by Anna B. Doe
Nate looks between us, before his gaze settles on Sienna’s who is still eating and quietly observing the situation. Like she is watching a soap opera. “They were just talking about me like I’m not here, right?”
She shrugs at him, putting another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.
Seriously, that girl needs to stop before she blows up or throws up, whatever comes first. Looking at her stuffing herself with food makes my stomach queasy, and just when I thought I’m done with morning sickness.
“If you did, which I think you did, you should know it’s not nice to talk in a language other people can’t understand.” He shakes his head. “We’ll have to set some ground rules since you’re becoming a part of the family.”
“Maybe you should just learn Croatian,” I tease.
“Or maybe you should stick to English,” he counters.
“We’ll see. We’ll see,” I sing-song. “Now, don’t be difficult. Kiss and make up. You’re the best man, and Val is my maid of honor, and I don’t want to see any tension during the wedding.”
Their eyes meet across the room. Two different shades of blue measuring the other person up. I can feel the heat and sparks between them even from the distance.
The room is quiet while they stare at one another. I’m not sure how long it takes, but the silence and all this attitude and sparks closed in Sienna’s kitchen make me uncomfortable.
It’s important for me that my best friend and maid of honor gets along with my future brother-in-law because both of them will be in the picture for a long, long time. They can’t send nasty looks from across the room to each other every time they end up in the same room. All because of a little misunderstanding and boob grab.
Val points her finger in his direction. “You keep those grabby hands to yourself.”
Nate lets his gaze roam her body from head to toe. “Won’t be too difficult. I wouldn’t put my hands on you even if you took of your clothes and I was the horniest bastard on this planet without another girl in a hundred-mile radius.”
They frown at each other for a while longer and then Nate turns his back on her and walks to the backyard where the rest of the guys are.
Why do I have a feeling this is a disaster in making?
CHAPTER 20
ANABEL
“Are you nervous?” Sienna asks from her chair.
We’re all closed in a big wedding suite on the top floor of the hotel Emily booked for the wedding. Both Emily and Mom are downstairs checking the last-minute details before they join us in here to take some pictures and help me get dressed.
Meanwhile, the girls and I are getting dolled up. Sienna called in a favor and got us one of professional hair and makeup stylists she worked with before. Her gift to me. And she asked Johnny to be a photographer at the wedding since we wanted to keep it small, simple, and most importantly, private.
I look at my two best friends, smiling softly.
“Nope.”
“Not even a little?” Val adds.
I shake my head no which ends up messing my hair up and making the stylist scowl at me, so I sit still.
“This is it. William is it for me. I’ve know it for a long time. We’re just making it official.” I look at Sienna, laughing quietly. “And I know how to cook, so it’s not like he’ll suddenly change his mind and dump me.”
Her eyes narrow, but she can’t help but join me. Val looks at us, confused. She wasn’t there when Sienna and J.D. got married, so she doesn’t understand the joke. Sienna tells her all about her meltdown before the ceremony while I try to keep still as the makeup artist applies falsies and mascara.
They are both ready, dressed in matching red dresses. The design is simple—tiny straps over their shoulders with V neck satin dress that hugs their bodies and falls to the floor. Sienna didn’t want to look like tent or whale—her words not mine—and Val looks good in almost anything so she went along.
The door opens, Mom and Emily slide inside carefully closing the door behind.
“Everything is perfect!” Emily excitedly claps her hands. “The only missing thing is the bride.”
Both stylists fuss around me for a few more seconds before they take a step back, calling it quits.
Mom comes behind me, her hands wrapping around me. Her black hair is pulled into a bun, just a few strands curl around her face. Her eyes are more green than brown today, and I can see tears form in them, but she doesn’t let them fall.
“The dress?” Mom smiles at me. It’s big and genuine, and I know she’s happy for me.
I nod my head. “I’m ready.”
Just like what we did for Sienna’s wedding, they don’t let me turn around until I’m completely dressed and once I see my reflection in the mirror I know that this is it.
The moment I’ve been waiting for since I crashed into William more than two years ago.
The first time I laid my eyes on him I knew he’d be my undoing. Somewhere deep down inside, it’s like my soul knew William is it for me.
The missing piece of my heart.
My friend.
My protector.
My soulmate.
My home.
*
WILLIAM
“You aren’t nervous today,” J.D. observes out loud.
“If I were him I would be,” my brother chimes in. “Anabel is too good for him. She still has time to run as hard and as fast as she can in other direction.”
I want to roll my eyes, but I contain myself. “I think I used all the nervousness for your wedding, old guy.”
J.D. grumbles something, but the assistant my mother hired starts seating the rest of the guests in their rightful places so that ceremony can begin.
Thank fuck.
I was ready for this to be over. All I want is Anabel in my arms with my ring on her finger. As simple as that.
The music starts to play, and everybody quiets down.
Sienna’s nieces start hopping down the aisle, throwing rose petals on the floor. They enjoyed being the flower girls on their aunt’s wedding so much Bel didn’t have a heart to say no to them. She loves those girls so much.
Sienna is next waddling slowly. Even though she’ll give birth any day now she still insisted on wearing high heels. In one hand she carries a bouquet, and the other is placed protectively over her belly.
J.D. looks at his wife like a hawk. I think I hear him mutter something about “that woman” and “damn those shoes” but I’m not moving my eyes from this door for a second. I don’t want to miss seeing Anabel in her wedding dress.
The last one is Bel’s friend Valentina. She walks much faster than Sienna, thank god, and is on Bel’s side of the altar in no time.
Finally, the music changes and everybody stands up.
My hands squeeze and un-squeeze by my side. I want to see her. No, I need to see her.
They made us spend last night apart. The girls went to the hotel where they had all afternoon of pampering while the guys stayed at the Shelton residence. Just that one night apart made me miss her like crazy. I was used to her sleeping by my side, her body curled into mine seeking heat and comfort. I loved placing my hand on her still flat stomach, holding our baby close. I can’t wait for her to start showing so I can actually feel the baby move.
Then, there she is. Standing next to her father and looking more beautiful than ever.
The first thing I notice about her? It’s her smile. That big, bright, blinding smile that makes my heart race.
My hands relax by my side and I inhale sharply when my eyes take in the rest of her.
Mesmerized.
Dark hair is curled and falls down her back. It’s long, thick and glossy. My fingers itch to burry in that mess and feel the softness of the silky, midnight colored strands.
The veil that is somehow tucked in her hair falls down her back to the floor.
The dress Bel picked is creamy, rich color. The bodice is fitted, tiny straps cover her pale shoulders and V neck emphasizes her boobs that are
already fuller than before. All that skin left in open begs for my lips. I want to lean down and nibble at her exposed flesh until it gets that rosy color I love so much because I know I affect her just as much as she affects me.
The skirt simply falls down her legs to the floor. As she nears, I can see the material is covered in lace with a rose pattern. It reminds me of that skirt she wore on the 4th of July party when I gave her her birthday present. The memory of that day makes me smile even harder.
At last she’s there, in front of me. I don’t wait for her father to give me her hand, I take it myself and kiss the inside of her wrist as I pull her next to me.
“I missed you, Tink,” I whisper softly so only she can hear me. “Ready to be Mrs. Price?”
She smiles that sweet smile of hers. “I’ve never been readier.”
Everybody settles, and the minister starts the service.
“Dearly beloved.”
His speech is short because we decided to keep it short and simple. Including writing our own vows.
We turn to each other, and I take both of her hands in mine, kissing the palms before I look at her beautiful face.
“Anabel.” Her blue eyes seem even bigger, somehow darker. And her red lips call me, taunt me to kiss them. “You stormed into my life. So small yet so fierce, like Tinkerbell, you brought me to my knees. I didn’t expect you, didn’t see you coming but then boom, there you were and there was no way I would ever let you walk away. Only a fool would do that, and I’m no fool.”
People chuckle, and I can see her laugh softly too. Her blue eyes are a pool of emotion.
“You fought, oh, you fought long and hard, but in the end, it didn’t matter because there was no way I’d lose the person who made me fall so hard and fast there was no return. And I never want to return to the man I was. I love you, Anabel Majer. You changed me, made me a better man, and I’ll be one lucky bastard to call you my wife forever. And even that won’t be enough, because what I feel for you is timeless. You’re my heart, Bel. My soul. My home.”
Dark lashes blink a few times, silent tears escaping. I brush my finger over her cheek, kissing her forehead.
Anabel smiles through her tears. She lifts my hands to her lips and kisses softly the knuckles like I did to her before.
“Do you want to know a secret?” She chuckles at her own words and continues without waiting for my response. “That day we met I knew it. Deep down in my bones I knew you’d be my undoing. I knew you could be the man to make me fall, so I ran. What I didn’t know was that there was no sense in running or hiding. I was already doomed. One brush of our fingers. One look. That was all it took for me to fall for you, William Price.
“And although you can be stubborn and bossy, I wouldn’t change anything. I want it all, the good and the bad, because that’s what makes us. Sometimes I feel like I’ll burst from all these feelings you wake inside of me, but then I catch myself falling even harder, falling deeper in love with you all over again. I love you, William Price. You’re my heart. My soul. My home. My forever.”
“My forever.”
The silence stretches over the room, interrupted only by soft sniffling. Anabel and I grip each other’s hands. She’s my anchor and I’m hers.
Minister clears his throat. “Can we have the rings?”
Reluctantly, we let go to get the rings. Exchanging simple, gold bands feels like lifetime.
“I now pronounce you …”
I don’t wait. I can’t. My hands cradle her cheeks as her hands go around my neck and we kiss. This kiss in not short or decent. I kiss her hard and deep. Almost desperate. My tongue goes past those red lips.
Teasing her.
Claiming her.
Loving her.
She moans into my mouth; her fingers grip my shoulders pulling me in.
Closer.
We finally break the kiss when our family and friends gather around us, ready to congratulate us.
“Our forever is officially beginning, Mrs. Price.” I plant another, much shorter kiss on her lips.
“And I can’t wait to see what other adventures forever will bring us, Mr. Price,” she whispers against my lips, placing our intertwined hands on her stomach.
We smile secretively.
“No matter what, as long as I have you, I’ll be one happy man.”
EPILOGUE
ANABEL
Getting out of the shower, I wrap my body in a towel. Today has been crazy and my body aches everywhere, but I don’t care because it’s Christmas.
Our first Christmas as family.
Our baby girl’s first Christmas.
My family came from Croatia and then there was Will’s family, Sienna and J.D. with Grace and little Nicky.
It was chaotic, loud, and messy.
It was perfect.
The whole house is filled with Christmas decorations and there is a huge real Christmas tree in the living room. Christmas carols and the smell of cookies fill the air.
The guys only have a couple of days before they have to get back to training, but we used the time we had well.
I put on panties, knee-high socks and Will’s jersey before I get out of the en-suite bathroom. I listen for the sound of my husband and daughter but don’t hear a thing.
Strange.
He said I should take a shower while he gives her the bottle. Usually during their Daddy-baby time, as Will likes to call it, he likes to talk about silly things. I know he misses her while he’s on the road. He often asks me for pictures and videos because he hates to miss something big happening in his daughter’s life. But there is no way around it, not during the season.
When I close the door behind me and turn around, a smile curls my lips.
My heart melts at the sight of my husband and daughter.
I love these moments the best.
William lying on the bed in pajama pants only with Violet snuggling on his naked chest. She’s sleeping on her tummy, pink pacifier in her mouth. Will’s hands are holding her tight.
He’s so careful and protective with her.
So proud.
You’d think he’d be disappointed he didn’t get a son, but the day we found out we’re having a girl there were tears in his eyes. I never said it out loud, or even hinted anything but that day I saw it and it was enough for me to fall for him all over again.
And don’t even start me on the day she was born.
The moment he laid his eyes on her, held her in his arms, was the moment something unlocked inside of him.
Softly, so I don’t wake them, I walk across the room and crawl on the bed. Cuddling closer to the two most important people in my life.
One of Will’s arms falls open, inviting me in.
“You’re finally here.” His voice is raspy from sleep. “We missed you.”
“I didn’t take that long.” I roll my eyes playfully but don’t move an inch. I put my hand over his on Violet’s small butt. Our fingers intertwining.
“Every second without you is two seconds too long, Tink. You should know that by now.”
His lips touch my head, and I sigh, contently closing my eyes.
“I know,” I murmur against his neck, my lips pressing against the soft skin. “I love you forever, William Price.”
“Forever, Anabel Price.”
The End
PLAYLIST
Madilyn Paige cover Kavin Jones – Call you home
John Legend – All of me
Sam Smith - Lay Me Down
Christina Perri – A Thousand Years
Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
Chris Lane – For Her
Shane Filan – This I Promise You
Liam Payne – For You (feat. Rita Ora)
Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love Me
James Arthur – Say You Won’t Let Go
Lawson – Where My Love Goes
AKNOWLEDGMENTS
I can’t believe it’s over. Can you? I’m going to miss these characte
rs so much.
Although Lost & Found has a happily ever after of sorts, with this novella I wanted to give Will and Bel a proper goodbye. I wanted to give you all insight into their long-distance relationship. Their time together and apart, doubts and finally, a true HEA.
I also wanted you to get to know me better. It’s not a secret that Anabel is the character that will, probably always, be the one that is closest to who I’m as a person. I wanted you to understand what it means to come from a small country like mine and see its good and bad sides. To get to know Anabel better, and reasons behind her hot and cold behavior in Lost & Found. I hope I accomplished that and that Anabel did in the end redeem herself in your eyes.
In the beginning I planned to write more New York Knights stories, but now I kind of want to see what more I’m capable of writing. I have so many stories to tell and I hope you keep supporting me on my way to becoming a better writer.
As always, I’d like to take a moment to thank some people.
My amazing beta readers—Nina, Andrea, Stephanie and Marija. Thank you so much girls for reading this book and helping me making it even better than it was before. I know I always have a bunch of questions and possible ideas so thank you for bearing with me. A special thank you to Marija, she’s the mastermind behind all these pretty teasers and graphic design you see going around on social media. She’s a really talented artist, a good friend and I really hope she will keep working with me in the future.
Thank you to my editor, Wendi, for making this book presentable. I’m good at English, and getting better with every written book, but it wouldn’t look half as good if it wasn’t for her.
Mignon, thank you for crating this amazing cover. I love your work as designer and hopefully we’ll be able to work together again.
A big shout out to my Bookmantics and Supergirls. You guys rock. You’re my support system and I don’t know what I would do without you. I love our daily chats, I feel your support and I really hope one day I’ll get to meet you all in person!
Bloggers, every single one of you that took time to help me promote or read and review Forever, thank you so, so much for doing so. You’re the ones that do half the job and spread the word after my work is done. Thank you so much for being a part of Forever Team.