Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 17082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17082 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 57(@300wpm)
“But it’s your fault, you know?” I say with a humph. “If you put this baby inside me a few weeks later, we wouldn’t be having this little problem.”
“Yeah, but how could I wait?” He smirks, starting to sway his hips in a slow dance to non-existent music. “And I’d be a terrible father if I didn’t let our child be part of such a monumental day.”
I move with him, dancing across our entire apartment, giggling freely now. In some ways, I suppose he’s right. We’re starting our family off the right way. Together for every special occasion right from the start.
And what a wonderful family it’s going to be. I stop our dance and pull him against me for another hug. Vaughn gives in without any fight, stroking the back of my head as he holds me close.
The future is bright, and it’s only getting brighter with Vaughn Valentine in it.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
VAUGHN
One Year Later
“So, Mother, was it worth it?” Victor asks, his head resting on Olivia’s shoulder.
His question silences the table, and Claire looks at me as if to ask what he’s talking about. I roll my shoulders, genuinely confused, as I have been every time they share this secret conversation of theirs.
“Was it worth it?” Mom repeats the question, casting her eyes over the horizon as she ponders it. “Three wishes and three happy sons, all in love with fantastic young women, and, most importantly, I get to say I told you so. Yes, it’s worth it.”
Victor chuckles, but it quickly erupts into a deep belly laughter that catches Addison’s attention. Still too young to understand but curious and observant, our little girl stares at her uncle in awe and bewilderment. Claire giggles fiercely at Addison’s reaction to Victor, and it’s that sound right there that melts my heart.
“Grandma had three wishes and didn’t share?” Vincent frowns. “That’s not fair.”
“It isn’t, my boy.” Vance tousles his son’s hair. “But without those wishes, you wouldn’t be here.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Vince asks in the broken English of a young kid.
Vance looks at Hana, then at me for some reason, and shakes his head. “Nope. Not going anywhere near that one. I’ll explain it when you’re older.” The table howls with laughter.
It’s hard to believe that one year ago, I was sitting in this exact same chair, feeling empty and alone. Things can change in the blink of an eye, and Claire proves it. Without ever needing to try, she gave me hope, a sense of purpose, and a promise that everything would be all right.
And those feelings are amplified tenfold, sitting among my family and relishing in all our successes.
“You look beautiful today,” I whisper to my wife. She looks beautiful every day, of course, but I love to remind her of it. And no matter how many times I say it, her cheeks always flush the same rosy pink that makes me fall in love with her all over again.
Claire adjusts herself until her lips are right against my ear.
“You’re just saying that because you’re trying to get in my pants, Daddy,” she says in a breathy whisper, doing her best to hide it from the table.
A rolling wave of desire runs through my body when I hear that word. From the very first time she said up until now, it always flicks a switch in my brain that makes me want to do unspeakable things to my woman.
“You’re not wrong.” I speak a little louder since no one can guess what we’re talking about.
However, I’ve always been terrible at judging these things, and as a napkin flies from Vance’s side of the table and lands against my chest, I realize I’ve fumbled it again.
“Get a room,” he hoots. “No one wants to see you two making out.”
More laughter, more joy, and another reminder that life is good. Great.
That everything has fallen into place, and it can’t get much better than right here, right now.
My wife at my side, our baby in her arms. My brothers and their partners, with nieces and nephews scattered around the table. My mom, smiling, so close to tears, I swear she’s about to burst into a wailing fit because of how happy she is.
And I’m right there with you, Mom.
Because this life is damn near perfect.
The End