Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83612 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Bellamy sniffs, wiping at her tears, but she remains quiet. She’s also not trying to leave, so I forge ahead.
“I could stand here for hours and tell you I love how her nose scrunches up when she laughs. I love how patient and loving she is with Mia. I love how she cares about you as much as I do. I love her strength, her kindness, and the way her hand feels against mine.”
She shuffles her feet, and finally, she lifts her eyes to meet my gaze.
“She’s been making herself sick all week. We planned to tell you tomorrow night at dinner.” Her mouth falls open just a tad, telling me I’ve shocked her. Even though I told her this in the room, I’m sure the shock was too much to comprehend what I was saying. “We shouldn’t have waited to tell you, but what would we have said, Bellamy? I can’t stop thinking about her? That I craved being around her? That I worried about her getting home safely when she would leave me? How would that have gone over? You still would have been mad. At least now, I can stand here as a man and tell you that I’m in love with her. Not just that I have feelings for her. That woman in there, she owns my heart, and I know it’s not just hers. I know Mia comes with her, and I want her, too. Not for a redo, but because she’s a precious little girl who doesn’t have a daddy, and I can be that for her. I can be that for both of you.”
“You should go back inside,” she finally says, wiping at her cheeks again.
“I don’t want you driving upset. Please stay.”
“You left the game.”
“I did.” I nod. “I let my career ruin my marriage. It cost me time with you that I’ll never get back. I’m a smart man, sweetheart. I learn from my mistakes.”
“I need to go.”
“Are you okay? Let me drive you.” I don’t want to leave Amanda, but I can see that she’s okay. At least I hope she is. My heart is torn right down the middle, and I hate it.
“I’m fine,” she says. “I need some space from both of you.”
“Will you text me when you make it home, or to the stadium or wherever you’re going? I just need to know you’re safe.”
“Fine,” she says, hitting the button on her key fob to unlock the doors.
I watch her as she drives away. I don’t go back inside until I can no longer see her taillights, and when I do, my feet feel as though they’re filled with lead. I wave to the ladies behind the counter and point toward the door. This time, they unlock it without questioning if I have the right to be here. I find Amanda where I left her, worry written all over her face.
“Where is she?”
“She needed some space,” I tell her, pulling up a chair and taking her hand in mine. I kiss the back of her knuckles and peer up at her. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Sick about Bellamy finding out like this, but I’m okay. I’ve been feeling blah all week and not resting. I’m sure that’s all this is. Just a bug and dehydration.”
“You didn’t tell me you weren’t feeling well.”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
Before I can answer, a woman in a white coat—I’m assuming the doctor—slides in behind the curtain. “Hello, Amanda, how are you feeling?”
“Better,” Amanda tells her. “My best friend made me come get checked out, but I’m fine.”
“I’m Dr. Hannah.” She offers me a hand.
“Will Warner. Amanda’s boyfriend.” The doctor doesn’t seem fazed at that, and I can’t help but sit up a little straighter. It’s the first time I’ve gotten to claim her, to tell anyone that she’s mine without worry. Fuck, that feels good.
“Nice to meet you. Amanda, I have some test results. Is it okay to speak freely, or should we have Will step out of the room?” the doctor asks.
“He can stay.” Amanda smiles at her, then at me, and relief washes over me. Whatever this is that caused her to pass out, we’ll face it together.
“It seems that congratulations are in order. Amanda, you’re pregnant.”
Pregnant.
My eyes find Amanda’s, and they’re filled with shock and panic. I don’t know what she sees in mine, but I hope it’s love, surprise, and happiness.
We’re having a baby.
“What?” Amanda sits up in the bed, her mouth wide open like a fish as she stares at the doctor. “How? I mean, I didn’t think I could have kids.”
I bring Amanda’s hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles. We didn’t think this could happen, and I was fine with that, but fuck, now that I know we made a baby, I want this. I want them. This is exactly where we are supposed to be. I feel that deep in my soul. This is the path we were both supposed to take.