Risqué Business (Club Risqué #8)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

M icah looked around at everything he and Melody had achieved here.

The cottage was transformed, but it still retained all the character that had drawn both of them to it in the first place.

It was a year later, almost to the day, and the climbing roses were blooming again, albeit now under more control. They scented the air with their delicate fragrance.

The cottage with its new paint and quaint shutters shone like a jewel in the sea of rural green pasture that it nestled within.

But today, it bustled too.

A marquee had been erected at the rear of the property and caterers rushed around adding the final touches to the English afternoon tea Melody had chosen as the theme for their wedding reception.

Micah left them to it. They knew what they were doing and didn’t need his interference.

He glanced at the cottage again. Inside Melody was getting ready, surrounded by her girlfriends who were also part of the wedding party.

Fate had smiled on them. The weather was perfect, the renovations were finished, and their mutual friends surrounded them.

In a few minutes, Melody would emerge and finally become his wife. It really was a perfect day.

“You ready for this?” Logan asked, standing with him alongside Jake, Connor, and Joel.

“I feel like I’ve been ready forever,” Micah replied with a nod. “I’d have married Melody a year ago, if she hadn’t been so set on this date and having the cottage renovated first.”

“Well, I have another bit of good news for you. I’ll share it and you can decide when the time is right to tell Melody. I don’t want to cast any shade over her big day.”

“How can good news cause shade?” Jake asked, his brow furrowing, but Micah knew. This was about Melody’s past.

He felt a moment of apprehension, but Logan had said good news, right?

“Guthrie has been found guilty of all charges…”

Relief rushed through Micah, and a weight he hadn’t even known he was carrying immediately lifted from his shoulders. Of all the perpetrators of Melody’s suffering, Guthrie had unexpectedly turned out to be the most difficult to convict. While her abductor - Vinny Sutton - had taken a plea bargain along with the others he’d incriminated, saving Melody from having to testify, Guthrie had refused to go down so easily, resulting in a long, drawn out, and emotionally traumatic trial. One at which Melody had to give evidence.

But his girl had managed magnificently. In fact, she’d found the whole process cathartic. Even though she’d been forced to relive some dreadful events, putting her nemesis behind bars had been a positive experience for her, and provided the closure she’d needed on that part of her life.

“He’s been given a maximum sentence with no chance of parole since it was clear he planned to abduct and likely murder Melody.”

Micah shuddered. When he thought of what could have happened that day…

Well, it was best not to.

The officiant stepped up to the wisteria strewn arbour, which was the focal point of the outdoor ceremony, and the music changed, bringing an end to all conversation.

Then, everything was forgotten as the rear doors to the cottage opened and Daisy, Joel and Desi’s two-year-old daughter toddled out on tottering unsteady legs, cheerfully chucking a small, chubby handful of petals at the start of the makeshift aisle, before dumping out the entire basket in one place, while her mischievous, three-year-old cousin, Jacob laughed and kicked at the small pile, sending them into the air to dance on the light breeze.

Their mothers exited behind them, and despite the serene smiles, Micah could see Charlotte muttering to her son under her breath, causing Jake to chuckle beside him.

They were followed by Luanna and Trinity, both sporting a baby bump under their specially created maternity bridesmaid dresses, and Laurel at the rear.

Micah smiled softly at the sight of the mothers-to-be, genuinely happy for his friends and their growing families, even though he could admit to being slightly envious. After a year without contraception, there was no sign of baby footprints on the horizon for him and Melody. He knew his wife-to-be had fretted about that at the start, and Micah was glad she’d had the renovations and then the wedding plans to take her mind off of her failure to conceive.

And while it might be nice to fill this sprawling cottage with the sound of children, they both knew biological children might never be an option.

But if all Micah ever got was Melody, he’d be satisfied with that.

The music reached a crescendo and Micah’s attention was filled with the beautiful, ethereal woman who now made her way towards him.

She was a vision.

Dressed in shimmering white, her hair artfully arranged in a loose updo, which had long tendrils curling around her face. The platinum tresses studded with glittering diamanté’s and seed pearls which created a halo effect in the bright sunlight.

She was his very own angel.

Micah’s breath caught in his throat and a tumult of emotion erupted in his chest as their gazes caught and held.

Not a day went by when he wasn’t thankful for this woman. He might have rescued her, but she’d given him his life back.

She walked towards him, her head held high and proud. A solitary figure, but one who was about to tie herself to him. And he would never let her be alone again.

The ceremony passed in a blur, words were said, vows were made, but throughout it all, Micah felt like he was in a dream.

His own dream-come-true.

Afterwards, speeches were given, toasts were made, cake was cut.

His heart was full.

“You look a little shell-shocked,” Melody whispered in his ear as they took to the dance floor for their first dance.

“I keep thinking I should pinch myself to see if this is all real, but if it’s not, I don’t want to wake up,” he told her, his cheek at her temple, his mouth close to her ear.

“I know how you feel, Micah. But it is real. Our happily ever after.”

“I love you so much,” Micah murmured, kissing her temple. “Nothing could ever beat this.”

She lifted her head to look at him, mischief in her violet eyes. “Never say never, my love. I think I might have something that actually might do that.”

Micah shook his head. “Impossible.”

Melody raised an eyebrow. “Really? So, you don’t think me being pregnant might be the icing on this very decadent cake then?”

Jake stopped dancing and a murmur rippled through the onlookers, but he was oblivious.

His eyes drifted to her flat belly. “Do you really… Are you…”

The words wouldn’t come.

Melody took his hand and placed it gently over her abdomen. “Yes,” she whispered, watching him with adoring eyes. “You’re going to be a daddy.”

For a second, Micah was overwhelmed. Then he came back to himself, let out a whoop, picked Melody up and swung her around.

Around them, cheers erupted, their friends clearly understanding what had occurred.

Finally, Micah put Melody down and found her lips with his own.

Yes. It really was the most perfect day.