“I can’t watch,” Chloe teased as she led Willow out. “Do. Not. Stain. That. It’s friggin high fashion.” She threatened as she left with Molly’s mother and Willow.
Molly sighed and sat on the bed. I made my way over and sat down. I could hear her positioning Gavin and then the gentle sucking sounds. “He’s hungry,” she told me as she swayed, “No way he could wait.”
I shook my head, “No, you need to enjoy this and you won’t if he’s crying.” I found his feet and pet the underside.
The quiet was soothing with all the buzz outside. Gabriel’s wedding is being held at his new home. It’s about ten minutes from mine where I now live with Ray and Tony again but Gabe still likes big so it’s big but way cozier thanks to Molly’s presence.
The wedding is being held in the backyard and it’s massive. Not because of people, just the grand décor, and the space.
“Hey,” Molly said in a whisper. “Thank you.”
I frowned. “For what?”
She swallowed, “I don’t know where to start really. For making Gabe better. For accepting me. For being my friend. For being in the delivery room when I had Gavin. For letting me love your daughter. Is there anything I have that I can’t thank you for?”
I shrugged, “You’re a beautiful person, Molly. I may not be able to see you on the outside but I see you on the inside. I love you because you’re family now and I’m glad Gabe found you. How many women would be okay with their fiancé’s ex, being their best… ‘man,’” I laughed about the word.
She took my hand, “You’re his best friend and now you’re mine too. Who else could fill those shoes? He needs you today. Maybe even right now…” she hinted.
I bumped her shoulder, “He’s not a flight risk anymore, Molly. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I know, but…it’s Gabe…”
I laughed and stood, “Yeah, never mind. You’re right. Be right back.”
GABRIEL
I sat on a stone bench under a really old tree rocking back and forth while smoking. Yes. I have a cigarette but I’m about to marry. Me. Married.
I took a long drag but then I flicked it away when I saw Brianna coming up hill, being led by Chris. “Too late, I smell it from here,” she called.
“Busted!” Chris sang.
I swore and she laughed.
She looks amazing. The color theme is white and peach since it’s an April wedding. So Brianna’s maid of honor/best man dress is a faded peach that drapes to the ground. A silk tie was at her waist and she was holding her walking stick in one hand, and a white rose in the other.
They stopped a few feet away. “Are you sitting or did you shrink?” She asked.
I laughed, “Sitting.”
“And are you on a bench or…?”
“Bullocks, sorry,” I took her hand from Chris and helped her down next to me.
“You’ll get her back?” Chris asked as he retreated.
I nodded.
“I’m near passing out you know.” I said once he was gone.
She rubbed my back, “No passing out till after.”
I laid my head back on my shoulders and groaned, “How do I do this? When she starts my way, what if I bolt?”
She smelled her rose, “You won’t.”
“And how do you know, eh? I had you once…you were perfect, look how I handled that.”
“But Molly is your Co- Pilot. You’ll see her coming and she’ll keep you focused. You’ll share the load. You’ll land on your feet.” She leaned into me and set her head on my shoulder. I set my cheek on top and breathed her in.
“I have to send away for Willow’s ballet slippers.” My mind is going a mile a minute.
“Still ADD, huh? Don’t worry, I bought them already.”
I raised my brows, “And the stockings?”
“Got em’.”
“What about the tutu?”
“She doesn’t need one this year.”
“Alright, then I’ll pay for the lessons this semester. She’s staying at Chloe’s school still?”
“Yep.”
“Good. I like them.”
She held my arm, “Don’t be afraid.”
I closed my eyes, “I’m not thinking of leaving you know. I’m just afraid I’ll botch this.”
She rubbed her thumb over my bicep. “You love Molly?”
I thought about Molly. I met her at a meeting in New York and happened upon her again in a friend’s night club. I funded the place and the owner and I are tight. There she was again. Her short brown hair and violet eyes caught my attention and kept it.
We talked the entire night until the place closed. Not one drink was involved, not one bad habit shared. Just this raw and mesmerizing attraction. She let me gush about my daughter. I stayed honest about my closeness to Brianna because nothing would come between me and my family, not even a girl.
Molly didn’t want between me and my family, though.
She fell in love with Willow.
Upon meeting Brianna she bonded.
Our first night together I stayed. There was no fear. I wanted and needed to stay close to her.
Yet, the universe still likes to screw with me. I got Brianna pregnant when she was still a virgin and I got Molly Pregnant the very first time we slept together. I panicked a bit but in the end my son completed our family. Molly is in my blood.
“From the moment I saw her. Yes.” I admitted.
“What about little Gavin? Your new son? Doesn’t he make you feel how Willow does?”
“Exactly the same.”
She tugged on my sleeve, “Then fly the plane, and trust your co-pilot.”
I kissed her bountiful curls. “What about you?”
“What?” she sat up.
“Willow said Mommy has a phone friend.”
She huffed, “You can’t use her for spying. It’s foul play.”
“Piss off, she’s my daughter, I’ll dispatch her where I want, now who is Rex?”
Brianna tapped the rose against her cheek, “He’s a cop that knows Tony, and Chloe dated him once. Nothing serious yet.”
“Does he have a dashing British accent?”
She laughed, “Nope, he’s a big sexy American.” We laughed but then she shrugged, “I get scared too, though. I come with a lot. You’re afraid of leaving and I’m afraid of being left. Whatever shall we do?”
I shook my head but then I smiled and took her rose. I carefully traced up the stem with both our fingers. I smoothed up the thorns, cautious not to press them, “It’s rough here, very difficult to grasp without getting hurt,” I know she remembered this. “But don’t let go…something beautiful is at the other end.” I said as we caressed the petals.
She smiled and brought it to her nose again, “Yeah…letting go would ruin it…” She agreed.
Thank you for reading my book! I hope these characters came to life for you as they did for me.
Like The Divorce and The Friend Zone, Co-Parenting is no cake walk for some. I’m one of the lucky few that co-parenting has worked for because my co-pilot is the very best to be had. Whether you have one or not just remember that you are a parent and that means you are the world to your child(ren). Love is what makes a family not always blood or vows. So be unconventional if you must, live without labels and give your family the best of you.
Love doesn’t always get out grown, sometimes it just evolves into something even more beautiful!
You can follow me and my writing on my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest sites! I post things about the era of my books and the characters to keep you well in the loop of my next idea. Also, you can email me at [email protected]. I try to make sure I answer emails in a timely fashion so if you have any questions message me! I love to hear feedback from my readers so if you wouldn’t mind writing a review on my websites or wherever you purchased my book from, it would be greatly appreciated!
www.nicolesbooks.wix.com/authorpage
FB:@nicolestrychar
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IG:@nikkiwrites2
TW:@asag4jupiter
Pinterest:@nikkiwrites2
GR: @NicoleStrycharz
Here are other books by Nicole! You can find her Paperback & eBook copies at Amazon.com.
The Relationship Quo Series
The Divorce
The Friend Zone
The Co-Parent
Coming Soon
The Significant Other
Stand Alones
Meadow Creek
The Maybrook Trilogy
A Valentine for August
A Passion for Henrietta
A Song for Giselle
Short Story Novellas
Nollaig Shona Duit; A Christmas Tale
Bealtane; Tales of the Fae
Midsummer’s Eve: Tales by Moonlight
Coming Soon More Maura and Shea
The Duke of Golden Shire
Book One
The Duke of Golden Shire; King of Hearts
Coming Soon
Book Two
The Duke of Golden Shire;
Throne of Vengeance
REFRENCES
Just like in ‘The Divorce’ and ‘The Friend Zone’ I mention a true Amazon Bestseller, and Close Friend, in
‘The Co-Parent’ Author Roisin Black. Her books are available in eBook and Paperback.
Books by Roisin Black
Someone To Come Back To
Book One in The Omega Security Series
Unfinished Business
Over Your Dead Body
Remember Me
You can connect with Roisin in the links below!
FB: www.facebook.com/roisinblackauthor
IG: @roisinblackauthor
GR: @Roisin Black
Nicole Strycharz
Nicole has been writing historical romance for over ten years. Her passion for history fuels the creativity for her novels and she finds the tools there to create a compelling plot.
However, she's evolved into writing contemporary romance as well, with more modern stories to come.
"The Divorce" and "Meadow Creek" were both nominated in the 2016 Indie Book Awards! "The Divorce" also won second place in the 2016 Best Cover Design in 'Urban Literature Magazine.'
Nicole lives in Virginia with her three children and their amazing Grandparents. She is always reading or working on the next book between mommyhood adventures.
The Relationship Quo Series covers all the awkward and agonizing parts of relationships that we humans have to face. From Divorce to the Friend Zone; all the rough topics we don’t like talking about. The complicated Facebook Status’ and the “it’s hard to explain’ situations. The next release is called The Co-Parent where I’ll explore the dynamics of yet another toughy. I hope to follow up with many more.
After all, we humans never fall short of awkward love lives…
If you liked Brianna’s story try Jenzy and Chloe’s!
The Divorce: Book One & The Friend Zone: Book Two
Brianna: My life has always been a little ironic. I’m afraid of the dark, and I’m blind. My parents were my world, but they died in 9/11. I wouldn’t mind a relationship but men perceive me as a burden. So it shouldn’t have been a shocker that the guy I fall in ‘like’ with ends up being a top of the line player from the UK.
It also shouldn’t have shocked me that the guy that was meant to be a sexy fling; just an erotic encounter to reminisce over, left me more than just a memory. He left me with a bump.
That’s okay, because when life bitch slapped me into being blind, pregnant and single…I just called ‘plot twist’ and carried on.
Besides, this little surprise in my belly is relying on me to get it all right.
So do we really need him?
Gabriel: Party, drink, sex, work, repeat. Sometimes I’ll throw sleep in there. Aside from that the life of a millionaire has brought me everything, but in the night is when I realize I still have nothing. Being a party animal might be frowned upon but it led me to her.
She’s the most fascinating woman I’ve ever met and her body and flaming hair make me wild. Can’t trust women, though. That’s why I left. Best not to give women power, but now she’s carrying my child.
Brianna’s unique, though. She doesn’t want my money, she wants my partnership. She wants to ‘co-parent.’
What the bloody hell is a man like me supposed to do with a child? I still live like one.
So here’s my options.
Persuade her to forget it.
Walk away or Stay.
But can I stay? Can I be the co-pilot she needs and the father our child deserves?
The Co-Parent (The Relationship Quo Series Book 3) Page 33