Celia turned to Harlan, who was pinned to the floor by Josh's boot. “You don't intimidate me, punk. When I was a teacher, I taught in a really rough neighborhood. My students thought they were real badasses, until they met me. I made them sit up and shape up. I still receive cards and flowers from some of them on Teachers' Day,” she smirked.
The sound of a police siren cut through the air. Josh came to Bella's side and put his arms around her shoulder as the Sheriff and his deputies handcuffed Harlan and hauled him away.
“We'll like to take your statement,” a deputy told Bella gently. “I understand you're shaken, so any time you're ready...”
Bella didn't hesitate. “I am ready.”
She was ready to close this chapter. This was the last of her past. Hopefully Harlan would turn over a new leaf after serving time. But what he did with his life wasn't her concern.
She didn't want to see him again, but she didn't want revenge either.
She had a wonderful life ahead of her, and she didn't want to waste a minute of it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Bella came out of the kitchen holding the huge apple pie aloft and asked, “Who wants dessert?”
All hands shot up. “Me!”
Jax jumped up. “I'll get the ice-cream,” he volunteered.
“I want to get the ice-cream, Daddy,” Ashley protested.
“Okay, princess, you get it,” Jax chuckled.
Ashley grinned and pulled out two tubs from the freezer. Bella gave the girl a smile as she came marching out with her favorite flavors. Ashley knew every corner of her place and where she kept everything. Josh's family came over for dinner almost every weekend. Josh always went next door and invited Celia to join them. And he wouldn't take no for an answer. Celia was family too, as far as they were concerned.
Bella and Josh had discussed if she should move to the big house he shared with his brothers, or if he should move in with her. In the end, Josh decided that they should stay in her house. “I've done so much work on it. We should enjoy it. It'd be a pity to rent it out,” he said, surveying his handiwork with pride.
He had certainly transformed her shabby little house into a beautiful home. He'd built new cabinets, repainted the whole place and replaced the flooring. He spent almost all his free time doing up her house and was at her place so often that when he wasn't around, the house actually felt too big and empty without him. So they had taken the logical step and moved in together.
Bella loved living with Josh. They knew each other's habits and quirks, and they didn't try to change each other. She'd made many friends in Shadow Point but she was just naturally quiet and introverted. She was comfortable with Josh's family, but she was still a little nervous when his work mates came over. But she was getting to know some of the guys quite well. And Nick wasn't just a good friend. He had become almost like a big brother to her as well.
As Ashley scooped the ice-cream onto the warm slices of apple pie, Josh and Celia handed out the plates. They always had apple pie for dessert when the family came over. It had become almost like a tradition.
Bella passed her hand protectively over her belly and chewed her lip. She had just done a home pregnancy test this afternoon, but she hadn't yet told Josh the news.
As everyone was tucking into their dessert, Josh stood up and cleared his throat. Marcus and Jax looked up at him with knowing smiles, and they put down their forks and sat up straighter in anticipation. Jax rubbed his hands with glee and leaned forward.
Josh went to Bella and pulled out a dainty, velvet box. Then he got down on one knee and sucked in a breath.
Bella's hand flew to her mouth. “Josh...”
“Bella Paige, will you marry me?” he asked, staring earnestly up at her face.
Bella gasped at the sight of the beautiful diamond ring in the box. It was elegant and delicate, and she knew Josh had spent a lot of time and effort choosing it. It resembled her grandmother's ring a little in design. Josh had chosen a ring which he thought she would love, and he had paid careful attention to her taste and preferences.
“I...oh, Josh,” she whispered. “Yes, yes I will marry you!”
Josh slipped the ring on her finger and hugged her. Ashley squealed and clapped, and the rest of the family came round to hug and kiss her.
“This calls for a celebration!” Jax hooted.
“I'll go grab some champagne,” Marcus said.
“No, no champagne—for me,” Bella said quickly. “I...”
Everyone turned to her.
She smiled and gazed at Josh, who was staring at her open-mouthed.
“Bella...” he breathed. “Are you...”
She nodded and blushed. The shock on Josh's face turned to wonder and pure, unadulterated happiness and he rushed forward to hug her.
“You have made me the happiest, proudest man alive!” he whooped, kissing her face, her hair, her hands. “I love you, Bella, so, so much! And I love our baby!”
“Baby? I'm going to have a cousin?” Ashley squealed.
“Yes, you are!” Serena, Staci and Celia laughed delightedly as they came to kiss Bella on the cheek.
Jax and Marcus crowded in for a group hug, and no one objected when Ashley said, “We should celebrate with more ice-cream!”
Bella grinned and said, “Let me get the spoons!”
As everyone raised their spoons and clinked them noisily together, they shouted, “To Josh and Bella, and their baby!”
Then they all dug into the big tub of chocolate ice-cream on the table. Bella giggled as Josh fed her a big, heaping spoonful of ice-cream.
Josh licked her spoon clean, looking like the cat that got the cream. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her in for a long, smoldering kiss.
“I love you,” they whispered together.
They looked up to see the whole family smiling at them. Bella smiled back. They were her family, and she found herself thinking back to the first time they met.
Tilting her head at Serena, Bella grinned and said, “You know, I'm sure glad I caught your bridal bouquet.” She turned to gaze at the dried flowers in the display cabinet. She had preserved the bouquet with utmost care and the bouquet took pride of place on the top shelf.
Serena chuckled. “Well, now we have another wedding to plan!”
“I love weddings!” Ashley declared. “Can I be your bridesmaid?”
“Me too. I want to be your bridesmaid too,” Celia announced.
Bella grinned. “Of course! I'll be honored!”
“We can have a quiet wedding if that's what you prefer,” Josh told her softly as he kissed her temple.
Bella shook her head. “I think it'd be fun to have a big wedding. I think I'd like it, a lot.”
“You sure?” Josh nuzzled her neck tenderly.
“Yes. I'm sure,” Bella said with a radiant smile. “There are a lot of people I love in this town, and I want to celebrate our joy with all of them! It's going to be a beautiful, amazing wedding, and I can't wait!”
~ End ~
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/NatalieKristenBooks
Blog:
nataliekristen.blogspot.com
Twitter:
@NatKristenBooks
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Brash Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (BRIDES fur BEARS Book 3) Page 7