Chapter 22

Stella

The sunset here still takes my breath away.

A million shades of pink and gold light up the sky, shining brilliantly over the dusky brown savanna.

It’s funny to think that, before coming here, I only ever felt this way about clothes.

Well, okay. And Michael, of course.

A soft breeze tugs at the hem of my dress.

It’s a simple garment, really. Ankle-length ivory that flows in the wind. No lace, no diamonds or gems. It’s certainly not the kind of thing I ever imagined getting married in.

Still, it’s perfect.

Just like him.

He stands across from me, looking like his usual gorgeous self. His slacks are some of the only nice clothes he brought, along with his white button-down.

He’s never looked better to me than he does right now.

My husband.

I guess I’m getting a little ahead of myself.

My soon-to-be-husband. Very soon.

He smiles at me, hair stirring slightly in the breeze.

He does that nearly all the time now. The smiling. And I’m always right there, smiling back at him.

I was nervous when he suggested we come here. I’ve been to a lot of places, and Africa never seemed like where I’d end up.

When he asked me, I almost refused.

Girls like me don’t go to Africa. We don’t, y’know. Belong here.

Certainly not out on the savanna doing humanitarian work.

There was something in his eyes, though. Call it hope. When the man you love looks at you like that, there’s really no option of refusing.

It meant so much to him.

I figured I might as well tag along. I could tolerate a little wilderness for him. He did save my life, after all.

I never expected what I would find once we got here.

The happiness, the simplicity, the joy of actually doing something good.

I’m a changed woman, alright? And I owe it all to him.

The crazy thing is, most days, I don’t even miss our old life.

I hardly ever even think about clothes, and I’ve given up on makeup entirely.

Things like that don’t matter out here. People do. It’s an amazing way to live.

On the rare days when I start to feel homesick, Michael is there to comfort me. He reminds me that what we’re doing here really counts. That we’re saving lives.

I took to assisting him right away. It’s one thing to know that the man you love is a hero, another entirely to see it in person.

He’s amazing. The way he cares for people, the way he takes care of people. I found myself jumping in immediately.

Sometimes I even act as his nurse. It’s a far cry from surgeon, but who knows, maybe I’ll get there one day.

He moves a step closer to me, the setting sun glowing gold where it touches his skin.

I have to fight the urge to kiss him. We’re not at that part yet.

His blue eyes travel down me, stopping like they so often do on my stomach.

I’ve grown substantially since coming here, and I don’t even mind.

I feel the baby kick as he reaches out, placing a hand on my swollen belly.

Our baby.

I really am the luckiest woman alive.

“I do,” he says, eyes rising to meet mine.

I echo his words—the easiest decision I’ve ever made.

Just like that, he really is my husband.

Not soon-to-be, not a fantasy, and for damn sure not my owner.

My husband.

He pulls me toward him, dipping me slightly at the waist.

It’s one of my all-time favorite kisses, tied for first with every other kiss we’ve shared.

Our few guests, mostly locals we’ve befriended, cheer in delight.

They’ve been calling us married since we arrived. It’s about time we made it official.

The smile on his face when he pulls back from me brings tears to my eyes.

I can’t believe I’m the one who put it there.

I smile back, fighting away the tears.

I’ve never been happier in my life.

The reception is simple, like everything in our lives now. It’s not anything like I would have planned before, but there’s music and food, good people, and strong drinks. Or so I’m told.

I won’t lie—wine is one thing I do miss.

After the party dies down, we sit together by the fire.

Above us, billions of stars shine in the night sky.

When we first arrived, I think it was the stars that surprised me the most.

I was born and raised in cities, I traveled to other cities…I really never knew there were so many stars. Countless, limitless, stretched as far as the eye can see.

Even now, I’m amazed.

Michael squeezes my hand, drawing my attention back to him.

“Can’t get used to it, can you?”

I laugh. “Why would I wanna do that?”

He nods in understanding.

“One of the mid-wives told me she thinks it’s a boy,” he says, looking again at my stomach.

My hand goes to the bump there instinctively.

“Really? I don’t know, feels like a girl.”

“You just want it to be.” he replies, laughing.

“No, I don’t care which it is, as long as it’s healthy…and it’s ours.”

“Well, it’s definitely ours. You’ve felt how it kicks.”

“Damn right. I blame you for it, though.”

“Me?!”

“Uh, yeah. You just had to go throwing those strong, sexy genes around!”

His laughter echoes in the silence.

“Well, I don’t care who they take after… as long as they don’t get your attitude.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh.

He scoots closer to me, and I rest my head against his chest, the steady beat of his heart feeling like home.

“I love you, Michael.” I say, almost a whisper.

“I love you, too.” he replies.

We sit there for a long time, stars beaming, wind rusting the grass around us.

It feels like the future is incredibly bright.

Probably because it is.

I feel our baby kick inside me as Michael holds me tight.

I guess good things really do come in big packages…

And little ones, too.