by B. K. Leigh
“You want to take a nap Rae?” Knox looks at me with sad eyes as he asks and I nod in response.
We head into the bedroom, its small but it’s honestly all we need. I believed Knox when he said this is just temporary but honestly I wouldn’t be too upset if it wasn’t. I’d follow him anywhere any place and anytime no matter what. I wouldn’t care if we were living out of his truck just as long as I had him.
My heart implodes with all sorts of emotions as Knox’s huge body slides in behind mine. He’s huge, six foot something of pure muscle and mass and yet his body molds around mine perfectly. After the past couple weeks he’s been my rock through the tears and heart break, and even through my worst mood swings. No matter what I said out of anger and sadness he still stood beside me trying his hardest to make me better and for that I am grateful.
The covers come up around us next, trapping us like a cocoon but the weight of Knox’s body and the warmth of his skin has me finally feeling at ease and safe. In the hospital I missed his warmth; I missed the feeling of him lying behind me. One huge palm comes to rest of my belly and the other stays tucked beneath the pillow.
“I love you Raegan.” He whispers into my ear as his thumb rubs circles against my bare stomach. First my eyelids droop closed, then my breathing starts to slow as our hearts beat together as one.
“I love you too Knox, more than you will ever know.” He doesn’t respond and the shallow of his breathing tells me he’s already fast asleep. I was tired and ready for bed but the dark bags under his eyes told me he was in the same boat. I knew in the hospital he wasn’t sleeping and getting him to go home to shower was a struggle. He spent most all of his time watching over me, even when I wasn’t in the best of moods, even when the doctors and detectives wanted to speak to me in private he wouldn’t budge.
I knew when we left the hospital earlier that It was only a matter of time before he passed out completely. I know I was the one injured, physically and emotionally but Knox had suffered just the same. So now as we lay down to sleep in our new tiny renovated apartment my heart finally fills with hope. Hope for a better future, one that will cause my heart to heal over time and our lives to grow together in the fullest extent. Being here with Knox is enough for me to know everything will be okay.
I once thought I wouldn’t even make it to see the next sunrise. I spent years on the other end of Kurt’s abusive hands and my mother’s harsh words and the only thing that kept me going was the piece of my heart that still belonged to Knox. Somehow some way I knew. I know that sounds absolutely crazy but I knew he was coming back to me. Even when I thought I had lost all hope, I still clung onto that feeling. It kept me going, through the beatings. On the days I thought I couldn’t continue I managed to power through. And then he came back, like a knight in shining armor only this night had on a tight black T-shirt and big black boots. He was headstrong and stubborn. He chased me when I told him not to. He loved me when I told him he shouldn’t. Together we’ve navigated through the darkness, until finally we were able to reach some light. It can only get better from here. And I know in my heart it will. Because I have him. Because I love him.
Knox Caedance Blackburn stole my heart years ago when I was almost too young to know what true love was. Now years later my heart still belongs to him. I belong to him, mind, body and soul. We were just two kids who formed an unlikely bond. We made a pact, one that tied our future together forever. We didn’t know it then, but we know it now. I am his, and he is mine. I once met a boy who made me a pact, years later I met a man who promised me always.
Epilogue
Knox
6 years later
“Are you almost ready Rae?” I ask as I step into our bedroom. I watch as she stares at her figure in our floor length mirror. Her curly brown hair falls perfectly against her back, and the tight black dress fits her body like a glove.
“I don’t know Knox, I can’t seem to fit into anything these days.” She lets out a huff as she turns from angle to angle. I make my way across the room and stop directly behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist until they land gently on her swollen belly.
“You look beautiful Reagan, so fucking beautiful.” I watch as her cheeks light up bright red, the blush reaching all the way down her neck. I follow it with my lips and nibble her supple skin along the way.
“I feel so fat!” she exclaims. “My feet are so swollen I don’t even think I’ll be able to make it across the damn stage.” I take her in from head to toe and I swear to god I get a hard on. It’s been amazing watching her body grow over the past eight months. Her body has changed from the curve of her waist to the swell of her breasts but my most favorite is her swollen belly.
“Don’t say that Raegan, you’re the most beautiful woman on the planet.” She chuckles at my amusement. But honestly her pregnancy glow is fucking beautiful.
“And besides, you’ve worked too damn hard not to cross that stage. Now let’s go before you’re late!” I tug on her hand and she finally gives in.
About an hour later I watch in awe as a sea of students in black robes comes out of the wood works. Each lining up to collect the diplomas they worked so hard for. It was a struggle for Raegan at first to get back into it all but eventually things got better. I can’t say I was surprised when she came to me and told me she wanted to get a degree in psychology. She said she could branch off of it from there and enter many different work fields with it.
What she really wanted was to be a social worker. She wanted to help kids of all ages. She didn’t want anyone to have to go through what she did. Now as I wait for my wife to finally cross the stage my heart can’t help but swell with pride.
It’s been almost two years since we had our small shot gun wedding in the tiny court house here in town. It didn’t take much to get her to say I do. We’ve known since the moment we met we were meant to be together. The most ironic thing about it was having my own mother as a witness. I guess in many ways the saying ‘tragedy brings people together’ is true. When Rae had her accident my mother was there to help us every step of the way, even when she was in her most poor health. It was nice having an ally in her and I was grateful for her support. For the short amount of time I managed to let her into my life she was taken away just as fast. I was thankful to spend those last months with her and get to know the woman I had scorned for so long. And I like to think our reconnecting was because of Rae. She didn’t want me to carry the hatred and regret I had for my mother for the rest of my life. And towards the end I forgave her and myself for everything that had stood between us for so many years.
“It’s almost her turn!” Mr. Dugal yells over the loud voices surrounding us.
“Oh my god! She looks so pretty!” Alice practically yells. I can’t help but smile widely at her. “Her belly is so cute! I can’t wait to be an auntie.” Alice has been on cloud nine ever since she found out Rae was expecting. I swear every time she comes over we acquire more and more baby items.
“That’s going to be one hell of a sight to see.” Mr. Dugal grunts in response.
Raegan’s due date is just around the corner. When we found out we were pregnant we were shocked. We haven’t even thought about starting a family until well after she had graduated from college and I had my shop up and running. In the backs of our minds we couldn’t help but think about the baby we had lost all those years ago. Although unplanned and unexpected we were excited. When we found out she was having a little girl I didn’t think my heart could swell any bigger. I couldn’t wait to meet my daughter and I prayed every day she looked just like her momma. In just about a week I’ll get to see her for the first time. My heart couldn’t possibly be anymore full.
My head snaps up as I hear Raegan’s name called out on the microphone. Alice, Mr. Dugal and I all cheer like wild animals. Raegan glides across the stage with grace and the smile placed on her lips literally knocks me off my feet. No one would ever know what she went through when seeing her right now. No one knows a
ll the trials and tribulations she had to face and go through to get to this place. I couldn’t be more proud of the woman she has become and the mother I know she’ll be once baby Evangeline is here. We clap and chant until she’s finally off the stage and finally almost two hours later the entire ceremony is finally over.
“Knox!” I catch sight of Raegan waddling through the hall as fast as she can until she throws herself into my arms.
“You did it!” I exclaim. “I’m so fucking proud of you Rae.” She tips her chin up and brings her lips towards mine. Our mouths connect in a deep kiss and in this moment with hundreds of people packed in around us all I see is her. I lift her up and twirl her around all the while her lips are still connected to mine.
“Thank you!” she says against my lips between kisses. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I feel her lips pull into a smile.
“For what?” My eyebrows pull up in confusion and I finally set her back don’t on her feet. She sways for a bit and I whip my arm out to steady her.
“For helping me, for saving me, for this.” She holds up her diploma. “I couldn’t have done it without you.” Her eyes shimmer with tears as she tries to hide her face in my chest.
“I love you Raegan.” I manage to plant one last kiss on her lips before Alice practically tears her away.
“I’m really proud of the two of you.” Mr. Dugal grunts from beside me. He looks on at the two women before us and a smile begins to spread across his face.
“Me? Raegan’s the one who graduated.” I shrug my shoulders.
“Yeah but you got your own shop now, and Rae’s got her degree. I guess I always knew you had it in you kid.” His voice hitches as he slaps me on the shoulder.
“You’re not getting all sentimental on me now are you MR. Dugal?” I kid with him.
“Just giving credit where credits due. And besides you two are going to make some fine parents.” I can’t help but smile when he says this. It means a lot coming from him.
“You don’t know how much that means, you’ve been the best father figure for both of us for the past seven years. We just want to do you proud.” At this he reaches around my side for an awkward side hug and I know our emotional moment is gone. Mr. Dugal has been our rock. From the minute I met him he took me under his wing and showed me all he knew about anything and everything. Once in a while he’d tell me I was like the son he never had. It made me feel honored to hear that. He helped me take over his shop when I was ready. He helped us with the ins and outs of buying our first house, and stood beside us through all of our first milestones. Today he got to watch Raegan graduate, and in about a week he’ll get to meet my baby girl. I’ve been joking for months that he’ll be her surrogate grandfather, but I know in my heart its true. He’s just like a father to me and I know once he meets my daughter his heart will melt.
“Okay, okay, I’m getting hell of a hungry over here lets wrap this party up and go get some food.” Mr. Dugal breaks up Alice and Rae’s girl session and we all follow him out to our cars. The three of them get in to an old used Toyota, while Raegan and I head over to Betty. After about a week of separation Raegan practically begged me to get Betty back and I couldn’t say no. Rae’s heart connected with the ugly rusted up truck and I’d be lying if I said mine hadn’t either.
The night passes on with good company and food. Hours later I finally manage to get Raegan to myself. When we finally make it home we head straight towards the bedroom. The need to finally sink deep inside of my beautiful wife is all consuming. In that sense her pregnancy has really been a blessing, making her hormones magnify tenfold and leaving me constantly hard.
“Fuck Raegan, you’re so tight.” I hold my breath as I sink into her, still wanting to come on spot like a sixteen year old kid. Her moans pick up speed as my hips start to thrust forward.
“Knox.” My name escapes her lips in a breathy moan and I almost lose my shit right then and there. “Knox I can’t…I’m not going to last!” her words rush out as she clings to my body, counteracting my movements with hers. Our bodies play a game of thrust for thrust until finally it becomes too much.
“Fuck!” groaning I release my seed on the last thrust and my body crumples on top of hers being careful not to crush her very pregnant belly. At the same time I feel her walls contract around me and feel her own orgasm take over.
“Fuck Knox…” the swear word always sounds foreign leaving her lips but in the throngs of passion they tend to slip out every now and again. I gently pull out once her orgasm subsides and lay a gentle kiss across her lips.
“You’re so beautiful Rae.” Her entire naked body ignites in a blush.
“I love you Knox.” I plant a kiss against her lips once more and make my way down to her belly. I move my hand back and forth and feel a kick in response.
“She’s awake!” I smile at the movement.
“How could she not be?” I laugh and response and watch as my baby girl puts on a dance party in her mommas stomach.
“She’s been sleeping all day I can’t believe she finally woke up. Hey baby girl daddy can’t wait to see you.” I talk against Rae’s belly like the baby inside can hear my every word. “You can come out any moment now.” As if to tell me she in fact is listening I feel another kick against my hand.
“She always seems to wake up whenever I want to sleep, or whenever you’re around. She must like the sound of your voice.” Rae’s fingers run mindlessly through my hair as she speaks.
“You think so?”
“Oh yeah. Not only that but she’s not even here yet and yet she’s got you wrapped around her finger.” She smirks at me and I can’t help but laugh. We stay like that until exhaustion takes over. I fall asleep with my arms wrapped tightly around Raegan’s tiny body. Almost nine months pregnant and yet she still fits in my arms perfectly. My life seriously can’t get any better than this.
∞∞∞
Raegan
“You’re doing great Rae, just one more push.” Knox coaches me on from the side as the doctors and nurses around me brace for the birth of my baby girl. Hair sticks to my forehead covered in sweat. My limbs are sore and my butt is numb but I continue to push through. I peak through squinted eyes at Knox’s prideful face and thank the heavens above for giving me a husband like him. I hold my breath one last time and push with all my might until a loud cry fills the room and my heart up with joy. Seconds later a beautiful baby girl is placed against my chest and I can’t help but cry tears of joy.
“She’s beautiful Reagan, perfect.” Knox kisses mine than our daughters foreheads and looks on with glimmering eyes.
“She looks just like her daddy.” I take in her dark hair and bright green eyes and am in complete awe. “Evangeline Caedance Blackburn” I whisper to my beautiful baby girl. My heart is so full it could burst. I have the most amazing husband and precious baby girl.
“I love you baby Eva.” Knox whispers as he gently runs a hand over our daughters hair. “I love you Raegan Allen Blackburn.” His lips meet mine with tears running down my cheeks. I think about everything that’s happened over the years, everything we’ve been through and realize It was all worth it. Every little thing that led us to this moment was completely worth it.
The End.
Acknowledgemnets
Steve- Thank you for you for your continued love and support throughout this entire process. I had no idea how to do any of this and you helped me the whole entire time. You pushed me forward and never let me quit. I love you forever.
Josh, Fluffy & Emilie- You guys are seriously my best friends. I love you all so much. A piece of you are in all of my characters. Thanks for not complaining about the endless snaps and texts I sent involving this book!
To My Work Bae’s- Janie, Peg, Terri & Shar. You guys are awesome. Thank you for being proud of me and supporting all of my different story lines.
Cam & Bird- Because I told you I would put you in my book, and also Chelsea because I know you’d be jelly. I love you guys.<
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About The Author
B.K Leigh is from a small town in central Massachusetts. When not at her full time job she enjoys spending her time outdoors with her longtime boyfriend. Fishing, cliff jumping, and long spontaneous road trips are her absolute favorite. When not outside exploring you can find her inside face-timing her many nieces and nephews or cooped up on her comfy sack with her nose buried in a book. She has since turned her love for reading into writing. She loves creating stories based on what she likes to read, and hopes her readers loves them just as much.