I close my eyes tighter and press my legs together the best I can to temper down the throb that’s started in my core. When I open my eyes, I’m almost bent backwards and Kenton still hasn’t stood up.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, looking at everyone watching us.

He presses his h*ps into my waist, letting me know why we’re stuck. After a second, he stands us up and wraps his arms around me.

“How long until you can walk without me guarding you?” I ask him while trying not to laugh out loud.

“Glad you think this is funny, babe, but I have no idea how I’m going to make it through the rest of this party. You in that dress is a recipe for blue balls,” he mumbles, giving me a squeeze. “If the cameraman wasn’t at the end of the aisle waiting to capture this moment, I would say f**k it, but I don’t think I want our kids looking at our wedding album one day and asking what’s wrong with my pants.”

I start to laugh and bury my face in his chest. It takes a minute or two for me to get my laughter under control, and by the time I’ve calmed down, his hard-on is no longer pressing into me. I tilt my head back and he leans down, kissing me one more time. This time when his mouth leaves mine, his hand goes behind my back and his other under my legs. I squeal as he lifts me into the air, shouting, “My wife!” More applause breaks out and I shake my head, looking out over the crowd at everyone I have come to know and love.

I look around the backyard and smile. It’s now dark, and there are twinkling white lights running overhead across the entire area. The center of the yard has been turned into a dance floor with tables set up along the edge, each with a large centerpiece in the middle made out of large glass bowls with candles floating in them and stones at the bottom that match the forget-me-nots and white roses I carried in my bouquet. The whole backyard looks like something out of a romance novel.

“I’m so happy for you and Kenton,” November says, bouncing April, one of her little girls, on her thigh while another runs around us.

Her and Asher’s other kids are off running around with the rest of the kids at the party. Kenton told me that the Maysons are trying to take over the world with their offspring, but I didn’t believe him until there were kids running around the backyard.

“Thank you,” I tell her, smiling at the little girl on her lap. She holds her hands out for me to take her, and I look at November, who nods. “Hi.” I smile, looking into her cute little face.

She pats my cheek with her hand then pulls herself closer to me, laying her head against my chest. I feel tears start to sting my nose then look around when I feel someone watching me. My eyes meet Kenton’s and his go from mine to the little girl, who is now fighting to keep her eyes open as she plays with the stones of the necklace I’m wearing.

“Looks like you’re going to be joining the club soon,” November says.

“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” I murmur before looking down at the sleeping baby girl in my arms then over at Kenton, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me. The look in his eyes makes my belly flutter, and the word, “Maybe,” comes out of my mouth before I can think better of it.

November starts to laugh, and I look at her and smile.

“Autumn, you’re needed out on the dance floor,” I hear through the speakers set up around the backyard.

My eyes go to the dance floor, and Kenton is standing there in the center with his hand reaching out to me. I get up from my chair, handing a sleeping April to her mom. I walk to the dance floor, my stomach in knots. When my fingers touch Kenton’s, his hand wraps around mine and he pulls me into him just as All of Me by John Legend starts to play. Tears fill my eyes as I listen to the lyrics of the song. When Kenton’s lips whisper words of how he loves all my curves, edges, and imperfections, my face goes into his chest and the lyrics of the song sing to my soul like they were written just for us.

When the song ends, Kenton looks over my shoulder and nods, and I turn my head to see who he’s looking at. Sid is standing off to the side, his hands in his suit pockets. I put out my hand to him and he shakes his head, walking towards me. He saved my life the night I was shot. If he hadn’t been there, I have no doubt I would have been shot again. I put my hand in Sid’s as I feel Kenton kiss my hair. He still doesn’t like Sid, but he now tolerates him.

I finish my dance with Sid and go right to Kenton. His arms wrap around me and I look up into his eyes, saying a silent, “Thank you.”

The rest of the night is a complete blur. I don’t know if I will ever be able to get my shoes off; they feel like they are imbedded into my feet. I have laughed and danced more tonight than I ever thought possible. When all the men went to the dance floor, I almost fell out of my seat laughing, watching them dance to Larger Than Life by the Backstreet Boys. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect night.

“You’re not going to fall asleep on me, are you?” Kenton asks as he kisses the top of my hair.

“No way. I want to see where we’re going for our honeymoon,” I tell him, leaning my head back to see his face.

“You won’t know until we land.”

“What do you mean?” I know they tell you where you’re going when you check in at the airport.

“Sven’s letting us borrow his plane as a wedding present.”

“Wait. So you’re telling me we’re going on a private plane?” I ask, my mouth hanging open.

“What can I say? I’ve always been curious about the mile high club,” he says with a shrug. A smile forms on my lips and his eyes drop to my mouth. “You like that idea?”

“I kinda can’t wait to show you your surprise,” I reply.

“If it has anything to do with you na**d, then I can’t wait either.” He bends down, pressing his mouth to mine.

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” I say breathlessly when his mouth leaves mine.

By the time we get into Kenton’s car and head to the airport for our honeymoon, my eyes are so heavy that I’m not sure how I will keep them open. I make it onto the plane and find a seat as Kenton talks to the stewardess and pilot. I can’t imagine living the life Sven does, but he always seems so down to earth. I adjust my wedding dress and lean my head back, just wanting to close my eyes for a few minutes before I go take the dress off.

I wake up, feeling a kiss to my lips then forehead. My eyes slowly open and Kenton’s face is the first thing I see before I look around, seeing the sun streaming through a set of open doors. Bits and pieces of last night come back to me, but most of it is hazy.

“I missed all the good stuff, didn’t I?” I ask.

“You slept like the dead, babe.” He chuckles, kissing my nose.

“I even slept through you taking off my dress.” I close my eyes in disappointment. I had on a beautiful, strapless, lace bra and panties that matched it. I know he says that he loves my plain undergarments, but even I thought I looked hot in what I had on under my dress.

“I loved the lace, but I prefer you as you are now,” he says softly, his hand moving under the sheet along my belly then up, cupping one breast before traveling down to run along the top of my pubic bone. His tongue runs over my nipple and he pulls away, blowing on it and watching as it puckers. “Yes, I love you like this.”

He smiles, pulling my nipple into his mouth. This time, the heat has me arching back and grabbing a handful of his hair. His mouth travels from my breast, up my neck, and to my mouth, where he kisses me deeply as his tongue delves into my mouth. His long, thick fingers slide between my folds and down over my cl*tbefore entering me, curling up, and then hitting that spot that makes my toes start to curl.

“Yesssss,” I hiss.

“Already so hot and wet for me.” He bites my earlobe before licking and sucking down my neck. He moves so that his body is over mine and his thighs are pushing mine apart. His hands hold each of mine, pulling them up near my head. I lift up, biting into his chin. His mouth takes mine, and I moan when I feel the head of his c**k touch my cl*tbefore it lowers, bumping against my entrance. Then the tip slips inside before pulling out, going too far. My mouth pulls from his and I try to lift my hands, wanting to grab his ass to pull him into me.

“Please,” I beg.

“So sweet,” he whispers, bending his head, biting and sucking one nipple before moving to the other one and torturing it the same way.

My hands are fighting to get free, wanting so badly to grab him. His hands shift to hold on to my wrist, forcing my hands flat down on the bed. His h*ps shift forward and he enters me again, this time thrusting fast and hard. My h*ps rise up to meet his, my legs wrapping around his waist.

I start to feel that deep tingle in my core, but just when I know I’m going to come, he pulls out, his hands release mine, and his body shifts. Then his hands push my thighs farther apart and his mouth lands on my center, pulling my cl*tbetween his lips. I come on a scream, my hands holding on to his hair as I ride out my orgasm.

His mouth lifts, and before I even come down from my high, he flips me to my elbows and knees and his hand slides up my spine to the back of my neck, pressing my head deeper into the mattress. Then his hands go to my h*ps and lift them higher, and he surges deep inside on a swift thrust.

“God, yes,” I moan and start to get up on my hands when they are grabbed from the mattress, pulled behind my back, and used to pull me back into him so hard that the slapping of his skin against mine causes a slight sting against my ass.

“Give it to me, baby. Give me what I want.” He thrusts harder, and this time when I start to feel the pull to come, he releases my hands and pulls me up against his chest. His mouth moves to my ear. His hands separate, one zeroing in on my clit, the other pulling one nipple. I come hard and fast, bucking against him. “Fuck, yes,” he mumbles in my ear, his thrusts slowing until he plants himself deep inside me, where I can feel him pulsing.

His hand releases my breast, traveling up my neck and turning my face towards his before he takes my mouth in a deep kiss. He pulls out of me, making me whimper, then flops down on the bed, pulling me down on top of him. I lie there in silence for a few minutes, listening to the sound of water while feeling the slight breeze coming from outside glide across my damp skin.

“Where are we anyways?” I ask, getting up on an elbow so I can look down at him.

“Go look out the door.” He smiles, and I debate on whether or not I want to get up before pulling myself away from him.

I find his shirt at the end of the bed and quickly slip it on over my head before walking to the doors. The closer I get to the doors, the brighter it gets outside. My breath catches as I take in the view before me. There is a pink beach that leads to water so blue that it looks like a painting.

“Oh my God,” I whisper and feel hands slide around my waist. My hands slide over Kenton’s and I tilt my head back so I can look into his eyes. “Where are we?”

“The Bahamas.” He smiles, bending down to kiss my mouth.

“Is the beach pink or are my eyes playing tricks on me?”

“It’s pink.”

“Wow.” Who would have thought there was a place in the world with pink-sand beaches?

“What do you say you put on that bikini I saw in your bag and we go snorkeling?” he asks.

I smile and nod before completely turning around in his arms. “Thank you for this.” I get up on my tiptoes, press my mouth to his, and then duck under his arm, running back into the room so I can put my suit on. I hear him laugh and the sound only makes me smile bigger.

The rest of our honeymoon is spent either in bed or on the beach. I can’t imagine it being any more perfect.

*

“Babe, get the door!” Kenton yells from his office.

I roll my eyes and drop the shirt I was folding to the bed. “You could say please!” I yell back, bouncing down the stairs with Tubs right behind me. I hear him laugh but don’t hear him say please.

We have definitely fallen into the role of a married couple—except I don’t cook or clean. We have a housekeeper who comes once a week, and Kenton cooks dinner most nights, because anytime I get near a stove, it’s a recipe for disaster.

I swing the front door open and my world tilts. “Mom,” I whisper in shock. Before I realize what’s happening, her hand is coming across my face in a slap so hard that my head flies to the side.

“How dare you?” she hisses, lifting her hand again. I can hear Tubs going crazy.

“I have never hit a woman in my life, but I will tell you right now. You touch her again and I will put you down,” Kenton growls while stepping between my mom and me.

My hand hasn’t moved from my cheek. I can still feel the sting of her slap, and my body heats up. My vision blurs—not with tears, but with rage. I have been through hell and she shows up here not out of concern, but out of self-preservation. I know exactly why she’s here.

Kenton found my father not long after we got home from our honeymoon. At first, I wasn’t going to contact him, but after a long talk with Kenton and Nancy, I decided I had nothing to lose. If he didn’t want to talk to me or have a relationship with me, it wouldn’t hurt any more or any less than if I didn’t reach out to him. So I called him, and to say he was adamant that I was a scammer is an understatement.

It wasn’t until Justin sent him a copy of my medical records that he called me back. He told me that my mom told him that I’d died when I was three and that I had been cremated. He said that he still had the urn that he believed my ashes were held in. He explained that my mom moved out of the area they lived in a few days after she dropped off what was supposed to be my remains to him, and he never heard from her again.