Page 20

Peyton - Three Months Later

It’s been a little over three months since I’d moved to Vancouver. My plan had been to move in with Mom when I’d first moved here. The place she found was an equal distance between Knox and Clay, but once I got here, things changed.

Clay wanted to be involved in all medical appointments, he also didn’t want to miss anything, and once he’d patched things up with Knox, there was no holding him back. The first thing he did was ask me to move in with him. I took some time to think about it, talking things over with my mother, and then finally said yes.

I walked up to the door of the Sip and Stir and pulled it open, immediately spotting Lorelai in a booth against the wall with Aurora and Ellie.

“Hey!” I smiled, taking a seat beside Lorelai.

“Morning,” Aurora and Ellie said in unison.

“All unpacked?” Lorelai asked.

“Yes, finally. The only thing that would have made it easier would have been if Clay had asked before we had everything dropped at my mother’s.” I giggled. "I’m seriously happy to be home here, though.”

“Well, get used to it. These boys do nothing in the order it should be done. At least you had the help from Knox, Lucas, Dylan, Levi, and Colton, and Clay. You probably didn’t have to lift a finger,” Aurora added.

“Nope, all I had to do was tell them where to put boxes.” I smiled.

“That’s good, and Knox was on his good behaviour?” Lorelai questioned.

They had patched things up before returning from helping in Vermont those couple of days. That had been a blessing because poor Lorelai had cried on my shoulder for the entire time the boys had been outside patching things up, worried that this was the end of them. I knew, deep down, that it wasn’t, because I knew they were in love with one another. Plus, I’d kill my brother if he’d not fought for them. He was so lucky to have Lorelai.

“He was. They are getting along way better. What about you guys?”

Lorelai smiled. “Well, the wedding planning is back on. We finally came to an agreement on the invitations—went with a completely different one—and even picked the cake flavor.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Aurora added.

“Yes, how is the wedding planning coming for you guys?” Lorelai asked, looking over at Aurora.

“Well, the complete lack of sleep we are both getting is not helping. Jackson hardly makes it a couple of hours before he’s awake again. It’s been hell, honestly, and he’s only been with us for a month. I think Dylan secretly wishes we could just put him back, and all I can say is thank goodness Dylan is off now. At least we can take turns getting up with him.”

“Is this really what I have to look forward to?” I questioned, looking at Aurora more closely, noticing the dark circles under her eyes.

“Unfortunately, yes. I just hope that for you, your baby at least sleeps a little longer than Jackson does.”

“Me too. By the time he or she is born, Clay will be back in the full swing of practice.” I sighed.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure between the four of us we will help you,” Lorelai added.

“Speak for yourself. You could be pregnant by that time as well.” Aurora giggled.

“Only if the man watches his attitude,” Lorelai said, balling up the sugar packet and throwing it at Aurora.

“So, what are you guys up to tonight?” Ellie asked. “Lucas mentioned something about dinner out?”

“Yeah, Knox said Clay was taking you to the Sunset,” Lorelai added.

“Oh, that is my favorite restaurant. I’m hoping that maybe one of you guys will babysit for us one night, and Dylan and I can get out for some adult time,” Aurora said, pulling out a bottle from her bag and holding it for Jackson. “I think we could both use it.”

“Get us some dates. We’ll figure something out,” Ella said, turning her attention to me. “Now about The Sunset?”

“Well, he’s been secretive about tonight. All I know is that the place is called The Sunset. Other than that, I know nothing,” I added.

“You’ll love it. They have the best food. Seriously, oh, and make sure you have the chocolate fudge cake, the one that is covered in roasted coconut. You won’t regret it,” Aurora added.

“Oh, that is my favourite too. I tried it after you told me about it.” Lorelai giggled. “Maybe I should talk to Knox about seeing if they can cater the dessert at our wedding instead. That would be such a hit, although he’d probably be irritated that I’m wanting to change my mind.”

“Sure would be!” Aurora added. “What about a sweets table for later?”

“Great idea!” Ella exclaimed, taking a sip of her coffee.

Once on the topic of desserts and weddings, we began talking more about Lorelai and Knox’s wedding. We also set a date to try on bridesmaid dresses, and by the time I left, we’d also set up our first girls’ night. Nothing big, just dinner and drinks, but it was something for the four of us to look forward to.

I sat across from Clay in the restaurant, the entire room bathed in dim candlelight. It was already dark, and we could see lights from the ships in the harbor. It was the prettiest view I’d ever seen.

I took a sip of my tea and took a bite of the chocolate fudge cake that had been recommended to me this afternoon.

“Well? What do you think?” Clay asked.

I opened my eyes and swallowed, savoring the sweet flavor of the cake.

“So good. Honestly, I’m glad Aurora mentioned this, otherwise I’d have ordered the lemon cake, and I think I’d have been disappointed.”

“There is no disappointment when it comes to cake.” Clay winked.

I dug my fork into the cake and took another mouthful. “You’re so right. There really isn’t.” I giggled.

“You have chocolate on the corner of your lip,” Clay added, pointing to his mouth.

I reached up and wiped at my lip, but Clay only smiled when I was finished.

“Lean forward. You missed.”

I leaned forward and Clay took his napkin and wiped away the chocolate.

“How did you enjoy dinner?” he questioned.

“I think it was the best meal I’ve ever eaten. I’ve never seen shrimp that size before, and the steak was so tender I could have cut it with my fork.”

“Yeah, the shrimp are crazy huge.” He winked.

“I just…I don’t understand why such an expensive place?” I questioned, not used to being treated like this.

“Well, first, get used to it. I know you’re feeling a little uneasy.” He winked.

I smiled. It made all the difference that he knew I was feeling uncomfortable.

“I wanted tonight to be special. We haven’t officially had a real, intimate evening out because of all the work that needed to be done getting you here. Now that you are here, I wanted to change that. I want to wine and dine my girl,” Clay said, placing his hand on mine.

“So, I need to get used to this?”

Clay nodded. “There is something else as well,” he said, swallowing hard.

He looked a little off, like he was nervous. He shifted in his chair and checked his right suit jacket pocket, then his left, then the breast pocket, a shocked look coming over his face as he frantically started searching.

“What is it?” I questioned, watching as he began panicking.

“Give me a second,” he said, getting up and heading out of the restaurant.

Minutes later, he returned and took a seat across from me and nodded to the server to bring us two more drinks.

“What were you going to say?” I asked, frowning. “Did you forget your wallet?”

He looked at me and chuckled. “Nope, got that right here,” he said, patting his back pocket.

“Then where did you go?”

"Had to make a call…”

I frowned. “You had to make a call on a date with me that couldn’t wait until we got back home?”

Clay nodded. It was then he looked behind me, a look of relief coming to his face.

“Peyton, the last couple of months have been crazy. There have been so many difficulties, but finally things are coming together.” He took hold of my hand.

“If you ask me, the craziness isn’t over yet. Are you going to tell me who you had to call?” I asked, getting annoyed.

I heard Clay’s name and looked around, catching sight of Lucas coming toward the table.

“Hey, man!” he said as Clay stood up. They shook hands, and then Lucas looked at me.

“Sorry, sweetie, I won’t interrupt. Just wanted to say hello,” he said, winking at Clay before taking off.

“That was weird,” I muttered as I watched Lucas leave the restaurant.

“Tell me about it. The guy is super weird. Anyway, I want you to know that I have spoken to both your mother and your brother, and they have given us their blessing.”

“There blessing?” I asked, swallowing hard. “What for?”

Clay took my hand in his and then reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a diamond ring.

“Before the baby comes, I need to know, Peyton. Will you be my wife?” he asked.

My eyes burned as I looked at him and then looked toward the door Lucas had exited from.

“He came to bring that to you, didn’t he?”

A smirk rested on Clay’s lips as he looked at me. “The girls warned you we do most things backward. I forgot it…I was nervous.” He shrugged.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked at him sitting there looking adorably cute and sexy, his cheeks red with embarrassment.

“Clay, I’d be happy to be your wife,” I whispered, leaning across the table and placing a kiss on his lips.

I closed my eyes as he kissed the side of my neck. He pulled the material of my dress and continued trailing kisses down my shoulder, sending tiny waves of excitement through my body.

My center already ached for his touch as his hands came around me and rested on my stomach. I placed my hands on his as he continued placing kisses along the back of my neck and looked at my hand, at the beautiful solitaire diamond ring staring back at me.

In such a short time I’d gone from a broken relationship with my brother because of being in one hell of a shitty relationship with a guy who couldn’t care less about me, to finding out I was pregnant. Now I was engaged to a man who I hadn’t realized I was completely and utterly in love with. I never realized how fast one could fall in love with someone until now.

I felt the material of my dress fall down my body, the cool air of the room hitting my skin. I pressed my head back against his shoulder. His hand gently rested against my cheek, and he turned my head, meeting my lips. His tongue forced my lips apart, washing through my mouth.

I let out a soft moan as his large hands ran over my bra, gently cupping my breasts.

“I love you.” He moaned into my mouth as his hand slid down my body and into my panties.

I closed my eyes as his fingers found my center. “I love you too,” I moaned, my voice shaking.

“What do you say we climb into bed, make our engagement official?” Clay whispered, sucking the lobe of my ear into his mouth.

I spun in his arms, wrapped my arms around his neck, and met his lips. I wanted nothing more but for this to last forever, this feeling of us being together.