Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 15429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
“Good, because that’s what I want too.”
I might not be able to tell the future, but I knew my own destiny, and that was forever entwined with Penny’s. Of that, I was fucking certain.
Epilogue One
Penny
Two years later
Oh my God. Was this real? Was this my life?
I played those words over and over in my head, unable to believe it, even as I stared down at the proof in my hand.
My hands were shaking, my heart thundering. All I could think about were the what-ifs, how Everett would feel. I knew this was what he wanted, because we’d talked about it plenty of times over the last two years. But now that it was a reality, would he be happy?
I stared at the positive pregnancy test in my left hand, my fingers shaking, my wedding ring catching the light from the slight tremors.
When I couldn't stay still any longer, I stood and started pacing, that pregnancy test still in my grip. I lifted my head and looked around, staring at the things Everett and I collected for our home over the last two years, the things I’d brought from my home, the things he’d already had here. We complemented each other, fit perfectly together, yet I was still worried, scared he’d be against the idea, that this was too fast, that he wanted more of “us” time.
I stared down at my wedding ring. We were blissfully married, having moved in together a month after we’d first met then marrying six months later. And a year after that, we’d bought our first home.
Crazy? Sure. Fast? Yeah. The right thing to do? Absolutely.
Then.
And now I was pregnant.
When I looked at the clock, the time seemed to stand still. He’d be home any minute.
And then I heard the sound of his car pulling into the driveway.
I knew he loved me, so much that he told me it hurt his heart at times. And he took care of me unconditionally. I knew he’d be the best father in the world. But this terrified me. It was real and life-changing. For both of us.
I went over to the living room window and pulled aside the curtain to stare at him. I watched as he climbed out of the car, his big body turning me on instantly. Even in his suits, he was a power to be reckoned with, his muscles pronounced, his male prowess evident.
I watched as he headed toward the house then heard the front door open. I closed my eyes and breathed out.
“Penny? Baby, where are you?”
I held my breath.
“Thought we could go to Angelo’s for dinner. I know you’ve been craving their lasagna.”
He had no idea why those cravings had risen up like they had.
He called for me again, but I was almost in a trance in that moment, unable to move or speak as I held that pregnancy test still.
“Penny?”
I snapped my eyes open, not realizing I’d still had them closed, not realizing he was only a few feet from me.
“What’s wrong?” The worry in his voice was evident.
My throat tightened, my mouth went dry, and panic settled in as I lifted the test, not bothering to say anything. This certainly wasn’t how I’d envisioned telling him. But I was on autopilot right now.
“Um,” I whispered as he took the test out of my hand and looked down at it. I was trying to be calm, trying not to seem like I was freaking out, but the truth was, I was so over being tense that I wouldn’t be surprised if everything in me snapped.
He finally looked at me again, his expression stoic. He still held the test, maybe waiting for me to say something.
“So. Yeah. A baby.” God, had I really said it like that?
“You’re pregnant.” He stated it, his voice neutral, even.
Was he in shock? It would seem appropriate, given the fact that I was there too.
All I could do was nod. “Yeah,” I whispered, my throat tight. “A baby.”
For long seconds, we didn’t speak, didn’t even move. The air was thick, I felt tense, and sweat beaded the valley between my breasts. How would he feel about all this?
“A baby,” he murmured. And then he grinned at me, his straight white teeth flashing, his happiness clear.
And at that moment, I felt the fear and worry, the tension and stress just fade, evaporate from me. He put the pregnancy test back on the table and had me in his arms, holding me close, murmuring sweet things against my hair.
He pulled back after long moments, not saying anything, and instead kissed me. The kiss was gentle, loving. He rested his forehead against mine, both of us breathing the same air, feeling the same things.
“Damn, Penny. Baby, this is fucking fantastic news.” He pulled back then, the grin on his face making me smile even wider.