“Wanna dance with me, hot stuff?” Noel asked, coming around to stand in front of him, her hand held out expectantly.
“Shouldn’t you be doing maid of honor duties?”
Noel scoffed. “I have delivered the bride to the church, held the groom’s ring, held her bouquet, kept her dress up every time she’s had to pee, made sure she ate and is drinking plenty of water, and I gave a very sappy speech that moved everyone in the audience to tears. I’d say I am due for a break.”
“If you insist.” Nick took her hand and when they stepped out amid the other couples, she slipped his arms around her waist. “Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
“Hmmm, earlier when you saw me for the ceremony. You pulled me into that closet and kissed me.”
Nick grinned, pressing his lips next to her ear. “I seem to remember I did more than kiss you.”
“Yes, but I do not want to remember how the pastor officiating my friend’s wedding found me in a closet with my boyfriend’s hand up my skirt.”
He chuckled, kissing the side of her neck. “Honestly, I thought it was rude of him to just barge in without knocking.”
Noel rolled her eyes. “Or maybe next time you want to have a little tryst, we find a room with a lock on the door.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“I thought you were supposed to be a good boy?”
“I am, most of the time. For some reason, being with you brings out my naughty side.”
“Well, I guess we’ll have some fun stories to tell the kids one day.”
Nick stilled their movements, staring into her eyes earnestly. “What did you say?”
“Which part?”
“I heard the word children.”
“I told you. I’m warming up to the idea.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yep.” Noel looped her arms around his neck and grinned. “Maybe in a couple years we can revisit the subject?”
“I’d like that,” Nick said, afraid to ask too many questions and freak her out. “So, how many more duties do you have before we can get out of here?”
“What’s the rush?”
“I have a surprise for the birthday girl.”
“Really? What is it?”
“I’m sorry, do you not know what a surprise is?” he asked.
“I was just asking! See if I give you sweetness later.”
“Oh, I’m getting all your sweetness. Just you wait!”
“Mmmm, so confident.”
“I like my odds.”
“Well, I have to stick around at least through the bouquet toss and cake cutting, so, an hour, maybe? Think you can handle it?”
Nick gave her sweet, fleeting kiss. “I guess I’ll have to.”
“Good.” Noel snuggled into Nick and sighed. “To be honest, I can’t wait until we can go home. Gabby threw up on my tennis shoes this morning and I haven’t had a chance to wash them yet.”
“Why did Gabby throw up? Nerves?”
“No, she’s pregnant. They haven’t officially announced it yet, so not a word.”
“I won’t, but that’s awesome. They must be excited.”
“They are, very much.”
“Is that the sudden interest in kids? Because of Gabby?”
“In a way, Gabby has been a big help with me coming to terms with my insecurities and fears. She helped me talk out a lot of them, but no. It’s not just because Gabby is pregnant that I started thinking about kids. It’s the pictures on the Christmas tree the night of the concert. My dad and mom as kids, learning music from their parents, and me learning about music from mine. My parents had dreams for me. I had dreams for me before I lost them. I’ve been so consumed with them not being here, I forgot that I’d wanted to get married and have kids one day. After they passed, I told myself I didn’t want those things because they wouldn’t be there to celebrate with me, but that isn’t fair to them, me, and most importantly, it isn’t fair to the man I love.”
Nick kissed her forehead, wanting to shout with joy to the rooftops.
“Just so you know, I have no plans to pressure you about marriage or kids. We’ll take our time and when you feel that you’re ready for one, the other, or both, I’ll be on board.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey, Noel,” Amber said, coming up alongside them. “Sorry, but they’re getting ready to do the bouquet toss.”
“Thanks, I’ll be right there.”