Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22109 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Her mouth falls open. “You love me?”
I cup her cheek and pull her in for a kiss. When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you, Ellie. I think I fell for you the first time I met you and was jealous that you were with Dawson. I know we went about all this differently, but I wouldn’t change a thing. We’re together, and that’s all that matters to me.”
She kisses me over and over with tears rolling down her cheeks. “I love you, Gray. I love you so much. I never knew how good life could be until I married you.”
“And it’s only going to get better. I promise to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”
She lies in my arms, and we talk about the future... our future.
Epilogue
Ellie
I completed another semester yesterday, and all I have left is student teaching in order to get my degree. The last few months have been perfect, and I don’t know how many times I’ve thought about that day that Gray proposed we get married. I’m so glad I said yes.
I started having contractions earlier this morning. I didn’t mention it to Gray because I’ve read up on it, and I know that it could take a while. Plus, I wanted to spend time with just the two of us. I know our lives are about to completely change, and I wanted to enjoy just us.
Then I had the bright idea that I wanted a cinnamon roll.
Of course, my doting husband offered to walk downtown and grab one from Sugar Glaze Bakery.
The minute he left, I had the most intense contraction yet. I tried breathing through it, knuckles white and keeping my groans to a minimum. I made it through and lay back to rest on the couch. When another contraction starts just minutes later, I know I have to call Gray.
As soon as he answers, a calm comes over me. “Hey, honey, did you decide you wanted something else?”
I try to keep my voice as calm as possible. “Gray, you need to come home.”
He pauses for an instant. “I’m coming back now.” His breathing is heavy, and I know he’s running. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m having contractions.”
“Shit. I’ll be right there. I love you, Ellie.”
The phone goes silent, and I lay it next to me. I look at the suitcase next to the front door. We’re ready for this. Hell, we’ve been ready.
The front door bursts open just moments later, and a frantic Gray comes in. “I have the doctor on the phone.”
I hear Doc’s voice on the speakerphone. “When did contractions start?”
Gray looks at me, and I avert my eyes. “Early this morning. Around five.”
Gray almost drops the phone. “Five this morning? You didn’t say anything.”
Doc ignores Gray. “And how far apart are they, Ellie?”
I scrunch up my nose. “The last ones were three minutes apart.”
“Uhhhhh,” the doctor stutters. “Okay, so look, I’m in Whiskey Run this morning and was about to head to Jasper Hospital, but I’m going to stop by there, okay? Just do a quick examination and then we’ll go from there.”
I nod. “Sounds good, Doc.”
I’m smiling, and Gray looks as if he’s on the edge of freaking out.
The doctor says, “Gray, take me off speaker phone.”
He takes the phone off speaker, and I watch as he paces back and forth, nodding his head. “Okay, okay, got it.”
When Gray hangs up, he looks at me and forces a smile to his face. “Don’t worry. Everything is going to be okay.”
I shrug my shoulders and rub my hand over my belly. “I know it is.”
That stops his pacing. “You know it is?”
I nod. “Yep, because you’re here with me. This baby is meant to be just like you and me are meant to be. Everything’s going to be fine.”
Just as I say it, another contraction rips through my body. Gray sits next to me, telling me to breathe. I squeeze his hand as hard as I can, but he doesn’t complain a bit. This one lasts longer, and by the time it’s over, I’m panting and sweating.
The whole time, Gray is telling me that everything is okay and I’m doing great. “You’re a rock star, Ellie. I love you. I love you so much.”
The roar of motorcycles sounds outside, and Gray looks at me. “You call the Guardians?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m supposed to call Tara when I get to the hospital, but no, I haven’t called anyone.”
There’s a banging on the door, and Gray opens it. It doesn’t take long for our living room and kitchen to get filled by bikers. “What’s going on, guys? Everything okay?”
Reaper speaks first. “Someone saw you running down Main Street like your ass was on fire, we figured we’d check it out... maybe give you an escort to the hospital.”