deserve my grandmother's ring. I want to marry you someday, Sophie. For real . No more pretending."

Sophie giggled, then. "For real?"

Noah smiled down at her. "For real," he confirmed.

"Okay, but that means you have to propose again," she teased.

"Hey, that dandelion was the real deal," Noah joked. He clutched his chest pretending to look wounded.

Noah loved her back. Sophie couldn't comprehend the level of joy she was feeling right now. This was all she ever wanted and needed.

She leaned in and kissed him passionately, and Noah kissed her back, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she answered before kissing him again.

Noah set her down gently on the floor. Sophie's cheeks felt bruised from smiling so hard.

"Now what?" she asked.

Noah released a breath. "Well for starters, we need to tell everyone that the wedding is off. For now. And then I say we go and enjoy our honeymoon."

"Mhmm. I like the sound of that. But first…" She grinned. Her body was completely energized from the kiss and Noah's confession. "We could enjoy a little premarital relations?" She slowly removed her robe, revealing a simple slip beneath it.

Noah smiled wickedly and locked the door. "What's another ten minutes?"

For the first time in a long time, it felt like Sophie could breathe. She felt utterly content as she reached over and grabbed Noah's hand. They had just taken their seats. It was the first time she had ever flown first-class.

"I can't believe we're going to Europe!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"It's going to be great." Noah kissed her hand and rested it on his lap.

She could picture it now, the two of them basking in the sun together, trying new restaurants, and boating over the European sea. It was a dream come true.

"Too bad there will be no pi?a coladas involved." Sophie frowned playfully. "Guess that means we'll have to come back."

Noah laughed and placed a hand on her stomach. "I'm sure Junior here would enjoy the beach."

She raised a brow, "Junior?"

"Hey, you're the one who can't decide on a name."

She smiled. "That's fair."

Noah pretended to think. "We could always name him Matt."

"Not funny." Sophie slapped him playfully but there was a smile on her face.

"You know, I think I'm starting to feel a bump in there."

Sophie grinned, she had noticed too when she was getting dressed this morning. "I guess we'll definitely have to wait till the baby comes to get married."

"There's no rush," he told her. "We have all the time in the world."

It had been three days since they'd called off the wedding. Everyone had taken the news surprisingly well, though her own family had been a bit shocked when Sophie revealed the truth. In the end, they only wanted what was best for her and Noah.

Richard had left the only minutes after the announcement but Sophie was hopeful that he would come around eventually. Noah seemed to take his leaving hard, but was handling it well.

And now they were off on their own adventure, the first of many to come. There was no longer any stress between her and Noah. No more wondering or hoping. Now that they knew they loved each other, they could simply enjoy being together.

The flight attendant came by and told them the plane was ready for takeoff. Sophie reached for Noah's hand again, beyond excited to write the next chapter of their story together.