Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92841 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
“You look fucking gorgeous,” he says, palming my cheek and planting a soft kiss on my lips. “How are you feeling?”
“Good.”
Since I entered my second trimester, the nausea has almost completely subsided, and I’ve gained most of my energy back. Thankfully, it was never horrible to begin with.
“Give me a few minutes to shower, and then we’ll get going.”
Shane was teaching a class at the health club. Usually, when I’m not working, I’ll join him to get my exercise on. But since we’re meeting our family for dinner, I came straight home from work to get ready. With me being almost four months pregnant, we’ve decided it’s time to tell everyone that we’re expecting a baby.
“I’m going to let Becky out for a few minutes before we go.”
“Sounds good,” Shane says. “Is Taylor coming with us?”
“No, she’s meeting us there with Logan.”
Shane grimaces, and I hold back my laugh. It’s not that he doesn’t like Logan. He just doesn’t like the fact that his little girl is dating.
When we arrive at the restaurant, everyone is already there. I give hugs to my aunts and uncles and cousins, stopping to give Natalia an extra-long hug.
“You look so beautiful,” she says, scanning her eyes down my body. “Happy and in love suits you.” Her gaze lands on my belly, but she doesn’t mention me being pregnant since nobody else but her, Taylor, and our parents know.
“Thank you. It feels good to be happy. Speaking of which …” I grab her hand so I can admire her engagement ring. She and Kevin got engaged last month when they were in London, so I haven’t gotten to see the ring or congratulate her in person. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. Kevin definitely did good.”
After we talk for a few more minutes, promising to do a girls’ day soon to properly catch up, I move on to Shane’s parents, who have decided to stick around since their granddaughter was born and they found out we’re expecting.
I wasn’t sure how it would be with them living next door, but they’re great about respecting our space while spoiling us. Kurt is constantly making sure I don’t need anything from the store, and Cathy makes me so many delicious, healthy meals. I’ve also gotten closer to Katie, and I’m learning a lot from her since she has a newborn.
Once we have a seat and the waiter takes our drink orders, I stand to get everyone’s attention. “As you know, Shane and I asked everyone to come to dinner tonight because we have news that we’d like to share with you.”
Shane stands and threads his fingers through mine. “Kinsley and I are expecting a baby. She’ll be sixteen weeks next week, and she’s due on December 16. It was unexpected,” he says with a smirk that has me blushing, “but we’re very excited.”
Everyone cheers and gets up to congratulate us. When my aunt Celeste calls dibs on organizing the baby shower and I stiffen, remembering the last baby shower that took place just before I lost my husband and baby, Shane pulls me into his side and kisses my temple.
“Actually,” Shane says, “we’ve decided to do something a little different. After the baby is born, we’re going to have a celebration and invite everyone to come and meet him or her.”
We’ve talked about it, and I told him that while I feel like I’m mentally doing well, I don’t think having a baby shower is something I want to do. I would be so worried of history repeating itself that I wouldn’t enjoy myself. And thankfully, Shane understood.
“Oh, that will be lovely,” Celeste says. “And I stand by my offer to organize it.”
“Thank you.” I give her a hug, and then we have a seat since the waiter has returned with our drinks.
Dinner is a blast, and as I laugh and talk with everyone, I think about how blessed we are to have so many friends and family who love and support us.
When the waiter asks if we’d like to do dessert, my pregnancy craving kicks in, and I order two desserts since I can’t pick one.
I’m eating my way through both when Shane turns to me and says, “I got this for you.”
He hands me a book, and I glance at him, puzzled.
“I already have this book,” I say with a laugh. “You were there when I met the author and got it signed. Thank you though,” I tell him, not wanting to sound unappreciative.
“It’s different,” he insists. “Open it.”
I set my fork down and open the book despite knowing it’s the same copy I have. The author only made one edition. It’s a hardback with sprayed edges and …
When I flip the cover over, I’m met with a square hole in all the pages.
“What the heck did you do?” I gasp, wondering why the hell he cut out the pages. It’s then I notice that inside the hole is a small black velvet box.