Chapter Thirty – Prudence
Who the hell books a surprise wedding? I can’t help but think as I wait for Logan to speak. Who does things like that? This is why I’m in love with Logan, he’s different, special, just what I need. And the fact that he’s gone to all this effort to make me have the perfect day is the sweetest. He even got Alice and Becky here all the way from New York. Even though we left that life behind, it’s nice to have a little piece of it here on the most special day of my life.
“Prudence Evans, you are wonderful. Honestly, I cannot express to you how special you are. I knew it, even when we first met, but of course back then there was no way of telling how important you were going to become to me. I didn’t know that you would end up changing my life.”
I choke back a sob finding it absolutely impossible not to get emotional. I’m happy, this is the happiest day of my life, but as soon as I realized it was happening I told myself not to cry. It seems that’s going to be one promise that I don’t stand a chance of keeping! Already my cheeks are wet.
I cannot believe that I’m getting married in a bikini and board shorts. In a way, it’s weird because I know that I should be in some fancy white gown, but in another way this is me now. This is who I am all the time so why not get married looking exactly like I am? Logan is casual too, in his tee shirt and shorts, and so are all the guests so I certainly don’t stand out or anything for looking sloppy. We just look cool. This is just how it was meant to be. I mean, there are parts of it that I would change, but not the things that Logan has done, only the things that are out of both of our control.
I would have my beautiful, caring mother here and the version of my father before she passed away. It would have been awesome for that man to walk me down the aisle, but still, we’re surrounded by some kick ass friends and family. I cannot ask for more than that.
“I didn’t know that it was possible to love anyone like I do you,” he continues with a smile. “But I do. I would do anything for you, I hope you know that by now, and I vow to continue doing whatever I can for you for the rest of our lives. I will love you as you deserve to be loved, I will respect you, and make you happy, just as you do me.”
I can hear sniffles of tears all around us, which makes me clutch onto my stomach. The emotion is getting the better of me, turning me into mush. If I don’t speak out now then I’ll always regret it, even if I don’t have a damn clue what I’m going to say. Everyone understands, they know this was a shock to me so I highly doubt I’ll be judged for saying something lame.
“I might not have written my own vows,” I pipe up, surprising Logan. “But that’s fair since I didn’t know we would be doing this today, I think everyone understands that.” I hear excited murmurs from the crowd, but I keep my eyes only fixed on Logan. “So, I’m just going to speak from the heart.” I sigh deeply, preparing myself before I begin. “Logan, I might have changed your life, but you did mine as well in the best way possible. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t for you, and that’s something that we both know is true.” He can’t even deny it, because he’s seen the transformation. “You have made me the best version of myself that I can be, and I love you for that.”
He gets a bit keen and leans down to kiss me, way before Toby announces that he can… but that isn’t why I take a step back. I haven’t finished yet, there’s still something that I need to say.
“Actually, Logan.” I press my hand on his chest as I speak. “You aren’t the only one who has been keeping secrets.” As expected, he gives me a very confused look. “I didn’t mean to keep this from you I just haven’t found the right time to say it to you.” I give him a one shouldered shrug. “I suppose at our surprise wedding is as good a time as any.”
I grab onto Logan’s hand and press it to my belly. Admittedly there isn’t a bump yet but I’m sure that will come. I found out for certain this morning that I am actually pregnant after having a few weeks of feeling nauseated and just a bit different. I was going to tell him over dinner, but obviously now I don’t have to. Actually, this might be better. It wasn’t exactly something we were planning but I know for sure that he’ll be pleased. He’s keen to start a family.
Gasps burst out in the crowd, but somehow Logan doesn’t look like he quite gets it yet. I burst into giggles and shake my head, disbelieving that I’m actually going to have to tell him outright instead of waiting for him to guess. I suppose hints haven’t ever been his strong suit.
“Logan. I’m having your baby. You are going to be a father. We’re going to be parents.”
“Are you serious?” Now it’s his turn to look like the rug has been pulled out from underneath us. Every day with Logan feels like the best roller coaster ever, but there are some days that are more dramatic than others. This is definitely one of those. “You are… we are… there is…”
“Yep, I took three tests. We’re definitely one hundred percent going to have a baby.”
Maybe it isn’t the best timing since we’re in the process of starting our own business, but I think if there’s one thing that me and Logan have proven it’s that timing doesn’t really matter when you’re in love. We didn’t exactly meet at a great time, we didn’t get together at the right time, we probably even moved at the wrong time, but we’ve made it work. It’s me and him against the world and it’s worked out just perfectly. Of course there have been bumps, but what story runs smoothly?
The only thing that has come at the right time is this wedding… at least now our baby will be born into wedlock. Maybe people will think that’s why we got married, but not the important people. I’ve learned not to care about the opinions of others anyway, I’m living for me not them.
“Oh, my God. Me, you, and our little boy or girl.” Logan rubs my belly and rests his forehead against mine. “How did I end up so damn lucky? I don’t get it sometimes!”
He dips his head to mine and he kisses me with utter love and passion making my chest heat up and my heart swell with joy. I still get butterflies in my belly every time we kiss, I’m still just as attracted to and in love with him as I have been from the start of this. I don’t see any of that ever going anywhere. This love is so strong, and it’ll always be that way.
“Er, I guess you can kiss the bride!” Toby calls out. “Then let’s sod this and start partying, we have a lot to celebrate here today. A wedding and a baby. Who would have thought it?”
Everyone here might think they have a lot to celebrate, but it isn’t as much as me. I defied all the odds and ended up smack bang in the middle of a happy ever after. There was a time when I had nothing, no hope for a future, and now I have it all. The career, the man, the baby on the way, the friends to share in my joy. Logan hasn’t just given me him, he’s given me my world and for that I will always be so achingly happy that I could laugh and cry all at once. I am proof that anyone can find love and be happy, even if it comes from the strangest of places.
“I love you,” Logan whispers in among the noise, only for me to hear. “So damn much.”
“I love you too,” I cling to him as I reply. “You make me the happiest woman alive, and now we have someone else to share that love with. A baby who’s going to have a proper life.”
“A baby surrounded by love.”