Within These Walls (The Walls Duet #1)(93)

Lailah laughed, placing her hands over Grace’s.

“I think you might be the only woman on the planet who was upset about not getting a belly right away.”

Grace’s eyes twinkled as Brian, her husband, came and joined us.

He wrapped his arm around her waist. “She wanted to go shopping for maternity clothes the second the stick turned pink.”

I watched as Lailah shook her head, laughing.

“That sounds like you,” Lailah said.

Grace was only four months along, and her little belly was on perfect display in her gauzy floral dress. I had no doubts she’d bought it three months ago just for the occasion. That woman was a planner.

After some long overdue catching up, we were told to take our seats.

Lailah and I excused ourselves and walked to the front as the minister joined us.

“I can’t believe this day is actually here,” Lailah said softly in my ear.

We all turned, Marcus came to join us.

I gave him a brief nod and grinned. “It’s about time.”

His gaze warmed, and I felt his hand cup mine. Looking down, I watched him drop a sleek white gold band into my palm.

“Can’t be the best man without that,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here without you, J-Man.”

“Maybe not today, but it would have happened eventually.”

My hand closed tightly around the cool metal band just as the music began to play softly in the background. I took once quick glance toward Lailah and caught her gaze. She smiled, clutching the small bouquet of sunflowers in her hand that Grace handed to her at the very last moment.

We both turned just in time to see Molly making her way down the sand. I heard Marcus’s breath catch as he first caught sight of his bride.

Her hair was braided beautifully down her back, and her simple ivory gown made her look sophisticated and regal. As she slowly moved forward to the front, she passed the intimate gathering of friends and family. Then, the entire world seemed to melt away as Marcus and Molly took each other’s hands.

All I could see was Lailah.

As the minister spoke words of love and eternal commitment, I saw Lailah’s eyes glisten as she watched her mother and Marcus exchange rings. My heart beat faster as the ceremony came to a close, and Marcus and Molly kissed each other for the first time as man and wife.

Everyone clapped and cheered, but all I could think about was Lailah and what I was about to say.

So much planning had come to this one moment.

Hugs and congratulations were shared as the few guests joined the couple under the arch.

I shook Marcus’s hand, and he grinned, knowing what was coming.

“Are you all packed?” Molly asked, holding Lailah in her arms.

“Packed?” she asked. “We aren’t leaving for a few more days.”

Molly smiled, turning to me.

“Actually,” I said, pulling the envelope from my pocket, “we’re leaving tonight.”

I handed it to Lailah, and she opened it. After pulling out the first-class tickets, her eyes skimmed the words written on them. Her lip began to tremble as her hands shook.

“We’re going to Ireland?” she asked.

“Yeah. No more placeholders, Lailah,” I said. “We’re really going.”

“But…” She hesitated, looking up to her newly married mother.

“We’ve known for weeks. Now, get your butts out of here!”

Molly laughed, and Lailah engulfed her in a huge hug.

“Don’t forget me,” Marcus said.

Lailah pulled him into their family hug. “I’d never forget you…Dad.”

Marcus’s hand tightened around her before letting go. “Get going, you two,” he choked out, his eyes blinking several times, as he tried to compose himself.

I took her hand, and we made our way to the car.

She stopped us just as I opened her door.

“I can’t believe this. You’re just full of crazy surprises,” she said, her expression joyous.

“Oh, you just wait,” I said, grinning, as I helped her into the car.

We made our way to the airport to make yet another one of Lailah’s dreams come true.

Two days later, among wildflowers and castle ruins as the sun peeked through the clouds on our perfect Irish day, I got down on one knee and made all my dreams come true with a single question.

And she said, “Yes.”





1. Fall in love

2. Earn a college degree 3. Learn more about my mom 4. Get a job

5. Stand in line for something 6. Go to a carnival

7. Take a vacation

8. Go a day without medication 9. Watch a high school football game 10. Go on a roller coaster 11. Apply to college

12. Watch fireworks

13. Sing at a karaoke bar 14. Put my toes in the ocean 15. Mow grass

16. Be a best friend

17. Live on my own

18. Dye my hair pink

19. Get hit on

20. Go to a baseball game 21. Help a friend move

22. Go skinny-dipping

23. Go grocery shopping





24. Buy a car


25. Be kissed until I’m breathless 26. Spend a day at the farmer’s market 27. Visit a foreign country 28. Get my ears pierced

29. Ride a bike