Always in Albuquerque Read online

  She got out of bed and made herself breakfast, hating that she was eating it alone. They always had breakfast together, and she even got up early every morning so they could.

  Just as she was packing his backpack with their lunch, she heard the door open and close. “I’m about ready. Packing the lunch now.”

  “Good.” Dirk walked into the kitchen and kissed her softly. “Good morning.”

  “G’morning. Where did you go?”

  “I’m not ruining my surprise.”

  She shrugged. “Well, I’m ready. Hike with me?”

  “Sure.”

  They’d taken different trails during the time they’d been married, but this time he took her back to the same trail they’d first hiked. “All the way up?” she asked, already looking forward to it. This was the longest, most challenging trail they did, and she couldn’t wait to get to the top for their lunch.

  He nodded, starting up the trail, and she followed closely behind.

  They ran into a few people on the way up, and once they got to the point where they could see the whole city beneath them, they both stopped and looked out over the beautiful view.

  “This is always going to be our place in my mind,” he said softly. “This is where I brought you when we finally discovered we had something in common. It’s special to me.”

  She turned to him with tears in her eyes, surprised he was being so romantic. It wasn’t in his nature at all. “Me, too.”

  Alexis couldn’t believe her eyes when he dropped to one knee, right there in the dirt. “Alexis, I love you more than I ever dreamed it was possible to love a woman. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?” In his hand, he held a ring box with a beautiful diamond ring, surrounded by tiny sapphires.

  She laughed. “I think the proposal is supposed to come before the wedding, but yes, I will spend the rest of my life with you. I cannot imagine a day without you in it.”

  He got to his feet and slipped the ring on her finger, then lowered his head and kissed her softly. “Thank you for making me the happiest man alive. I thought I was content before meeting you, but I never could be again, not after knowing what true love is.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had in her.

  “Not again!” A familiar voice came from behind them.

  Alexis looked to find Desiree on the path with them. “Maybe one of us should find a new path,” she said softly.

  Desiree laughed. “It’s good to know you’re still happy,” she said. “I’m going to turn around and go right back down the mountain. You never saw me.”

  Dirk looked into Alexis’s eyes and shook his head. “Why can’t we make out without running into someone we know?”

  Alexis shrugged. “Well, you keep kissing me in public places. Don’t you know we have a bed for that?”

  Alexis was sure Desiree was still close enough to hear their laughter, but it didn’t matter. What did matter was that she was happy, married to the man she loved and always would.

  Epilogue

  A year later, Alexis stood looking at the nursery. She and Dirk had been working on it from the moment they’d found out she was pregnant, and she loved it. She’d gone with a Disney theme, because really? Who didn’t love Disney?

  Dirk had been thrilled with their trip and the research he was able to do as part of it. He’d agreed without needing convincing to a Disney nursery. Four months ago, they’d found out it was a girl, and the nursery had switched from Mickey Mouse to Minnie Mouse. Pink was the name of the game. On a shelf over the bed was a pair of tiny little mouse ears with the name “Alexandra” stitched onto the back.

  They’d decided to name their daughter after Dirk’s mother, and they both loved the name. There were Minnies all over the walls, and tiny little princesses as the border. She knew a lot of women thought that teaching your daughter to be a princess was a bad thing, because women shouldn’t need to be rescued. She didn’t care, though, because who didn’t love a Disney princess?

  She ran her hand over the sheets they’d carefully selected for the crib and turned on the video monitor. They had interviewed a nanny, and she was ready to start when Alexis was ready for her, which would be as soon as the baby was born. She wanted to work closely with the woman and see how she handled her baby.

  She was still in the nursery when Dirk got home from work that afternoon. He wrapped his arms around her big belly, holding her tightly. “She won’t come any faster just because you’re hanging out in her nursery all the time.”

  Alexis smiled. “No, but she should be here any day now. My doctor’s appointment went well, and he said I’m really close. He offered to induce, but I want to wait a little longer.”

  “I can understand that.”

  She turned in his arms and kissed him. “Can you believe that we’re going to be parents?”

  He grinned. “We’ve only been married a year, but it does feel like it’s time, doesn’t it?” He looked around the room. “Is there anything else we need in here?”

  She shook her head. “No, nothing at all. My mom is bouncing off the walls. Her first grandchild.”

  “I’ll bet Dr. Lachele is crowing about having another Matchrimony munchkin, too.”

  “Doesn’t she always?” Alexis rested her head on his shoulder. “She did good, though. No one would have married us off, including us. And look how happy we are.”

  “Are you ready for your baby shower tomorrow?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I am. Mostly. I’m glad my three closest friends will be here, and it won’t just be the academic ladies.” She’d mostly made her peace with the wives of his colleagues in the past year, but she didn’t like to be with them all the time. “I’m glad that your female colleagues are coming as well. They’re more my speed.”

  “I don’t know why I bought into the idea that a professor had to have a wife who was only devoted to his career. I think we have the perfect arrangement.”

  “I love you with everything inside me, Dirk. I can’t wait to love the little girl we’re bringing into the world.”

  “There will not be a child more loved than our little Alexandra.” He kissed her forehead, dreaming of holding his child in his arms. It was time to send Dr. Lachele yet another thank-you email. He couldn’t count the number he’d sent in the past year, but it could never be enough. She’d given him love and family. Who could ask for more in life?

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