Seth and I are directed to Izzy’s room, and I give a gentle knock beforeentering.
“Come in!” a cheery voice calls out, and I’m stunned to find Izzy glowing, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, holding a tiny, peach-faced bundle wrapped in a blanket. Her husband, Holt, looks a bit ragged, teary-eyed. “You just missed the onslaught. Baya and Bryson just took off with about a hundred of our closest friends andfamily.”
Seth and Holt shake hands as he congratulates themboth.
“Yeah.” My voice grows small. “Congratulations.” My enthusiasm at the moment is marred by the fact that giant baby burrito just came out of her lower far more delicatehalf.
“Whoa.” She adjusts herself against the pillows as she looks to me. “Do not freak out. I promise you, it was not at all what I thought it was going to be like, but you don’t have to torment yourself. You’ll be fine. And just look at this precious peanut. It’s a girl. Her name is Paige.” She holds her out to me and nods. “Go on. She’s light as a feather and smells likeheaven.”
A dry laugh brews in my chest as I carefully take the infant from her as if she were made of the thinnest blown glass and cradle her in my arms. “Wow, she is light. Oh my God,” I coo as I bring her close to me. Seth wraps his arms around me as we take in this tiny angel. “She’s amazing.” The waterworks start up again, and everyone in the room gives a light chuckle. I bring her in closer and take in her powder fresh scent. She does indeed smell likeheaven.
Seth and I spend an hour, at least, marveling at their little miracle before congratulating them once again and taking off. Outside, a full moon dipped in hues of pale blue flirts with Hollow Brook below. Just before we get back into his truck, Seth wraps his arms around me tight, and I can’t help but feel safe, feel as if he will never let me go, and I know that’s true. Seth and I have each other forever in the very bestway.
I sniff back tears as I look up at him. “I’m glad I get to go through this all with my bestfriend.”
“You and Trix, huh?” He gives a little wink. “I’m damn glad we have each other. You’re everything to me, Sunday.” His thumbs brush the tears from my cheeks. “You took my breath away the first moment I laid my eyes on you, and you’re still doing it today. I don’t want you to be afraid of what comes next.” He glances down at the bump between us. “I’m going to be there for you.” His eyes bear into mine, and I swear each of them is smiling. “Our love is strong enough to get us through, no matter what lies ahead. And you know what? A hell of a lot of great things lieahead.”
A laugh warms me from the inside out. “I think you’re right.” My hand cradles my belly. “And I think they’re already happening. With you in my life, I don’t think they’re ever going tostop.”
“You stole my line.” His brows waggle as he presses a light kiss to my lips. “Your place ormine?”
“Yours. And I don’t care if my brothers know it. What’s the worst that can happen? I’m already knocked up. I just need you to hold me tonight.” I lay my head over his shoulder, and Seth gives a knowing nod before he blesses me with his lips. Seth’s kisses assure me that every word was just as true as his golden heart. Seth and I are starting out on our forever. It might have been a rocky start, but we’re on solid ground now with a smooth, wide path of love spreading out as far as the eye cansee.
I’m in love with Seth Baker. I always have been, and I always willbe.
Seth
Friday night at The Sloppy Pelican, we’re all set to have a gathering of family and friends. The place is bustling, the live band is doing their thing, and the scent of a grilled steak is coming my way. Sunday and I arrive together. It’s another reprisal of the Bakers and the Knights, not to mention everyone in the Maxfield clan has joined us as well— save for Sunday’s father, who is busy buying New York. Serena and Trixie are already whispering in one another’s ears, laughing it up over something, and I trace their gaze to Shep, who’s standing with Axel, Lex’s husband. Hollow Brook is a pretty small town, but in this room, it feels smaller than athimble.
Mom and Dad come at us, and Sunday squeezes my hand a bit as they make their way over. I don’t know if it was conscious or not, but Sunday has never looked too comfortable around myparents.
“Look who’s here.” Mom’s eyes widen until she looks certifiably insane. She nods to my father as if they’re speaking a language of their own, and for as long as I can remember, they’ve been doing exactlythat.
“It’s just Sunday and me, Mom.” I look to Sunday, glowing with an otherworldlybeauty.
Mom crimps her lips. I know that look. It’s rife with disapproval, and I hope to God Sunday doesn’t pick up on it. “It’s not just the two of youanymore.”
Dad clears his throat, his own eyes look as if they’re about to shoot out of his skull, slightly embarrassed by mother’s brashness. “I think what your mother is trying to say is, congratulations.” My parents have already lambasted and scolded the shit out of me, so I suppose in the natural order of things a congratulations would benext.
“Thank you.” Sunday’s cheek turns a bright pink. “I mean, I know this must come as a shock to you. I’m sorry about that. But”—her hands cradle her stomach—“we’re actually pretty excited about itnow.”
“Excited?” Mom balks. “That’s a little naïve, don’t you think? I think you need a reality check. Do you realize what a sleepless night feels like? I promise you, this will be the toughest thing you’ll everexperience.”
My blood boils in an instant. The urge to steal Sunday away and take off hits me hard, but we vowed we wouldn’t do anything to ruin Nolan and Misty’s take-two on their own goodnews.
Dad tugs at his collar as if it’s getting a little too hot in here, and I’d have to agree with him. Mom is bringing all the heat straight from the pit ofhell.
Sunday chokes out a laugh. “I think I do realize that this won’t be a walk in the park, but I’m prepared to accept thechallenge.”
“And school?” Dad asks almost nonchalantly as if it were an aside, but I can already tell Sunday is on high alert, and she’s not taking too well to himeither.
“I’ll handle it. I’ll be taking online classes as soon as next spring, so I’ll only be out a semester. I’ll still be ahead of my peers who opted for a gap year. I’m not worried about school. I’ll graduate sooner thanlater.”
Mom sighs as she averts her gaze to Dad, and a sickening feeling takes over. There’s something about the displeasure written all over her face that frustrates the hell out ofme.
“Your father and I have made the decision that we’ll raise the baby.” She looks to the two of us, cold as ice. “That way it doesn’t interfere with your studies.” She offers Sunday a curt nod as if that were the end of the discussion. “It’s imperative you finish your education—and Seth, grad school is a must for you. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You’re going.” Her tone is stern, her demeanor stiff. And right now, she’s batting two for two on chasing us the hell out of here. If Sunday bolts, I’ll leave with her. No ifs, ands, or buts aboutit.
Sunday offers a nervous glance my way before nailing my mother with a hard look. “That’s very kind of you, but Seth and I are raising the baby ourselves. I’m not auditioning parents. The baby has a completeset.”
