“You look beautiful.” Mrs. Anderson—excuse me, Viv—pulls me in for a hug, her arms tight as she clamps me close. “So radiant! That dress is gorgeous. Ah, to be so young and in love. You’re a lucky girl.”
I pull away from her and smile, my hand going to my big belly when I feel a kick. It’s amazing, how I told Aaron Monroe that I was pregnant with his grandchild and it turned out to be true. When I said it, I didn’t really believe I was. More like I was pulling out all the stops to try and save myself.
Sometimes I wonder if subconsciously I knew. How, I don’t know, but it’s just too coincidental. And I’m not one to believe in coincidences. Not anymore.
Another kick nudges against my palm and I smile. I’m seven months along. Oh, and a married woman as of approximately ten minutes ago.
“Thank you,” I tell her, leaning in to kiss her dry, wrinkled cheek. She became ordained, got certified online just so she could marry us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. “For everything.”
She’s become a part of my family, like the grandmother I lost when I was small. She’s done so much for us, especially these last few months. Helping me out, taking care of Molly and giving her walks as I’ve become larger and so incredibly tired all the time. Will works a lot, too, sometimes going out of town, and Viv is my backup when he’s not around.
The pregnancy hasn’t always been easy. I’m exhausted a lot of the time and they discovered I was anemic. I dealt with a lot of nausea in the beginning, so the little booger was giving me trouble from the very start. But I’m close to the end now. I can’t wait to hold our baby in my arms.
“My dear, you are worth it all. Every last bit.” She pats my face and withdraws from my embrace, smiling. “Now go to your husband. He’s waiting for you.”
I turn to find he is indeed waiting for me, a patient smile on his face, his eyes filled with love, looking so handsome in black trousers and a white button-down shirt, a silver tie around his neck. I’ve never seen him so dressed up. My heart pangs and I think for the thousandth time today alone—I can’t believe he’s mine.
I go to him and he wraps me up in his arms, holding me close, his mouth against my temple. I feel him exhale, almost in relief, and I close my eyes, savoring his scent, the feel of him, warm and strong, his heartbeat steady and true. “You’re beautiful,” he murmurs into my hair.
“I’m wearing a tent of white lace,” I joke.
“Stop. You’re making fun of my bride.” He kisses me, his lips lingering. “And trust me, you’re gorgeous.”
“So are you,” I say with a happy little sigh.
“You need to get back in the house. Get some rest.” His words douse out some of my happiness, just a little bit. His worry for my health touches me but also drives me a little crazy sometimes. He’s beyond overprotective.
I guess after everything we’ve been through, I can’t blame him.
“A few more minutes?” I pull back to look at him, smiling. “Please?”
He leans in and kisses the tip of my nose. “Five. Tops.”
We’re in Viv’s backyard. That’s where we had the small ceremony, with only my mom and Brenna present, as well as Viv and Molly, who has a ring of roses around her neck, made by Viv from the flowers in her yard. A few of Will’s musician friends, including Jay, showed up as well, and we’re all moving over to our house for a very small reception dinner put together by my mom, who brought her widower friend, Len, as her date.
They’ve been seeing each other since Thanksgiving and she’s happy. Brenna’s back in the dating game and though she loves to complain to me about the guys she meets, I think she secretly likes it. She’s much more carefree, lighter. Therapy seems to have helped, too.
We are surrounded by the people who love us, and though our circle is small, we’re okay with it. We don’t need much. Really, as long as we have one another, that’s enough.
And soon, we’ll have a baby to love, too. A sweet little girl. Poor Will has nothing but females in his life, but I know he doesn’t mind. He’s excited. We’re both excited.
For once, there’s no shadow hanging over us, no ominous presence from our past chasing me, chasing him. I feel light. Happy. Free. I’m sorry that Lisa Swanson was killed, though the ratings on her show went sky high, her celebrity status firmly solidified. She’ll be forever remembered as the woman who died for the story, and I like to think that would have pleased her.
But there’s really no glory in that. She died alone on the street where I live. A little memorial was set up for her on the sidewalk for a while, until kids tore it apart late one night, destroying it completely. In the morning someone cleaned up the mess and it was gone.
Just like she is.
I’m lucky. So lucky. Somehow I survived. Aaron William Monroe is no longer a threat to us. He can’t get me. He haunted my every thought from the time I met him, when I was twelve years old, almost thirteen, until his death. All those years, wasted. All those years, living in fear.
Life is different now. He may be a part of my husband, he will be a part of our daughter, but never again can he hurt me.
In the end, I realize Aaron Monroe did bring something positive into my life. He gave me Will. And for that, as crazy as it sounds . . . I will be forever grateful to the man who kidnapped me.
I am strong.
I am loved.
I am a wife.
A mother.
I am Katherine Monroe.
And I’m not afraid anymore.