Page 26 of Jilted

Chapter Twenty-Three

O ne Year Later...

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Craig whispered, playfully nudging Brett with his shoulder.

“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life,” Brett responded as he looked around.

He was back on Tri Pinnae Island, back on the secluded beach where he’d first told Amy he’d loved her.

Only this time, he was surrounded by his parents, his brother, and Amy’s sister.

And he was standing beneath a flower arch, waiting for Amy to walk down the aisle toward him, toward their future together.

This island was where they’d found each other, so they’d agreed it was where they’d vow their love to each other, too.

And it couldn’t have been more perfect. Brett had even managed to get the same exact bungalow they’d stayed in last time.

Their family was staying all the way on the other side of the island, giving Brett and Amy a little bit of privacy.

“It’s not too late to call this off,” Craig teased.

Brett laughed. “Not a chance in hell.” He turned to look at his brother. “In fact, you’ll probably have to hold me back so I don’t run down that aisle and grab her.”

Craig flung his head back and laughed. “You’ve got it bad.”

Yes, he did, but he didn’t care. The small island band began to play, and Brett’s heart momentarily stopped.

This was it. He clutched his hands in front of him and twisted them, his nerves getting the best of him.

Blowing out a breath, he tried to calm himself.

This was Amy – his best friend, the love of his life – she would walk down that aisle. She would.

And then she did.

Brett couldn’t stop smiling. God, she was beautiful.

Dressed in a knee length white dress, sandals, and a large flower tucked behind her ear, she was absolutely stunning.

She stole his breath and his heart all over again.

It felt like it took forever for her to finally reach him, but when she did, he took both of her hands into his and looked into her eyes.

She smiled at him, and he swore his knees were going to give out.

“I understand you’ve written your own vows?” said the man who was officiating over the wedding.

“Yes.” Brett’s voice was barely above a whisper.

He cleared his throat, not remembering a time in his life when he’d been this nervous. Nothing about their relationship was normal so they’d opted for a very non-traditional wedding. Amy gently squeezed his hands, and he licked his lips.

“Go ahead,” the man said.

Brett nodded and refocused his gaze on his bride.

“You are the one person in the world I’ve always been able to count on.

I’ve spent my life choosing you over all others, and today I stand here, once again choosing you.

I choose you to be my best friend, my wife, my lover, and my forever.

Finding you was a dream come true, and I vow to spend the rest of my life making all your dreams come true.

” He paused and noticed the tears in her eyes.

Brett reached up and gently wiped them away.

“You have made me the happiest man in the world, and I’m going to devote every second of every day making you as happy as you’ve made me. I love you, Amy King, so much.”

Amy reached up and wiped away more tears. Then she smiled. Exhaling, she said, “Wow, okay...”

He rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles in an attempt to calm her.

She nodded and then spoke. “As my friend, you’ve always been there for me, given me a shoulder to cry on.

You make me laugh like no one else can, and you drive me crazy, too.

” She chuckled. “But I love you. I’ve loved you since the day we met, and I will love you until the day I die.

You’re my best friend, my soul mate, and my husband.

I can’t wait to start spending the rest of our lives together. ”

“The rings,” the man said.

Brett took the ring that Craig held and slipped it onto Amy’s finger. “I love you,” he said.

Amy took the ring from her sister and put it on Brett’s finger. “I love you,” she whispered, her tears once again streaking down her cheeks.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Brett wasted no time pulling Amy into his arms and kissing her.

He parted her lips with his tongue and twisted his tongue around, over, and under hers.

She moaned softly, and he forced himself to pull away, to remember that they were standing in front of their family.

He was so looking forward to later, when they were alone.

Brett would show her just how much he really loved her.

Amy was now officially Mrs. Brett Hudson, and she hadn’t stopped smiling all day.

Now that the ceremony was over, they were having a small, private celebration in one of the dining rooms located in the hotel restaurant.

The band that had played during the wedding was now playing for the entire place.

Brett held her in his arms as they danced, totally oblivious to everything and everyone around them. “So, tell me, Mrs. Hudson, is there anything you’d like to do while we’re here this time?” Brett kissed her lips.

“I really like the sound of that...Mrs. Hudson.” She smiled.

“Mmm, me too.” He spun her around and pulled her back into his arms. “But you didn’t answer my question.”

“Aside from making love to my husband every chance I get? Let me see...” She pretended to think about what she wanted to do, but she knew. “I want to give you a present.”

He stopped moving for a moment and raised a brow. “A present?”

“Yeah.” Now that she’d said it, her stomach flopped. Maybe now, here, wasn’t the best time to give him this gift. But, damn, she’d been waiting for weeks for this, and she couldn’t possibly wait a moment longer. She’d intentionally waited until their wedding day to give him this particular gift.

“Okay.” He laughed. “What is it?”

Amy pulled him closer and put her mouth near his ear. “We’re going to have a baby, Brett. I’m pregnant.”

Brett jerked his head back so that he was looking at her face. She held her breath, waiting for him to respond. Since they’d been together, they hadn’t really talked about having kids, so she really didn’t know how he was going to react, but she hoped it was positive.

Slowly, Brett’s lips curved into a smile. “I’m going to be a dad?” he whispered as if he didn’t fully believe her.

“Yes.”

“I’m going to be a dad!” He picked her up and spun her around. “God, Amy...wow...I...” Brett crushed his mouth over hers. “I love you so damn much.”

Amy sighed with relief and was overcome with emotion. “Thank you, Brett, for everything. For loving me, marrying me, giving me a baby...” Her words were lost to her tears.

Never, in a million years, did she think she’d ever be this happy. But because of Brett, she was, and she’d do whatever it took to make sure they both stayed this happy. Forever.

Thank you for taking the time to read JILTED.

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