Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55839 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Will it cause his anxiety to spiral out of control?
“I’m in a much better place, Greer. And I love you”—he wraps his arms around my waist—“I want it all with you. Everything. A relationship. Family. Marriage. I want everything.” He leans in and captures my lips with his. The kiss is easy, simple, and I grab hold of him, because I love him just as much.
He breaks the kiss, and gazes into my eyes. “Do you want that too?”
I inwardly cringe, hoping I’m doing the right thing by telling him this quickly. “Yes, I want it all with you, and just so happens we might be getting a family sooner than expected.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “What do you mean? Do you already know I made peace with my mother?”
I stop my train of thought about the pregnancy, and focus on what he just said. “You did?”
“She wasn’t a nice person growing up. It was hard. But I’ve learned to forgive her. There’s no roadmap on how to do everything right. My mother tried, sure it didn’t feel like it most of the time, but in her own way, she tried. Or at least I’d like to hope she did. I have to believe that.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “I’m so sorry you grew up with a mother who didn’t support you.”
“She never thought I was good enough for you.”
I laugh at that. “I think nobody is good for anyone until they learn to love themselves first. I think once you find the person you want to be with, you need to work on being the best version of yourself for them.”
“I love you,” he tells me again.
It warms me up from the inside out. “I love you too.” Now’s the time. “Also, I’m pregnant.”
For the first time since I’ve known Roman, and I’ve known him a really long time, tears well in his eyes. “Are you serious?”
I nod, hoping he’s just as happy as I am. “Yes. I know the timing isn’t the best, and everything is so new, but…”
Before I can finish my sentence, Roman’s lips are pressed firmly against mine. He kisses me and I can’t stop smiling as he does.
When he breaks the kiss he cups my face in his hands. “I love you so fucking much.” His eyes go wide as he lowers himself to speak to my belly. “I didn’t mean to curse around you.” He places his hands on my tummy. “I love you too. I haven’t even met you yet, but I absolutely love you.”
EPILOGUE
Greer
“I love you so much,” I say, kissing the squishy cheek of my nephew.
You want to know who else I love so much? Roman Thorne.
He lounges beside his twin brother on my living room couch. They’re deep into a discussion about a new woman Ledger can’t seem to get enough of, and as Roman laughs, it’s like a burst of sunshine warming from the inside out.
His laughter is contagious, and I find myself craving more of it. To say Roman’s conquered his anxiety is an understatement. Though he still faces occasional rough patches, they’re steadily diminishing. He’s doing much better, and he knows I’ll always be here to support him. We all will.
The doorbell rings, and I hand my nephew back off to my brother with a grin. “Dad’s here. You nervous?”
“No, I’m ready for him to meet Chloe and the baby.”
After a deep breath, I swing the door open. Dad stands at the threshold, a bottle of white wine in hand, giving me a soft smile.
“Thanks for having me over,” he says as I envelop him in a warm hug.
“Dad, you’re always welcome here. Come in.”
Hesitation flickers in his eyes as he steps into my house.
I take the bottle of wine from his hand as Roman and Ledger get up from the couch.
Roman positions himself by my side, his hand resting on my lower back. “Mr. Huxley.” He shakes my father’s hand.
“I heard you two were together and I couldn’t be happier,” Dad says, the smile on his face genuine. His gaze roams over everyone until they land on Devereaux, cradling his baby.
Tears glisten in my father’s eyes, and Dev edges closer to him.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet your grandson, Devereaux James Huxley Junior.”
My father sheds a few tears as he steps closer to my nephew. Dev hands his son off to our father, and my father holds the baby, unable to take his eyes off him.
“This is Chloe,” Dev says, introducing the love of his life to our father. “We’re getting married.”
My eyes light up at the news. I move closer to Chloe as everyone gushes over the wedding announcement.
Chloe smiles like the happiest woman on the planet, and I can actually relate.
I give her a hug, and she smiles at me. “I’m so happy to have you for a sister,” I tell her.