Page 55 of The Dark Elf's Secret Baby

“I declare that you are mated under The Thirteen. May the Hearth Keeper keep your hearth all your days,” the priest declares.

Everyone claps and Layla and I kiss before picking Jasper up and giving him big kisses on his cheeks.

“I love you,” I tell her as the three of us walk back down the aisle together.

“I love you too,” she says, squeezing my hand in her smaller one. “You and Jasper.”

The reception is held at the manor home that father gifted us for the wedding. We have a place to live now, a large, comfortable home for Jasper to grow up in. And space for more family.

We’re dancing when father comes over and taps me on the shoulder.

“May I dance with your bride?” he asks. Layla smiles shyly.

“Of course.”

I watch them together, talking. Father has decided to accept Layla, it looks like. I didn’t think we would ever get there but I think Jasper had something to do with it. Since Layla raised him by herself, he feels protective of his mama. He’s always ready to defend her from anyone who even looks at her funny.

I’m glad that my family has come around, finally. Jasper has that effect on people.

A few months later, Layla and I lay in bed together after making love, coming down from the bliss of being newlyweds. Everything feels so perfect, I can’t imagine a better life for myself.

“I love you,” Layla says, smiling up at me. “I’m so happy. Everything is so perfect right now.”

“Absolutely,” I agree. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“You couldn’t ask foranythingmore?” she says, her expression light and teasing. She looks like she’s got a secret and I poke at her side.

“What?” I ask. “What is it? You’ve got that look on your face. Has Amara met someone?”

“No,” she shakes her head. “It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?” I ask, turning over so I can look her in the eyes. I run a hand over her gorgeous naked body, touching her tenderly as we gaze at each other.

“It’s a surprise,” she giggles.

“A good surprise?”

“The best surprise,” she agrees, shifting so she’s closer to me. “The kind of surprise that you have to wait for though.”

“How long do I have to wait?” I ask, running a hand over her breasts, lightly teasing her nipples. We just finished but I’m already ready for round two at this point.

“Hmm. About nine months,” she says.

I freeze.

“What?”

“Surprise,” she grins. “I’m pregnant!”

“By the gods, are you truly?” I ask, feeling as though she’s joking. I know she wouldn’t joke like this but I hardly dare to get my hopes up for this perfect moment.

“Yes,” she nods. “I saw the healer two days ago. I’m pregnant.”

“Oh, my darling, my beloved,” I hug her close to me. “You have no idea how happy I am,” I tell her. Tears fall from my eyes as I kiss her all over.

“You’re going to be a great dad,” she says. “I know you are with Jasper but I’m so happy that you get to be there from the start with this one.”

“I am too,” I tell her, wiping my eyes. “I am so blessed. I have you, and I have our son, and now we will have another child. Maybe a girl? It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I am finally able to be here with you every step of the way.”