Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“Elliot,” he says quietly, but I shake my head, pressing my hand to his chest.
“Please.”
His eyes search mine, and I know that he wants me to shut up, that I’m digging my own grave. But I need to get this out. He nods, and I look back at his stunned mom’s face.
“I never meant to hurt him. Time got away from me, and I was too scared to tell him. I didn’t want him to want me only because of the baby. You raised a stand-up guy, a good man, and I didn’t want him to be stuck with me because of our child. It’s been so complicated and overwhelming, but he doesn’t let up. I know this isn’t how you wanted to find out or meet me, but I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove I’m more than the choices I’ve made.”
Her eyes cut to Alex’s before coming back to me. And, of course, I don’t know when to shut up.
“I swear I didn’t trap him.”
Alex chuckles beside me. “Jesus Christ, are you done?”
I glance up at him, and his eyes sparkle with love. “Yes.”
“Good,” he says, kissing my lips softly. He pulls back, and when he looks at his mom, I do the same. She’s watching us, her face still unmoving in the way I’ve seen Alex’s freeze when he’s on the ice.
A flutter starts in my chest, and she looks me over. Her eyes move down my body, pausing at my stomach before looking at Alex. “Are you not feeding her? She’s skinny.”
Alex grins. “I think she was born that way, because I feed her all the time.”
I giggle. “He does.”
She nods. “Are you hungry?”
I wasn’t prepared for that question. “Yes.”
“Then come on. I’ll put some weight on you, and I need time to get to know my new daughter before everyone shows up.”
My jaw actually falls open as she takes my hand in hers, squeezing it. I see so much kindness and eagerness in her gaze as she stares at me. My tears fall faster, and she reaches up, wiping them away like I’m just a normal girl, not the hussy who got knocked up by her son and hid it from him. “Come now, sweet girl. No crying. You’re safe with me. He loves you, I love you.”
My chest cracks at that, and my heart spills out. I was on such high alert to prepare for her to hate me, to think I was the dirt on her shoes, but once again, I was wrong. There is only love in her eyes. As she pulls me toward the door, Alex chuckles behind me.
When I glance back, he’s smiling smugly. “Told you.”
I fall even deeper in love with him.
CHAPTER 30
Alex
I love the wide-eyed look Elliot gets when she takes in her surroundings.
I press my lips against her temple before I whisper, “Sorry about this again.”
Her lips curve as she looks up at me from where she sits in my lap. Her legs are crossed, and my arms are around her middle as we look out at the backyard packed with my immediate family and extended family. What was supposed to be a quiet evening with my mom has turned into a full-blown fiesta. Within two hours, everyone I know showed up with food and drinks to meet my girl and see “where my grandson is growing.”
There has been a lot of, “This is my new daughter. Isn’t she skinny compared to Gordo? But so gorgeous, yes?’
Of course, Elliot is eating it up and giggling at every turn, and I am loving every single second of it.
“You thought this would happen, and I’m having a blast.”
I kiss her again. “Good.”
When my brothers appear in front of us, I tense up. They tease me relentlessly as older brothers do, but I don’t want them upsetting Elliot. No one but Mom knows that Elliot didn’t tell me about the baby until recently. Everyone thinks we just wanted to tell Mom in person, but I know my brothers are suspicious since I’m very close with my mom. Santiago sets me with a look, his eyes more wrinkled with laugh lines than the last time I saw him. We are both very tall and broad. We actually look the most alike, taking after our mom with our caramel eyes and thick lashes. Hugo and Mario are smaller than us, still mirroring our mother but leaner. Thankfully, none of us looks like our sperm donor.
It gives me hope that my son will come out looking exactly like Elliot.
“Mija, you have to dance with us,” Santiago tells my girl. “It’s tradition you choose your favorite brother to dance with.”
I scoff. “At the wedding, not a party! She doesn’t know you fools!”
Mario looks between us. “I thought you got married? No?”
“No. She isn’t ready,” I say simply, and I feel her gaze on me.