Shock rendered her mute. Damn it, she’d worked with health professionals, including speech pathologists, for years. Her interest in dialect coaching had stemmed from Pia’s proficiency in speech therapy. She may not be an expert, but she should’ve figured it out.
“It can be inherited,” he said, sounding tortured. “That’s why I freaked out when you first told me about the pregnancy. I never wanted kids because I didn’t want to risk passing it on, because I hated how fucking insecure and inadequate it made me feel growing up.”
His expression softened. “But then Ronnie was born, and nothing else mattered but him growing to be a strong, healthy, happy kid.” He shrugged, adorably bashful. “I love him. And I love you. More than I could’ve ever thought possible.”
That shock rendering her speechless wasn’t easing up anytime soon. He loved her. This incredibly strong, supportive man loved her. And she’d done nothing to show him she felt the same way.
Stepping forward, she cradled his face in her hands and kissed him.
A gentle, soul-searching kiss of affirmation and hope, of promise and future. A future for the two of them and their beautiful baby boy.
When she eased away and lowered her hands, she glimpsed wonder in his eyes.
“I love you, too. That’s why I told that monstrous lie about marrying Manny, because I didn’t want you to give up your dream of hosting your first major TV show for me.”
“But it was never all important to me—”
“Shh. Let me finish.” She pressed a finger to his lips. “I thought if you chose me over your career, you’d end up resenting me for it, or worse, resenting the baby, so I couldn’t take that chance. Besides, I’ve been independent for a long time and didn’t think I needed you to help me raise our child.”
“And now?”
“Now I know what I want, and that’s you.” She blinked away the sting of tears. “You and me in this for the long haul, raising our amazing son together.”
Her strong, silent type didn’t respond. He didn’t have to. He opened his arms, and she stepped into them, peace enveloping her as he tightened his grip on her. She rested her cheek against his chest, comforted by the solid pounding of his heart, and slid her arms around his waist.
They clung to each other, the heat of his body, the hardness of it, reminding her to ask at her first ob-gyn visit when she could resume relations post-birth.
“Rory?”
“Hmm?”
“The aunties were right about one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Dating a younger man would lead me down a wicked path.” She leaned back to meet his eyes and winked. “I am so ready to get wicked with you for a long time to come.”
Epilogue
Samira didn’t mind the pomp and ceremony of Indian weddings: hundreds of guests in their finest silks, the expensive jewelry, generous gifts, elaborate decorations, copious amounts of delicious food, and joyful dancing well into the night.
But all that hoopla wasn’t for her.
Not this time around.
“What’s going on?” Pia grabbed Samira’s arm as she tried to sneak past her bedroom door.
Samira wanted this wedding to be a surprise for everyone. It had been eight weeks since they’d brought Ronnie home from the hospital and she’d managed to keep tight-lipped about her plans, swearing Rory and Kushi to secrecy too. But she should’ve known she couldn’t hide much from Pia. They’d been close for a long time, and her cousin could read her better than anybody. “Nothing.” She feigned wide-eyed nonchalance. “Just checking on Ronnie to see if he’s still asleep.”
“You’re up to something.” Pia’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “If this party is to introduce Ronnie to the aunties and their crew, why has he spent most of the time in your room?”
“Because he’s a baby and he sleeps a lot.” Samira rolled her eyes, hoping Pia would buy her act. “Let’s go back outside and join everybody.”
“You’re giving me the brush-off.” Pia poked her in the arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll ask your mom.”
“Go ahead,” Samira said, knowing Kushi would keep her secret. Her mom couldn’t be happier that her wayward, divorced, single-mother daughter had finally succumbed to her matrimonial machinations, even if the groom wasn’t her first choice. But Kushi had fallen for Rory as much as she had, though if he kept eating the Indian food her mom force-fed him, he’d need to up his hours in the gym.
“Come on, Cuz, tell me.” Pia slipped her arm through Samira’s elbow as they headed for the backyard, where a crowd of about fifty had gathered, comprising the aunties and the rest of Kushi’s local Indian community. “I need a little fun in my life.”
“Did someone say fun?”
Samira laughed as Manish bounded up the back steps to hold the door open for them.
“It’s rude to eavesdrop,” Pia muttered, shooting him a mock glare, when Samira knew his exuberance amused her cousin as much as it did her.
“Maybe you were talking too loud?”
Samira bit back another laugh. She’d seen Manish’s faux innocence before; he channeled a naughty boy playing good very well.
“What are you doing here, Manish?” Pia shooed him away like a bothersome fly. “Or didn’t you hear, Samira’s already spoken for?”
His mouth eased into a confident grin as he eyeballed Pia. “Maybe I’ve set my sights elsewhere?”
Pia rolled her eyes at Manny’s usual over-the-top antics. “Don’t look at me.”
“Why not?”
Manny shot Samira a playful wink, enjoying playing up to her cousin, who seemed to be enjoying it less so, if her compressed lips were any indication.
“Because you know I’m married and my husband will kick your ass.”
With a smug smirk, Pia pushed past him and stomped away, managing to look incredibly graceful in her silver stilettos and powder blue salwar kameez while doing so.
“You shouldn’t tease her like that. She’s going through a rough time,” Samira said, pleased that her cousin still proudly referred to Dev as her husband. It looked like Pia’s plan to jolt Dev into considering counseling had worked and he’d booked an appointment. They had a long road ahead of them, but Dev had taken the first step to dealing with his insecurities regarding his sterility, and she knew Pia would fight hard for the reunion she so desperately wanted.
“I thought you said she’s communicating with Dev and things are looking up?”