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That’s right, readers. Madison Lewis—soon to be Madison Jennings—is pregnant with her first child. Her dreams are coming true, and if Jacob Jennings goes into the bedroom right now, his dreams might come true too…
I run through the apartment. Maddie is waiting for me on the bed in a silk nightgown that has the heat rising in my body.
“I love you,” I whisper, climbing atop her.
“I love you, too.”
We kiss, the future contained within it, the hope and the joy calling to us.
EPILOGUE
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Madison
“I’ve never seen Jacob like this,” Henry says to me.
It’s been wonderful, bonding with Jacob’s dad since he came back for the wedding. I thought about contacting my dad again, but I decided against it. He’s not interested and, anyway, I’ve found a new family with Jacob’s parents.
We’re sitting on the back porch of our new house. Jacob bought it soon after I revealed I was pregnant. He was so happy when he showed it to me, a big smile on his face that would’ve seemed like it was painted on and entirely make-believe before we fell in love.
Jacob, Mom, and Lena, Jacob’s mom, are at the store grabbing some food for a little party we’re having tomorrow at lunchtime. Since the morning sickness chose the end of the day to hit me—typical—Henry offered to stay behind.
It’s two days before the wedding. I rest my hand on my belly, smiling across at Henry. He’s fit for an old man—notastall as Jacob, but still tall and muscular.
“Good genes,”Mom joked when we all met, about a week ago.“Your sons are going to be massive, Maddie.”
We all laughed, and we’ve got on well ever since.
“I mean it,” Henry says, taking a sip of his soda as the sun sets over the garden, a warm summer glow. “He wasn’t a sad child, by any means, but I’ve always sensed…”
“What?” I say, eagerly, but then I realize Henry is getting choked up.
I reach over and gently touch his hand. “It’s okay.”
He coughs away the emotion. “He was always a little withdrawn. I said once that it was like there was a piece of him missing. I was drunk, and I regretted it immediately. He’s a driven, determined, impressive person. He has been since he was a small boy, but laughter and love and joy… it seemed these things were not in the cards for him.”
Henry smiles away his discomfort. “I told myself and Lena that it didn’t matter. He’s built a business based on ethics. He was and is a force for good in the world, but I always wondered if he had it in him to be happy, to find love…”
“He’s the most loving person I know,” I whisper, getting choked up, too.
“Because of you, Madison,” Henry says. “Never forget that.”
I almost jump when there’s a knock on the glass. Turning, I find Jacob smiling at me, holding up pizza boxes. It seems they grabbed more than party supplies while they were out.
“What were you two talking about?” Jacob asks warmly as he leans in for a kiss.
“Oh, just gossiping about how I melted all that ice around your cold heart, that’s all.”
I mean it for it to come out as a lighthearted joke, but Jacob nods seriously. “It’s true. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I’m so glad you and Dad are getting along.”
“We’re starting to feel like a proper family.”
He moves around so he’s holding me from behind. This is his favorite position lately, but not for anything sexual, though Idofeel his desire, his hunger attempting to take control of his body. I’ll always feel that, whenever we touch, whenever we look at each other, but he likes this because it means he can cradle my belly with both hands. He can cradle ourfuturewith both hands. He holds me gently, then kisses me on the cheek.
“I can’t wait to be your husband.”
“I can’t wait to be your wife,” I say, leaning against him.
