An Exceptional Twist (60 page)

He threw his arms up. “It’s a boy.”

Leah stood just inside the hospital room
doorway, watching Abby and Caleb with their children, Madison and
baby Max. It was breathtaking. Stefen come up behind her and
wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her
shoulder.

“Do you see that?” he whispered.

“Yes.” She leaned into him. “It's
beautiful.”

They swayed slightly back and forth as he
said softly, “Someday, we’ll have that.”

She turned to look at him, and he noticed
her watery eyes. Pulling her out of the room, he told everyone,
“We'll be back.”

Caleb gave a knowing look and smiled. Abby
was too hypnotized by the squirming little guy in her arms.

Stefen led Leah out to the parking structure
where his car was parked. “Come on, get in, I have something to
show you.”

Situated in his car, Stefen started out.

As they drove, Leah remembered everything
that happened earlier. “I got a call from the studio today.” She
watched him closely.

He gave nothing away. “Oh yeah? What did
they say?”

“That I no longer have a class there and
that you knew about it.” She bit her lip nervously.

“Hmm. Interesting.” He slowly nodded.

They pulled up to the curb of an unmarked
building, and he got out.

Opening her car door, Leah asked, “That’s
all you have to say?”

“For now.” He smirked.

He was being so cryptic as he led her to the
back of the red brick building.

What is he up to?

Whistling as they turned the corner, he
searched his keys until he found the one he was looking for, then
he opened the heavy, metallic back door.

“You’re renting a building here?” she
questioned.

He flicked on the bright lights. “Nope, you
own it.”

As soon as they stepped inside, she began to
take in the room.

The floor was the same kind of refurbished
wood she'd admired at the tasting room at Zachary's vineyard. The
walls were covered in mirrors and ballet bars. She looked up and
saw several large intricately designed chandeliers hanging from the
ceiling in a row. On the left was a beautiful soft
chocolate-colored leather sofa sitting diagonally in the
corner.

Is this a dream?

Leah walked into the center of the room,
hoping the gush of air coming from the vent above her would help
her catch her breath and stop the tears from streaming.

“Do you like it?” Stefen moved his hands
from behind his back and lifted her chin.

Lifting her hands, palms up, she motioned
around them. “What is this?”

He looked confused by her tears. “It's for
you. You said you wanted a better space for your kids. I wanted to
open this one for you.”

She cried even harder, and he looked like he
was afraid that he’d made a mistake. His voice was soft when he
said, “I thought this would make you happy.”

“Stefen, it's too much.” Leah shook her
head. “Way too much.”

Understanding now, he sighed with relief and
pressed her teary face to his chest. “Nothing is too much for you,
Leah. You deserve everything.”

She pulled away to look up at him. “All I've
wanted this whole time was you. Not what you could give me.”

His face beamed, full of love. “That's good.
This next part would be really awkward, otherwise.” He lowered onto
one knee.

Shocked, she gasped, “Stefen, what are you
doing?”

“Leah Valdez, I love you with all my heart
and soul. I can’t stand it when we’re not together. I want you with
me always. You’re the only one I want. You’re my perfect girl, the
one I dream about spending the rest of my life with, raising kids
and enjoying grandkids with.” He choked up. “I promise to do my
very best to make you happy and to deserve you for the rest of our
lives.” A nervous smile spread across his lips before he asked her,
“Will you marry me?”

Stefen picked up her hand and slipped a
beautiful red ruby and diamond ring onto her finger.

Leah was speechless. It took her a moment to
even remember she was still breathing. Finally, she whispered,
“Yes.”

Jumping up, he lifted her off her feet and
spun them in a circle, pressing his lips to hers.

When they broke their kiss, she looked into
his face. “It’s not too soon, is it? I was thinking we’d wait a
while. What changed?”

“You changed me,
ma cherie amour
. I
didn't believe in marriage before I met you, but once I realized
how much I would miss out on if I didn't marry you, I became a
believer.” He smiled and kissed her again.

“Are you sure you aren't just caught up in
Abby and Caleb’s happy bubble? You know how I feel about marriage.
It's forever for me.” She was a bit insecure that he might be
moving too fast and back out later.

He held their bodies
together, looking down at her. “No, I’m caught up in
our
bubble. You have no
idea how excited I am to make you my wife.”

Finally, Leah grinned.
“Well, I'm enjoying the beautiful dance studio my
fiancé
made for me. This
room is gorgeous. How did you know what to add?”

He flashed his devious smile. “I pay
attention. I know what you like.” He pointed toward the wall. “Oh
and that empty lot next door should be big enough for that
community garden you wanted.”

Leah jerked her head back. “Are you kidding
me? You bought land for a garden, too?”

He kissed the top of her head. “Yes, I told
you nothing is too much for you. I want to be the one that makes
your dreams come true.”

Leah settled into his chest. “What did I
ever do to deserve you?”

Shaking his head, he reminded her, “Do not
ever forget that I’m the one that doesn’t deserve you.”

That was one of those things they could go
round and round about, so she decided to drop it.

Walking toward the corner, she pointed. “Um,
what is the couch for?”

“I've changed a lot, gorgeous.” He winked.
“But I’m still a naughty bastard to the core.” He nodded at the
couch. “That's for me to sit comfortably while I examine your dance
moves.”

Her eyes rounded in
surprise. “You know I don't do
that
kind of dancing, right?”

He threw his head back,
laughing. “Doesn't matter. I enjoy watching you move, and…we could
always add some
specialty
equipment in here, if you wanted.” He wiggled his
eyebrows, and she giggled.

“Is this what being married to you will be
like?”

“Probably,” he laughed again.

She pulled him close. “Then I look forward
to it.”

He breathed her in. “I can’t wait to make
you my wife. We might break the record for shortest
engagement.”

She giggled at his mischievous smirk, until
he said, “That wasn’t a joke.”

The afternoon sun
shined down on the old Spanish-style building in Harmony,
California, bringing all the vibrant colors of the surrounding
spring flowers to life.

Balancing
herself as she stepped onto the uneven bricks outside of the
chapel, Leah took a deep breath and closed her eyes. There was no
way she’d be able to hide her anxiousness in this tight
dress.

This. Is. Happening.
She breathed out and in again.

“
Are you okay,
mij
a?” The look of concern on her step-father, Sal’s,
face was evident. “Having second thoughts?”

She opened her
eyes, exhaling through her mouth as she smoothed her hand down the
side of her fitted mermaid-style satin gown. Fortunately, she’d
been able to purchase and pick up this dress in a very short amount
of time. After searching through hundreds of gowns, the tulle train
that gathered between the shoulder blades and ran all the way down
the back of the dress was what had sold her on this one.

She shook her head.
“Absolutely not. I’m just overwhelmed.”

He
lowered his head and looked up at her.
“Is it your
papi
? I’m sure you wish he was here.”

She gave a small nod.
“Of course I do, but I’m also grateful you’re here.
You’ve been like a father to me for quite some time.” She patted
Sal’s arm. “Thanks for giving your blessing.”

Leah still couldn’t believe that Stefen had actually asked her
mom and Sal for their approval before he proposed. She could kick
herself for all of the time she’d wasted
, thinking his sneaky phone conversations
and sudden trip to L.A. had anything to do with another woman. She
was now done with those insecurities.

Sal’s eyes were compassionate.
“My pleasure, but if we don’t get in there soon,
your groom is going to think you swapped those red heels for a pair
of jogging shoes.”

Sal chuckled as Leah
took another deep breath.

Pulling the
hem to the side, she lifted her foot to take another look at the
heels that Stefen had her sister deliver to the bridal chamber,
just a few hours ago. The red leather stilettos had a small ankle
strap and were probably the most beautiful pair of shoes she now
owned.

With Stefen’s love of woman’s footwear, Leah was
certain they wouldn’t be
the last pair he’d surprise her with.

Always the smartass, he’d recently taken to sending her roses,
knowing what she thought of them. They were cliché. She preferred
something original like
proteas
.

She never used roses in her floral displays
, unless a client asked for them. To
her surprise, once she was dressed for their special day, Stefen
had arranged for Abby to hand her the bridal bouquet he had asked
if he could have made for her.

He, of course, chose roses
. But she had to admit they did look beautiful
bunched together with mini white orchids. Something was tucked
between a few of the flowers. She pulled the flower-pressed slip of
paper out, noticing it was the same one that had been pinned to her
bucket list. The one that read,
Fall in Love,
and she’d later amended to include,
*with someone who will
love me back.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, realizing her wish had come
true.

Dani popped her head out of the
hand-carved wine cask entrance
that opened to the small church. “It’s time. Are
you ready?”

Giving a quick
nod, Leah held her breath. The music began, and Dani and Bri opened
the doors for her and Sal to enter.

The crowd was
small—only thirty guests. Though every eye was on her, Leah
couldn’t tear her eyes off of her groom. He’d always looked
handsome. But standing twenty feet away, in his classic,
tailor-made black suit and looking at her like she was the only
woman alive, Leah was dreaming up all sorts of naughty thoughts.
She could see the fire in his eyes from where she stood.

She was ready to get
through the wedding and on to the honeymoon. As if reading her
thoughts, his eyes roamed down her body, slightly widening when
they took in the red peep-toe heels peeking out from under her long
white dress.

She cocked her head,
grinning wider than she thought possible.

Soon, mi amor.
Soon.