CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Indiana
The devastation I see on Carter’s face hurts. A lot. Sure this wasn’t planned. To be honest I’m not sure how I feel about it, but the look on his face pisses me off. I’m not sure if I want to cry or punch him. He hasn’t said a word to me all the way home.
“Carter. I’m sorry,” is all I say reaching for his hand. This wasn’t planned he’s got to know that.
“We have to get married,” he replies, taking his eyes off the road to glance at me. Umm, no.
“I’m not marrying you just because I’m pregnant, Carter,” I snap. That’s ridiculous. He pulls the car immediately over to the curb, screeching to a stop.
“You don’t want to marry me?” he asks in a whisper as the colour drains from his face.
“Eventually maybe, but not now.”
“What? Why?” I can see the hurt etched into his features and it makes me feel bad. Of course I’d hoped one day we would get married, but I’m not going to force him into marrying me just because we’re going to have a baby.
“Because it’s ludicrous to get married just because of this,” I state.
“Bullshit,” he snaps. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself. Turning my body in my seat, I face him and reach for his hand again.
“Look, Carter. I’m not going to force you into marrying me just because I’m pregnant. That’s wrong. I want you to marry me because you want to, not because you feel you have to.”
“For fuck sake, Indiana. I want to marry you,” he says raising his voice.
“Eventually maybe, but not now. You only said it because I’m pregnant.”
“We’re getting married, Indiana, and that’s final.” He lets go of my hand and starts the car again before pulling into the traffic. God he’s infuriating sometimes.
“Like hell we are,” I spit. I turn my face to look out the passenger side window when I see his head snap in my direction. This conversation is over.
When we pull up outside the tattoo parlour, I immediately get out of the car and start walking towards the clinic. “Where are you going?” he calls out.
“To work,” I reply without turning around. He made me sit at that damn doctor’s surgery for over two hours. I’m behind now.
••••
My head is all over the place as I try and concentrate on the job. I feel awful about what happened with Carter. I’ve been tempted to go next door for the past few hours, but it’s probably best we both calm down first. We can hash it out tonight. One thing is for sure; he will not be forcing me into marrying him.
When Mrs. Kennedy and her cat, Felix, leave, Meg knocks on my door. “Are you gonna tell me what’s going on?” she asks placing her hands on her hips. She’s been trying to get it out of me since I came back from the doctors.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out. She’s going to find out soon enough anyway.
“What? Oh. My. God,” she squeals throwing her arms around me. “Why are you in such a mood then? Aren’t you happy?”
“I’m happy, but shocked. It wasn’t planned.”
“So, who cares? You and Carter love each other. You’ll make great parents. You’ve only gotta look at the way you guys treat LJ to know that.”
“He wants to get married now,” I say sighing.
“No fucking way. He proposed?”
“More like demanded. I’m not marrying him just because I’m pregnant,” I snap.
“Why?” she asks, giving me a strange look.
“Because it’s preposterous.”
“It is not. It makes perfect sense,” she says, rolling her eyes like I’m being ridiculous. “You know why he’s doing this right? The bastard thing.”
“I know,” I reply. “People have children out of wedlock all the time these days. It’s no big deal.”
“It’s a big deal to him. You know how he is, Indi. He’s not going to let you win this.” That’s what I’m afraid of. I don’t want him to feel like he has to marry me.
When Meg leaves, her words play on my mind. The thought of being married to Carter excites me, but I don’t want to rush into things. I don’t want to get married for all the wrong reasons.
Not even ten minutes pass before she’s knocking on my door again. “A delivery just arrived for you,” she says smirking. I roll my eyes because I can tell by the look on her face it has something to do with Carter.
I follow her out to the reception area where I find an older man holding a huge bouquet of white roses. “Sign here,” he says before passing them to me.
When he leaves, I place them on the counter and remove the card.
To my fiancée, Indiana,
I love you.
I love our baby.
I can’t wait to marry you.
Love your fiancé, Carter.
As sweet as that card is, it pisses me off to no end. I can’t help but laugh at his brazenness. Meg was right; he’s not going to give up without a fight. I pull my phone out of my coat pocket, and send him a text.
Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful. I’m sorry about before. I hate fighting with you. I love you, but I haven’t agreed to marry you, so technically I’m not your fiancée!
A few seconds later he replies.
I love you too, babe. But you’re wrong. You ARE my fiancée, Indiana, and we ARE getting married!!!
I message him straight back.
No we’re not!!!
I stand there waiting for his reply, but it doesn’t come. Just as I turn to head back down the corridor, the front door flies open. It’s him. He grabs hold of my elbow, dragging me towards my room before closing the door and locking us in.
“We are getting married, Indiana,” he snaps. “Look.” He holds up his wedding finger. “This just proves it. You’re mine and you will be my wife as soon as I can organise it.” I grab hold of his hand, bringing it towards my face. Ugh! He’s gone and tattooed Indiana on his wedding finger where the band sits.
“That proves nothing,” I reply dropping his hand. Doesn’t he get it? If he’d proposed to me before I found out I was pregnant, I would’ve said yes. I would’ve been over the moon. But now he’s being forced to do it, it doesn’t sit well with me.
“It proves everything,” he says, pulling me into his arms and covering his mouth with mine before I have a chance to respond. I try to push him away for all of a second, but my body melts into him and I deepen the kiss. I hate fighting with him. Eventually pulling back, he cups my face in his hands. “I love you, babe, and you love me. Why shouldn’t we get married? It makes perfect sense.” When I try to respond, he places his finger on my lips. “Just think about it.”
That’s exactly what I do for the next hour before I finally relent and call Justine. She manages to shuffle Carter’s appointments around for me, so when it’s time, I head over to see him. “Come in,” he says when I knock on his door. His face lights up when he sees it’s me. It instantly brings a smile to my face. I love how he always does that. “Indi.” He stands and makes his way towards me. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m your next appointment,” I tell him and he wraps me in his arms.
“You are?” he asks pulling back to look at me, surprised.
“Yes. I want to get my fiancé’s name tattooed on my wedding finger.”
“Then you’re going to marry me?” he asks beaming.
“Yes, I’m going to marry you.” He exhales before pulling me into a crushing hug.
“Thank fuck,” he breathes.
After he seats me in the chair, he prepares my finger, wiping it over with an alcohol strip. “Is it safe to get a tattoo while you’re pregnant?” I ask suddenly.
“It is if you use sterilised equipment and a new needle. I researched it a few years ago when a heavily pregnant lady asked me for a tattoo. You know I’d never do anything that would jeopardise you or our child.” He leans forward, brushing his lips against mine. “I love you both too much.” His words not only make me smile, they melt my heart. He’s going to make a wonderful husband, and father.
••••
Christmas morning comes around fast. We sit in the lounge room and exchange gifts. There’s been no more talk of weddings, but we have agreed to get married before the baby comes along. I hate that he feels our child would be tainted if it was born out of wedlock, but if this is all I need to do to make him not feel that way, than I’d be selfish not to marry him.
Smiling over at my sexy-as-hell fiancé, I pass him his present. I had a diecast replica car made for him. It’s identical to his Monaro. I sent the guy who made it, photos of the exterior and interior of his car, and he copied it from that. It turned out great. It wasn’t cheap to have it custom-made, but I knew Carter would love it. He loves that car just as much, if not more than he loves me. Okay, not as much as me, but a lot.
Boys and their toys.
“Fuck me,” he says beaming when he opens it. “How?”
“I found a guy online. I sent him photos and he made it from them.”
“I love it, babe.” I smile as I watch him look over it. The doors, hood and trunk all open. He’s even matched the motor and interior of the car identical to Carter’s. It took months for him to order all the parts and put it together, but thankfully it was ready in time.
Ten minutes later he’s still holding it in his hand, opening and closing the doors whilst smiling like a little boy. It’s very amusing to watch. I’m glad he loves it as much as I thought he would.
“Umm … can I get my present now?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him. He chuckles before finally putting the car down and grabbing the box I’ve been dying to open from under the tree. I’m all smiles when he passes it to me. I’ve been shaking it when he’s not around, trying to figure out what it is, but I have no clue. All I know is it rattles and it’s light.
Undoing the bow, I peel off the card that’s taped to the box. I know I should really open the card first, but I’m dying to see what’s inside. Opening the lid, I find a smaller box inside. That explains the rattling. He played me. My eyes move up to him. He’s smiling as he watches me.
Pulling the smaller box out, I unwrap it to find a black velvet jewellery box inside. I gasp when I open the lid. Inside sits a ring. An exquisite, large, princess cut diamond engagement ring. My eyes move back to his again. I’m pretty sure my mouth is hanging open. “Open the card,” is all he says. So I do just that.
To my dearest Indiana,
Once upon a time, right in the middle of my fucked up life, love gave me a fairy-tale. You. A second chance. You’re my fairy-tale, Indi. My sunshine. My air. The reason I look forward to waking up every morning. My life, without you in it, would be meaningless. I don’t want what we have to ever end. This is our first Christmas together, and I wanted to make it a memorable one that neither of us will ever forget. I love you completely, babe. With every fibre of my being. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side. Please say you’ll marry me!
Merry first Christmas.
Love Carter.
P.S. Please say yes!!!
Tears cloud my eyes when I close the card and make eye contact with him. He was right. He did want to marry me before we found out about the baby. This present has been sitting under the tree for weeks. I clutch the card to my chest as he crawls across the floor towards me. “Well, I’m waiting,” he says smirking. Saying yes is kind of mute now since I’ve already agreed to marry him. Nevertheless, I throw my arms around his neck.
“Of course I’ll marry you. Nothing would make me happier.” I cry into his chest when he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him. These damn baby hormones are making me so emotional.
He pulls back, cupping my face in his hands and wiping my tears away with the pads of his thumbs. “I love you so much, Indiana,” he says exhaling a large breath. “So fucking much.”
“I love you too, Carter.” Letting go of my face, he picks up the jewellery box off my lap and pulls out the ring, slipping it onto my finger. It covers my Carter tattoo, but I don’t care. I’m inked for life. Looking down at the ring on my finger, I smile.
I love it. I love him.
“You have one more present to open,” he says, crawling back over to the tree and picking up a long white box wrapped in a red ribbon. I didn’t see that present there before. He must’ve put it under the tree last night. He smiles when he hands it to me. Untying the ribbon, I remove the lid. When I lift the tissue paper I find a white silk dress inside. It’s simple, but very elegant. “I want you to wear this today when we go out for lunch with our parents.”
“Okay. It’s beautiful. Thank you,” I reply, smiling as I hold the dress up in front of me. Our parents and Carter’s grandmother are coming up to have Christmas lunch with us today. Carter has booked the restaurant on Merewether Beach. The one we took Meg to after our day of pampering. Carter and I have been back a few times since that day. It’s kind of become our place.
“Oh, I almost forgot. There’s one more present.” Once he retrieves it he passes it to me. The package is tiny. I squeeze it between my fingers. Whatever is inside is soft. I tear open the wrapping. Inside I find a tiny white baby jumpsuit. Tears rise to my eyes. “Hold it up,” he says. When I do, I start laughing. It has ‘My daddy is seriously hot’ embroidered on it.
“Yes he is hot,” I say in agreement. Fisting my hand in the front of his T-shirt, I pull him into me so I can kiss his lips. His hand moves behind my knees as he scoops me into his arms before standing.
“We have a few hours until our parents arrive, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to take my fiancée back to bed so I can show her how much I love her.”
“I don’t mind at all,” I reply.
“Merry Christmas, Indiana.”
“Merry Christmas, Carter.”
••••
Turning the blow dryer off, I run the brush through my hair. When I look up I find Carter standing in the doorway of the bathroom, watching me. He smiles at me through the mirror. He’s already dressed in a white button up shirt and a pair of grey slacks. He looks delicious.
“You look nice,” I say turning and walking towards him.
“So do you.” His comment makes me laugh.
“I’m wrapped in a towel,” I reply dryly.
“You’re still beautiful,” he says, pulling me into his arms and brushing his lips against mine. “Even more so without the towel.” I roll my eyes. Of course he’d say that.
“I just got a call from the Surfhouse. There’s a problem with our reservation. I’m gonna head over there now, but our parents are going to swing past here and pick you up on the way. I’ll meet you guys there.”
“Oh really?” I ask in a disappointed tone.
“It’s nothing I can’t fix. I’ll call you if there’s a problem,” he says reassuring me as he kisses my forehead. I hope so. I love that place.
After he leaves I slip into the dress he bought me. It fits like a glove. He has wonderful taste. I had my first ultrasound last week. I’m only seven weeks pregnant, so I’m not showing yet. I’ve had a few off mornings, but basically I’ve been pretty lucky with the morning sickness.
Half an hour later my dad arrives. He’s on his own. “Where’s Elizabeth and Evelyn?” I ask.
“I’ve already dropped them off at the restaurant. Carter called and said he was already there, so it made sense. Plus it gives me the chance to have some alone time with my little girl.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “I have a special gift for you. I wanted to give it to you when we were alone.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I reply, kissing his cheek when he passes it to me. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Pumpkin.”
“I have your gift under the tree, but I’ll give it to you when Carter’s here.”
“Okay. Open it,” he says looking down at the small parcel in my hand. Ripping open the wrapper, I do as he asks.
“Oh, Daddy. It’s beautiful,” I tell him when I open the pouch. It’s a necklace with a heart shaped locket on it. There’s a diamond set into the heart.”
“That diamond is from your mother’s engagement ring. I wanted to make it into something special for you.” Tears rise to my eyes when he says that.
“I love it,” I breathe, wrapping my arms around him.
“Open the locket.” When I do, I find a picture of my mother inside. It was from their wedding day. I clutch it to my chest.
“Thank you. I’ll treasure it forever.”
“She’ll always be in your heart, Pumpkin, but this way you can wear a piece of her every day as well.” When I make eye contact with him I see tears glistening his eyes, so I wrap him in my arms and hold him tight. It’s special times like Christmas, Mother’s Day and my birthday, that I miss her most. I wish she were alive to meet Carter and her grandchild when it comes along.
We haven’t told our parents about the baby yet. Carter and I had copies of the ultrasound images framed. We’ve wrapped them up with their Christmas presents.
“I love you,” I whisper as he fastens the necklace around my neck.
“I love you too, baby girl.”
••••
When we pull up outside the restaurant I’m surprised to see Meg standing there. “What are you doing here?” I ask getting out of the car. “I thought you and Drew were heading back to Sydney for Christmas with your parents.”
“I lied,” she replies giving me a sheepish smile. What’s she up to? “I am spending Christmas with them, but up here.”
“Why?”
“Because if you think I’m going to miss your wedding day, you’ve got rocks in your head. Besides I’m the maid of honour, I have to be here. My mum didn’t want to miss your wedding either. You’re her adopted daughter after all.”
“What? My wedding day?” I ask dumbfounded.
“Yes. You, my friend, are getting married today.” That’s news to me. My eyes move to my dad searching for confirmation.
“She’s right,” is all he says.
“Come,” Meg says, linking arms with me and dragging me around the side of the building. “See.” When I follow the line of her finger, I see Carter and Jax standing side by side down near the shore. Some old dude in a suit is standing in front of them. Then I notice LJ sitting by Carter’s feet. I feel my lips curve up. My eyes then move to his mother, grandmother, Meg’s parents and Drew sitting on five of the six chairs that are positioned behind them. Excitement broils inside me.
My dad slinks his arm around my shoulder. “Congratulations, Pumpkin,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “That’s why I wanted to give you the necklace now. I wanted your mother to be part of your special day. I know if she was still alive, she would’ve been just as proud of you as I am.”
“Oh, Daddy.” I’m struggling to hold in the tears as I wrap my arms around his waist.
“We need to get you ready,” Meg chimes in breaking our moment. She walks over towards Drew’s car and retrieves a box off the back seat. Making her way back towards us, she pulls out a large white silk rose that’s attached to a clip. She pins it in my hair just above my ear. “Beautiful,” she whispers.
Next she pulls out a small leather pouch. When she tips it upside down, shaking the blue Sapphire bracelet into her palm, I smile. I recognise it straight away. It belonged to her grandmother. Meg wore it on her wedding day. My something borrowed, something blue.
“Thanks, Meg,” I say hugging her.
“I’m your maid of honour, it’s my job.” I smile. Even though I definitely would’ve had her as my maid of honour, I find it amusing that she’s given herself that title. “Here’s your bouquet.” It’s a beautiful arrangement of white rosebuds. She pulls out a matching pink arrangement for herself. It matches her pink dress.
“You hate pink,” I say.
“I know, but it’s your favourite colour. I knew if you had a choice it’s what you would’ve wanted.” I love her so much. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend.
My dad links his arm through mine. “You look beautiful. Are you ready to marry the man of your dreams?”
“I am.”
Far out. I’m getting married today.
••••
The ceremony was perfect. Carter and I both got a little teary eyed when we exchanged our vows. The whole day was a little overwhelming to be honest. In a good way though. The highlight for me was seeing Carter so happy. The smile didn’t leave his face once.
When the celebrant pronounced us husband and wife, Carter didn’t even wait for him to say, ‘You may now kiss the bride’. He took matters into his own hands, pulling me into his arms and locking his lips with mine. It was a scorching hot kiss too. Not the kind of kiss to give me in front of my dad, that’s for sure. When he eventually came up for air, he tenderly brushed the back of his hand down the side of my face.
“I love you so much, Mrs. Reynolds,” he whispered, sending my heart into a flutter. I’ll admit Mrs. Reynolds has a nice ring to it.
Our reception was held in the Surfhouse. Well, it was more like an extended three course luncheon with our loved ones, but it was perfect. I couldn’t have planned it better myself. Carter had even organised a wedding cake. I had to laugh when I saw it.
It was only a one-layered cake, since there were only ten of us in attendance. It had been baked into a large heart shape, covered in white icing. The base was wrapped in a thick red ribbon, but the sweetest part was the icing decorations sitting on top. A miniature replica of Carter’s red Monaro was sitting towards the back of the cake. In front of it stood small figurines; Carter with his arm draped around my shoulder, and LJ laying at our feet. Not your traditional wedding cake, but perfect for us. It’s hard to believe we are now a real family, and in just over seven months we’ll be parents.
Later that night back at the apartment, we exchanged Christmas gifts with our parents. Elizabeth burst into tears when she saw the ultrasound picture. My dad was over the moon as well. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
The next morning, Carter and I flew to the Gold Coast in Queensland for our honeymoon. He had booked us into the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa. It was a magical five days. We even had a relaxing one-hour hot stone massage at the Day Spa the day before we left to fly home. After the crazy few months we’d had prior to the wedding, it was just what we both needed to unwind. The only downfall was it had to end. I know we have our whole lives ahead of us though, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with Carter.
I have the most amazing husband ever!