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I glance over at Chloe and silently indicate I’m goin’ after Maddison as I nod in that direction. She smiles, gives me a nod in return and I slip out of the room just in time to see Mad disappear down the hallway.
Following her, I wait outside of the bathroom, and if she’s anything like me she’s taking the time to calm her stomach. Mine is always twisting, mouth-watering, it's a vicious cycle.
I hear the flush, then the sink as I assume she’s washing her hands.
A few minutes later the door comes open and she stands frozen in the doorway staring back at me.
“Why would you think you couldn’t tell me?” At first she seems surprised. I watch as her eyes widen and then she takes a deep breath.
“It’s not that I couldn’t tell you, it’s that I didn’t want to steal you—,”
“My joy,” I finish for her and she nods. “We’re both having a baby, you announcing that, isn’t you stealing my joy Mad, it's only adding to it.”
Madi worries her lip.
Reaching out I take her hands in mine. “Our babies will be in the same grade, who knows they may even be best friends.”
“I’m sure they will be.”
“I’m over the moon that my baby will grow up with so many cousins. I know I always complained about having so many big bullies always taking away my fun, but I know now that wasn’t the case. You were all only protecting me, watching over me to keep me safe. I love that my little one will have those same things. They may hate it, but one day they will realize it's all because they are loved.”
“Even if they are a virgin until they are forty?”Maddison asks and I have to laugh. I remember saying that very thing after my fun was interrupted and I was still fuming at Chloe for ruining girls night by calling Landon.
“Even if they are a forty year old virgins.” I laugh, and we share a hug. “Congratulations,” I whisper and she squeezes me a little tighter.
“You too Gracie.”
eleven
Terrance
I feelthe bed dip behind me and turn just in time to see Grace sliding in beneath the sheets. I turn over, fully facing her and she curls her body toward mine.
I can see she is tired, as her eyes immediately begin to droop.
“How was it?” I ask, reaching out to push the hair away from her face.
“Good,” she says through a yawn and I can’t help but smile. I remain quiet watching her as she slowly gives into the exhaustion.
I still can’t believe this is my life. I have a gorgeous wife who loves me. We have a house we’ve together made into the perfect home. I reach out and place my palm over her stomach. Now we have a baby on the way. Looking back I never imagined this, I never let myself.
After losing my grandparents I gave up on happiness. I simply drifted through life until I met Rhett. The guy has the perfect parents, and the extended family is incredible. I was immediately envious of his life. Then I saw Grace and she was nothing more than his kid sister. But damn if that kid sister didn’t grow into a gorgeous woman and though I tried like hell to stay away, it was impossible.
My stubbornness almost cost me the love of my life and I thank God every day that she came back to me.
“I love you, Grace.” I whisper through the darkness, not expecting anything in return. But when she whispers back she loves me too, I feel my chest grow tight.
I vowed the day I married her to love and cherish her and I meanteveryword. I also vow to give this baby and any that follow a better life than my father gave me. I will never turn my back on them, I will never hurt them, physically or any other way. I will protect them and anyone who ever tries to harm them better run until they reach the ends of the earth and then they better fucking jump.
Sliding in closer I curl my arms around her and fall asleep to the sounds of my beautiful girl sleeping soundly.
It's the best sound in the world.
* * *
I stepdown off the last stair and pause listening to the sounds of Christmas music playing in the kitchen. The smell of something baking hits my nose and I breathe it in. That’s my girl, always baking even if it isn’t the holidays. Grace can make one hell of a mean cherry pie, and she often spoils me with them.
Stepping through the doorway I watch as she busies herself with her back to me. An apron tied around her waist and her hips shifting to the sounds of the music. Immediately I feel my body reacting but I blame her for being so irresistible.
