“Hey there, kitten.” He greets me with a deep kiss and takes the box from my arms. “What’s this?”
“Open it.”
I’m so nervous as he slides a knife through the tape and opens the box flaps. Ryder removes some crumpled paper and then…there it is.
My book.
Ourbook.
He stares at it for a moment, looking at the author nameChloe Wolf, and then back to me. “Is this…”
I nod as he lets out a whoop of congratulations. Before I know it, I’m in Ryder’s arms and he’s swinging me around.
“This is incredible,” he says when he finally puts me down. “You are incredible. I can’t believe you kept this a secret.”
He has one arm around me, with the book in his other hand.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well, you definitely succeeded, kitten. Your first published book. The first of many. Congratulations. You deserve this.”
He kisses me, and I let myself sink into his embrace.
“I couldn’t have done it without you and your support.” He looks like he’s about to protest, but I stop him before he can. “There’s something else I couldn’t have done without you.”
Ryder narrows his eyes and tilts his head in question. “I don’t know if I can handle any more exciting news.”
“I think you can.” I wink and take the book from his hand before guiding it to my belly.
It takes him a moment to realize what I’m telling him, but when he figures it out, Ryder once more lets out a whoop of excitement, this time attracting the attention of everyone else in the bar. “We’re going to have a baby?”
I nod, the tears I’ve tried to hold back all day finally slipping down my cheek.
I know how badly Ryder wanted to put a baby in me. Just as badly as I’ve wanted it. It just took a little longer than we expected.
“What’s this I hear about a baby?” Ma came out of the kitchen and pulled us both into an embrace.
Ryder’s entire family had welcomed me with open arms. I’d never felt so loved. It was incredible to be part of a loving family.
And have the love and devotion of a good man.
Myman.
Ryder pulls me into his arms again and tips my chin up to look at him. “I love you so much, Chloe. Today is the most incredible day.”
“It is.”
With my dream career well on its way, the man of my dreams in my arms, his baby in my belly, surrounded by a loving family, I truly can’t think of a better day.
“And it’s just the first of many to come, kitten.”
TEN YEARS LATER…
Ryder
The younger boys are finally asleep and our eldest child, Janie, is happily tucked into her bed, reading. At nine years old, she is already a voracious reader, just like her mother.
The house is full with three children, and although I thought we might have more, the family we have is absolutely perfect. I never could have guessed that I would love this life of domestic bliss, but with the right woman, it is even better than I could have imagined. It still makes me shake my head when I look back on the days when I would laugh at my brothers when they told me my time was coming.
