I went tot he bathroom and splashed water on my face. The puffy towels smelled sterile and flowery, a quick giveaway that we weren’t at home. I groaned and stretched. A belly nearly in full bloom and a long road trip didn’t mesh well together. I felt stiff and groggy.

“Nap or beach?” Jared said. He pulled off his boots and slipped his bare feet into a pair of leather sandals.

“Both sound equally appealing, but a walk on the beach after being stuck in the car is the better option.”

“Agreed,” he said, holding his hand out to me.

We lazily walked to the near-private beach of the Grande Dunes, letting the new summer wind whip around us. The scene looked like a postcard; everything I imagine the perfect beach to be. Jared picked a spot and unfolded a blanket. He sat with his elbows resting on his knees as he looked out toward the ocean.

“It’s almost like being back in Little Corn.”

“Almost.”

Jared peered up at me. “Sit with me.”

I fidgeted, knowing I was about to play into my childish insecurities. “They were attractive.”

“Who?”

“The girls behind the desk.”

Jared laughed once, and then crawled onto his knees. He leaned toward me and placed his hands on each side of my belly. “Nina, there has always been something about you that I couldn’t shake. Even when I didn’t want to love you, I was drawn to you. I couldn’t think of anything else. Now you’re my wife, and you are carrying our child. There is nothing more beautiful than that. When you’re sweaty and exhausted holding Bean, then that will be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. When I see tears fall from your eyes when we send Bean off to the first day of kindergarten…that will the most be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. When you comfort me each time we send our kids to training; on every one of our anniversaries; and when you’re hair turns gray. Every one of those moments will be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

He nuzzled his nose into my belly, and then wrapped his arms around my middle. “You always say the right thing,” I whispered, touching his ears.

He looked up at me. “If the impossible happened, and something more beautiful existed, I wouldn’t notice. You have my constant, undivided attention. You always have.”

I smiled. “Only because I pay you.”

Jared’s white, wide grin was a contrast against the tan tone of his face. “Not any more. When you marry your boss, you can pay yourself.”