Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
But now, it seems that things are turning around. The twins squeeze my hands, and there are emotions swirling in those blue eyes.
“We are in love with you,” Brandon says in a simple voice. “Finding out was a shock, but now that we’ve heard your explanation, I think everything’s going to be fine.”
I take a step back, completely astonished by his words. My gaze shifts to Ben, who nods, his blue eyes fierce.
“We are in love with you, Bess,” he reiterates. “And we want to be with you in New York, Lake Puckett, or Sheridan. Wherever works.”
Hot tears spring into my eyes, different from those I’d been crying moments ago. No, these tears are full of joy, adoration, and most of all, hope.
“You do?” I manage in a wobbly voice. “You love me?”
“We do,” Brandon affirms in a growl, his voice low. “You are our everything. But sweetheart, why are you crying again? Isn’t this good news?”
I shake my head, as tears course down my cheeks. Now, my shoulders are shaking because I’m sobbing so hard.
“It’s just that I love you too. I’m so in love with both of you that I’ve wanted to burst out and say it almost every day for weeks now. And now, to hear you say that you feel the same way?” I shrug, tears pouring down my warm cheeks. “I don’t know that I could even be happier after everything that’s happened.”
Brandon kisses me passionately. It’s a kiss that conveys every ounce of adoration that he feels for me and when he finally releases me, we step back, emotions aswirl in the room. Then, Ben swoops and pulls me close, kissing my forehead, my eyes, and lastly my lips. Each man, so similar and yet so different, madly in love with me, just as I am with them.
I swipe at my wet cheeks, but I can’t stop weeping.
“It’s okay, Bess, we’re all going to be okay. You can stop crying,” Ben soothes in a low voice. “You have us now. We will always stand by your side.”
I cry harder, looking down at my toes, knowing that I have one more secret I have to confess to the men I adore before we can carry on with our lives.
“What is it sweetheart?” asks Brandon, intuiting my hesitation. “You know you can tell us anything.”
I sniffle a bit.
“Well, I landed a part in Sheridan Community Theater’s production of Cinderella. I was going to tell you guys tonight at dinner.”
Brandon lifts my chin to gaze into my eyes. “That’s perfect, sweetheart. There’s no one better for the role, and I’m sure you’ll do well.”
I quickly put my finger to his lips, shushing him. “No, it’s not perfect because I actually landed the lead – I was cast as Cinderella herself.”
“That’s amazing!” Ben praises, his eyes glowing. “But why isn’t this good news? Why are you still crying?”
My breath hitches for a moment.
“Well, because I turned it down.”
Immediately, both cops still.
“You what?” Brandon asks. “But why?”
Ben looks almost panicked. “You’re not leaving us, are you? Sweetheart, we need to talk.” I almost laugh, but then squeeze his hand.
“No, I’m not leaving, but I do have one more secret that I need to tell you guys.”
The two men stiffen slightly, bracing for the worst. I can see terror in their faces, and my heart melts. What I need to share is a good secret, although I realize I don’t know what their reactions might be. But now, the time has come, and I take a deep breath.
“I’m pregnant! You’re going to be daddies!” Both men look absolutely stunned, their handsome forms still.
“You are?” Brandon rasps, utterly stunned.
I nod. “I just found out this morning.”
“We’re going to be fathers?” Ben’s voice cracks slightly, his tone one of awe.
I nod. “You are.”
And before I can say another word, the two men embrace me from either side, tears falling from their eyes to join mine.
“Sweetheart, thank you,” Ben breathes in my ear. “I’ve never been so happy.”
“We never thought we’d have the opportunity to be fathers. But now with you? Anything is possible,” adds Brandon, holding me close. “Thank you, baby. We love you so much, and you’ve given us the ultimate gift: a child.”
As I stand there, cradled between the two men I love, their baby already growing inside of me, I suddenly realize that, yes, life is unpredictable. After all, I met the twins on a random night during a criminal sting. The handsome cops were supposed to be catching johns, but instead, they caught me, and now, our lives are filled with laughter, hope and love, with a baby on the way.
Epilogue
Bess
Two years later.
I stand next to Juniper as we observe our reflections in the giant antique mirror.
“You look beautiful,” my friend tells me, tears in her soft brown eyes.