Two Years Later

The sun is bright and shining as I walk through the meadow. It feels good, being alone out here, even after all these years.

The preserve is always empty this early in the morning, and I love it. I still hike through it every day, even though I don’t really need this job anymore. I keep it just because it makes me happy and because Lucas likes to see me happy.

I reach down and run my hand over my swelling stomach, smiling to myself. Soon enough I won’t have time to be taking these long walks. I’ll have another responsibility in my life, a gorgeous, amazing responsibility. I can’t wait for Noah to have a little brother or sister.

I finish my hike, running my fingers over the bark of the trees. Laura is standing down in the parking lot, a frown on her face.

“You shouldn’t be going out alone this pregnant,” she says to me.

I laugh lightly. “It’s okay. I’m not due for another few weeks.”

“Still. You should take it easy.”

I shrug. “Doctor says it’s fine. Don’t worry. Lucas worries enough for everyone.”

She laughs and gives me a little hug. “Speaking of Lucas. He called a little bit ago, asked if you could have the morning off.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Really? Why?”

“Can’t say.” She gives me a little smile. “But you should go to the shop.”

“Is something wrong?”

She sighs, exasperated. “No, nothing’s wrong. Come on, Mia. Go see your damn husband.”

I laugh and throw my hands up. “Okay! Okay, fine. I don’t know why, though.”

Laura just waves and heads off. I’m confused, but as I climb into the car, I suddenly have an excited feeling coursing through me. I put my car into gear and start driving.

We got married a year ago. It’s not our anniversary today, so I’m not totally sure why Lucas wants me to come spend the morning with him at his shop, but I have a feeling. I’m not sure exactly, though.

Lucas’s shop is right in the center of town. It’s a flower shop, just like Alice runs. They don’t compete with each other, since they’re on different sides of town, and they both own them equally. But he runs his shop and she runs hers, though they split all the profits between them.

It’s a good system and business is booming. The economy has been really good, which means more people are getting married. And Alice is considered the best florist in town, since she can get the best wildflowers, thanks to my connections at the preserve. Laura conveniently turns a blind eye when Lucas and I go picking.

I pull up outside of the shop and park. I climb out and head inside, opening the front door and stepping through.

Normally, the shop is full of flowers, and today is no exception. But instead of displays and racks with gardening stuff, there’s just a single table in the middle of the store with my favorite local flowers lining the walls. Lucas steps out from behind the table, a grin on his handsome face.

My heart starts hammering fast in my chest. Even after being together for as long as we have, I still haven’t lost my incredible joy every time I see him. I’m pregnant with his child, I’m his wife, but I still feel like the first time we saw each other every time he steps into the room.

“Glad you could make it,” he says.

“What is all this?”

He grins at me. “Breakfast. Sit down.”

I walk over and sit down at the table. He disappears into the back then returns with a plate full of pancakes. I laugh as he puts them down and pours me a mug of coffee.

“Okay, what is all this for?” I ask him.

“Can’t a man just spoil his pregnant wife?”

I grin at him and brandish my fork, a piece of pancake stuck through the end. “Nope. Tell me.”

He laughs and sits opposite me. I eat my bite and he takes my hand, looking into my eyes.

“This is the anniversary of the first day we met. Remember?”

I laugh, nodding. “Sure. You came wanting to steal flowers from my work.”

He grins. “That’s right. And you flirted with me the whole time.”

“Did not.”

“Sure. You couldn’t help yourself. You knew, even back then, that I was going to be your Daddy.”

I bite my lip. I still get chills whenever he says that.

“You’re too much,” I say, feeling joy spread through my body.

“You’re going to have my kid soon,” he says. “We’re going to be busy. Two little kids to raise, your father to take care of, our jobs. But I just want you to know that I’ll never neglect you. I’ll never forget what’s important to me.” He leans across the table and kisses me softly. “It’s always you, Mia.”

I can’t help it. I let small tears fall from my eyes, not able to stop them. They’re tears of joy, of course. He’s the perfect man and I couldn’t have asked for more.

I never thought I’d have someone like him. He’s hardworking, handsome, smart, funny, a great father, and he makes me feel things I never thought possible. He’s my man, my Daddy, my husband, and he takes care of me. He spoils me and always makes sure that I know he loves me more than anything else.

It’s unreal, it’s amazing, and it’s perfect. This day is perfect. It’s exactly what I needed. He’s proof that I can be happy. He’s everything I need.

Lucas, Noah, my new baby, and I are a family. Alice and my father and everyone. We’re all one big, crazy family, and I couldn’t feel more blessed to have them in my life.

I kiss Lucas one more time.

“Okay,” he says. “Enough tears. Dig in.”

“I love you, you know that?”

“Of course I do. I love you too.” He kisses me again. “Now eat before it gets cold.”

I dig in and we get to talking like we always do, comfortable and right. I have my baby inside of me, ready to come at any minute, and I can’t wait.

Every day is like this. One new joy after another. I couldn’t ask for anything else.