The Fool

by P. J. Belden

  “Is it the wedding, honey. Are you getting stressed out by it all?” Swallowing hard, I ask the next question. “Are you having second thoughts?”

  A sob escapes. “No. We need to make these decisions and now. Maybe we should even put off the honeymoon. We have to have this done.” Her voice is shaking, and the tears are falling faster.

  “Honey,” I say cupping her face in my hands. “You need to talk to me here. I do not understand why these decisions are so important right now and why it would mean taking away our honeymoon that you were so excited about just yesterday.”

  “Because,” she cries. “I can’t lose another one. There’s so much we need to do to make things safe. I can’t lose another one,” she breaks down bawling and falling to my chest.

  Holding her, I’m trying to play catch up here. She’s on the verge of a panic attack, and I don’t know why. She left happy, I thought. Waverly was definitely happy last night. Now she’s afraid of losing another one. Another one of what? Safety measures for what? We’d only talked about fencing when we were talking about... I freeze for a moment before pulling back and lifting her face to mine.

  “Lee… Are you pregnant?”

  A half laugh and half cry escapes her lips as she nods her head. Quickly, I’m up on my feet with her in my arms cheering as I spin us around. Her arms are tightly secured around my neck, and I feel her laughing. Lowering her to her feet, I seal my lips to hers, and our tears mingle.

  “Are you happy about this?” She asks as I rest my forehead against hers.

  Laughing, I kiss her nose. “Baby, I am more than excited for this. I was just thinking that I was going to use the honeymoon to start our family.”

  “I’m scared,” her soft voice fills the small space between us.

  “Oh baby,” I pull her in for another reassuring hug. “It’s not going to happen again. I strongly believe it.”

  After a few silent moments in each other arms, she looks up at me and smiles. “We’re going to have a baby.”

  It was my turn for a choked laugh. “Yes. Yes, we are.”

  Epilogue

  Waverly

  Two years later…

  Things are better than I could ever imagine. To keep himself occupied – and from going insane – he took on a bartending job at Hideaway with Randal. Since we are silent partners for the bar, Randal welcomed him in so he could have time off to enjoy with his kids. Because of his family, we all got together and decided to add a family restaurant onto the building. It has been a complete success and the place many parties are held due to the outside entertainment for kids.

  As I am sitting on the stool talking with Legend, Xander and Jenna walk in. Jenna and I have actually become friends as have the guys. It had been a bit awkward at first because Legend didn’t like that he was with me, but they ended up bonding over historical items, in particular guns and fights. Jenna and I kind of had a forced relationship because of the men. But it eventually grew to a real one.

  Smiling at the discomfort on her face, but she was just glowing. She was very pregnant with their third child. They just had twin girls a year ago. Things are going great for them, and I’m so happy. I always knew that they were meant to be together.

  Things are going well for Legend and me too. We welcomed our beautiful, healthy, little girl fourteen months ago. She’s the apple of her daddy’s eye. As I always knew, Legend is an incredible father.

  “What are you doing handsome,” I ask leaning over the counter to kiss him, giving him my attention back.

  “I saw this absolutely beautiful girl, and I thought to myself, I need to take her home.”

  “Daddy!” April squeals from my arms.

  “Oh, there she is now. You ready to go home?” She nods her head enthusiastically as Legend comes out from behind the bar.

  Wrapping his arm around my waist, we say goodbye to Randal and head out to his truck. Once Legend has April secured in her seat, he takes off home. Resting my head on his shoulder, I smile. Things could have turned out so differently had I held on to all that darkness that I was allowing to take hold. But because of my son – and a little bit of Xander – I was able to save myself. With Legend’s help, we are building the life of our dreams.

  After the wedding, I wrote a third movie to accompany the previous two. Another battle ensues over production rights, and I’m once again staring down at a very large sum of money. I continue to write movies, but my main focus is my husband and daughter.

  “What do you want to do first,” Legend ask April as he takes her from the truck.

  “Swing,” she squeals excitedly.

  “I’m going to go get supper going. I’ll be out to get you two when it’s done.” I say as I watch them head over into the fenced off play area where a playground set is.

  Going inside, I pull out all the ingredients for four cheese stuffed ravioli. Cooking has become a relaxing thing for me. It’s my time to get all of the day’s stress out and then enjoy all our family time. Once the dough is rolled, cut, and stuffed, I start the vegetables. Before long, everything is at a point to plate. Once the table is set, I walk out the front door, and watch as Legend chases a giggling April around.

  “Rawr!” April roars loudly. “I get you, daddy.”

  “Oh no,” Legend fake panics and turns and runs from her. “I don’t want to be eaten.”

  He turns a circle, facing April and she lunges into his arms. Legend pretends to be knocked to the ground. April giggles and roars loudly.

  “I no eat you, daddy. I wub you.”

  Tears blur my vision at the sight of the two of them together. She loves her daddy just as much as he loves her. I don’t think I could have found a better man for a father. His world was that little girl and me. As he is ours.

  “Time to eat,” I call out once I get my emotions under control.

  “She’s asleep already,” Legend says later that night as he flops down on the couch.

  “Good because there’s something we need to talk about.”

  “What,” he asks, sitting up focusing on me.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  A huge smile spreads across his face. “I love you, Waverly. I can’t wait to keep building our wonderful family.”

  “Me either.”

  Only a fool would let true love go because they were angry. Only a fool would run from a forever because a moment tore them apart. But I was that fool. Until a little boy named Remy and a good man named Xander showed me where I was going. Now, because of them, I’m the fool in love. I wouldn’t give that up for anything.

  If you enjoyed this book, check out some of my other works…

  Hidden Secrets series – Romantic Suspense

  Protective Love

  Fantasy Attraction

  Family Ties

  Tough Love

  Struggling Fee

  Falling Hard

  Dangerously Yearning Our New Path (coming soon)

  Losing Faith (coming soon)

  Stranded series – Standalone novel series

  Alaskan Lifeline

  Falling In Deep

  Downhill Struggle (coming soon)

  A Baby Saved Me series – Romantic Suspense

  Surviving the Pain

  Jagged and Beautiful (coming soon)

  Standalone

  Feeling the Moment – Romantic Suspense

  Unexpectedly Lost – Romantic Suspense

  Finding An Angel – Contemporary Romance

  Fighting To Stay – Contemporary Romance

  Wattpad Publications (read as I write books)

  Rough Waters – Contemporary Romantic Suspense

  Dear Readers,

  I want to take a moment to thank you for all your support over the years and every release of each book. It’s because of you I keep writing and telling the stories that fill my mind. This book was an emotional rollercoaster, but I hope you enjoyed the ride.

  Thank you for everything you’ve done to help make my dreams come true.
It truly means the world to me. Let’s move on to the next read.

  Big hugs!

  PJ

  Acknowledgements

  Over the years, I have come across some incredible people. I can’t thank them enough. They have built me up when I felt like I was crumbling, gave me the inspiration to keep moving forward. Without these incredible people, I don’t think I’d have as many books under my belt as I do now.

  So thank you to you all…

  Mechelle Jackson

  Shawna Banker

  Krystin Sanchez

  Dawn Sullivan

  Kylie Price

  Kate Stewart

  Amy Rogers

  Gemma Newey

  Kim Brown

  Jane Harvey-Berricks

  Vicky Barber

  Lexi Buchanan

  Beverley Hollowed

  Kim Holden

  Jessa Stephens

  Michelle Abbott

  Tabatha Washington

  I could keep going with this list, but we are already approaching a long list. To all those not named but have had a tremendous effect on my life, I didn’t forget about you at all. You are all in my heart and I can’t wait to show you all what I’m truly made of.

  To my three NEW beta readers…

  Stefanie Hetland

  Renee Megee

  Maria Silva

  You all gave me the added support and encouragement that made this book better than it was when I sent it to you. The excitement you found in reading my book fed me through the edits and more. Thank you so much! Here’s to a beautiful friendship and partnership

  Thank you so much for everything I will never forget it and always be in your debt. Let’s move on to the next story.❤

  About Author

  As a mother of three growing kids, I’m super busy most days but I wouldn’t change a single moment. I was blessed with meeting the love of my life at only 19 and marrying him when I was 20. He has been a constant support that I grow with every day. Every day I fall in love with him all over again.

  We live in Wyoming and enjoy the wide open spaces. We’ve lived many places, including Alaska which is one of my most favorite places I have lived.

  I dreamed of being an author for many years and I hope to continue to do this for many more years to come. Outside of writing books, I love reading, cooking, being outdoors, music, and family time.

  Contacts Links:

  I love hearing from my fans. You can find me at any of the following places below. Look forward to meeting you.

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJBelden

  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/PJBelden

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p.j.belden

  Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/PJBelden

  Email: j.p.belden@gmail.com

  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/PJBelden