Loving Quinn Novel by North Rose

(Annora)

A month and a half later

If someone had asked me a year ago how I saw my life going, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them. A year ago, my life was dull and almost boring. I love my job; I love Grace and the life we had together, but there was just something missing. Now, after meeting Quinn again at that fundraiser, I can tell them with certainty where I see my life heading.

Quinn was that missing piece. He was what Grace and I were waiting for. Now we are in Spain getting ready for our wedding.

Planning our wedding on such short notice was a nightmare and took longer than we wanted. Working with everyone’s schedule was tricky, but we finally found a day where everyone involved would be available for the entire weekend. With the guest list being small, that part was easier to

deal with.

I wanted to keep it simple, but my mother wanted to make it a grand affair. She told me this should have been my first and only wedding, so it was worth it to go all out with every detail. I agreed with her on the first part and compromised on the second.

I told her that I wanted a beach wedding and to plan the decorations accordingly. The final result was beyond my expectations. Victoria was a lifesaver and kept my mother from veering off course with the décor. I snuck out early this morning to watch them set up and I was very impressed with

how everything was coming together.

By the time I crept back into our cabin, I had just enough time to wake Quinn up. We got to snuggle a bit before my mother knocked on our door to usher him out of the room. With one last lingering kiss, he reluctantly let me go so he could go get ready.

I smile as he leaves the room with his wedding clothes tucked into a garment bag over his

shoulder. There is a secret that I can’t wait to tell him. One that I know will make him happy.

Last night during my bachelorette party, I spent an hour in the bathroom throwing up. Shawna

and Rylan snuck off to a local pharmacy to grab some pregnancy tests. It took them a bit to find

them, but they returned to the villa victorious. They both gave me sly looks, then ushered me

back into the bathroom.

Four tests later, and they confirmed what my body had been telling me for the last few weeks. I didn’t want to jinx it, so I decided to ignore the signs. Swollen and sensitive breasts, being moreThis belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

tired than usual, and oh, the mood swings. I just attributed the last one to the growing irritation of planning our wedding.

Now I know without a doubt that I am expecting Quinn’s baby.

So, here I am, standing in front of the floor to ceiling wall mirror in my silk robe with my hand

over my flat stomach. There are tears in my eyes as I rub my hand over my belly. This baby took

its time, but now that it is a reality, I am scared.

I don’t know why.

Maybe because it has been so long since I was pregnant with Grace that I never thought I would

have another baby. It has been a dream of mine for years. Quinn coming back into my life made

that dream seem like something far more plausible than ever before.

I just couldn’t see myself having another baby with anyone other than him.

Kyle wanted us to have a baby, but there was no way I was going to bring a child into that

marriage. So, I had an IUD implanted to prevent it. He never knew. It would have been worse if he

did.

Marrying him was the worst mistake I ever made.

With a sigh, I shake my head clear of my nightmare ex-husband. Today is all about Quinn and me.

No one will ruin this day for us. I won’t let them.

“What are you thinking about, Annora?” My mother says from behind me.

I make eye contact with her in the mirror. Her eyes look to where my hand is rubbing my stomach. The bright smile that lights up her face is so wide that I can’t help but smile back at her.

“I am getting married to Quinn today, momma.”

“It has been a long time in the making, my beautiful girl. When are you going to tell him about this new baby?” She asks.

“I was thinking of telling him while we were up there saying our vows. Maybe work in a line about

our children or something.”

“That would shock him. I think I have another idea.” She walks to the closet to pull out my wedding dress, then she hangs in on the h**k beside the mirror.

I laugh as she tells me her idea, and it is a good one. It is also something she already put in motion after I learned I was pregnant. That does not surprise me at all.

“Are you ready to get this show on the road?” She asks as she walks to the door.

“Let them in, momma.”

She opens the door and Grace, Shawna, Rylan, and Victoria rush into the room. Each woman has a garment bag over their shoulder and shoes in their hands. A few moments later, the hair and makeup team my mother hired joins us. It makes me glad that we are in the biggest suite the villa has.

For the next three hours, my room is a swirling mass of activity. I watch as all my girls are

pampered with hair and makeup before they get dressed. There is laughter and a few tears as the

time passes. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The sea-green gowns I picked for my bridal party are just beautiful. Shawna’s has a halter top that hugs her curves to perfection while the skirt is loose and flows freely around her legs. I can picture the wind blowing her skirt around and it is exactly what I was aiming for. Rylan’s gown has a racer back and fits her just as snugly in the top with the same loose skirt. I can’t wait to see

them both as I walk down the aisle later.

For Grace, I picked a slightly darker shade of green for her dress. It has a ruffled skirt, very similar to mine. Her hair is piled high on her head with white lilies tucked into the curls, so it looks like

she has a crown of flowers on her head. She looks beautiful.

My mother and Victoria are both wearing pale green dresses, each unique to their personalities. I

let them both have them tailored to their tastes, and I am glad I did. They are both absolutely

stunning. All the men here today will be picking their jaws up off the floor when they see the

wedding party.

“Let’s get you into your dress so we can get you down that aisle to your man.” My mother says after everyone else has left the room.

“Oh, momma. I can’t wait to see his face.”

“Come here,” she pats the bed beside her.

I do as she says, then lean into her arms as she opens them for a hug.

“I know I told you years ago that you were the most beautiful bride in the world, but I think today surpasses that. You have now what you were lacking then.”

I look up at her with a questioning look on my face.

“Happiness, Annie. You are happy and it shows. There is this glow about you today that I haven’t

seen since Grace was born. Hold on to that for as long as you can.”

“Thank you, momma. He makes me happy, and the life we dreamed of so long ago is coming true.”

“I heard how happy he makes you very clearly last hight after the party…” There is a wicked smile on her face as she says that.

My mouth falls open in shock at what she just said,

“Mother!”

“Don’t be ashamed. He grew into a very handsome man.”

A fit of laughter follows those statements. Then, once we calm down, she helps me into my dress.

I turn to look in the mirror as she zips up the back. A soft gasp leaves my lips as I see my dress for the first time since the final fitting. It is just perfect.

The bodice has thin straps. There is a large pearl pattern in the middle of my breasts that attaches to the pearl design around the waist. The skirt is loose with slight ruffles starting at my calves. The train is not too long but enough that it will trail behind me a little.

I cried the day I tried it on for the first time. It was the third dress I picked, but it was the only one that gave me that just right feeling. Now I feel like crying again as my mother attaches the veil to my headpiece.

The sound of the wedding march makes my mother smile. She kisses my cheek, then leaves the room. A few moments later, my father opens the door and from the small noise he makes, I can

tell he is happy.

“How is my girl doing?” His voice is thick with emotion as he closes the door behind him.

I rush to him, and he wraps me in his warm embrace,

“It should have been him before, but I am glad he is here now. Quinn has made a name for himself, and I am proud to give you to him. He is a good man.”

Tears p**k at the corner of my eyes, and I pull away from him to prevent more. I don’t want to walk down the aisle with tears running down my face. Although I am sure I won’t be able to stop them once I say those two magic words.

I do.

After pulling myself together, I loop my hand around my father’s arm, then follow him out of my room. We make our way to the stairs that will lead us to the beach below. He stops at the top and looks over at me. am ready, papa.”

“Then let’s go get you married to that boy who stole your heart at eighteen.”

We slowly descend the stairs as the small crowd below stands for us. My breath catches in my throat as I catch sight of Quinn waiting for me under the wooden arch with white lilies and tiger lilies woven into it.

He is standing there in his white tuxedo, waiting for me. He chose not to go as casual as we first agreed to. The sea-green tie he is wearing matches his eyes to perfection. In the breast pocket is a bright orange tiger lily. His hair is blowing in the breeze coming off the ocean.

Quinn is **ing magnificent.

I can feel the heat of his gaze as my father walks me closer to him. His eyes haven’t left my face once. With the intensity in those green eyes, I feel like the only woman in the world to him. He is the only man I will ever love this way.

Completely.

When my father comes to a halt right before the altar, my breath hitches for a second. Quinn takes a step forward and holds out his hand. My father places my hand in Quinn’s, kisses my cheek, then steps back to find his seat next to my mother. He gave his blessing to this wedding with a smile on his face.

From the moment Quinn closes his fingers around my hand, my eyes are glued to his face. The wedding service itself was a blur, as all I could focus on was the love shining through Quinn’s eyes. I could stare into his eyes forever and be happy.

“Our happy couple has written their own vows and will share them now. Quinn?” The preacher prompted, bringing me out of my thoughts.

Quinn squeezes my hand, then takes my wedding ring from off the small pillow that Grace offers him.

“We were just kids when we met and fell in love. Some would think that we would have outgrown that kind of love. They were wrong. I was shocked when I ran into you years later. All grown up and absolutely stunning. I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you until the day I die.”

He slips the ring on my finger, then brings it to his lips for a soft kiss.

I smile at Grace as she holds the pillow for me to take his wedding ring.

“When I met you, all I wanted was to spend the summer studying for medical school. The minute that dog kissed me, I knew I was in for a different kind of summer.”

A chorus of laughter went through our guests.

“I was lost when I left you behind. However, you gave me the most precious gift I could ever ask for. Our amazing daughter. Now, together, we finally got to have that life we dreamt of. Without you, I am strong, but with you, I am stronger. I love you, Quinn.”

I slip his ring on his finger, then kiss it just like he did mine.

“If there are no objections, then you may kiss the bride,” the preacher said.

Quinn lifts my veil, then pulls me flush against his body. I can hear my brothers hooting and

cheering him on. He winks at me before he smashes his lips to mine.

Of course, there would be no chaste kiss for him. He waited long enough for this day.

The kiss was full of passion as his tongue slipped into my mouth. I returned his kiss with equal

passion. I felt his hand cup my a** as he held me tight to him. I could also feel just how much he

desired me right then and there.

When the preacher cleared his throat, Quinn groaned but stepped away.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. Everyone, let’s welcome Mr. and Mrs. Greyson.”

We turn to face our family and friends as they all clap and cheer for us. Quinn takes my hand in one of his, then takes Grace’s hand in the other. Together, the three of us make our way up the aisle then head back up to the villa.

We will have the reception in the main house and out on the terrace.

“Are you two ladies ready to party?” Quinn asks.

“Can I change out of this dress first, mom?” Grace asks as she tugs at her dress.

“Yes, Grace. Come with me and I will help you.”

She races off towards our room before I can say anything further.

“You better not keep me waiting for long, Annie.” Quinn whispers in my ear.

A delightful shiver runs down my spine as he kisses my neck. I quickly walk to our room so I can get back to the party soon. This is one party that I don’t want to miss a second of.

I can’t wait for Quinn to see my surprise.