Back to the Beach (Hunt Family Book 4) (14 page)

Epilogue

Nico and I got married right away. He proposed the night he surprised me with the house, and we got married three weeks later. Maybe that short of an engagement wasn't for everyone, but it was right for us. With the way we wanted to maintain our lives in two different cities we would essentially be moving in together, so we decided to go ahead and make it official.

It was his idea to make it happen quickly, which both shocked and delighted my family. We ended up getting married in California since we both had people there and the weather was predictably nice. It was a simple beach wedding and small reception with a 90's cover band.

It was now February, which meant we had been married for five months. Nico and I were in Charlotte and were planning on eating Valentine's Day dinner at my favorite restaurant (the same place where he proposed). He loved it when I wore red, so I dug in my closet and found a little red dress that I hadn't worn in a couple of years. I was almost certain Nico had never seen it on me, and I was excited to see his face when he picked me up from work.

Paige was still working on a client when I finished my work and changed into the dress. I went into the salon to touch up my hair and makeup before Nico got there to pick me up. Paige and her client both commented on how much they liked my dress, which made me wonder why it had been hanging in the back of my closet for so long.

I paced the lobby in spite of the fact that Nico wasn't late. I had nervous energy that made me do things like adjust and readjust my shoe straps, and bra straps, and hairpins.

I watched as he finally parked, came to the door, and opened it. I could see him, but he couldn't see me, and I knew by his expression that he was surprised to see me standing right there when he opened the door.

"Well hello, lovely," he said, looking at me like he wanted to eat me alive.

"Hello, handsome," I said smiling at him.

"You look perfect for Valentine's Day," he said. He paused and looked down at his own clothes. He was looking sharp but casual in dark jeans, a button down shirt and a sleek, grey windbreaker. "Do I need to change?"

"No way," I said, putting my cheek next to his in greeting. "I love this jacket. I might have to borrow it from you if I get chilly later."

He held my hand, and made me spin around so he could get a look at me. "This is my new favorite dress, you know."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. It seems like you're flirting with me just by wearing this."

"I'm totally flirting with you," I said. I stared at him seductively and batted my eyes. "I think you're cute, and I was hoping you'd be my Valentine."

He rubbed the hair on his jaw. "You think I'm cute?" he asked.

"Yep." I said.

"I think you're sort of cute, too," he said, staring at me like he thought I was something way more than cute and he would tell me all about it later.

"Oh," I said in an out-of-nowhere tone. "I can't do it."

"Can't do what?"

"Can't wait till the restaurant to tell you what I have."

"What is it?" he asked.

"It's right here," I said. I grabbed his hand, and placed it palm-down on my lower belly. I glanced up at him and watched as his smile shifted into a serious expression that made me slightly timid.

"What's right there?" he asked, still looking so serious that I giggled nervously.

I shrugged innocently at him.

"What's that mean?"

"It means I don’t know what's right there—I mean, I know it's a baby, I just don't know if it's a boy or a girl—we can't tell that yet."

He stared at me with that same serious expression, and I watched as it slowly morphed into a smile. "Mia, are you serious right now?"

I nodded and bit my lip shyly. His hand was still resting on my stomach, and he applied just a tiny bit of gentle pressure.

"Is my baby in here?" he asked, smiling at me.

I nodded again. "Are you happy?" I asked.

He didn't answer me. He sank to his knees, letting the side of his face rest on my belly as he held me securely I smiled at the top of his head, marveling at how cute and sentimental he was.

"Mia, do you know when the Bumble and Bumble stuff is coming—" Paige discontinued her question when she realized I wasn't alone. She could see me as she approached, but she had no idea Nico was kneeling down in front of me until she came around the desk. "I'm
sooo
sorry," she said when she saw him there. "I didn't see you…" she trailed off and glanced at us with a curious expression like maybe she was putting some pieces together. "What are you doing down there…" she trailed off again and pointed at Nico as she stared at me. "Is he? Is he down there because? Why's he down there like that? You're not? You're not… are you?"

Nico looked at her. "If you're trying to ask if my baby's in here, then the answer is, yes it is, Paige. My baby's right here."

"Your baby's in there?" Paige asked, wide eyed with excitement.

"No big deal," Nico said with a sigh, standing up and wrapping his arm around me. "I'm gonna be a dad. Don't worry about it."

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe it!" Paige said, rushing over to hug us both.

She looked as if she had to run to get back to her client, but couldn’t resist crossing the room for a quick hug and kiss to congratulate us first.

"I'm sorry if I wasn't supposed to see that just now," she said, "but I'm glad I did. Can I tell Cody, or do you want to call him?"

"You can tell him," I said. I looked at Nico for confirmation. "You're okay telling people, right?"

"Are you kidding?" he asked. "I'm thinking we should just get take out for dinner so we can start calling people right away."

I laughed and looked at Paige. "You can tell Cody," I said. "I'll call Mom later tonight, though, so y'all don't tell her."

"10-4," she said. "Don't tell Christy. Got it." She leaned in for one more quick kiss on my cheek before heading back the way she came. "Congratulations again," she called. "I'm so excited for you guys."

She scurried off, and I was left in the lobby with Nico's arm wrapped around me. I peered up at him, feeling every bit as infatuated as I was when I was a teenager.

"I love you," I said.

He leaned in to put a kiss on my cheek and then one at the corner of my mouth before letting his mouth come down a third time on my lips. I tugged on his jacket a little and leaned into him, trying to make the contact last longer than the intended quick kiss. Our lips lingered for a few extra seconds as a result of my effort, and he smiled at me once he finally pulled back.

"I love you, too," he said. "And I mean that like t-o-o
and
t-w-o."

The end

(till book 5)

*Evan's story will be the fifth and final book in the Hunt Family series, and it is set to release later this summer
.

Other titles available from Brooke St. James:

Another Shot
:

A Modern-Day Ruth and Boaz Story

When Lightning Strikes

Something of a Storm
(All in Good Time #1)

Someone Someday
(All in Good Time #2)

Finally My Forever
(Meant for Me #1)

Finally My Heart's Desire
(Meant for Me #2)

Finally My Happy Ending
(Meant for Me #3)

Shot by Cupid's Arrow

Dreams of Us

Meet Me in Myrtle Beach
(Hunt Family #1)

Kiss Me in Carolina
(Hunt Family #2)

California's Calling
(Hunt Family #3)