Read Online Paris Rose by Dawn Douglas - Free Book Online

looked up. Nick knelt beside her.
    “Are you okay?”
    “I think I’ve broken my leg,” she said pitifully. “What the hell are you doing here?”
    Carefully, he removed her shoe, and frowned. “You’ve twisted your ankle. It’s pretty swollen.”
    “Did you think I was marrying Jean-Luc? Is that why you burst into the church?”
    “Everyone, the situation is under control,” Nick addressed the crowd. “Give her some air, please.”
    The onlookers began to disperse.
    “Please tell me what’s going on,” Lucy said, as Nick began to scoop her into his arms.
    “Grab your shoes,” he said, struggling to his feet. “God, have you gained weight?”
    “Either put me down or talk to me,” Lucy said. “I’m serious.”
    Nick looked at her. “Isn’t it obvious what’s happening?”
    “I’d hate to reach the wrong conclusion again.”
    “I have been traveling for two solid days,” he replied. “I haven’t slept, eaten, or showered in all that time because, quite simply, Lucy, I can’t live without you.”
    She went still, staring up at him.
    “Taxi!” he yelled, and one came to a halt beside them. Nick bundled her inside and climbed in beside her, then looked confused when the driver asked for a destination. Lucy gave the address of her apartment. She was stunned, her heart pounding in shock, the throbbing agony in her ankle all but forgotten. The driver took off, and when Nick pulled her close, Lucy realized she was shivering.
    “Are you cold?”
    “I think I may be in shock,” she said.
    “Shall we try again?” he took her hand. “I promise that this time, I’ll listen to your worries and fears, just as I did to your hopes and dreams. I won’t let you down again.”
    “I’m so sorry about what I did—”
    He shushed her. “You’ve already said that a thousand times.”
    Lucy bit her lip, hardly daring to believe this was happening. He was really here. She was sitting on his lap, and his arms were around her, strong and sure. He loved her after all.
    “So what I wanted to ask was if you’d be interested in coming home with me,” he said, looking deep into her eyes. “I thought we could spend the rest of our lives loving each other and raising kids—that sort of thing.”
    Lucy wanted to say something beautiful, words Nick would remember forever, that would seal the moment they found each other again. But all she could do was nod, and melt into his arms. Nick brought his lips down tenderly, telling her everything she needed to know. And she responded, her kiss deep and yielding, her heart opening wide, realizing words weren’t necessary after all.
    ****
    Eighteen months later
    As he smelled bacon, Dexter looked up hopefully, then let out a single, loud bark. Nick scowled down at him. “What did I tell you about that?”
    Dexter looked chastened.
    “Good,” Nick said, and dropped a scrap of bacon on the kitchen floor.
    He drained the grease from the pan, then carefully arranged the bacon on a plate with grilled tomatoes, hash browns and toast, wishing it looked a bit nicer. Then he placed the plate on a tray with the card and a glass of orange juice and began carefully making his way up the stairs with Dexter on his heels. Nick nudged the main bedroom door open, a big smile on his face, and was about to speak when he saw that Lucy had fallen back asleep. Her hair was all over the pillow, and there were pale violet smudges beneath her eyes. Even exhausted, Nick thought she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
    He placed the tray silently on the nightstand. There was a cry from down the hall, and Dexter gave a low woof and took off. Nick followed him, shaking his head. Everything was upside down this morning.
    “Hey, sweetie,” he said, going into his daughter’s bedroom. “You’re supposed to be fast asleep, and Mom’s supposed to be awake and digging into her Mommy’s Day breakfast—care to tell me what’s going on?”
    Six-month-old Paris Rose beamed up at him