Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
“I know this is a private matter,” Lauren says, barely able to contain herself as she follows me. “But I’m coming too.”
I just laugh and leave the door open for her.
“No way,” I whisper, a blissful lightness filling my chest when I see two lines on each of the tests. “I’m pregnant.”
Lauren grabs my arms and jumps up and down, screeching. “You’re pregnant! Congratulations!”
She yanks me into a hug and squeezes me so hard as my mind races and tears fill my eyes.
“I knew it!” she says, jumping up and down as she hugs me. “I knew it! I’m never wrong about these things.”
I laugh, then cry, then laugh again, my hands instinctively going to my stomach like I can already protect what’s there.
I’m having a child with Ethan.
My mind goes straight to him. To my soul mate. To my best friend. And now, to the father of my child.
I’m so lucky I get to go on this journey with him. It’s going to be a blast.
The past two years and a half with him have been incredible. Just waking up in the morning and seeing him lying next to me, sleeping so peacefully, that big chest slowly moving up and down with every heavy breath—it makes me so happy.
Every time we see each other after work, he looks at me like he still can’t believe I’m real. He holds me in his big protective arms, kisses me, and says ‘I’ve missed you so much’ like being away from me causes him pain. It makes me feel so loved, cherished, and desired.
And the nights we have together… The afternoon delights… The early morning wake-ups… We still can’t keep our hands off one another. We’re still obsessed with each other. That hasn’t changed. It’s only grown stronger over time.
“I guess I should go tell Ethan,” I say, a little stunned as I stare at the tests that have forever changed my life. Nothing will ever be the same. I’m a mom now. There’s no going back.
“He’s going to be thrilled,” Lauren says, hugging me again. “I’ll come back tomorrow to pick up the rest of the order… and to brainstorm baby names.”
She gives me a wink as she takes her box and leaves. “Good luck, mama.”
I smile, feeling all lightheaded.
Mama.
I lock up the shop early and head home, my heart racing the entire way.
Ethan’s truck is in the driveway when I pull in. He’s on the porch, sleeves rolled up, painting the shutters. I smile when I see him grinning at me. Who paints the shutters on their day off?
My man does, of course. He always wants our home looking beautiful for me.
I step out and he comes over. His familiar, solid presence is always so grounding for me. It makes me feel like I can handle anything with him by my side.
“You okay, babe?” he asks, searching my face. “I thought you were working until five.”
I let him swallow me in those big comforting arms and I take a deep breath of his woodsy masculine scent, giving us one last moment like this before I change us forever.
“June?” he asks, stepping back to look in my eyes. “What’s up?”
Tears flood my eyes, but I’m smiling as I look up at him. He’s going to be an amazing dad.
“Maybe when you’re done with those shutters you can start working on another bedroom,” I say with a grin.
He looks at me confused for a moment, then his breath leaves him in one sharp rush.
“No…”
I pull the test out of my bag and place it in his palm. “Yes.”
For a second, he just stares at it.
Then his knees actually buckle.
He lets out a sound that’s half laugh, half choke, and pulls me against his chest so hard I can barely breathe.
“We’re going to have a baby,” he whispers, his voice rough and full of emotion. “We’re going to have a baby!”
I press my face into his neck, breathing him in as he squeezes me tight. His excitement is contagious. I know this is going to be great. Everything is great with Ethan.
He pulls back, cupping my face, blue eyes shining as he stares at me with so much love I can barely take it.
“I’m going to take care of you,” he says, fierce and certain. “Both of you. I swear.”
“I know,” I say, smiling. “I’ll take care of you guys too.”
He kisses me and I take it all in, feeling more excited about the future than I’ve ever felt before.
“I need you,” he growls as I feel his tender hands becoming dominant and firm as he tightens his grip on my hips. He pulls me nice and close. “Can we still…?”
I grin as I nod my head. “We better get it in while we can. We’ll have a house full of kids before you know it.”