Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 103(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
When it’s finally over, I collapse beside her, pulling her into my arms, both of us breathless, covered in sweat, and more in love than I ever thought possible.
I press a kiss to her forehead, my heart full to bursting. “You’re everything, Lena. Everything I’ve ever wanted.”
She smiles up at me, her eyes soft and filled with love. “And you’re everything I never knew I needed.”
We stay like that, wrapped in each other, the world outside forgotten. I know our future is going to be full of challenges, full of surprises, but with her by my side, I’m ready for all of it. We’ve already started building something beautiful, something real, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.
epliogue 2
LENA
The nursery is perfect. It’s exactly how I envisioned it—our own little dream space, ready for our baby, who is due any moment. My hand rests protectively on my swollen belly as I waddle into the room. I’m overdue, the anticipation thick in the air, and I can feel the tension of waiting settle in my bones. But even with the discomfort, there’s so much love in this room, in this home Cade and I have built together.
I smile at the sight of Cade standing on a small step stool, hanging the last piece of decor—a framed photo from our maternity shoot. The photo captures us in the same mountain clearing where we exchanged vows, surrounded by towering trees and wildflowers. My belly was already showing back then, and looking at it now, I’m filled with nostalgia. The wedding had been perfect, and our honeymoon—a quiet escape by the ocean—had been filled with warmth, intimacy, and endless dreams of the future.
The nursery itself is a cozy Pacific Northwest retreat, with soft hues of forest green, creamy whites, and touches of earthy browns. Illustrations of mountain peaks and woodland creatures dance across the walls, and the crib Cade built stands in the corner, sturdy and simple, made from reclaimed wood. The rocking chair near the window overlooks the misty forest beyond, a serene view we both love. We don’t know the baby’s gender, but somehow, the room feels right, like it’s meant to welcome our little one.
Cade steps down from the stool, admiring his work before glancing at me with a familiar, loving smile. “All done,” he says, a note of satisfaction in his voice.
I walk over to him, resting my hand on my belly as he pulls me into his arms, kissing the top of my head. “It reminds me of our wedding,” I say softly, gazing up at the photo.
“It was a perfect day,” Cade murmurs, his hand moving down to rub my back. “But this—” he gestures to my belly, “—this is just as perfect.”
I laugh, leaning into his warmth. The wedding had been everything I’d ever dreamed of: simple, intimate, and surrounded by nature. We’d said our vows beneath a sky full of clouds, the wind whispering through the trees, and the love I felt then pales in comparison to the depth of what I feel now.
Cade has been my rock through this entire pregnancy. From rubbing my back when the baby’s kicks became too aggressive to helping me with every little task, he’s been there without hesitation, full of patience and love. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love him.
“I couldn’t have done any of this without you,” I say, resting my head against his chest. “You’ve been amazing, Cade. The perfect husband… and soon, the perfect dad.”
His laugh is soft, but full of emotion. His hand moves down to rest on my belly. “It’s been the best adventure of my life, Lena,” he says, his voice thick with love. “And it’s only just beginning.”
I nod, feeling a rush of warmth as I look around the nursery—the room where we’ll soon start this new chapter of our lives as parents. The photo from our maternity shoot glows with the warmth of those memories, and I can’t help but feel that everything has come full circle. Our wedding, our honeymoon, and now the baby we’re about to welcome—it’s all connected, like it was meant to be.
Cade’s hand lingers on my belly, his eyes softening with that familiar look of concern. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice gentle.
“I’m fine,” I reply, a teasing smile tugging at my lips. “Just… ready.”
“Well, whenever this little one decides to show up, we’ll be ready,” he says, leaning in to kiss me softly.
I pull him closer, my body pressed against his. “There’s something else I heard helps speed things along…” I trail off, raising an eyebrow.
Cade’s grin turns playful, his hands moving down to my hips. “Oh, really?” he murmurs, his lips brushing my neck. “You’re overdue… we wouldn’t want to keep the baby waiting.”