Page 62 of Moonlight & Matrimony (Oak Ridge #2)

Ivy

? Cosmic Love - Florence and the Machine

A s I prepare for our date, I give myself a once over in the bathroom mirror, a nervous flutter building low in my belly.

The only hint he would give me is to keep it casual, so I chose a simple burgundy form fitting tee, a pair of figure hugging jeans, and my cowboy boots.

I swipe on one last layer of lipstick as a head full of bouncing curls comes into view just above the countertop.

“Mommy, you look pretty!” Rylin’s bright personality has been slowly emerging from the shadows over the past couple of weeks, and I’ve been soaking it all up.

“Thank you, my love.”I smooth my hand over the pendant around my neck, a rush of anticipation flooding my senses. “Are you ready for your playdate with Aiden?”

“Yes!” She bounces up and down on the balls of her feet, a wide smile spreading across her face. Liam offered to hang out with Rylin at the house so Luca could “sweep me off my feet” — his words, not mine. As I smile down at my little girl, I sense him before I see him.

“Wow,” Luca says, his eyes raking over me in the mirror. “You look… fuck.”

“Bad word, Da… Luca.” The air whooshes from my lungs, recalling the last time Rylin accidentally called Luca daddy.

She stopped herself this time, a look of embarrassment flashing across her face.

Luca pulls her into a hug and tickles her sides, bypassing the awkward moment.

I snag my jacket from the bench, avoiding eye contact with Luca as I sidestep him into the bedroom.

“Sorry, Bug. Your mommy just looks so beautiful I couldn't think of a better word,” he says.

Giving us a much needed reprieve, a knock sounds at the door. “That must be Liam and Aiden.”

Anticipation courses through me as I consider what Luca has in store for tonight.

My stomach twists at the possibility of a romantic dinner alone.

It’s been a week since Christmas and I think we’ve had enough turkey leftovers to last a lifetime.

Paige truly overdid it with Christmas at the cabin, sending everyone home with a huge container of food.

I’ve been feeling more bloated than beautiful, but I won’t let that ruin our night.

“Are you finally going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask as Luca takes my hand, helping me up into his truck. Once I’m securely buckled, he takes his place behind the wheel, giving me a sly grin, sidestepping my question. I roll my eyes. “You’re the worst.”

He chuckles, mouth tipped up into an amused smile as he pulls onto the road.

I glance out the windows, taking in the bright crescent moon and the stars dotting the sky.

It’s barely 7pm, but the early winter sunsets give way to the gorgeous night sky, sending a wave of memories crashing over me.

As we wind down the familiar streets, his path becomes more clear. “The ranch?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he says, reaching out a hand to intertwine our fingers on the console. “Hope that’s ok.”

A pit forms in my stomach at the thought of returning to the last place I was whole and happy, but it's quickly replaced with determination. I can’t let what happened define every step I take. I squeeze his hand in response. “Yeah. I think it’s great.”

As we pull through the gate, uncertainty starts to bubble to the surface and my stomach roils, but the feeling doesn’t have a chance to take root as Luca’s steady voice replaces it, “Take a breath.” How he can read me so well is beyond me.

He pulls to a stop near the barn, decorated with a giant wreath and Christmas lights.

Near the fence, Copper and Maybelle are waiting for us, tacked and ready to go.

“I asked Griff to have them ready,” he explains.

Luca helps me onto the chestnut quarter horse, his hand squeezing my ass as I seat myself.

“Couldn’t resist,” he says with an impish grin.

God, it’s so good to see him like this again.

Butterflies dance in my belly as I stare at him for a bit too long, taking in the lightness there.

Luca clears his throat and adjusts himself before taking his position atop Maybelle.

I take the time to look my fill as he leads us down a well-worn path around the pasture.

His ass looks delicious in his weathered wranglers.

I give Copper a squeeze, beckoning him to pick up speed and he pulls up alongside Maybelle as directed.

We ride in contented silence for a while, watching the glow of the moon and stars illuminating the landscape as we meander down the dimly lit path.

“Where are we going?” I ask, unsure exactly what part of the ranch we’re on now.

As we crest the hill, my eyes go wide in shock.

I scan my surroundings, noting what must be a hundred LED candles scattered about, surrounding what looks like a concrete slab with a picnic set on top. “Luca, what is this?”

There’s a lump in my throat as he helps me down off the horse, my knees going weak as my feet hit solid ground. Luca’s strong arms wrap around my waist, keeping me upright. “I have a lot to explain, I know. Follow me.”

Taking my hand, Luca guides me over to the familiar picnic blanket, his eyes shining with something I can’t quite place. “Sit.”

Once I’m situated, Luca places another thicker blanket around my shoulders before settling in beside me to wrap me up in his arms. His warmth envelopes me as he places a gentle kiss on my cheek. “This is nice. But I really need you to start talking,” I say with a giggle.

“Welcome home,” he says. Confusion washes over me as I try to decipher his meaning.

As if reading my mind, Luca continues,“I was lost without you, Ivy. When you left, it was like a vital part of me was missing. The entirety of my heart disappeared into that airport, and every single day you were gone, I regretted not asking you to stay sooner. I’ve made a lot of mistakes where you’re concerned.

I shouldn’t have tried to push you away, but the irony is, I was scared you’d leave.

You have no idea how much I wish I had done things differently. ”

I open my mouth to speak, but he cuts me off.

“Let me finish, Trouble. You can say what you need to say when I’m done.

” There's no malice in his tone. If anything, he almost sounds amused. Luca shifts us so we’re face to face now.

“I love you, Ivy Jo Roberts. I should’ve told you the moment I knew.

You’re it for me. And this,” he says, gesturing to the landscape and the area surrounding us, “is all yours if you want it.”

“What are you saying?” I murmur, eyes glassy as I peer over my shoulder to search his face for answers.

“A while back, Russell and Evelyn set this parcel of land aside in your name, hoping you would use it as a refuge. When I was trying to figure out how the hell I was going to get you to stay, I asked them for help, and Russ brought me here. I know the ranch has always felt like home to you, more so than anywhere else. It’s up to you whether you want to build a home here.

But I’d like to be a part of that if you’ll have me. ”

“Luca…”

“Say you’ll stay with me.”

“Baby,” I whisper, cupping his cheeks in my hands. “I always intended to stay. I didn’t come back here because of what happened. I came back because I missed you. Needed you. Every day without you only made me want you more. I love you, too, Luca.”

He closes his eyes, leaning his forehead against mine. “Say it again,” he murmurs.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. So fucking much.” He groans and crashes his lips down on mine, taking my mouth in a hungry kiss. He devours me like I’m his last meal until a loud growl cuts through the silence. “Hungry?” he snorts, the dimple I adore so much appearing in his cheek.

“Sorry,” I say a little sheepishly. “I was too nervous to eat.”

“We’d better get you fed, then.” Luca walks over to the large basket and pulls out all of my favorite things. Pinwheels, bacon wrapped tater tot bombs, and lemon bars, along with a container full of fresh fruit and a bottle of wine.

“Paige?” I ask.

“Yep,” he responds, holding a pinwheel to my lips. I take it into my mouth along with his fingers, involuntarily moaning around the bite. “If you keep making noises like that, you’re going to be having a very different meal.”

“Don’t tempt me with a good time, baby.”

“Fuck,” he says, adjusting himself behind his jeans as he takes a bite of his own. His brown eyes sparkle in the moonlight, and I can’t help but smile at the lines surrounding them.

Luca pushes up his sleeves, and the air evaporates from my lungs as I glance down at the compass tattoo on his forearm.

What used to be a beautiful, albeit simple, design has been transformed into something much more elaborate.

Swirls of black ink now cover his entire forearm from wrist to elbow.

Behind the compass is a rustic skyline with mountains and trees along the horizon, a crescent moon hanging overhead, and stars dotting the sky.

Off to the right, illuminated by the glow of the moon, is a large oak tree with a swing hanging from its branches.

There’s a stillness in the air as I trace the black ink with my fingertips, and I don’t notice the tear that escapes until Luca reaches out to wipe it away, his hand lingering on my cheek in a gentle caress.

“I never knew where this compass would lead me until it brought me to you; until it guided me home. You’re my home, Ivy.

You and Rylin. I’m going to do everything in my power to be the man you deserve. ”

“You are more than enough, Luca.”

I don’t know when I fell for him — but it feels as though this love has always been there in some ways.

Maybe it was a gradual slide into oblivion, or maybe my heart made the leap long before my consciousness followed — whatever the case, I know I’m irrevocably changed and my heart is safe in his hands.

There’s just one more little complication I need to address.

“Where would we put the nursery?” Luca’s jaw goes slack, his gaze flicking down to my belly, then back up to my face, searching for the answer to a question he hasn’t asked yet.

“When? How?”

“Turns out, birth control loses its effectiveness when you spend a bunch of time in a coma,” I explain.

I reach into my back pocket, pulling out my 8 week ultrasound.

Luca takes the little black and white paper in his hand, stroking his finger along the tiny jelly bean shaped baby.

I didn’t find out until I came back to Oak Ridge.

I knew my period was late, of course, but I chalked it up to the aftereffects of the trauma.

I didn’t suspect anything was amiss until I started to feel a little off kilter.

Four pee sticks and an OBGYN appointment later, all my suspicions were confirmed.

“We’re having a baby,” he whispers, his voice full of wonder.

“Yeah. We’re having a baby,” I confirm.

Luca

I stare at the photo in my hand for several minutes, wondering when I would wake up from the vivid dream I’m immersed in.

This is more than I could ever hope for.

When I brought Ivy out here, I only had the faintest hope that she’d want to stay and build a life with me.

Now, I have tangible proof of our connection resting in the palm of my hand.

“You okay there?”

“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat. “Just processing.” I glance at my girl, noticing the sullen expression on her face, only now realizing my reaction might leave a lot to the imagination. Luca, you fucking asshole.

“Sweetheart, this is… fuck. I couldn’t be happier,” I clarify. “It almost doesn’t seem real.”

Her face changes to amusement as she absorbs my words. “I can assure you that the several bouts of nausea and vomiting would say this is very much real. Are you sure this is something you want?”

Her question catches me off guard. “Yes. Fuck yes. I never once considered the alternative. I want it all with you, Ivy.” I pull her to me, kissing every inch of her beautiful face before pulling away to place my hands on her belly. “My baby. Our baby. Does Rylin know?”

“God no. She wouldn’t be able to keep a secret. Besides, I wanted you to be the first to know. I thought we could tell her together.”

I shift onto my knees, cupping her cheeks in my palms as I bring her lips to mine, taking her mouth in a languid kiss full of every unspoken emotion and weeks of longing. Carefully laying her back on the blanket, I settle my hips between her thighs, letting her feel exactly what she does to me.

“Luca, it’s too cold outside for this,” she says with a giggle, and fuck, I want to memorize that sound. It’s been too long since we’ve been able to laugh together. I rub her frozen nose against mine, then kiss her forehead. “Let’s get some more food in your belly. You’re eating for two, now.”

“We’re both fine, Luca. The baby is only the size of a raspberry right now.

” She goes on to tell me about the app she downloaded that tracks every stage of her pregnancy, and I immediately pull out my phone to download it for myself.

I’m going to do everything I can to give her the experience of a real partner this time around.

She deserves to know what it feels like to be loved, completely and effortlessly.

“I guess this wine was a bad idea,” I chuckle. “Let’s pack up. I have plans for you, wife.”

“I hope it includes a hot bath. I’m pretty sure my toes are ready to fall off.”

We work together to pack up the remnants of our picnic, tucking them away for Griff to retrieve in the morning. “Fuck, should you be riding a horse?”

Ivy laughs. “Calm down, babe. I’m fine.”

“I have a lot to learn,” I admit.

“I’ll take you to the library. For now, let’s just go home.”

“Actually, we’re not going home. The guest house is all set up and Liam should be dropping Rylin off with Paige and Cade right about now.”

“Luca! I don’t even have any pajamas.”

“If you think I didn’t plan ahead, you don't know me at all. But if I have it my way, you won’t be needing any clothes.”