Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121296 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
I run my fingers over the cover, barely able to believe it's real. Words I thought I'd never write. A dream I thought I'd buried under deadlines and city noise. My heart engraved into three hundred pages.
Now it's here. Held in my hands. Surrounded by everything I never dared imagine I could have.
My heart is so full.
But it isn't the book that makes it beat like this.
It's the family around me and the future I never saw coming.
“Not to minimize this amazing achievement in any way,” Corbin says, approaching to put his arm around my shoulder, “but dinner's ready.”
I kiss his warm cheek and whisper in his ear, “Did I ever tell you I find your culinary skills extremely, unbelievably sexy?”
His already warm cheek heats to a pink, and he slaps my ass playfully, thankfully out of sight from a Mom, who's already making her way inside on Levi's arm.
***
Later, I'm at the kitchen sink, elbow-deep in soapy water, when Corbin leans against the counter and says, “Mark's coming for lunch tomorrow.”
I glance over my shoulder, my heart skipping like it always does when his name comes up. The kitchen incident and his anger have been difficult for me to forget, but I'm thankful that he's listened to Conway and is putting aside his judgments so he can be part of Caleb, Hannah, and Matty's lives.
“Just him?” I ask.
Corbin nods. “Said Jess has a school thing. He's bringing lemon pie. His recipe this time.”
That makes me smile. “God help us.”
I'm mostly grateful that Corbin isn't holding his breath anymore, and the worry about Mark is in the past.
“I'm glad,” I say, drying my hands. “About him coming. About all of it.”
Corbin watches me for a moment, a stillness in his expression. “Are you worried?”
“No,” I say. “I used to be, but after his last visit, he seemed to get used to me. Now it feels like an extension of this messy, complicated life that somehow feels simple.”
Corbin pulls me in by the waist and presses a kiss to my temple, whispering, “You gonna spill your secret tonight?”
I jerk my head back, but then smile at his cheeky grin, which lights up his face and crinkles his eyes.
“I think I might. After all, I have all the people I love most in the world around me.”
He squeezes my hand. “Then I'll wait to tell you how happy I am.”
I touch his cheek and then drift to the table to help Mom seat all the kids, ready for the hearty stew that Corbin and Dylan have prepared.
Dylan wipes his hands on a towel, nods at Corbin, and then sets down a steaming pot in the center, still bubbling like a cauldron.
Nash herds the twins into the kitchen, McCartney argues with Cody over the correct stew-to-bread ratio, and I glance around the table and feel something tighten in my chest.
I'm not nervous or anxious, just so full of love that I'm breathless from gratitude.
I slide into my seat beside Corbin, who gives me a quiet, knowing glance. Dylan's eyes meet mine, and I flash him a small smile.
When everyone's finally settled, chatter bouncing off walls, I clear my throat.
No one hears me the first time.
“Hey,” I try again, louder. “Can I… can I say something before we eat?”
Conversations taper off, heads turning. Caleb looks up, eyes wide. “Is it story time?”
“Sort of,” I say, smiling at him. “It's a story we're just starting.”
Corbin squeezes my hand under the table, warm and steady.
I glance at my mom and all the men who have embraced me into this home, and feel tears swell in my throat. I can't wait anymore.
“I'm pregnant,” I blurt out.
The room goes still.
For one perfect heartbeat, there's nothing but shocked breathing.
Then Cody lets out a cheer that's somewhere between a shout and a yodel.
“What!” McCartney hollers. “No way!”
Corbin finally breaks into a grin, his joy spilling out like light through a crack. “I knew it.”
Dylan reaches across to hold my hand. “I knew it, too.”
Rory's clapping and hopping in his seat.
“We're getting a baby?” Eli asks.
My mom's hand flies to her mouth, eyes welling up as she wraps her arm around my shoulder and kisses me hard on the cheek. “That's the best news, sweetie. You're going to make an amazing mother.”
Conway stands, his eyes fixed on me possessively and lifts his glass. “To the newest piece of this beautiful chaos.”
The room explodes into congratulations, questions, and laughter.
There are a few R-rated jokes about the inevitability of my conception with eleven men in my bed that thankfully go over the heads of the kids, but not my mom, who blushes.
Corbin wraps his arm around my shoulders, kisses my temple again, and murmurs, “Have I told you how happy you make us?”
“You have,” I smile. “But I'll never tire of hearing it.”
This baby is coming into a world full of noise, love, hands ready to hold, and voices ready to sing them home.