Chapter 395

Victor’s mouth opened, but no words came out at first. Then he shook off his surprise.

“Are you serious?” he asked.

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about it for weeks,” I replied.

Why did Victor look so shocked? During the few times we had spoken about kids, he said he wanted a family.

Tears stung my eyes, and I turned away from him. “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

Victor gently turned me around. “I know you’ve been upset since Amy had the baby, but I didn’t know it was because you want one too.”

“When I first held Brendre, I felt such a rush of love that it was all I could think about for days,” I explained. “I never thought much of babies before. I think it's because my adoptive parents rejected me when they had their own baby.”

“That makes sense.” Victor took my hand and started walking down the beach again. “Anyone would feel that way.”

“Holding Amy’s baby made me realize I very much want to be a mother,” I said. “And I don’t want to wait a long time to start our family.”

“What about a career?” Victor asked. “You just earned an impressive degree. I thought you had goals you wanted to achieve first.”

I laughed and repeated Diana’s words. “That’s why they invented nannies.”

Victor chuckled. “I remember mine fondly.”

“I can pursue my goals and raise a family,” I assured him. “Lots of women do.”

“I’ve always wanted children of my own,” Victor admitted. “But more than one. Being an only child can be lonely at times.”

“Then you agree we should try to get pregnant?” I asked.

“I’d like to revisit the idea after our wedding to make sure you want a baby for you and not because of Amy’s baby.”

“That makes sense,” I agreed. “We can make up our minds after we’re married.”

“When is our wedding?” Victor asked.

“The same date,” I replied. “Four weeks from tomorrow.”

“Then you'd better get planning,” Victor teased. “How can I help?”

“It’s not just my wedding. It's our wedding,” I said. “I forgot that before. What do you want?”

“I liked your ideas about a small ceremony and a large outdoor reception.” Victor led the way as we strolled into the jetty.

“Can we still tour the estate the realtor found?” I asked. “I’d love to have the reception on our own property.”

“Sure,” Victor replied. “I’ll text them this afternoon.”

“What don’t you like about my wedding plans?” I asked.

Maybe Victor was agreeing with everything to keep me happy. I knew I was wrong to want everything my way, and I wanted to make sure he was content with our wedding, too.

“There is one thing.” Victor stopped and looked out over the ocean. “Never mind,” he said and kept walking.

“No, tell me.” I got in front of him and made him stop walking. “Please, Victor. I want to know what that one thing is.”

He shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”

“It is to me,” I assured him. “Tell me what it is.”

“The traditional ceremony is done entirely by the priestess who asks for the Goddess’s blessing,” Victor said and waved at someone in a yacht.

“Yes, and?” I waved at the boat cruising past.

“I’d like to add our own words,” Victor said. “There are things I’d like to say and promise you in our wedding vows.”

“That sounds nice.” I tucked myself under his arm. “I’ll have some words ready for you too.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“I’m positive,” I assured him.

Writing part of our vows sounded romantic. It would make the ceremony much more personal.

“Let’s get lunch in town,” Victor suggested. “I’m craving fast food.”

“Let’s do it,” I said as we started back to the beach house.

We jumped into my truck and drove through a nearby burger place. We took the food back to the beach house and ate on the deck while I made notes about the wedding on my tablet.

We just finished eating when Victor’s cell rang. It was Findlay.

“Hey, Findlay,” Victor said into the phone. “What’s up?”

“I need to know when you’re returning to Denhurst,” Findlay said. “A few things need your attention over the next few days.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Victor said. “I’ll stop by my office before three. Will that work?”

“That’s fine,” Findlay agreed. “I’ll see you then. Give Daisy my best.”

“Will do,” Victor said before disconnecting the call.

He turned to me. “Sorry, sweetheart. I hoped to stay longer.”

“We can come back sometime soon,” I said. “It helps our relationship to take time here for us.”

“Do you still want to go out to dinner tonight?” Victor inquired.

“I think I’d rather cook,” I said. “If we’re going back tomorrow, I want you all to myself tonight.”

After a passionate night, we slept until eight o’clock the next morning. We had coffee and breakfast on the deck before getting ready for the drive back to Denhurst.

Victor hired a local to drive my truck back to Alex’s while I rode with him in the Lamborghini. It was fun to glide down the highway in the sleek, powerful car.

Even though I had been hesitant to leave the beach, I received a warm welcome home. My quick departure at my graduation dinner was not mentioned.

Satisfied I would be okay. Victor left for his office.

But my unwanted wedding planners were still trying to take over as soon as they heard I was back.

“Daisy, look what I found in a magazine,” Cassidy said as she held out a torn magazine page. “Aren’t they the most darling centerpieces? And they’re made from feathers and milk glass.”

“Thanks, Cassidy,” I said. “I’ll think about it.”

“I’ve got lots of vintage wedding theme ideas,” she added. “I’d be glad to go over all of them with you.”

“Thanks, but I promised I’d do something with Amy.” I ran upstairs to call Amy and asked her to go to Gisele’s with me to order my wedding dress.

She was excited about the idea and offered to pick me up.

Her Mercedes rolled down the driveway a half hour later. I was surprised to see Brendre sleeping in a car seat strapped to the back seat,

Amy gave me a grin as I climbed into her car. “Brendie will sleep through our shopping. You don’t think Gisele will mind, do you?”

“Brendie? I raised an eyebrow.

“That’s what Justin and I have been calling her at home,” Amy explained.

“Oh,” I said. “That’s cute.”

Amy talked about the baby and how she didn't trust sitters and nannies all the way to the dress shop.

I groaned when we pulled into Gisel’s parking lot and saw Lily James entering the shop.

“Ignore her,” Amy advised. “You’ve got to get your dress ordered. There must be time for fittings.”

“You’re right,” I agreed. “Let’s go inside.”

Amy removed the baby from the car seat and put her in a stroller before we went inside the shop.

The other shoppers stared at the baby, but nobody said a word until we found Gisele.

“I don’t usually allow children under twelve in the shop,” she said. “But this little one is cute enough to make an exception.”

Amy smiled at the compliment.

“I’m here to order my dress,” I told Gisele and pulled out some rough drawings of my dream dress.

But Gisele put her hands up when I held them out to her.

“Cassidy told me what you want, and I drew up the perfect design for you,” she announced.

“What did Cassidy tell you?” I felt my anger begin to simmer.

“That your wedding has a Vintage theme and that you want a straight-line chemise-style dress with a cloche hat instead of a veil,” Gisele replied. “Come, I’ll show you the drawings.”

I glared at Gisele and followed her to the back of the shop, where she showed me drawings of a shapeless ankle-length dress with a neckline that reminded me of a tank top.

“Long gloves and a cloche hat will complete the look,” Gisele said.

I was shaking with anger. “This is not what I want. Cassidy shouldn’t have told you it was.” I handed Gisele my drawings. “If you can’t make this dress for my wedding, I will go somewhere else.”

“Daisy, I’m glad I ran into you.” It was Lily James. “I got Moon Glow’s manager to reserve your wedding date. “It’s a bit pricey, but no other place will do.”

I turned on William’s mother and almost told her to butt out. Instead, I ran for the door.

Amy was right behind me with the baby.

“Take me home,” I said and burst into tears. “I can’t do this.”