by Abby Brooks
I nod. “I don’t know if an army of babies is in my future, but I do know that you’re all I want for the rest of my life.”
David slides a ring onto my finger and I stare at the diamond gleaming in the sun while he pinches the second ring between his fingers and holds it out for Claire.
“If I marry your mom, that will make me your stepdad, and that’s an honor I don’t take lightly. Will you be my official little monster?”
Claire’s eyes dance with humor. “I’m not a monster.”
“True. You are the least monster-ish monster I know. How about this, will you be my stepdaughter?”
“What’s a stepdaughter?” Claire’s face falls. “Why can’t I be your real daughter?”
“You have a dad…”
“But I like you better.”
“Well good. But in order for you to become my real daughter, your real dad has to say it’s okay.”
Claire stares at her feet. “He won’t do that.”
“Maybe not right away. But we’ve got lots of time. The rest of our lives, even. So maybe your dad will change his mind and let me adopt you and you can be a Carmichael, too.”
He doesn’t tell her that her dad is going to trial for arson and attempted murder. That the evidence they found against him was enough to put him away for a long time. That for the first time since the divorce, we have the law on our side.
Claire looks thoughtful. “I want to be a Carmichael. Then it would be my name on the sign out front and me and mom would really belong here.” She holds out her hand. “You can put my ring on me now.”
David grins and slides the ring into place. He stands, carefully helping me to my feet before he lifts Claire up in one arm. She wraps her arms around his neck and he pulls me close. The three of us lean our heads together while Pogo pants at our feet.
“I can’t believe you’re married before me.” Bailey pulls out a chair and sits next to me at the table in the Carmichael kitchen.
“I can’t believe I haven’t had this baby yet.” I shift, looking for any position that makes me even a little comfortable. “It’s a small miracle that he stayed in there long enough for us to get married and I’m grateful, but really. He can come any day now.”
Lexi laughs. “I can’t believe you actually found a prince.” She grimaces. “You pretty much just ruined my odds of stumbling across a David or Liam of my own.”
Bailey and I speak at the same time. “That’s not true.”
“Now you both sound ridiculous.” Lexi rolls her eyes. “I’m a realist, and two out of three is already fantastic odds. Looks like I’m destined to be the cute, single friend until I’m too old to be cute.”
Bailey shakes her head. “Whoever said you were cute in the first place?”
“Whatever, bitch. You know I’m fabulous.” Lexi grins and then turns to me. “So, you’re married to the man of your dreams. About to have a baby. Got to quit your job and your mom was actually relieved about it. Your crazy-ass ex is on his way to jail. You’re pretty much living the dream, aren’t you?”
“Can you believe Russell was dumb enough to call 911?” I shift as the baby kicks my ribs. “Not only did he set the fire, but he basically turned himself in, too.”
Bailey shakes her head. “I mean, when he was on the stand during the trial, he admitted to being drunk, like that somehow made him more victim than bad guy. He’s such a coward, I can see how he wasn’t brave enough to go into the house once he realized Claire was in there.”
I wave away the statement. Russell isn’t worth one more second of my energy. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just so glad to have it done and over with. And I’m glad that he felt bad enough to sign away his parental rights to David. Now we just have to get the adoption complete before this guy arrives.” I rub my swollen tummy as the baby does what feels like somersaults. “David wants Claire to be a Carmichael before Thomas is born.”
“Is that his name?” Bailey asks.
I smile. “Yep. Thomas Carmichael.”
“It’s pretty much the happiest ending ever.” Bailey sighs. “I mean, after mine.”
“But it’s not an ending, is it?” I fold my hands on my stomach. “It’s just the beginning.”
“The beginning of what?” David’s voice startles me and I turn towards him.
“The beginning of our forever.” I smile and reach out for him.
He takes my hand. Rubs his thumb across my knuckles. “Damn right, darlin’. We have the rest of our lives to look forward to, each day better than the last.”
“I sure love you, Mr. Carmichael,” I say as he pulls me to my feet.
“And I love you double, Mrs. Carmichael.” David bends to kiss me while Lexi groans and Bailey smiles happily.
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First and foremost, thank you to Mr. Wonderful and the Mini Wonderfuls. I live with unicorns. You guys are so good to me and I love you all more and more with each passing day.
To my early readers—Linda, Candy, Joyce. Nicki, and Sophie. #NotaCheerleader. Thank you for being honest with me. No. Really. I mean it. THANK YOU.
To Vanessa Noble and Mr. Noble—thank you for your 911 dispatcher and firefighter information.
To my friends—Alison, Anya, and Jen. One day we will all be in the same place at the same time and have drinks. It will be magnificent.
And to the wonderful women in Brooks Books. You might not know it, but you keep me moving forward even on days when I want nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep the day away.
Brookside Romance
Wounded
Inevitably You
Lexi’s story (Title and release date coming soon!)
The Moores Series
Blown Away (Ian and Juliet)
Carried Away (James and Ellie)
Swept Away (Harry and Willow)
Break Away (Lilah and Cole)
Purely Wicked (Ashely & Jackson)
Love Is…
Love Is Crazy (Dakota & Dominic)
Love Is Beautiful (Chelsea & Max)
Love Is Everything (Maya & Hudson)