Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“I’m head over heels in love with you, Axel,” I say softly. “And if you’re willing to jump in front of a bullet for me, the least I can do is move here to be with you.”
He grins, that slow, teasing curl of his lips that makes me melt. And then he pulls me close, brushing a hand through my hair, and I realize I’ve never wanted to be closer to anyone in my entire life.
“I have something else to tell you too,” I murmur.
He lifts his head slightly, looking down at me, curious and amused.
“Oh? What is it?”
I smile, a little shy but brimming with certainty. “You can stop looking for someone to produce your heir.”
He laughs softly, the sound rich and relieved. “Obviously. I don’t care about the money, Jo. I just want you. With you by my side, I can build it all up again.”
I grin, my heart pounding. “Good. Because they did some tests at the hospital, just to make sure I really was ok. And it seems I’m carrying our heir. It’s very early, but we’re going to have a baby.”
His eyes widen with incredulity so much it makes me laugh.
“What the…” And then he’s pulling me up into a joyful kiss. It’s sweet and full of laughter, raw exhilaration spilling into it, our happiness finally allowed to exist without the shadow of fear.
We pull back, still holding each other, our faces inches apart, and we just laugh together, the sound bouncing off the walls, echoing a freedom we never thought we’d feel again.
We are safe. We are together. And for the first time in a long time, I am completely, undeniably happy.
Chapter
Forty-Two
JO
One Year Later
Sunlight streams through the windows of the chapel, golden and warm, catching Axel’s dark hair as he adjusts the baby in his arms. Jackson Joseph Rhodes, our little miracle, coos softly against his father’s chest, his tiny hands reaching out as if he already knows he is in a world full of love. I can’t stop smiling as I catch Axel’s eye. He grins back, that slow, knowing curl of his lips that makes my stomach flutter even after more than a year together.
We’ve come a long way. The chaos, the fear, the danger that brought me to my senses, it all feels like another life, like another version of us lived through it. And yet, it’s still a part of who we are, because it brought us here. To this tiny chapel in New York, surrounded by our family, our friends, and those who have loved us through it all.
“I still can’t believe he’s here,” I murmur, brushing my fingers against Jackson’s soft cheek.
Axel chuckles, low and warm. “Believe it. He’s all ours.”
I lean into him, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne mixed with baby shampoo.
“We really did this, huh? Became a little family?”
He presses a kiss to my temple. “Yeah. A little family. But don’t get me wrong. I’m not at all averse to us being a big family. Even a very big family.”
I shake my head and laugh. “Easy there, Tiger. All in good time.”
The chapel is filled with light chatter, punctuated by the occasional coo or squeal from our tiny guest of honor. My mum beams at me from the front pew. She is sitting next to Jenny, Serena, and Olivia, all of them giddy and proud. It feels good, right, to see my past and present mingling so harmoniously. I live here in New York now, but my mum and my friends will always still be a version of home to me. I walk over to my mum, reach out and squeeze her hand; we share a small, quiet smile, love and understanding passing silently between us.
I am so glad I was able to forgive her. And when we went to London to visit her and my friends, Axel found it in him to forgive her too, and the two of them have become quite close. I’ve bought her a nice house in Knightsbridge in the same neighborhood as my three best friends, and she’s happier than ever.
Betty is there too, standing near Axel and our baby. She looks proud, protective. She will never need money again for the rest of her life, but she wanted to be our nanny and be part of our family. That gave me the idea of naming her as Jackson’s godmother. Without her, none of this would have even been possible.
“Are you ready?” Axel whispers, nudging me gently with his shoulder.
I nod. He’s right. It’s time to start.
The vicar smiles warmly at us.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the christening of Jackson Joseph Rhodes, son of Axel Rhodes and Jo Button. Today we welcome him into this community of love, guidance, and faith.”
I glance down at my son, the weight of him so light in my arms, but so monumental in my heart. “Hello, little one,” I murmur, brushing a curl from his forehead. “Welcome to the world.”