Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
“Roman is one of my best friends, and Emerson is like a little sister to me. Of course I’m going to be there.”
I can hear the hurt in his voice.
Turning in his arms, I wrap mine around his waist and hold him, resting my head against his bare chest. I let the steady beat of his heart calm me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you weren’t welcome. Just that you didn’t need to go because we’re married. That’s all. I know you care about both of them too.” I lift my head and look him in the eyes so that he can see the sincerity in mine. “I’m sorry.”
“I do want to be there because they’re both important to me. This is my niece who’s being born.” His mouth tilts into a grin. “But, even if I didn’t know them and had never met either of them, I would be there. You’re my wife, Monroe. As your husband, I want you to lean on me, and I want to support you in everything.”
I nod and place my head back on his chest. I don’t know what else to do. It’s either hide or blurt out that I’m falling in love with him. I’m no longer questioning if this is love. I know that it is. I know that my heart will always belong to him, and when I have to walk away from this man, I will never be the same.
“Come on, baby. Let’s get dressed. We’ll hit a drive-thru and take some breakfast for the guys. I have no doubt the rest of them are already on their way to the hospital too. None of us can wait to meet our niece.” He kisses the top of my head before releasing his hold on me.
“Thank you, Legend.”
“Anytime, wife.” He winks. It’s sexy and such a Legend move, and just like that, I’m going to need to change my panties before I finish getting dressed.
We’ve been here all morning and afternoon, but we all refuse to leave. Emerson has been in labor for going on twelve hours, I think. Honestly, I’ve lost track of time. Thankfully, the waiting room is comfortable. I’m currently lying on one of the small couches with my head on Legend’s lap. My husband went to the gift shop earlier and bought a blanket for me to cover up with. The gesture brought tears to my eyes. I don’t know if it’s because of where we are and the news we’ve been waiting on or just because it’s him.
As the weeks pass by, Legend doesn’t seem to care that our friends see how close we’ve become. We’re supposed to be pretending, but he treats me as if I’m precious to him, no matter where we are. That includes when we’re with our friends. Emerson tells me that this is going to work out between us. She has a gut feeling that Legend is my forever. I want to believe her, but I’m also scared that on our one-year anniversary, this all just goes away.
Poof.
Gone.
I’m staring at the television with no sound as Legend combs his fingers through my hair. When the sound of multiple phones getting messages alerts us, I sit up, pull mine from my pocket, and smile as tears fill my eyes.
Roman: It’s a girl! Mom and baby are doing great. Em wants a little time, and then we’ll invite you all back.
Happy tears overwhelm me, and I turn to see Roman’s mom crying with a smile so big on her face that it could light up the darkest of nights. His dad’s grin rivals his mom's as he pulls her into his arms.
“I’m an uncle.” Forrest sits in his chair, smiling down at his phone.
“We’re all uncles,” Lachlan reminds him.
Forrest nods, still smiling.
“You good, gorgeous?” Legend asks me.
“I’m good. I can’t wait to meet her.” I wipe my eyes, feeling silly for crying.
Legend takes over, smoothing his thumbs over my cheeks. “Aunt Monroe.” He smiles. “Is it safe to say we’re going to be babysitting a lot?” he asks.
“I’ve already told Emerson I want on the list. I guess I should have made sure you were okay with that. I can keep her at their place.”
“Of course I’m okay with it. It’s our home, baby. Ours together.”
I feel more tears well, but I blink them away. “Rome’s parents will probably fight me over it.” I laugh.
Legend chuckles. “Probably, but I know they’ve been traveling a lot like your parents, so my guess is that your shot at keeping our niece is pretty good.”
Everyone is suddenly wide awake, laughing and talking. When another message comes through from Roman telling us we can come to the room, we all go at once. We ignore the nurses’ two-at-a-time rule and make our way quietly down the hall. We’re all going to sneak in because we’re all eager to meet her. They can kick us out later. Rome’s parents and Forrest are already back there, which we understand, but I’m ready to meet baby girl.