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)
“We’re waiting until the ultrasound to pick a paint color, but we’re pretty sure we’re going to go with white furniture, boy or girl.”
“Well, you should hold off on buying too much, anyway. You know we’re going to throw you a shower.”
“I don’t have anyone outside of you and Forrest and the guys. We’re prepared to do the bulk on our own.”
“You have Roman and his parents. You have Drake, Lisa, and Lyra, and I’m sure your work will throw you a shower,” I remind her.
“Yeah, I just don’t expect it, you know? I’m happy with our life, and I know the people who are in it want to be here. I’m okay with that number being small.”
“It’s not that small.” I shake my head at her.
“You know what I mean. I don’t have aunts and cousins to invite, and that doesn’t bother me. I have a small circle, but it’s bursting with love. I couldn’t think of a single thing I could want more.”
“You know, with four uncles, and Roman as thier daddy, and then there’s me, the best aunt ever, this little one is going to be spoiled rotten.”
“Good. I never want my child to know what it’s like to not feel loved and cared for.”
“That man you married, he’s going to make damn sure that never happens.”
“Come on, let’s go upstairs and I can show you what we have planned.”
I follow her up the steps and into the empty room. Emerson proceeds to tell me the vision that she and Roman have for their baby’s room, and it’s perfect.
“You should have Rome paint a mural on the wall. I’m sure the guys would help him.”
“Yes! Why didn’t we think of that?” she asks. She twirls in a slow circle. “That wall is where the bookshelf, toy box, and rocking chair are going to go. That’s such a great idea.”
“And I’ve already bought a couple of books,” I confess. “Mom and I went shopping the other day, and I couldn’t resist.”
“Aunt Mo for the win,” she cheers. “Just wait. When it’s your turn, I’ll be repaying the favor.”
“If I ever get there. At this rate, I’ll be an old spinster cat lady and have to live vicariously through you.”
“Come on, that’s not true.”
I shrug. “Not all of us can be as lucky as you and have the man of our dreams sweep us off our feet.”
“Henry messed with your head. Everything about you is beautiful. You’re a great catch, and the right man is going to come along, and you’ll forget he ever existed.”
“A girl can dream,” I say, sighing dramatically, making us both laugh.
We talk a little while longer. It’s not until we hear deep voices that we know we’ve been up here most of the day, just talking, and planning, and catching up. “I’m surprised your husband left us alone this long.”
“Stop.” She playfully rolls her eyes. “Come on, I’m starving, and we need to make sure the guys don’t eat everything before we have a chance to make our plates.”
“Did you forget how much food you have left over? You’d have thought you were feeding a wedding of one hundred, not less than twenty.”
“I know. My mother-in-law and I might have gone a little overboard.”
“Might have?” I tease.
“Fine, way overboard, but it was the perfect day, and now we have those who are closest to us here to help us eat what’s left.”
“You did it on purpose.” I call her out, but I already know the answer.
“I’ll never tell,” she sings, but the wink she gives me tells me I’m right.
My best friend, she has no idea that we’d all be here, food or not, if they invited us. That’s what you do for your friends. You show up, you offer support, and you be their shoulder when they need it. Emerson will always have that from me, no matter where life takes us.
CHAPTER
THREE
Legend
When I pull into the driveway, I see that I’m the last to arrive. I should have been here earlier, but when I left my parents’ place, I drove around for a little while, just trying to wrap my head around today. Talk about a mind-fuck.
I never could have imagined what would be in that letter. I hate that I never got to meet my grandparents, and on some level, I understand my grandmother’s need to make things right. However, forcing me into marriage, even if I get to choose my bride, is not the way to do it. Besides, it’s too late. They’re both gone, and the chance to get to know them has long since passed.
Grabbing my keys and my phone, I climb out of the truck and make my way up the sidewalk. I knock once, and a chorus of voices that are more than just Roman’s and Emerson’s voices say “Come in.”