by Toni Aleo
“Hush, Shea! Janet might hear you!”
“When did we ever care about people hearing us?”
Elli turned deep red, “If you don’t hush, I won’t be showing you the benefits of having me as your wife and boss when I get home.” Shea gave her an amused grin and nodded his head.
“Okay, so where’s the contract? I need to get home, do some more yard work.”
Elli smiled as she moved the file across the desk to him; he picked up a pen, signing the bottom without reading it and handing it back to his sexy little wife. He didn’t care what it said, she could be paying him a hundred dollars a game and he would still play. As long as he stayed in Nashville, with her, he didn’t care about the money. He had more than enough, and so did she, they would be more than comfortable for the rest of their lives.
When he looked up, Elli narrowed her eyes as she crossed her arms. “You didn’t even read it.”
“I trust you.”
“That’s not the point; you didn’t look at the length of the contract or the reasoning.”
“Huh?” he asked pulling the contract towards him, “What do you mean length?” He wasn’t expecting a time length, he just assumed he would be indefinite, or until he wanted to retired. He read it over, it was the same information every other contract he had ever had had, but at the bottom, it said the length was only for a year. “A year?” he asked. He then changed the page over to the reason. It was in her handwriting, not typed in.
We’re pregnant.
Shea actually felt like the world had came out from under his feet. His heart started to races as his fingers splayed against Elli’s desk.
They were pregnant?
He started to feel light head as Elli just grinned at him.
“You’re pregnant?”
She smiled, nodding her head. “I am, and since you said you want to retire when we had kids, I thought the contract should only be a year.”
He wasn’t listening to the last part she said, he was stuck on, “I am.” “You’re pregnant with a baby?”
She laughed, “No, Shea, I’m pregnant with a hockey puck! Yes, I’m pregnant with a baby, your baby.”
A heavy feeling filled his stomach as he struggled to speak, “I’m gonna be a daddy?”
Elli nodded again, tears welling up in her eyes. “Yes, and I have a feeling you’ll be the best.”
A shaky, slow smile started to build as the surprise sank in. He was going to be a daddy. He stood, coming around the desk, pulling her up into his arms, before kissing her hard. When he pulled back and looked down at her as big wet tears streamed down her face, he felt like his was soon to follow, he had never been this happy.
A baby, their baby.
“We’re having a baby.”
“We are Shea, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Shea lifted her into his arms, kissing her lavishly. As they parted, Shea grinned against her lips. “Oh baby, I love you.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
Acknowledgments
There are some people in my life that I need to thank.
First, my husband, Michael. No one will ever love me the way you do. You are my Shea Adler. My heart races at even the sight of you even after fourteen years of being together. You have been nothing but supportive through this whole process and I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without you. I love you, baby, thank you for the support.
My children, Mikey and Alyssa, y’all are my heart and soul, and I love you both so much, even when y’all are fighting while I’m trying to write.
Nick, you’re not my son, but I love you like one. Thank you for always being there, and for the support. I love you.
My mom, I wouldn’t have started writing if you didn’t introduce me to books at such a young age. You’ve always encouraged me to do the things I wanted to do, and for that I love you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Noey, you’ve made fun of my porno for women but look at me now, I’m writing you telling you I love you in my acknowledgements….I know I can’t believe it either!
Janet, what do I say to the person that I have cried, screamed, cried, and complained too when I thought I couldn’t do this? You have been my rock through this writing process, and I truly love you. Thank you so much, and I swear one of my next books will be dedicated to you!
Susie, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help and love through this process, you have been so patient with me and I truly do love you! I always have and always well!
My girls, Jackie, Kristi, Tera, Althea, and Barbie, Y’all are the very first people that read my book, and I will always love you guys. Thank you for the support, the criticism, and just being there for me. Y’all will always hold a special place in my heart.
My Booksie girls, y’all rock!!! I will always love you guys because y’all were the very first people other than my girls to read my book! Your comments made me keep writing when I felt like I couldn’t do it. Your support has made me the writer I am today and I couldn’t thank you enough. Thank you.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34