Life in Death

by M. Ullrich

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but we have guests on their way and I think I’m just making things worse down there.”

  “Marty,” Angela called out. Suzanne stared at her as if she were extraterrestrial. “While I have you here, I’d like to invite you both over for dinner next weekend. Carla and Daniel will be there, and I’d love for you both to come so we can have the whole family together for once. Now come on, you don’t want your guests walking into a disaster area.” Angela left the room and two flabbergasted women behind.

  Suzanne looked at Marty, who asked, “What was that?”

  “I have no idea.” Suzanne shook her head. They joined Angela in the kitchen, a new ease filling the room as they continued to set out foods and decorations in happy silence.

  “So,” Angela said as she put out the last of the plates, “what will it be this time? A grandson or another granddaughter?” Suzanne stopped what she was doing, block of cheese in one hand and a sleeve of crackers in the other.

  “How…?” Marty’s question hung in the air, and she stared at Suzanne. “I thought we weren’t telling anyone.”

  “I didn’t!” Suzanne vehemently denied. “I didn’t even tell Carla!” Angela chuckled. Suzanne watched as her mother approached Marty and placed her hand on the slight baby bump hardly visible beneath her dress.

  “I’d have thought for sure that the two of you would know by now.” She patted her unborn grandchild lightly. “Some things, a mother just knows.” Suzanne and Marty shared a tear-filled smile.

  “We’re doing a pregnancy announcement and gender reveal today. That’s why we’re having this party.”

  “Oh, how lovely!” Angela clapped. “Do either of you know yet?”

  “No,” Marty said. “We had the nurse put the result in a sealed envelope with the sonogram print out. We’ll open it later and find out along with everyone else.”

  “I’m so happy for you both.” Angela looked between the two women.

  “We’re happy too.” Suzanne gripped Marty’s hand and drew her close. She snuggled into her wife just as the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get that!” Angela announced uneasily.

  “I think she’s a little uncomfortable.” Marty chortled.

  “I don’t care.” Suzanne kissed Marty quickly. “I like having my hands on you.”

  “And I love having your hands on me.” Marty kissed Suzanne once before pulling away from her. “But we’re throwing a party now. Maybe later, I’ll let you put your hands all over this rapidly growing body of mine.”

  “Like you’d be able to stop me.” Suzanne smiled salaciously and laughed as Marty fanned herself before leaving the room to greet their guests.

  Suzanne stood back and took a deep breath. After everything, after the challenges and tears, she’d managed to be happy again after all. They had managed to be happy again after all. She looked at the plain white envelope that taunted her from the countertop. Soon enough, she’d find out if they were having a boy or another daughter to love unconditionally. After everything they’d been through, Suzanne found herself realizing she’d still be happy either way. She’d handle whatever life threw at her next, because she had Marty to face it with. If the short time she had with Abigail had taught her anything, it was that there is light in darkness, happiness in sadness, and life in death.

  About the Author

  M. Ullrich has always called New Jersey home and currently resides by the beach with her wife and three boisterous felines. After many years of regarding her writing as just a hobby, the gentle yet persistent words of encouragement from her wife pushed M. Ullrich to take a leap into the world of publishing. Much to her delight and amazement, that world embraced her back.

  By day, M. Ullrich works full-time in the optical field and spends most of her days off working on her writing. When her pen isn’t furiously trying to capture her imagination (a rare occasion), she enjoys being a complete entertainer. Whether she’s telling an elaborate story or a joke or getting up in front of a crowd to sing and dance her way through her latest karaoke selection, M. Ullrich will do just about anything to make others smile. She also happens to be fluent in three languages: English, sarcasm, and TV / movie quotes.

  Books Available From Bold Strokes Books

  Camp Rewind by Meghan O’Brien. A summer camp for grown-ups becomes the site of an unlikely romance between a shy, introverted divorcee and one of the Internet’s most infamous cultural critics—who attends undercover. (978-1-62639-793-4)

  Cross Purposes by Gina L. Dartt. In pursuit of a lost Acadian treasure, three women must work out not only the clues, but also the complicated tangle of emotion and attraction developing between them. (978-1-62639-713-2)

  Imperfect Truth by C.A. Popovich. Can an imperfect truth stand in the way of love? (978-1-62639-787-3)

  Life in Death by M. Ullrich. Sometimes the devastating end is your only chance for a new beginning. (978-1-62639-773-6)

  Love on Liberty by MJ Williamz. Hearts collide when politics clash. (978-1-62639-639-5)

  Serious Potential by Maggie Cummings. Pro golfer Tracy Allen plans to forget her ex during a visit to Bay West, a lesbian condo community in NYC, but when she meets Dr. Jennifer Betsy, she gets more than she bargained for. (978-1-62639-633-3)

  Taste by Kris Bryant. Accomplished chef Taryn has walked away from her promising career in the city’s top restaurant to devote her life to her six-year-old daughter and is content until Ki Blake comes along. (978-1-62639-718-7)

  The Second Wave by Jean Copeland. Can star-crossed lovers have a second chance after decades apart, or does the love of a lifetime only happen once? (978-1-62639-830-6)

  Valley of Fire by Missouri Vaun. Taken captive in a desert outpost after their small aircraft is hijacked, Ava and her captivating passenger discover things about each other and themselves that will change them both forever. (978-1-62639-496-4)

  Basic Training of the Heart by Jaycie Morrison. In 1944, socialite Elizabeth Carlton joins the Women’s Army Corps to escape family expectations and love’s disappointments. Can Sergeant Gale Rains get her through Basic Training with their hearts intact? (978-1-62639-818-4)

  Believing in Blue by Maggie Morton. Growing up gay in a small town has been hard, but it can’t compare to the next challenge Wren—with her new, sky-blue wings—faces: saving two entire worlds. (978-1-62639-691-3)

  Coils by Barbara Ann Wright. A modern young woman follows her aunt into the Greek Underworld and makes a pact with Medusa to win her freedom by killing a hero of legend. (978-1-62639-598-5)

  Courting the Countess by Jenny Frame. When relationship-phobic Lady Henrietta Knight starts to care about housekeeper Annie Brannigan and her daughter, can she overcome her fears and promise Annie the forever that she demands? (978-1-62639-785-9)

  Dapper by Jenny Frame. Amelia Honey meets the mysterious Byron De Brek and is faced with her darkest fantasies, but will her strict moral upbringing stop her from exploring what she truly wants? (978-1-62639-898-6)

  Delayed Gratification: The Honeymoon by Meghan O’Brien. A dream European honeymoon turns into a winter storm nightmare involving a delayed flight, a ditched rental car, and eventually, a surprisingly happy ending. (978-1-62639-766-8)

  For Money or Love by Heather Blackmore. Jessica Spaulding must choose between ignoring the truth to keep everything she has, and doing the right thing only to lose it all—including the woman she loves. (978-1-62639-756-9)

  Hooked by Jaime Maddox. With the help of sexy Detective Mac Calabrese, Dr. Jessica Benson is working hard to overcome her past, but they may not be enough to stop a murderer. (978-1-62639-689-0)

  Twisted Screams by Sheri Lewis Wohl. Reluctant psychic Lorna Dutton doesn’t want to forgive, but if she doesn’t do just that, an innocent woman will die. (978-1-62639-647-0)

  Lands End by Jackie D. Public relations superstar Amy Kline is dealing with a media nightmare, and the last thing she expects is for restaurateur Lena Michaels to change everything, but she will. (97
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  A Class Act by Tammy Hayes. Buttoned-up college professor Dr. Margaret Parks doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into when she agrees to one date with her student Rory Morgan, who is fifteen years her junior. (978-1-62639-701-9)

  Bitter Root by Laydin Michaels. Small town chef Adi Bergeron is hiding something, and Griffith McNaulty is going to find out what it is even if it gets her killed. (978-1-62639-656-2)

  Capturing Forever by Erin Dutton. When family pulls Jacqueline and Casey back together, will the lessons learned in eight years apart be enough to mend the mistakes of the past? (978-1-62639-631-9)

  Deception by VK Powell. DEA Agent Colby Vincent and Attorney Adena Weber are embroiled in a drug investigation involving homeless veterans and an attraction that could destroy them both. (978-1-62639-596-1)

  Dyre: A Knight of Spirit and Shadows by Rachel E. Bailey. With the abduction of her queen, werewolf-bodyguard Des must follow the kidnappers’ trail to Europe, where her queen—and a battle unlike any Des has ever waged—awaits her. (978-1-62639-664-7)

  First Position by Melissa Brayden. Love and rivalry take center stage for Anastasia Mikhelson and Natalie Frederico in one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the nation. (978-1-62639-602-9)

  Best Laid Plans by Jan Gayle. Nicky and Lauren are meant for each other, but Nicky’s haunting past and Lauren’s societal fears threaten to derail all possibilities of a relationship. (978-1-62639-658-6)

  Exchange by CF Frizzell. When Shay Maguire rode into rural Montana, she never expected to meet the woman of her dreams—or to learn Mel Baker was held hostage by legal agreement to her right-wing father. (978-1-62639-679-1)