Free That Lucky Old Sun (The Bella Novella Collection Book 4) by Janice Thompson Page A

cut that sucker straight down the middle, half of the slice on the Greek side, half on the Vietnamese. I couldn’t help but chuckle as they celebrated its yumminess.
    Yes, this evening was certainly coming together smoothly. I had a feeling guests would be talking about this wedding for years to come.
    After Ling and Darian left in their limousine, I approached D.J. We needed to have an important discussion and I couldn’t think of a better time or place. I caught him nibbling on a slice of the Vietnamese wedding cake. He shoved the last bite in his mouth and then licked his fingers, a delirious look on his face.
    “What did Scarlet put in this cake, anyway?” He grabbed and napkin and wiped his hands. “I could eat it all day.”
    “Not sure, but it was great. She really outdid herself. The Greek side was pretty yummy too.”
    “Everything was perfect, Bella.” He pulled me close and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “I don’t mind saying it.”
    “Saying what?”
    “That you were right and I was wrong.”
    “Oh?” I laughed and then gazed up into his eyes. “Would you mind saying that again, just so I can make sure I didn’t misunderstand you?”
    “You. Were. Right.” My hubby gave me a tender kiss. “And I was wrong. This whole wedding on the beach thing was pretty amazing. And you couldn’t have asked for better weather. It’s almost as if. . .” He pointed to the sky. “There were greater forces at work.”
    “You think?”
    “I know . But you were right to trust that God had it all worked out. And I’m pretty sure this wedding brought two families together in a way like I haven’t seen since, well, since we got married.”
    “I heard Mrs. Nguyen asking for Mrs. Pappas’s tzatziki sauce recipe,” I said. “If that’s any indicator.”
    “And I heard our police chief formally apologize to Mr. Pappas for supposedly harming his wife that day on The Strand. He said he felt like a fool for even suspecting such a thing.” D.J. paused. “I have a feeling they’re all going to be the best of friends.”
    “Will wonders never cease?” I couldn’t help but smile as the words crossed my lips. Wonders definitely hadn’t ceased in my life, and it was time to share one of them with the man I loved.
    “Follow me to the water’s edge for a little walk?” I nudged him with my elbow. “Please? With sugar on top?”
    “Now? At this time of night? Shouldn’t we be cleaning something or packing things up? Stuff like that.”
    “Yeah.” I gave him a playful kiss. “But I have something better in mind. Under the moon, if you please.”
    “Sure. But who’s watching the kids?”
    “The twins are already asleep upstairs and Tres and Rosie are playing with the younger Pappas kids. Mama said she’ll keep an eye on all of them for us. I told her that we needed some alone time.”
    “Sounds great.”
    “A walk on the beach, just the two of us.” I gave him another playful nudge.
    “Sounds better by the minute.”
    “So, this whole romance on the beach thing is growing on you, then?” I asked, as I slipped my hand into his.
    “Well, I wouldn’t want to get married here, but it’s great for a walk with the woman I loved.”
    And that’s just what we did. Hand in hand, we strolled to the water’s edge, our bare feet perfect against the cool, late-night shoreline. For a while we walked in silence, drinking in the solitude. I wanted to celebrate the joy of this special moment, to relish in the holiness of what God was doing.
    Still, my heart would not let me stay silent for long.
    And so. . .I told him.
    I told him that another little Neeley would be joining us in about eight months, and that she—or he—would have every little luxury life could afford. No sacrifice would be too great. No problem too big. This little one, just like the children we already loved, would be surrounded by family—loud, chaotic family. But this child would be cherished, just as all of them were.
    I rarely saw my