Dark Sexy Knight (A Modern Fairytale) (27 page)

As the taxi pulled into his driveway, he shoved a twenty-dollar bill at the driver and quickly exited the car, standing on the driveway with his mouth slightly ajar as he inventoried the changes she’d made while he was away. She’d painted the shutters and mailbox with a fresh coat of dark green paint, and planted flowers in neat and colorful beds along the driveway and in front of the house. There were white curtains in the bay window, and she’d shined the brass door knocker until it gleamed like gold.

His heart lifted, but he reminded himself not to get too hopeful as he walked up the front stoop and unlocked the door. Closing the door behind him, he looked at the room, which she’d freshened up with an antique coffee table she must have found at a tag sale, and she’d even placed a new figurine—of a princess and a knight—on top of it.

Walking into the dining room, he noted the neat piles of mail, catalogs, and newspapers, and the mail bins sitting beside the table, and his eyes started to burn. In the kitchen, there was a calendar on the wall, with large red X’s crossing through every day they’d spent apart, and pink and white checkered curtains decorating the window beside the table. She’d found Aunt Jane’s old rose-covered cookie jar, and when he opened the top, the smell of fresh-baked oatmeal cookies wafted up, making his mouth water almost as much as his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, he looked toward the hallway. He didn’t know how he knew so certainly, but she was there—in his bedroom. He knew it. He could feel it, and his feet started moving toward her even as his stomach jumped and clenched and his heart beat so furiously, it almost hurt.

He closed his eyes as he got to the end of the hallway, only opening them once he was in the doorway of his room.

And there she was.

Lying on her side, curled up on his bed, his letter clutched to her chest, she was sound asleep, so peaceful, so beautiful, such a welcome sight to his worried, tired eyes, he reached for the doorframe to brace himself from collapsing.

She’s here. She’s here. She’s here.

She didn’t leave you.

She’s here.

He wanted to weep like a baby, but clenched his jaw and blinked back his tears, taking a few steps toward her. Her almost-white hair was spread out on his pillow like a halo, the delicate lines of her cheekbones relaxed in sleep, her legs clad in soft-looking jeans, her feet bare. Kneeling on the floor beside his bed and resting his arms on the comforter, he watched her sleep, his heart aching with relief, with sorrow, with gratitude, with longing, with a love so big and sweeping and all-encompassing, he had no idea how the world, let alone his heart, could contain it all.

“Baby,” he whispered, wanting to put his hand on her hip and shake her gently, but feeling like he hadn’t earned that intimacy quite yet.She breathed deeply and sighed in her sleep, a sound so welcome, he flinched with yearning. “Sunshine? I’m home.”

“You’re home,” she murmured, her eyes fluttering open. Her blue eyes focused on his face and instantly filled with tears. “Is this a dream?”

He shook his head, brushing away the moisture that slipped down one cheek. “No, baby. It’s me.”

“Colton,” she said, her fingers tightening on the letter she held as a tear slid over the bridge of her nose and plopped onto the bed. “I waited.”

The lump in his throat made it impossible to speak. He nodded. She reached out and placed her palm on his cheek, and he closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, thanking God for the mercies we don’t deserve, the mercies that change our whole lives and leave us breathless.

“I hoped,” she said softly, sniffling before offering him a small, tentative smile.

He stood up and shucked off his shoes, lying down beside her and putting his arms around her body. His eyes closed as he pulled her close and rested his forehead against hers.

“I’m better,” he finally said when he was able to speak. “I think I’m better.”

“I know,” she said, her breath warm and sweet against his lips. “I got your letter.” She paused. “I didn’t know . . . about your dad.”

“I don’t like talking about him. Well, I didn’t. Now, well, I guess you have to talk about some things that hurt. It’s the only way to make them stop hurting.”

She was quiet, breathing deeply, her breasts pressing against him every time she inhaled. He wanted her. Her body. Her heart. Her presence in his life. Lord, he wanted her so badly, it was unreal.

“Can I—,” he started, then stopped, feeling suddenly unworthy of his request.

“Can you what?”

“I meant everything I said in the letter, baby,” he said in a rush. “I want to marry you and have kids with you and make this house our home. I promise to take care of you and love you, and I will never hurt you again. I will go to my appointments, and I will take my medication, and I will never, ever leave you again.” She didn’t say anything, and his heart clutched with worry, making his voice soft, but gravelly, as he begged her. “The life I could have with you is the only one I want, sunshine. I just . . . please? Can I have one more chance to make you happy?”

She leaned away from him, her eyes swimming with tears, her lips tilting up into the loveliest, sweetest smile he’d ever seen.

“Colton,” she said, reaching up to cup his cheek, “you can have a hundred chances if it means we stay together.”

A hundred yellow ribbons.

His breath released in a whoosh, and he leaned forward to claim her lips with his, their tears mixing as they relearned the touch and texture of each other’s lips, their tongues seeking each other and dancing with relief at second chances and new beginnings. He clutched her tightly against him, swearing he would never hurt her again. He would cherish every day he had with her, and keep her safe and happy for as long as she’d let him. She feathered tiny kisses along his lips gently, slowing their pace, finally drawing back from him with a twinkle in her eye.

“I have to tell you something.”

He froze, searching her face for a clue, but aside from offering him a small smile, there was none. “What?”

“First . . . you mean it about getting married and having kids?”

He nodded, his eyes locking with hers, feeling worried and hopeful, trying to figure out what was coming next.

“You’re sure?”

“Verity, yes, I’m sure. God, it’s all I want. I’ll get you a ring as soon as I can get my hands on one. Kids as soon as you want them. Yes, I mean it. I’m sure.”

She shrugged, her smile widening. “How about in . . . seven months?”

“A ring in seven months?”

“Nope.” She shook her head, her smile so big now that it turned into a giggle. “A baby.”

“You want a baby in seven months?” He furrowed his brows at her. “Is that possible?”

“It is if the baby’s already on the way,” she said, still laughing, joyfully now. Rolling onto her back, she pushed her shirt up and reached for his hand, placing it gently on the soft swell of her belly.

He sucked in a breath of air so quickly, it stung his lungs. His eyes widened, flicking to her stomach and staring at his massive hand covering her pale skin.
Oh my God. Oh my God. She’s . . . She’s . . .

“Colton?”

When he looked at her face, the face of his child’s mother, he was struck with a love so fathomless, it almost scared him. His breath hitched as he blurted out, “You’re pregnant?”

She nodded, still grinning, but her smile was slightly less certain now. “The picnic table.”

“The picnic table,” he repeated, his lips twitching as he stared at her, realization finally kicking in. “We’re having a baby?”

She nodded. “You meant it, right? You want kids and—”

He didn’t let her finish what she was saying, dragging her lips to his and kissing her fiercely, with abandon, with gratitude for ending his years of loneliness, with love for her and the child she was carrying, with hope for their future together. When he drew back from her, he was breathless and overcome.

“I want the baby. I already
love
the baby,” he murmured. “When?”

She smiled up at him, all apprehension gone. “Spring.”

“We’re getting married tomorrow,” he said, frowning at her.

She giggled, and it chased the lines from his face as she arched up on her elbow, then shimmied onto his chest, half covering his body with hers and cradling his face with her hands. “I love you, Colton Lane, my Viking Knight in shining armor. I will marry you tomorrow or any other day you want.”

“I love you too, baby,” he said, leaning up on his elbows for another kiss, and knowing certainly—for good and forever—that Verity Gwynn, his sunshine, his love, his fiancée, and the mother of his spring baby, was the sweetest place the world could ever offer.

One year later

The sun was high and bright outside the bedroom window, but the worst of the hot Atlanta summer was behind them, which was why Verity had insisted on late September for the wedding.

Leaning over the bed, she finished changing three-month-old Jane Faith, cooing at her pride and joy, who had just started smiling back at her mama last week.

“Who’s the prettiest flower girl in the whole world?” she asked again, and baby Jane gurgled and squealed, pumping her fat baby legs with glee.

Verity chuckled softly, pulling the sweet white baby dress back on and putting Jane on her stomach so she could tie a pink bow in the back before picking her up.

“You’re beautiful, you know,” she said, looking into her daughter’s bright blue eyes.

“Of course she’s beautiful,” said Colton from behind her. She turned to find him leaning against the bedroom door, a megawatt smile on his face as he gazed at his girls. “Look at her mama.”

“Look at her daddy,” said Verity with a touch of sass, crossing the room to hand him Jane and stepping up on tiptoes to offer her lips for a quick kiss.

“Yeah, look at him,” he said, kissing her twice before looking down at Jane, nestled in the crook of his muscular arm. “Look how dang lucky he is.”

“You come to hurry us along?” she asked.

“Uh-huh,” he said. “The bride’s impatient, and since I’m supposed to walk her down the aisle, Mrs. Lane, she said I better come up and get you. Pronto.”

Verity sighed, her eyes misting. “How’s the groom doing?”

“Last I checked, he was rocking back and forth like crazy. Could probably use a kind word from his little sister before he says ‘I do.’”

“I’m on it,” she said. “Joe here yet?”

“Sure is, and waiting to get his hands on missy,” said Colton, looking down at Jane, who was already fast asleep.

Joe had not only continued to be a surrogate father to Ryan, but after retiring from
The Legend of Camelot
just after Christmas, and with no family to call his own, the Gwynns and Lanes had more or less adopted him. He was Jane’s godfather, and today, while Colton walked his cousin down the aisle and Verity stood beside her brother, Joe would be holding little Jane in the front row.

Taking Colton’s free hand, she let him lead her out of Melody’s apartment and down the stairs to the first-floor common room, where Melody, dressed in a white wedding gown and veil, had never looked more beautiful.

Verity kissed her cheek, giving her a careful hug.

“You look so lovely, Mel.”

“Thank you. If C-C-C-Colton c-c-c-couldn’t g-g-g-get off work, I was g-g-g-gonna ask you to walk me down the aisle, Ver’ty.”

Colton had earned his personal trainer certification in August, so his job at Carlson’s Gym was still relatively new, but he’d taken the position with the express understanding that he’d have today off. And his boss, Nik, who was a genuinely good guy, had made it happen.

“In a million years he wouldn’t have missed it,” she said, grinning at Colton over Mel’s shoulder.

His eyes shone with tenderness, and he mouthed the words
I love you, baby
. She nodded at him.
I love you too.

“Ver’ty,” said Melody, straightening her glasses, “did you know we’re almost sisters now?”

She leaned away, smiling at Colton’s cousin, huge tears welling in her eyes. “That’s right.”

“Don’t be sad, Ver’ty. We’ll always be family. You c-c-c-can c-c-c-come and visit Ryan whenever you want to. And Jane c-c-c-can c-c-c-come to Slip’N Slide day when she’s old enough, okay? You’re not losing a brother. You’re g-g-g-gaining a sister! Don’t c-c-c-cry, okay?”

Verity nodded and reached up to swipe a tear that was trying to get away. “I’m crying because I’m happy. Because you make my brother so happy.”

“Ryan makes
me
happy,” Melody insisted, clicking her teeth together and grinning. “No more c-c-c-crying, Ver’ty. It’s my wedding day.”

Verity took a deep breath and nodded, taking Jane from Colton, careful not to wake her up. “See you at the altar?”

“I’ll be there,” he said, winking at her.

She turned from them and headed out into the garden behind complex F (Is For “Friendship”). Ten neat rows of white chairs faced a trellis under which a Methodist pastor waited for the bride and groom. All the CMs were in attendance, and most of the residents. A bubble maker (Mel insisted) was shooting bubbles into the air, and Verity grinned, thinking her brother’s wedding was a lot more festive than hers had been.

She and Colton had gotten married at the Spring Mountain Town Hall, one month to the day after he returned home. She touched the backs of the gold rings on her finger, smiling to herself when her belly swarmed with butterflies, as it always did when she remembered her wedding day. In a million years, she wouldn’t trade the memory of that fall day, looking up into Colton’s eyes and saying “I do,” then listening to his deep voice say the same. Was it fancy? No. Was it perfect? It bound them together forever. So, yes. It was.

She looked up to see Ryan standing in front of the trellis, Joe at his side, no doubt whispering some calming words of counsel. Joe waved as she approached and said, “You hand me my godbaby, now! Oooo! Janie, what a day we got for a weddin’, child!”

Verity chuckled as she watched the gray-haired man coo and swoon over the tiny blonde baby, her heart full of love and gratitude as he half danced, half walked to his reserved seat of honor in the front row next to the aisle.

. . . which left Verity and Ryan alone, standing in the trellis opening together, so very different from how they must have looked the day they’d stood in the doorway of the Marriott ballroom, despairing of finding jobs together, until her knight in shining armor rescued them.

“You ready, Ry?” she asked.

“I love Melody.”

“I know you do.”

“Don’t like bein’ away from her, Ver’ty. Now I can be with her all the time.”

“That’s right, Ryan. And you’ll help with the dishes?”

“Yup. And take out the garbage. And I’ll get the CM if she’s havin’ one of her spells. And I’ll make sure that she don’t run out of rocky road.”

“We keep it stocked in the store now,” said Verity. “I make sure.”

Over the past year, Verity had taken over the management of the Bonnie’s Place sundries store, and it was now open five days a week instead of three. She was permitted to bring Jane to work and had hired a college girl to help her part-time with the store, and part-time with Jane. She’d learned a surprising amount during her month of work with Beverly, and she cheerfully placed orders, restocked the shelves, and helped the residents of Bonnie’s Place find everything they needed.

“I’ll come see you at the store sometimes, Ver’ty, but I might be busier now,” he said, puffing out his chest a little.

“Too busy for your little sister?” she asked, elbowing him in the side.

“Nah,” he said, smiling down at her. “I got rooms in my heart for more than Mel. There’s a room for you, and one for Colton. Joe has a big room, and Janie has a small one. But there’s rooms for everyone, Ver’ty. Don’t worry.”

The opening bars of “All You Need Is Love”
sounded, and Verity looked up to see her husband standing tall and proud beside his cousin, the beautiful bride.

“Your heart sounds like a sweet place, Ry,” she said, locking eyes with her beloved knight as he walked slowly down the aisle toward her. “I think we’ve all found our sweet place, big brother.”

THE END