New Life
Amanda
As she always knew it would be, her wedding was the best day of her life. She and Jason were bound as husband and wife on the beaches of Cartagena. They were renowned for their beauty and with the endless sand, lush vegetation, and crystal sparkling waters meeting an endless blue sky, it was easy to see why.
Though she’d gone to great lengths to make some friends, their wedding was small, just the two of them, her mother and of course their son.
Amanda tilted her face up to receive Jason’s kiss while her mother cheered happily and Ross made little baby noises of excitement not more than six feet away. She and Jason were both dressed simply. He wore a black pressed dress shirt and black slacks while she opted for a knee length simple, flowy white dress. They both stood barefoot in front of the justice who performed the ceremony.
It didn’t matter that she wasn’t wearing an expensive wedding gown or that her hair had been hastily curled that morning or that she wore little makeup. Jason still looked at her like she was a princess.
He pulled away, blue eyes glistening like the sea behind him.
They turned as one to face Joan and Ross. Amanda was wrapped up in a warm hug from her mother while Ross grinned and babbled and drooled away in Jason’s arms.
When Joan pulled away she fanned herself and glanced up at the sun overhead. “My goodness, it’s hot. I think I’ll take Ross and head back to the room, maybe try and see if he wants a nap.” She winked at Amanda and she had never been more thankful for her mother’s insight. They were staying at a resort for a week for their marriage, Joan and Ross in one room, Amanda and Jason in the room backing it.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “We really appreciate everything.”
Joan dropped her voice and whispered in Amanda’s ear. “I’m so happy for you, honey. So very happy!” She turned before Amanda could start bawling and held out her arms for her grandson. Jason handed him over. Ross greeted his grandmother with a special smile.
The justice the resort used for weddings departed as well, after well wishes. Jason moved slowly to stand behind Amanda and together they watched Joan’s retreating figure, getting further away from the beach and closer to the villa paths that would take her to their rooms.
“This was perfect,” Amanda whispered. She blinked away tears of happiness before she turned and wrapped her arms around Jason’s neck. “I’m so glad you are my husband. Finally.”
“Wife,” Jason said slowly, savoring the word. His eyes burned right through her. “I like the way that sounds. It never would have happened if you hadn’t fought for me.”
“It hasn’t been an easy road and we know that there will still be bumps along the way, but I’ve never once doubted my love. Or yours.”
“You are truly a saint, wife.”
Amanda laughed. “Far from it. I just know my heart, and like I’ve told you so many times before, my heart is yours.”
Jason wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, tugging her in against the hard planes of his body. The fighter’s body. He was her fighter now.
“And mine belongs to you. I tried once, to drive you away and I wasn’t able to. I thought of leaving you, but you fought for me. You showed me how to live again. It is because of you that I’m here at all, that I have a heart at all, that I know what true happiness and love are.”
“I’m glad to hear it, since you just promised me forever and it’s a promise I’ll always hold you to.”
Jason grinned. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.” His eyes took on a wicked gleam. “The only way I could imagine you more beautiful than you are right now is if that dress was sitting in a pile on the floor and your legs were wrapped around my-”
Amanda leaned forward, standing on her tiptoes, to whisper his name in his ear, a name that she rarely used unless it was just them. “Jason! We’re still in a public place. We can’t go back to the room yet!”
“And why not?” Jason’s lips turned up in a grin, devilment shining in his eyes.
“Because if we go back to the room right away, we won’t leave it and I very much wanted to enjoy a walk down the beach.”
“If you insist.” Jason sighed with mock disappointment.
His arms fell away and Amanda took a step back. She extended her hand and Jason’s warm palm slid into hers. They walked together, slowly, in no hurry at all, the sand warm under their bare feet and infinitely soft. The breeze blew off the never ending water, cooling the sweat on her brow and the nape of her neck. The smell of salt water hung heavy in the breeze. She couldn’t imagine a more beautiful place on earth.
This was her version of heaven, the beauty of nature all around her, her mother and her son at the resort, the man she loved more than anything on earth by her side.
“If we remember the past, this becomes even prettier and more wonderful. For almost not having it.” She glanced askance at Jason, who slowed his pace further.
He cleared his throat. “I suppose you’re right.”
“I know you still dream about it.”
“I never can hide anything from you.”
“You don’t need to. You know that you can share anything with me. You can tell me anything. Bare your heart and soul and I’ll always be by your side, walking through it with you, holding your hand. We’ll always be together. We were made for each other.”
“Do you believe in that? Being made for someone?”
“Like fate or destiny?”
“I guess so.”
“Before all this, before I even met you, I would probably have said that I didn’t. But that’s because I wasn’t with you. I didn’t know how amazing being with the right person feels. I didn’t know what it was like for the sun to rise and set on that person. If you weren’t in my world, my entire life would be black and white. Not color. You’re the vibrancy of my soul. You’re everything to me.”
Jason’s voice was choked with emotion when he finally spoke. His fingers tightened around hers. “That was a very kind thing to say.”
“And completely true.”
“And completely true.” He stopped walking and used her hand to guide her in front of him, so she faced him again. “I love you, wife. You and you alone. My life wouldn’t be a life without you. You saved me time and again. You save me every single day. Without you, I would be nothing.”
Amanda’s smile was so wide it could have cracked her face. “Hopefully you’ll be happy with my news then. I know how hard it is for you to share me.”
Jason’s smile faded and his eyes grew round with surprise. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yes. I’m sure. One month along. Ross is going to have a baby brother or sister.”
She waited for her news to sink in, for the shock to wear off. She wasn’t disappointed when it did. Jason’s smile was so wide it lit up the entire beach. He was brighter than the sun itself. “You’ve truly made me the happiest man in the world. Every day you do something that surprises me. I don’t honestly mind sharing you that much, if it’s with our children.”
Jason’s eyes twinkled and she had the strangest feeling he was keeping something from her. “What is it?”
He shrugged. “Well, I was going to save this as a surprise for when we got back from our honeymoon, but in light of your news, I think I should tell you now.”
He knew full well that she couldn’t stand the suspense of a surprise. “What is it?” She gasped, clasping his hands tightly. “You have to tell me now.”
A throaty, rich chuckle rose up in the air as Jason’s grin grew wider yet. “My darling, I’ve found us the perfect house on the most beautiful property in the world. It reminds me a little of paradise. The house is amazing. Three bedrooms, one for each of our children now. There is a smaller guest house for your mom, a chicken coop, a huge garden, fruit trees… it’s away from the city in a quiet area but not so remote that we can’t still get groceries or medical care. It really is the most amazing opportunity.”
“And you went ahead and bought it? Without my even saying so or seeing it?” Amanda huffed.
“Of course.” Jason’s chuckle turned into an outright laugh. “Of course, my love, because I know what you desire most in the world.”
“What I desire most in the world, is you,” Amanda whispered, for his ears alone. “You’re right. I could never be mad. Not only do I trust you with my life, I trust you with my heart. I know that the place you would move us to would be the place where we can grow and love as a family. Everything else, all the details, are just secondary.”
“I seem to remember a few items on your checklist. Indoor plumbing. Running water.”
He ducked when she sent a mock slap his way. Her hand fell uselessly, landing on his upper arm.
“That’s hardly a list at all!”
The truth was, she couldn’t wait to see their new home and Jason knew it. She knew full well he’d been looking and she did trust him. “The only item on my list is that we are all together and healthy and that you love me.”
“This is the start of our forever, Amanda. From this day, truly, for the rest of our lives we will have peace and happiness and love. I promise.” Eyes liquid with simmering heat and passionate desire, Jason bent his head and claimed Amanda’s lips.
Her heart rate accelerated, blood sang through her veins and that heavy pooling of desire unfurled in her stomach. She tasted the promise in Jason’s kiss. The anticipation. It was beautiful. Every second of their life together was utter utopia.
“You know,” she panted when he pulled away. “I think I wouldn’t mind going back to our room after all.”
His grin was all the answer she needed. She threaded her hand through his once more and let him lead her towards the lifetime of love and happiness they would share.
The End