Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 170(@300wpm)
Austin is standing over me. “I have to tell my brothers. They’ll never forgive me if not.”
I nod my head. “Do you think they’ll want to come?”
He laughs. “Do I think they’ll want to come and meet their niece? Absolutely.” He holds his hand up. “But I promise, I’ll make them wait out in the lobby until after she’s born. Up until then, it’s just me and you, but after that, there’s no promises. Kennedy is going to have four aunts and uncles and a cousin that is going to be vying for her attention.”
He’s attempting to warn me, but all it does is fill my chest with a warm, cozy feeling. The Blazes are my family now, and the tears that start to fill my eyes are because I know that no matter what, Kennedy is going to have a family that accepts her and loves her as their own. “Thank you, Austin. Not just for everything you do for me and Kennedy but also for how you make me feel. The fact you were having one of your guest bedrooms made into a nursery before I even moved in tells me a lot. Thank you for…” I suck in a breath, knowing the words are not enough. “For everything.”
He kisses me then. I put my hand at the back of his head because I don’t want it to end. In his arms, I feel that everything is going to be all right. He is my calm, and I don’t ever want to let him go.
Chapter 24
Austin
It’s been a whirlwind few days. My brothers all stepped in like I knew they would. They brought our overnight bags to the hospital and agreed to stay in the waiting room until after little Kennedy was born. Ally was amazing. She gave birth at noon and was up walking around that night. The doctors kept both Ally and Kennedy a few days for observation. They wanted to make sure that Ally was completely healthy before releasing her, and even though I had to sleep on a lumpy chair, I didn’t mind. I would stay as long as we needed to if it meant keeping Ally healthy.
By the third day, when both were given a clean bill of health, I packed up our little family and drove us home.
Ally is sleeping in our bedroom, and I’m sitting in the nursery, holding Kennedy to my chest. She started cooing a few minutes ago, so I thought I’d pick her up and let Ally get some more rest, but the way she’s squirming, it’s obvious she doesn’t want to wait any longer.
I carry her to the next room, and Ally lifts her head. “I’m sorry, I should have gotten her.”
I laugh. “Why would you do that? Kennedy and I had some daddy-daughter time, and we’ve already decided that she’s not going to date until she’s twenty. Isn’t that a relief?”
Ally laughs. Her red hair is in tangles around her head, and she smiles at me. “Oh yes, what a relief. I can’t believe she agreed to it.”
I position the baby at Ally’s chest. She’s lost all modesty since she became a mom, and all I can do is sit here and stare as Kennedy suckles at her chest.
The need to touch Ally is overwhelming, and I reach over, lifting her up so I can sit down behind her and then let her lean back into my chest. She sighs as she rests against me. This is the life that I’ve always hoped for and thought I’d never have. I’m determined to soak it all in.
The vibration of the phone on the nightstand startles us. “It’s yours,” I whisper to her.
She groans, but it’s obvious she’s smiling. “It’s probably Natalie or Elle, and if I don’t answer, they're going to have your brothers call you to check on us.”
I reach for the phone and pick it up, ready to answer to one of my sisters-in-law but am surprised when I see the name on the caller ID.
“Who is it?” Ally asks me.
“It’s Gregory,” I answer and hate myself for doing so because I can feel her whole body tense.
I answer the phone, keeping my voice nice and soft even though I feel anything but. “What?”
There is silence on the other end of the phone. “Uh, may I speak to Alison?”
I grit my teeth and keep my voice low. I hate even hearing him say her name. “She can’t come to the phone. Not now, not ever.”
“Uh, I have some legal matters to talk to her about. Or I could just send a police officer over there.”
“Hold on,” I grunt at him.
I put the phone on mute. Forcing myself to relax, I kiss Ally on the side of her neck. “It’s going to be okay. I’m going out. I’m going to have Elle and Huddy come over, okay?”