Epilogue
Keira had been right about the dress.
Why Mayson even spent one moment in doubt, she didn’t know, but she supposed it came with the territory as a soon-to-be bride. Thankfully, she’d only had to be one for two weeks.
The simple lines framed her body and accentuated her figure. Mayson smoothed her fingers over the delicate silk of the bodice and smiled to herself where her belly rounded slightly. The thought of the life that grew there filled her with wonder and a deep appreciation for what she had, as well as the future she and Holt were about to embark on.
“Mayson. It’s time.” Keira waved her from the hallway, and she didn’t miss the excitement that put bright color on her sister’s cheeks.
“You ready?” Camryn smiled at her as she handed over a small bouquet of white roses.
“Yes.” She was ready. Ready for her life with Holt to begin. Excited for the arrival of the child they both wanted and were so anxious to see. Equipped with the love she needed to see them through life’s ups and downs.
Camryn helped her with the train of the dress, folding it over her arm before handing over her bouquet. A sheen of tears covered her eyes before a few spilled out and over her cheeks.
Keira waved from the door. “No crying, Camryn! If you cry, you’ll make me cry. And that’ll make the bride cry, who, let’s face it, can’t stop crying lately.”
“Hey!” Mayson said in mock protest.
Keira ignored her and continued with her drill sergeant routine. “We still need to get her picture.”
Camryn added a jaunty salute before gesturing her down the long hallway, where Mayson met Holt at the doors of city hall. They’d decided on something quiet and private, and then would do something more formal after the baby arrived.
This was for them.
And the look of love shining from Holt’s eyes made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world. “You’re sure it’s not bad luck, you seeing me first?”
“You’re beautiful.” He bent down and pressed his lips to her ear. “And we make our own luck. Remember that.”
“I will.”
They waited their turn behind two other couples, and it was only as they were waiting to be called forward that Mayson remembered their earliest discussions about getting married. “Was this what you had in mind when we discussed a merger?”
“Are you still hung up on that whole idea? Because, baby, I don’t need an out clause. Or a golden parachute. And I’m certainly not looking for a business transaction.”
“What are you looking for?”
The smile in his eyes softened his features, the strong, formidable man she knew fading a bit as a lighter air seemed to hover around him. “A marriage. Something I can celebrate every single day with you.”
“Me, too.”
“It’s you, Mayson. I’ve been looking for you. Long before I even knew I was looking, my heart knew you. Knew I was waiting for you.”
She lifted on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I love you.”
“You’d better, because I’m keeping you. Merger to marriage, baby. That’s the deal.”
“And it’s the only deal I want.”
About the Author
Addison Fox can’t remember a time when words weren’t a part of her life. An avid reader, her love of the written word started at the tender age of 1 with “The Owl and the p-ssycat” by Edward Lear (a poem she could recite by heart to any family member who would listen).
Shortly after college, Addison decided to try her hand at writing her own novel and it only took about eight pages until she was hooked. Several manuscripts followed and in 2008 she sold her first book. She enjoys writing across romance sub-genres, from contemporary to paranormal to romantic suspense.
Addison lives in Dallas. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com or on Facebook (facebook.com/addisonfoxauthor) and Twitter (@addisonfox).