Chapter 85: Four Years Later

The pantry was full of Cheetos packets. Even after explaining countless times over the past few years that I only craved them when pregnant (and I really wasn't a chip monster), Gabriel always kept the kitchen stocked with packets that expired before anyone could eat them. He still hated that all those years ago, I needed something, and he wasn't there to provide it. I often pretended to be angry, but I was secretly happy.

Gabriel kept every promise he made to me. Every day, he proved to be a good husband and an even better father—admittedly, one who was overly protective of his children, especially his daughter. He frowned the entire day she learned to walk independently, despite the fact that she no longer needed to hold his hand. I smiled, proud of my little girl. She was still small, shorter than Alex, with dark hair flowing in loose curls to her chest. She was quiet but inquisitive, thoughtful, and loved to color. My husband was sure she'd grow up to be an artist, like me.

Alex, on the other hand, was a menace. In other words, he was far too witty for his age, a whirlwind of chaos. Gabriel knew he took after his uncle Damien, even though Damien was adopted. But at the end of the day, Alex couldn't sleep without his father telling him a made-up story about animals and tucking him into bed. I almost had a heart attack the day Alex told him he wanted "grown-up" stories—ones that involved "people and punches."

Gabriel didn't sleep that entire night, and I laughed watching him pace our room in worry. It was probably because of the new cartoon the twins had started watching at daycare. Needless to say, that cartoon was banned forever from our house.

Today was special. The twins, three and a half years old, ran around the house, excited to watch their parents get married.

"Aurora! Alex! Slow down! You're going to fall!" I shouted, watching them race into the living room toward Zach, who was taking them to the venue.

Zach caught them both in his arms, picking up Aurora while Alex clung to his other bicep like a little monkey. I giggled, watching from above, and then felt a familiar touch on my arm, a whisper in my ear.

"Ready to get married, Freckles?"

I grinned. "So ready."

The first time Gabriel and I got married, it was for the world. We didn't say our own vows, dance at our reception, or even cut our own cake. Hell, even Gabriel's entire family wasn't there. This time, we were getting married for us. On our fifth anniversary, today, we were remarrying in our backyard, with only family and friends.

I held my daughter, combing her hair and rearranging the flowers in her braids.

"Mama," she pondered aloud, her sweet voice warming my heart. "Why weren't Alex and I at your first wedding to Dada?"

I giggled, kissing her forehead. "Because the two of you weren't born yet, my baby love."

She pouted. I handed her the little basket of flowers, and she observed them while I straightened the creases in her little pink tulle dress.

"It's time," I told her. "I love you, okay?"

"I love you too, Mama," she smiled before happily walking out the door. I caught a glimpse of the beautiful aisle—flowers, candles, chairs for our family and friends, and my husband standing at the end, ready to be my husband again.

As the moment settled, a wave of grief hit me. The last time I got married, Grandpa walked me down the aisle. He did so while I couldn't even smile properly, burdened by the guilt of marrying a stranger. I wished I could have told him it all worked out. I wished I could have told him that marrying Gabriel was the best thing that ever happened to me. I wished he could have met my twins, I wished he'd had a chance to love them.

I wiped away the tears before they ruined Alice's makeup—which wasn't much, due to Gabriel's insistence that my freckles remain uncovered. It's safe to say he had an unhealthy obsession with them.

I held my bouquet steadily as I entered. Everyone stood, soft music filled the air along with the scent of lavender and vanilla, and I focused on the man in front of me. My wedding dress was simple, white silk that hugged my curves—perfect for a small wedding, made by a local label, unlike the previous designer gown. Even in this simple dress, Gabriel stared at me as if I were the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

Close enough, I saw his eyes shine with tears, and I had to gulp to hold back my own sobs. I handed the flowers to my maid of honor, Alice, and stood before Gabriel.

The priest began the ceremony, but I'd be lying if I said I heard a word. I stared at Gabriel, who stared back with a smile that made me want to jump into his arms. My breath hitched every time he bit his lip, looking at me as if his desires for tonight knew no bounds. God, I hoped they didn't.

I only snapped out of our bubble when Alex, our ring bearer, tugged on my gown because he was tired. Gabriel laughed before picking him up, holding him until it was time for the vows, at which point Zach took him.

I said my vows first: "As I stand here today, hand in hand with you, Gabriel, I vow to honor and cherish you for the rest of my days. With our children as witnesses to our love, I vow to be the best partner I can be to you and the best mother I can be to them, to nurture and protect our family, and to love the three of you immensely, every day. I vow to support your strengths and correct your weaknesses, always. Gabriel, when I first met you, I didn’t think we’d be standing here all these years later. But in you, I found a home, my sanctuary, a safe space I never want to lose. In you, I found pieces of myself I didn’t realize were missing. You complete me. In your love, I have found my greatest happiness, my deepest peace, and the rest of my life. I love you. Thank you for choosing me every day, for being the best husband a girl could ask for and the best father to our children. The three of us are so lucky to have you."

I sniffed, and Gabriel wiped a tear from his eye, his breathing rough. I looked at our audience: Leila was crying, and our daughter looked at us with awe.

"Sophia," Gabriel began, taking a deep breath. I sniffed again, causing him to hold my hand tighter. "My Freckles. From the day I saw you, the moment I saw you walking down that altar for the first time, I knew you were going to change my world in ways I wasn’t ready for. Every thought that crossed my mind was for you, about you, and still, I somehow kept messing up. I spent so much time bettering myself for you and still, even at my best, I don’t deserve someone as kind as you. I promise to make myself better every day until the day I might somehow be worthy of you. I promise to cherish you, to love you, and to protect you. I promise to be the best father for our children, I promise to be the best role model for them. I love being mundane with you, and I promise to be mundane with you for the rest of my life because with you, even boring becomes interesting. Thank you for letting me be your husband again."

I sniffed, tears falling. All that time ago, forced into a contract marriage—who knew we'd be here?

Time flew as we looked into each other's eyes, exchanging rings until the priest asked if we took each other as husband and wife. I was dazed until Gabriel's thumb stroked my palm, and he whispered, "I do."

"And do you, Sophia Baker," the priest asked, "take Gabriel Whitlock as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

I took a deep breath, a smile aching my cheekbones. "I do."

"Gabriel, you may kiss your bride."

Gabriel didn't need to be told twice. He pulled me close, towering over me effortlessly despite my heels. I heard his mother sob happily and his father cheer, but I blocked out all voices, consumed by his lips on mine—as soft as the first time—his fingers tracing my lower back as he turned me.

We pulled away to see our family and friends laughing and applauding, but I was focused on little Aurora, covering her eyes with her tiny hands, a blush on her cheeks, while Alex stood on a chair, jumping and clapping with a grin that would break many hearts someday—Gabriel and I both knew. But those were stories for another time. For now, I focused on my husband, who pulled me to the dance floor.

"Husband," I nuzzled his cheek.

"Wife," he mumbled, kissing the top of my head.

"So you know how you always stock the pantry with Cheetos in case I need them someday?" I trailed off.

"Hm?"

"I think I'm going to need them."

The red hue on my cheeks turned to a pout when he furrowed his eyebrows, confused. "What?"

"Gabriel," I bit my lip. "I'm pregnant. We're pregnant again."

My husband gaped, his lips parted. "You're not joking."

I shook my head, giggling as his hands dropped from my waist, and he took me in.

"I'm going to be a dad?"

"You are a dad," I gently reminded him.

"Yes, but this time, I'll be there through it with you?" He gulped, a shine in his eyes.

"I sure as hell hope so," I deadpanned.

"Fuck," he grinned. "Fuck."

Laughter escaped me.

"Fuck," he repeated before capturing my lips once again, pulling away only to say, "You make me the happiest man on this planet, Freckles."

"And you make me the happiest woman," I reassured him, stepping closer so he could hold me.

"My wife," he sighed dreamily before embracing me, and we danced softly to the music until Alex and Aurora interrupted with their enthusiastic jumping and dancing. I watched as my husband picked them up, one in each arm, the smiles on all our faces unending.

The feeling was too surreal to believe, but it was real. Having Alex and Aurora, and Gabriel Whitlock as my husband, was the greatest blessing the universe had ever given me. I watched him, butterflies erupting in me the moment our eyes met. The only man who had this power over me. My husband. And I, his wife. I had loved being his wife for the past five years, and I knew I would love every bit of it for the rest of my life.

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for reading my story. There will be a few bonus chapters coming up. Damien's book is unfortunately on hold for now. My second book, The Billionaire's Desire, will be out on April 1st. Thank you! I love you. XO - Heer.