Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 24154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24154 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
I’m trying to rein it in. I’m excited, but I’m also scared. We had plans, and this was not part of our plan. Instead of answering him, I ask him hesitantly, “Are you okay with this?”
He wraps his arm around my waist and holds on to me. “I’m going to have to be honest with you, Emily.”
I hold my breath. Good or bad, I want the truth. “‘That’s what I want.”
“I knew from the first moment I met you I wanted to have kids with you, and I know the timing is off from what you had planned...” I’m looking at him wide-eyed and worried as he continues. “But this is exactly what I want, Em. I want a family with you, and I’m going to be right by your side the whole time.”
I just stare at him, trying to process it all, but he continues. “Talk to me, honey, because you’re freaking me out a little bit.”
He’s still looking at me the same way he always does. I don’t know why I thought this would be any different or why this would change how he feels about me. Before I can say anything, he asks, “Are you having second thoughts? About me? About us?”
“What? No!” I exclaim.
He cups my face in his hands. “Do you want to have kids with me?”
I nod with assurance. “More than anything.”
As if he can’t hold back anymore, he presses his lips to mine in a kiss full of promises. When he pulls away, he is smiling happily. “I love you so much, Em.”
I nod. “I love you too. And I’m happy. I just didn’t want you to feel…”
He kisses my cheeks. “Feel what?”
I shrug, feeling ridiculous. “I dunno, like I’d trapped you.”
As soon as I say the words, I know how crazy it sounds. “Trapped me?” he exclaims. “Honey, I stalked you. I couldn’t stay away from you and you think you trapped me?”
The tears start to flow, and I’m wiping them away as fast as they fall. Jack’s mouth drops. “Emily, stop, no crying.”
I start to laugh then. “We have to go or we’re going to be late.”
“We can skip it.”
I pull back to look at him. “We can’t skip it.”
He holds me to him, burying his face in my neck. “I just want to be with you.”
I laugh, still wiping tears. “Me too. Let’s go, husband.”
He helps me finish putting shoes on and then stands up, holding me. I watch as he grabs the keys to my car off the key rack and I move up next to him. “What are you doing?”
He wiggles his eyebrows at me. “Did you change your mind? Want to stay here and celebrate?”
I grab at the keys in his hand. “No, I mean, why did you grab my car keys? We’ll go on the bike.”
He puts a hand at my belly. “Em, you’re pregnant.”
I grab the keys to his bike off the wall. “Yeah, and we’d better ride while we can.”
He shakes his head. He doesn’t like it, but I know he’s not going to tell me no.
He sighs, shaking his head. “Whatever you want, baby.”
I laugh and lean into him. “Are you going to be overprotective the next eight months?” Before he can answer, I’m nodding my head. “Of course you are.”
He laughs with me. “You love me just the way I am.”
I kiss him. “You’re right, I do.”
It took a lot of convincing, but finally Jack realized that I didn’t care about his past. All I care about is his future. Well, our future.
He grabs my hand. “Let’s go, Em. The sooner we go, the sooner we get back to celebrate.”
I fall into step beside him. “I like the sound of that.”
As I get onto the back of his bike and we ride across town, I can’t help but be grateful for everything that I have in my life. Marrying Jack was the best thing I’ve ever done. I never dreamed I would feel this level of happiness.
I tighten my arms around his waist and press my body against his. This, him, our baby, it’s everything I’ve ever needed, and I know the best is yet to come.