Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“So, you’re just putting a ring on my finger?”
“Yes, and in a few months, I’ll add another one and give you my last name.”
“You’ll give me your last name?”
“Yeah.”
“And you’re not asking me to marry you.”
“Exactly.”
“This is probably the worst proposal ever.”
“I never proposed. I told you what we are doing.” He smiles, and I drop my forehead to his chest.
“You are so crazy, Walker St. James,” I whisper.
“Crazy in love with you,” he whispers back, and maybe I’m just as crazy as he is, because I wouldn’t have him any other way.
CHAPTER 24
hanna
At the island in the kitchen, with my computer open, I watch Walker as he walks around shirtless. I miss everything about him when he’s not here, but I think one of the things I miss the most is the sight of him when he’s just gotten back from a run and he’s all sweaty and hot.
“You need to call your parents, Hanna. And if you keep looking at me like that, I’m gonna have no choice but to fuck you.”
“You should put on a shirt.”
“I don’t need a shirt.”
“If you want me to focus on what I’m supposed to be doing, then you for sure need a shirt,” I disagree, and he shakes his head before he grabs his shirt off the back of the chair and puts it on.
“Happy?”
“Not really.” I sigh.
“Stop procrastinating and call your parents.”
“I’m not procrastinating.”
“You are. You have been all morning. First, you said you were waiting until you fed Mizzy, then you were waiting until you had coffee, and then you were waiting until I got back from my run. Just call them.”
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“Baby.” He walks around to where I’m sitting and grabs my face. “It’s going to be fine. Stop worrying.”
“I don’t want them to be mad at me.”
“They’re not going to be mad at you.”
“They might be.”
“You forget I spent three days with them while they were here. They love you; they are not going to be mad that you’re pregnant. They might have questions and even some concerns, but they won’t be mad.”
“Fine.” I let out a breath. “I’ll call them.”
“All right.” He pulls me up from my seat and then sits and places me on his lap.
I press the icon to video-call my mom, feeling nauseous. When she answers, her face lights up with a huge smile.
“You’re home,” she says, looking behind me at Walker, who I can see is grinning in the small image of us on the screen.
“I am. I got in yesterday,” he says, and she looks at me.
“I know you’re happy he’s back.”
“Yeah,” I reply softly, squeezing his hands that are linked around my waist. “Is Dad around?”
“He is. Do you want me to get him?”
“Yeah, we have something to tell—” Before I can even say “you two,” she’s out of sight of the camera, shouting Dad’s name, and Walker chuckles behind me.
“Okay, we’re here,” Mom says a moment later, with Dad appearing behind her.
“Hey, honey.” He smiles at me, then looks at Walker. “Walker, glad to see you’re home.”
“Glad to be home.” He kisses my shoulder.
“So, what do you have to tell us?” Mom asks, and I lift my hand to adjust the computer screen. “Oh my God, you’re engaged!” she shrieks, covering her mouth with her hand. “I knew it.” She bounces up and down as I start to panic. “Did you know?” She looks at Dad, who just nods.
Okay, apparently Walker didn’t ask me to marry him, but he did ask my dad if it was okay. Darn that makes me want to cry.
Then Mom orders, “Hold it up. Let me see.” Oh, Goodness. I reluctantly hold up my hand and watch her eyes fill with tears. “It’s so beautiful… and huge. It’s so huge.” She laughs.
“Actually, that’s not the news,” Walker says, and my mom’s smile falls away in an instant.
“It’s not?”
“Not all of it anyway,” he clarifies.
“Oh, so what is it then?”
“Well… I….” I glance back at Walker. “Um, we—”
“You’re moving home,” Mom cuts in, looking just as excited as before, maybe even more so.
“No.” I shake my head. “Or not yet.”
“Not yet?”
“You’re pregnant,” Dad inserts, and Mom gasps, looking back at him before facing the camera once more. “Right?” Dad asks softly never taking his eyes off me.
I nod, then a sob I can’t control climbs up the back of my throat.
“Baby,” Walker whispers, hugging me tighter.
“Oh, honey,” Mom murmurs, tears filling her eyes once again. “You’re having a baby?”
“Yes.”
“My baby is having a baby,” she whimpers, and Dad gathers her in his arms. “How far along are you?”
“Ten weeks now.” I wipe away the tears on my cheeks.
“Ten weeks.” She gives me a watery smile. “How are you feeling?”
“Just tired.”
“No other symptoms?” she asks, her voice filled with concern.
“No, I haven’t had any morning sickness or anything. It’s actually been really good.”