“Yes and no. I’m happy she isn’t suffering anymore, but I miss her.”
At first, I didn’t understand their friendship, but now I do.
Faith will always be in our hearts and on our minds. I take comfort in knowing that.
“Are you okay?” he asks me.
“Same as you,” I reply, tucking myself into his arms. They are like a safe haven for me.
His gaze pierces mine. “You’re still grieving over your parents, Jess, and now Faith. I’m here if you need me to lean on, okay?”
He didn’t come out and say it, but I know he’s worried I might spiral into a depression or something. He doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. I’m stronger now and I have him. “I’m okay, Bo. I promise that if it gets too much, I’ll let you know.”
“I love you, darlin’,” he murmurs, leaning his forehead against mine.
Even when we were apart, I think our hearts held on to one another.
Bo and I may not have an epic, swoony love story, but the story is ours.
Epilogue
Two years later
“Jess!” Bo calls my name so I leave the bedroom where I am putting away clothes. His grin widens as he closes the distance between us, enclosing me in his arms. “How are my two favorite girls?” His hand rests on my growing belly.
“We’re good. She’s been doing somersaults almost all day it seems. She won’t sit still.” Paige Evelyn Faith Michaels is due to arrive in ten weeks and we are more than ready for her to make her appearance.
Bo and I got married at the beach with just family in attendance last summer. Ever since our wedding night, Bo has been trying to knock me up.
The first two trimesters were rough. I was sick practically all day. Nothing I ate seemed to please her and in turn, I wasn’t gaining enough weight like I should have been. Now, everything is fine, baby girl is happy and so are we.
“You know what that means, right?” I place my hands over his. “We might have a wild child,” I tell him, stifling a laugh.
Bo pales. “Don’t say that. It’s not funny.”
“Bo, she will be fine. You worry too much about her already and she isn’t even here yet.” For the first several weeks, Bo wouldn’t let me do hardly anything. He’d even carry me around the house. Finally, with Cassie and his mom’s help, he stopped.
“I just don’t want anything to happen to either of you,” he murmurs, kissing my forehead and then my lips. Warmth spreads throughout my entire body each time he kisses me.
“We are going to be fine, babe,” I assure him.
Bo
Two months later
After being in labor for thirty-five hours, our daughter makes her appearance. Our little girl is already stubborn for sure.
I lean over and kiss Jess’ hair. “You did good, darlin’.” Jess has had little sleep in the last three days so she is exhausted.
They measure Paige at six pounds three ounces and twenty inches long. They hand me our daughter, who is perfect. I sit on the edge of the bed next to Jess and notice she’s crying. I instantly know what’s wrong. At our wedding, she cried because her parents couldn’t be with us. It’s why she’s crying now. Her parents don’t get to see their first grandchild. When Jess found out she was pregnant, she was happy at first before she burst into tears. I had panicked at first, but then I assured her that her parents are up in Heaven celebrating.
“I know you miss them, darlin’, but they are celebrating up there, remember?”
I hand Paige over to her, knowing she is itching to hold her. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I snap a picture of them and send it to everyone.
Everyone except Jess and Cassie wanted a boy, especially my parents. It’s hard to believe my niece is about to be three.
Leaning over my girls, I touch Paige’s tiny hand with my index finger and she wraps her tiny hand around it.
“She’s perfect, Bo,” Jess murmurs in awe.
“Beautiful just like her momma.” Looking over at Jess, she gazes at me with such adoration. I love the way she looks at me, like I’m the only man she sees. “She’s not dating until she’s thirty,” I growl.
“Bo, don’t even start that. All she will have to do is pout and you will give in.”
“Like hell I will.”
“Wanna bet?”
“You’re on, Jess,” I challenge her.
THE END!
About the Author
Shelby lives in Alabama with her loving husband and their energetic son. When she is not writing or working, Shelby enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, and traveling.
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Other books by Shelby
Pieces Series
Picking up the Pieces
Healing the Pieces
Torn into Pieces
Breaking Free of the Pieces
Saved Series
Safe with you
Trust in Me
Holding on for you (Saved #2) Page 19