Page 47 of Falling for Roxanne

I would have gone on and told her more about how much I loved her, but she broke down and cried into her open hands, just sobbing at my kitchen table. I knelt down and put my arm around her. She leaned into me, cried into my neck in great, gusting sobs, mumbling about how she loved me, and she was so scared. I held her and rubbed her back and told her I had her, that I loved her, that we would figure this out and I’d never run away again. That I was so sorry.

When she was calmer, she sat back, and I handed her a napkin to blow her nose. She sniffed and gave me a watery smile, “S-sorry,” she said sheepishly. “I got emotional.”

“Shh, you never have to apologize to me, Roxanne. I love you and I’m damn lucky you came here to tell me off. Otherwise, I might not have had the chance to tell you how I really felt. Judges don’t like you going off script and declaring your love for your intern in open court, and in class it would’ve been—disruptive too.”

She cleared her throat and reached in her pocket. Handing me a piece of shiny paper all folded up, she bit her lip and looked at me nervously as I unfolded it. I knew at once that it was an ultrasound—a pregnancy ultrasound. Shocked, I met her eyes. Seeing how anxious she was about my reaction, I immediately pulled her to me and held her.

I kissed her hair. “How long have you known? Have you been worried about telling me? I’m so sorry if I ever let you think for a second that you had any reason to fear telling me something so joyous and wonderful. A baby, Roxanne? Our baby?”

I grinned at her, as she looked up at me, hopeful and tearful at once. She nodded. I kissed her lips softly. “We have everything we need, darling,” I said.

EPILOGUE

ROXANNE - ONE YEAR LATER

“Who’s my chubby baby? Are you my chubby baby?” I cooed at Preston as he waved his little fist in the air and gurgled happily. I fastened the diaper and zipped up his sleeper. It was the one with the teddy bear paws on the feet. One of the one’s Colin picked out for his baby brother.

I picked him up and gave him kisses on his chubby cheek and he grabbed a fistful of my hair and waved it around, pulling a little. “Don’t yank that out, kiddo, I need it,” I laughed.

My phone beeped with an email alert, and I went over and glanced at the screen. Oh crap. It was the results from the bar exam. I’d had to delay it because I was pregnant and didn’t need the stress after graduation. So, I waited until after I had Preston and was cleared by my doctor before I launched into preparing for the test.

It had meant a lot of long nights studying when I wanted to be snuggling with my baby or curled up on the couch with Hamilton and Colin watching Luca—Colin’s latest obsession. The test had been really daunting for me and I dreaded seeing my results. If I had to retake it, I’d probably burst into tears at the thought of having to endure all those weeks of prep work again.

Hamilton walked in. “Hey, look who’s awake! Why are you glaring at your phone?” he said, taking Preston from me. I picked up my phone and looked at it like it was a snake.

“My test results from the bar are in.”

“Okay, you know you aced it. Why are you stressed out?”

“Because I’m scared to look!” I said.

“I’m right here. We’ll look together,” he said soothingly even though I knew he thought I was being silly.

“You look. Give me the baby,” I said. “Trade me.”

Laughing, he swapped me, and I cradled Preston while Hamilton tapped the phone screen and read the email. I was holding my breath.

“You nailed it! Passed the first time!” he crowed. “Mommy’s a genius, did you know that, Pres?” he crooned to our son.

The baby could sense our excitement and started to wave his arms. I laughed with relief and Hamilton kissed me. “You did it!” he said. “I’m so proud of you.”

I sank into the rocker and cuddled Preston. “Mommy’s a full-fledged lawyer now, baby boy,” I told him happily.

Hamilton slipped out and returned with a flat rectangular box. He handed it to me, and I lifted the lid. Preston grabbed the lid and promptly tried to chew on it. There in the box was a gleaming brass nameplate that said, Roxanne Park Bell, Attorney at Law.

“It’s for your office door at the law firm. Our family firm. If you’ll join me, and if you’ll be my wife.”

“I have everything. Everything I’ve ever wanted,” I said, “Yes! Yes! I can’t wait!”

He kissed me. “I got you a ring, but I’m not allowed to give it to you until Colin is home from school. He’s been really excited, and he doesn’t want to miss it. There may even be a picture he colored for you with a robot on it.”

“I love you. I love our family. Forever,” I said, knowing I was the luckiest, happiest woman in the world.