Holiday Wedding (Holiday Romance-Spicy Version #2)

41

Jenny

What’s taking so long?” I ask for the twentieth time. I pace back and forth in the maternity waiting room. It’s crowded in here. Others wait anxiously. I’m not the only one wearing a groove in the scuffed linoleum floor.

“I’m sure they’re fine,” Dean tries to reassure me. He sits in a plastic upholstered chair with his legs spread and his hands loosely braced on his knees. A table full of magazines sits next to him, with perfect families in color-coordinated outfits grinning from the covers.

I pick up a magazine, flip through it, and toss it back into the pile. “It’s been hours and hours,” I complain.

“This is lasting forever,” Marjorie agrees. “We should ask them what’s going on.” She stands, but Caleb’s dad places a hand on her arm and pulls her down.

“We checked 10 minutes ago,” he reminds her. “If they have news, they’ll come tell us.”

I shoot a quick text to Gwen’s mom, who’s back in Japan, letting her know there’s no change in the situation here. She’ll pass the message along to Gwen’s brothers. Once the baby is born, they all plan on coming to New York to visit.

After another excruciating half-hour, Caleb comes bursting into the room. His jacket and bow tie are gone. His sleeves are rolled up. He’s got the biggest, goofiest grin I’ve ever seen on his face.

“A boy,” he announces.

Surprising no one, Marjorie bursts into tears. Her husband pats her shoulder. They go to their son and share a family hug. Then it’s my turn and Dean’s to embrace Caleb. He babbles through all our congratulations, like he can’t help himself. The joy inside him radiates outward and is infectious.

“A boy,” he repeats with wonder. “Seven pounds, four ounces. He’s so small I can hold him with one hand. We’re naming him Carter. Robert is his middle name, for Gwen’s dad.” Tears shine in Caleb’s eyes and in mine, too.

“You should have seen Gwen,” he tells me. “She was so brave. I’ve always known how strong she is, but it was amazing.” He shakes his head with admiration. “I can’t believe it. I’m so lucky. The luckiest person alive.”

We talk for a while longer. Caleb lets us know he’s already called Gwen’s mom and Seth to tell them the news. He says the baby and Gwen are sleeping now, both of them tired from the birth. Once they wake up, we can go see them. He answers our questions about what the baby looks like—adorable—and if Gwen is happy—ecstatic—then exits to check on his wife and newborn.

Marjorie and her husband head to the cafeteria to get coffee, leaving Dean and me alone. For the first time since we arrived, I collapse into the seat next to him. I allow myself to slump down and rest my head on his shoulder. He runs a gentle hand over my curls. I lean into his touch and take comfort from it. He has a way of evening me out, soothing me.

“That was exhausting, and all I did was drive here,” I tell him.

He murmurs his agreement.

I sit up straight and turn to him. “I can’t wait to meet my godson.”

Dean smiles at me, the beautiful, unguarded smile that he only releases when he’s truly happy. It melts me every time I see it.

“He’s my godson, too, you know,” he reminds me, as if I could forget. We had both been so honored when Gwen and Caleb asked us to be godparents.

After they had told us, I had cried, big hitching sobs.

Gwen had come and sat down by me. “This is good news. Why are you sad?”

“It’s just that I didn’t expect it. You really have forgiven me for telling your secret, for revealing that Caleb was at your mom’s house, haven’t you?” I had inhaled, my shoulders heaving.

“Of course, I have.” Gwen had hugged me lightly. “I never think about it, and you shouldn’t either.”

Her words had healed a rift deep inside of me. With effort, I released my guilt and embraced my new role in her life. Best friend and godmother. It was a big commitment to help guide this child, but I was ready for it.

I look at Dean, so strong and handsome. “Do you ever worry,” I ask, dropping my eyes, “about if we break up. How awkward it will be, seeing each other at baby Carter’s birthdays and graduations?”

“Not really.” Dean stretches his muscular legs.

My head whips up, brows lifted with surprise. “You don’t?”

He chuckles at my expression. “Sweetheart. I know it hasn’t been that long, but only a fool would let you go. I told you before, you’re mine, and I intend to keep it that way. As a matter of fact, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

My heart leaps.

“Jenny,” Dean says, his brown eyes warm, the gold in the center sparkling, “I’ve been on my own for a very long time. I honestly thought it would be that way forever, but then you came into my life like an exercising, fast-talking, fidgeting, candy-eating tornado. You turned my world upside down in the best possible way. I’m in love with you, and I’m hoping you feel the same.”

“I love you, too.” Those words taste sweet on my lips. I’ve waited so long to say them. “I’m going to keep on loving you, going to drive you crazy, for as long as you’ll let me.”

He kisses me right there in the waiting room. A no-holding-back kiss, with his hands on my cheeks. When he pulls away, his dimple is on full display. He brushes my curls behind my shoulder and says, “I like your kind of crazy.”