“Really? But what about my pregnancy?”
“I’ve already spoken to them. I called them from the car, and they are fine with it. When the time comes, you can go on maternity leave and work from home if you want,” Tristan said, smiling. “I explained the situation to them, and they are okay with everything."
“Oh, Tristan. I don’t know how to thank you. That will really help me get ready for the baby … but I can’t live here. I'll have to find a place of my own," Heather said, slumping back in her chair.
"Well, we have figured that out, too," Lisa added.
“Really?
“My roommate Fay has left, so I find myself all alone in the apartment,” Lisa said.
“So, you want me to come live with you?” Heather asked. “Are you sure about that?”
“Not live with me but sublet my apartment,” Lisa said. “It works out perfectly.”
"But where will you live," Heather asked, but then she looked over at Tristan, who was grinning hugely. “Ohhhhhhhhh, okay. You’re going to move in here.”
“Exactly,” Lisa said. “Plus, the apartment will be furnished, which works for you because I'm sure you don't have much."
“I have nothing. The apartment Troy and I rented was furnished. All I have is my clothes,” Heather said sadly. “Thank you both so much. I really don’t know what to say.”
“Lisa and I both understand that friendship is something you don’t take for granted. We were all friends at the very beginning, and friends stick together," Tristan said. “We’ve had our share of hurdles, but I think we can work to move past them.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Heather said, breaking down in tears. “I don’t deserve you both.”
“I’ll come by to pick you up in the morning and introduce you to the gang. Most of them you already know from the company parties we used to go to, so you won’t be a stranger,” Tristan said, looking at Lisa.
“Pick me up?” Heather asked.
"Lisa and I still have a few things to discuss, so I'm going to stay at her place for the night,” Tristan said, giving Lisa's shoulder a squeeze.
✽✽✽
“Is that the last of the boxes?” Tristan asked a week later as they moved Lisa’s belongings into his house.
“That’s it. I don’t have much. Just me and Charlie left," Lisa said, hugging the penguin Tristan had won for her at the fair.
“You still have that thing?” Tristan asked, laughing.
“Of course. He’s family now.”
“Should we go over to check Heather has settled in okay?” Tristan said, putting a box down on the table.
“We should. Were you still going to drive her to her old place so she can get the rest of her belongings?”
“Yeah. I’ll probably do that at the weekend. She said there isn’t much left. The apartment was in Troy's name, so I’m not sure what will happen with that. I’ll just make sure her name is cleared so she won’t be responsible for any bills. It pays to know some of the property management owners.”
“You are a good man, Tristan Darlington,” Lisa said, going over and putting her arms around his neck.
“Hmmm, I suppose I am,” Tristan smiled down at her.
“She was right,” Lisa chuckled.
“Who was right?” Tristan said, looking confused.
“The waitress at Jesters that night we talked and got back together.”
“Right about what?”
“When I said I was looking for a man, she described you as tall and good looking with a dreamy smile," Lisa said, smiling.
“Hmm, dreamy smile,” Tristan teased. “I’ve never heard that one before. Maybe I should go and see her.”
“Don’t you dare. You’re mine now, and I’m not letting you go,” Lisa said, frowning at him. “No one can have you now.”
“Wow, that sounds ominous. Like there should be some cackling in the background.”
“I love you, Tristan Darlington.”
“I love you too, Lisa. More than you can ever imagine. I don’t want anything or anyone to keep us apart again.
Pressing his lips against hers, he pulled her against him, loving the feel of her body against his. The taste of cherry lip balm lingered on her lips as he let his tongue gently part them.
Responding to his kiss, Lisa reached down and felt the bulge beginning to form in the front of his pants and smiled to herself, pushing her body harder against his.
“Hmmm, you feel so good in my arms,” Tristan breathed as he ended their kiss.
Lisa looked at him and grinned mischievously. “I know what would feel even better,” she teased.
“What’s that?”
“If we were both naked.”
Checking his watch, Tristan smiled. “The rest of the world is going to have to wait. I am going to make love to my future wife, and I don’t want anyone to rush me.”
Taking Lisa’s hand, he led her up the stairs to the bedroom. He had so much to be thankful for, and having Lisa in his life was one of them. She made him whole and complete. She was what he had always been missing, and it amazed him that it had taken him so long to realize it.
Laying her down on the bed, he gazed down at her beautiful face.
“Now, my beautiful Lisa. What were you saying about getting naked … ”
Epilogue
Tristan did one last pass with the mop before putting the mop and bucket back below deck. The bow of the Lisa was gleaming as he sat down on one of the cushions waiting for his wife and daughter to join him.
“Daddy!” his daughter Rebecca called out as she and Lisa came walking along the dock toward the boat.
“How are my girls?” Tristan called out and smothered a chuckle at the sight of Lisa.
“What are you laughing at?” she said sternly, putting her hands on her hips.
“You remind me of Charlie,” Tristan snickered.
“Oh, really? Well, you try walking on a floating dock with a 6lb baby inside of you. I’m sure your son won’t find it amusing when he gets older and finds out you thought his mother was a waddling flightless bird.”
“Our son is going to be proud of his mother, and I’m only kidding about the penguin. You are a true swan, royal and elegant,” Tristan said placatingly as he helped her onto the boat.
“Daddy, Mommy said we are going for a boat ride. I want to steer,” Rebecca demanded, going over to the steering wheel. Rebecca had just turned four, was talking up a storm, and well advanced for her age.
“I’ll let you steer once we get out into open water,” Tristan said, smiling at his wife as she settled into one of the back seats.
“Why are you smiling at me?” Lisa asked, putting her hand up over her eyes to shield them from the sun. “You are glowing. You look happy.”
“I’m extremely happy,” Tristan said, reaching over and untying the stern line from the dock.
He had never thought he would ever be as happy as he was. He and Lisa had been married for almost five years now. Rebecca was the apple of his eye, and in a month, their son would be born.