Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
“Are you serious?” His voice is low, a little shaky, like he’s afraid to believe it.
I nod, and the tears finally break loose. “I don’t know for sure. I just—my period is late, and I’ve been so tired, and—” My voice cracks, and the rest comes out in a whisper. “I’m scared, Jay.”
He kneels next to me and gently pulls me into his arms, pressing my snotty face into his chest like I’m the most precious thing on earth. He just holds me, arms iron-tight around my shoulders, the warmth of him bleeding into my skin until I finally start to believe I’m not alone.
He helps me over to the sink and holds me close while I brush my teeth. Then he gently carries me back to bed. Salty tries to jump up in the bed with us, but Jay takes the little dog back to his bed by the window.
Jay returns and slides into bed next to me. “I’m so goddamn happy,” he says as he pulls me close. “I’ve been trying my best to knock your little ass up since the first time.”
I lean back and attempt to give him my most fierce stare. “Oh, really?”
“Really.” He smiles and hugs me closer. “And since you didn’t insist on us using birth control, I figured it was okay with you, too.” He has me there.
“I love you.” I lean back against him, feeling his warmth flow through me.
“I love you more,” he tells me as he leans over to reach into the bedside drawer. Jay pulls out a small, square jewelry box and opens it to reveal the most stunning diamond ring I’ve ever seen.
“Nadia Mirewood, will you marry me and make me the happiest man in Texas?”
For a second, I just stare at him, my brain refusing to process. Then it hits me that this is real, this is my life, and the man I love is proposing to me. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”
He slips the ring on my finger and mutters, “I bought this ring three days after I met you. I was waiting for the right time to give it to you, but honestly, I don’t think there will ever be a more right time. I can’t wait another second to know you’ll be mine forever.”
“I’m yours. Forever.” I snuggle in closer, knowing life just doesn’t get any better than this.
EPILOGUE: JAY
TWO MONTHS LATER
The first thing I notice is the smell. Not disinfectant, not that crisp astringent hospital aroma, but something softer like baby powder mixed with vanilla. The second thing I notice in the waiting room of Worthington Hills OBGYN is that the walls are the color of melted vanilla ice cream. Every chair is upholstered in a shade of baby blue, mauve, or pale yellow that makes my eyes ache.
Nadia sits next to me, leg bouncing like a jackhammer. She’s got a battered copy of Pregnancy & Baby Magazine laying in her lap, but her eyes haven’t moved from the same page in five minutes. I doubt she’s processed a single word. Her lips are pressed tight, chin tilted down, blonde curls exploding in every direction as always.
I’m holding her left hand in mine with my thumb tracing her knuckles. I count the heartbeats in her pulse and find it’s running a full-blown sprint. The engagement ring and platinum band I slipped on her finger a few weeks ago glint under the fluorescents, but she keeps sliding it up and down, turning it, twisting, and fidgeting with it.
I squeeze her hand before leaning over to brush a kiss to her temple. “You know I love you, right?” My voice comes out gruff, but it works—the corner of her mouth twitches.
“I know, and I love you, too.” She gives me a smile that melts my heart. God, I’m obsessed with this woman. The minute she said yes, I didn’t waste a goddamn second. I booked the flights, the hotel, and the corny-ass wedding chapel with a Justice of the Peace who wore an Elvis jumpsuit. Vegas. It was impulsive, bonkers, and absolutely perfect.
We got married that night. Nadia wore a white sundress and wild curls. She looked like an angel sent straight to ruin me. I barely remember the vows. I just remember her soft “I do” and the way she stared up into my eyes adoringly.
Three days in Vegas. Just us. No work, no lesson plans, no gassy Frenchie needing a walk. Then we came home and settled into our perfectly messy life.
Today is our first ultrasound, and my wife is a nervous wreck. I keep trying to reassure her that everything will be fine, but she won’t breathe easy until we see our little one on the screen.
“Hey,” I whisper, trying not to draw attention from the other would-be parents around us. “Did you know the most popular baby name in Texas last year was Maverick? I’m not saying that’s the right choice, but I’m also not saying it’s the wrong one.”