Page 84 of The Vegas Rerun

“You and me both.”

“I thought it was just a wild night. One of those things you laugh about later.”

I smile.

“It’s still kind of funny.”

“True. But then I found you again. And now …” He trails off with a shrug and then he finishes his thought. “Now I’ve got everything I didn’t even know I needed.”

Tears prickle behind my eyes.

“I used to think I didn’t deserve this,” I whisper. “That I messed up too much. That I was too broken.”

“You’re not broken,” he says fiercely. “You never were.”

“But I was scared. Of being a mom. Of being loved. Of losing it all.”

“You’re not going to lose it,” he says. “Not ever.”

I look at him, and I believe him.

Because this man - this stubborn, loyal, maddeningly protective, amazing man - has proven it time and time again. He came back for me when I didn’t think he would. He stood by me when everything fell apart. He saved my life more than once.

And now he’s made me his wife.

We lay back on the bed, our fingers laced together over my stomach.

Outside, Vegas hums with life. Inside, I lay in the arms of the man I love, our daughter safe and sound with my mom, and a new life growing beneath my ribs.

I used to think happily ever after was just a fantasy. Something for fairytales. For movies. For other people. But tonight? Tonight, I know the truth.

It’s real. It’s messy and beautiful and terrifying and loud. It’s cupcakes in hair and baby giggles and midnight kisses on hotel rooftops.

It’s him. It’s us. And it’s forever.

And they lived happily ever after…