Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Yeah,” I laugh.
I’m grilling steaks for dinner because my woman is craving one and what she wants, I make sure she gets. Last week, it was tacos and before that we couldn’t keep enough strawberry ice cream in the house.
“Damn, we are lucky bastards,” he says as he takes another pull form his beer, his lips quirking up as he watches his wife.
“You can say that again,” I answer without hesitation. Thinking over the last few months, hell even years, I nod. Sometimes I’m still shocked that this is my life now. Emilia has given me miracle after miracle. I’ll be forever grateful to Maxwell. “Has Zoe agreed on a name yet?”
“Nope,” Callan says, smiling. “The woman can’t make her mind up. What about you two? Have you finally decided?”
“Yeah, we’re going to name him Max after his grandfather.”
“Maxwell would love that.”
“Yeah, I think so, too,” I tell him as I nod absently. “You know, it’s funny. I swear sometimes when I’m working in the office, I can smell that aftershave he always wore.”
“I can believe it,” Callan says. “He’s probably coming in there to bust your balls for working too hard.”
“I think you’re right, but whatever it is about being here, Emilia is much happier since we settled in. That’s all that matters.”
“You seem happy yourself—not to mention relaxed,” Callan adds.
I look over at Emilia as she rubs her belly. She’s smiling softly, looking down at her stomach where our child is resting, and completely lost in conversation. She has no idea how many times a day I just sit and watch her. I want it all. With every day that passes, she just gets more and more beautiful.
“I wish I could go back in time and tell that little kid in the orphanage who was afraid to close his eyes at night that one day he would have everything he could dream of and more.”
“You deserve it man,” Callan says, clearing his throat.
“We both do,” I tell him. I hold my beer up and he does the same as we drink to our good fortune.
I pull the steaks off the grill, walking them over to the patio table. “Dinner is served, ladies.”
They both let out a loud sigh and share a look. “We’d love to join you,” Zoe starts.
“But we might need help getting off this thing,” Emilia cuts in.
They burst out giggling, not even trying to move.
Callan makes his way over, laughing at the two of them. Just as I go to join in, the smell of aftershave wafts through the air stopping me in my tracks.
I swear as the breeze surrounds me, stirring my hair and warming me I hear four words as clear as day.
I told you, son.
My heart stutters as emotion threatens to overwhelm me.
“Thank you, Maxwell,” I whisper. “For everything.”
The breeze sways again, pushing the scent away. I feel warmth spread deeper through my body as I walk over to Emilia, helping her down. I take her into my arms, kissing her forehead. When she starts to pull away, I hold her a little tighter, giving her lips a quick kiss, not much more than a promise of more later when we’re alone.
That last kiss was for me. The first was for her father who I’m positive will always be a part of our lives.
I started as a man they called the devil—someone who never knew what love was and doubted its existence. Now, I’m a man who is surrounded by love and will never take it for granted.