And then they were kissing each other deeply again, tongues thrusting, ravishing each other. When he was sure she was ready, he turned her on her side, spooning her and burying himself inside her. That was when he knew without a doubt that this was where he wanted to be, where he needed to be. Always.
Chapter Seven
Every Sunday, the family had a standing brunch date. It wasn’t mandatory, but it was appreciated when every effort was made to attend, because they all led busy lives and this was the way they connected once a week.
Kate and Aidan decided family brunch would be the perfect time to share their double dose of good news with the family. Everyone would be there except for Chloe. She was at her friend Beatrice’s house for the afternoon. They would tell her the news after she got home this evening—after the rest of the family knew, so that the little girl didn’t spill the beans before Aidan and Kate had a chance to tell everyone themselves.
Elle was still the only one who was in on their secret, and in true Elle form, she had been a champ about helping them keep it under wraps until they were ready to announce it.
Kate had finally decided that she would move into Aidan’s house with him and Chloe, but she didn’t want to start packing up and relocating until they had officially informed the family.
She knew that her elopement might not go over very well with her mother and grandmother. Never had two women loved planning weddings as much as her Zelda and Gigi. Kate was preparing for the worst—hurt feelings that she had robbed them of their last chance to throw a wedding for the youngest of the three girls.
But she and Aidan planned on placating them with the consolation that even though they were already officially married, they wanted to stage a more traditional do-over in Savannah.
They had agreed to skip over the part about Kate not remembering the Vegas wedding—they would keep that little tidbit to themselves—and go right into the joyous news of the baby and how Gigi was getting her eighty-fifth birthday wish after all. All tied up in one beautiful package with a pretty bow.
Because it felt best to have the home field advantage, Aidan and Kate had agreed to host this week’s brunch, with the help of Elle, who had prepared a festive fruit salad, and Jane, who was none the wiser but whipped up delicacies such as scones, brioche and quiche from her tearoom.
After everyone had eaten, Aidan began uncorking the champagne. They had decided to make the announcement with a toast. It was, after all, a happy occasion. They needed to present the news in a happy, upbeat manner and everyone would be happy and upbeat about the news.
At least in theory.
Even so, Kate was a nervous wreck. Her hand shook as Aidan handed her a champagne flute that he had surreptitiously filled with ginger ale when he was in the kitchen.
Oh, come on. Get ahold of yourself. You’re a twenty-six-year-old grown woman who has married a wonderful man. You’re not a teenager who has gotten herself in trouble. If Mom and Gigi take issue with things, they will just have to get over it.
And even that tough self-talk wasn’t helping.
“Family is everything to us,” Aidan began. “That’s why we are so happy we could all be together today.”
Kate was standing next to him and he slid an arm around her waist.
“When Daniel and I were young, we lost our parents. Our grandmother took us in because we had no other family to turn to. Even if we’d had other options, she probably would have insisted on raising us. But what I’m trying to say is that a family bond is everything. Now that she’s gone, Zelda, you and Gigi have made me feel like part of your family. When Daniel married Elle, you so warmly welcomed Chloe and me into the fold without even blinking an eye. Now Kate and I are happy to announce—”
“Oh my goodness.” Gigi’s hand fluttered to her mouth and then she clapped her hands like a child who had just spotted the pony she’d gotten for her birthday. “Are you two engaged?”
She looked so thrilled that Kate imagined that she might float away on an imaginary heart balloon that bloomed from her happiness.
“Actually,” Kate said, sliding her arm around Aidan for support. “We are already married. We were so inspired by your Vegas wedding, Gigi and Charles, we decided to follow suit.”
Kate watched her mother’s and Gigi’s expressions turn from elated to confused, and then to something unreadable. She snared Elle’s gaze and telegraphed, Help me! Elle must have gotten the message because she jumped up from her seat, and hugged Kate and Aidan.
“Congratulations! This is the best news. It is so exciting. Isn’t it great, Jane?”
Jane immediately did her part, and while not quite as effusive as Elle, she helped rally the family with her congratulations. Zelda and Gigi still looked stunned, but Liam and Daniel came through with backslaps for Aidan and good wishes and hugs for Kate.
“Bro, you’re better at keeping a secret than I thought you were,” said Daniel. “How long has it been? Like three weeks? I didn’t even have a clue. You’ve got some kind of a great poker face.”
At least he did. Kate knew she had a terrible poker face and that she probably looked crushed when Gigi finally found her voice. “Daniel is right. You two have kept this from your family for three weeks. I don’t understand why you would do that, and frankly I’m a little hurt.”
“I was thinking the exact same thing.”
