“Probably not.”
Once again, I pulled my passport from my pocket, still amazed at how a small booklet could make me feel so joyful. I could travel now, and once Bill finished the work needed to expunge my record, I would be free to travel anywhere Becca wanted to go. My past would no longer restrict my life.
I met Sandy’s caring gaze. Maddox and Dee had offered to put off their wedding, but she insisted they keep their plans. They agreed as long as she came to the wedding, since it was important to both of them to have her there. After some consideration, she decided to join us. Still grieving, she had sadness about her, although she did better when surrounded by people. I continued to go over a couple of nights every week, with Becca often accompanying me. We knew no matter how happy Sandy was for Maddox, she would find it difficult, and we planned to stay close to her as much as possible. I smiled at Sandy, and she winked, returning to the book she was reading.
I gazed past Becca at the vast, blue sky.
“What kind of wedding do you want?” I asked quietly. Marriage was a topic we spoke of frequently in passing. We’d talk and ask questions, and then move on to another subject. It was our way of feeling each other out with no pressure. I wanted to marry Becca. I liked the idea more all the time, and I was certain she felt the same. We had never discussed details, though.
She pursed her lips. “Small, intimate. I’d like my dad there. Friends. A pretty dress and some flowers.”
I thought of Bentley’s wedding. “Cake?”
She chuckled. “Yes, cake too.”
“So, in BC, then?”
“I don’t think my dad could travel, so it would have to be.”
“Okay.”
She peeked up at me. “Yeah?”
“As long as you’re my wife at the end of the day, I’m good with that.”
She looked confused. “We’re just talking, right? You’re not asking?”
I kissed her hand. “I can do better than asking en route to another wedding surrounded by people. So, yeah. Just talking.” I bent low to her ear. “But ‘yes’ is looking pretty certain now, isn’t it?”
She kissed me. “Yes, yes, it is.”
I sat back and relaxed, not hiding my grin. “Good.”
Dancing with Becca on the sandy beach was a little trickier than dancing on a smooth floor, but somehow, we managed. Maddox and Dee exchanged vows under the bright sun, then we spent the afternoon enjoying the island. Dinner happened at sunset, followed by a short speech by Maddox himself, before the real party started. There was champagne and music. Laughter and stories.
And love. It saturated the entire day.
I look down at Becca, holding her tight in my arms. Luckily, she was content to sway to the music, happy simply to be close. Looking at the moon glimmering on the water, I squeezed her hand lying on my chest. “Wanna take a walk with me?”
With a smile, she agreed, and we slipped away. The air was warm and sultry. We were both barefoot, and we walked along the edge of the water, letting the cool waves brush against our skin. From behind us, we could hear the faint strains of music and the laughter of our friends.
I tucked her into my side, enjoying the island breeze and her closeness. When we came to the outcropping of rocks, Becca stopped and sat on one of the large, flat boulders and patted the space next to her. We watched the waves kick up on the beach, the silence between us easy. I entwined our fingers, lifting her hand to my mouth for a kiss.
“You want children,” she stated unexpectedly.
“Yes, I do. I want a family.”
“How many?”
“Well, I think it’s easier when they come one at a time.” I nudged her playfully. “But I would like a couple of them, I think.”
She chuckled. “How soon?”
I frowned. “I hadn’t thought much about that, to be honest. We’re young still, so there isn’t any rush. In the next few years, I guess?”
“I want to establish my career, and I want to work after I have kids. I went to school for a long time to get my degree, and I want to learn my craft.”
Her words made sense. “I get that.”
“You wouldn’t mind getting married and waiting a while for kids, then?”
“No. It makes sense in many ways. If we have kids, we’ll need a bigger place. We can save and be ready for them.” I squeezed her fingers. “We could live in my new place. It would be big enough for the two of us until we’re ready to move on.”
She stared out at the water, nodding slowly. “Yes, that would work.” She slipped from the rock, and I stood to join her. I glanced down and brushed the sand off my pants. Looking up, I expected to see her waiting for me. Instead, she was down on one knee. In her hand was a slim silver band.
My heart rate picked up. “Becca . . . what are you doing?”
She smiled up at me, tears already in her eyes. “Reid Matthews, I love you. We’ve shared a lot of firsts together, but I wanted to add something you weren’t expecting.”
“BB . . .” I breathed out her name.
“My mom gave my dad an engagement ring. He wears it with his wedding band. I wanted to offer you one.” Her voice quivered. “I want to marry you, Reid. Will you let me be the first for the rest of your life?”
I stared at her, shocked. With a grin, I joined her on the sand, then pulled the ring I had brought for her from my pocket. “I would love to, Becca Holden. As long as you’ll be mine.”
She laughed as we slid a ring onto each other’s finger. “I can’t believe we both planned this.”
“I can. We’re made for each other.”
She stared down at her ring. It wasn’t huge and wildly expensive like the one Bentley or Aiden purchased. Sandy had taken me to see Darlene, who helped me pick a simple setting and a beautiful diamond. It suited Becca. Becca suited me. It worked.
My hand felt strange with the addition of the thin band. But it felt right.
My entire life finally felt right.
I kissed her. “I love you, Becca Holden, soon to be Becca Matthews.” I grinned. “Or since you asked me, am I going to be Reid Holden?”
She laughed. “No, I guess I’m old-fashioned in that sense. I want to be Becca Matthews.”
“Nothing would make me prouder.”
Her smile lit my world.
“I love you, Reid Matthews. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
I grinned.
I was good with that.
Five Months Later - REID
I glanced around my desk, making sure everything was in order. All that remained were a few files of things I had been working on over time—nothing that anyone had to take care of while I was gone. The system was in top form, and I knew my staff would maintain it while I was gone for two weeks.
Honeymoon or not, I also planned to check in. Becca knew me too well; she asked that I limit it to once every couple of days, and I do it while she slept. I was still a night owl, and normally, she was out by eleven, so I had no issues with that. I was sure she’d sleep well after days spent on a hot beach and exploring the ruins in Mexico that she wanted to see. Plus, I planned to wear her out by making love to her as often as possible.
Just the thought of sex with my wife got me going. I was looking forward to exploring her as often as possible.