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My eyes go wide and I bust out laughing, unable to control the giggles coming out of my mouth. I anchor myself on a table with my hand to keep from doubling over in hysterics.
“It wasn’t that funny?” His eyebrow rises and he stares at me, confused.
I take a few breaths and bite my lip so I don’t break out in a fit of laughter again. It seems now is the perfect time. I walk over to my purse and pull out a small, pen-sized box. It’s wrapped in silver with a shiny blue bow on top.
“I have something for you, too,” I say, holding out the box. His head tilts slightly to the side and the corner of his mouth curls up to a sexy half smile. It’s that damn smile that started this whole thing. Every time he flashes it, heat sears through my body. He takes the box and shakes it. I smile and nod for him to open it. His fingers move slowly as he carefully unwraps it. Right before he opens the box, I say, “The night isn’t over yet.”
He looks up and our eyes lock for a beat, confusion still in his, before he finishes opening the present. He pulls out the positive pregnancy test and holds it between his thumb and finger.
“Does this…is this…how?” he stutters, not able to form a whole sentence as he holds up the test. His eyes gleam as he looks at it again.
“It’s what you think,” I nod as my eyes start to fill with tears. “I guess I forgot antibiotics decrease the effectiveness of the pill.” I shrug one shoulder.
He looks back to me. A smile spreads across his face and his emerald green eyes sparkle. “We’re having a baby,” he boasts. I’m swept off my feet, and Aiden spins me around. I wrap my arms around his neck. When he puts me down, he drops to his knees and rests his head against my lace-covered stomach. I look down and watch his hand stretch across me, slowly caressing my stomach.
I didn’t think I could love this man any more than I already do, but my heart grows watching him. I place my hand over his and close my eyes, reveling in this feeling. The feeling of being complete.
When I open my eyes and look back down, he’s smiling up at me. Humor crinkles in the corners of his eyes. I tilt my head slightly, wondering what he’s thinking.
“Eight more to go,” he beams.
THE END
Author’s note
I can’t even put into words how excited I am for Aiden and Addison to finally have their happy ever after. The ending is bittersweet for me. I loved writing their story and I hope you have stayed with me for the ride, because it’s been a turbulent one with a few gut-wrenching drops. But their love was strong enough to withstand everything, and in the end it was beautiful.
The next few pages are the epilogue. I highly recommend that if you’re on a happy ever after high, to come back in a few days to read it. Unfortunately…Fate doesn’t stop at happy ever after’s.
XO
Tina
Epilogue
One Year Anniversary
I look out the window where we stood a little over a year ago to say “I do.” Now, a couple of empty chairs sit facing the lake. Sun peeks through the cloudy sky, reflecting off the silent water. I startle when I feel Aiden’s hand wrap around me, stopping on my stomach.
“You doing okay?” he asks, nuzzling my neck.
It’s a phrase I’ve heard too many times this year. His patience and understanding is ironclad, and I’m grateful for it. He can read through my lies when I say that I am okay. The response is so automatic now, I’m starting to believe it. I slide my hand on top of his, linking our fingers and lean back into his body.
“I can’t believe it’s been a year,” I whisper. It’s funny to hear those words come out of my mouth because during the year it seemed liked everyday went by like a dripping sink. Painstakingly slow. I tried not to think about. I tried to keep myself busy taking care of Lexi and growing a baby inside of me, but a day hasn’t gone by that I haven’t thought about her.
“I know,” he murmurs.
“Jett finish eating?”
“Yep. As soon as he was done, Katie grabbed him.” I smile. Jett loves his Aunt Katie. I’ve loved having her close this year. She’s been one of my lifelines this year. “Did you see Lexi riding?”
“I did. She’s doing really well,” I respond proudly. We arrived at Max’s a little early before everyone else arrived so she could ride. Max kept his promise and bought her a horse. He had a barn with stalls built and has since bought a few more horses. I’ve just started to ride the last couple times we’ve come out because Aiden forbid it when I was pregnant.
“I think someone is getting sleepy,” I hear Katie say, walking into the kitchen. I release Aiden’s hand and turn. Jett’s rubbing his eyes but when he sees me his smile lights up and his green eyes shine.
I return his smile and walk over to them. “Is my big boy getting sleepy.” He lifts his arms for me to take him. He’s almost four months and the happiest baby ever. After all the heartache we’ve gone through, I was sure he would end up being a grumpy baby.
I reach for him and bring him in close to me, kissing him on his head. He lays his head on my shoulder, and I sway my body. Aiden rubs his hand down his back. I take in a deep breath, loving the smell of him. It’s a calming smell I crave these days. “I’ll put him in his bed,” Aiden says.
