Breathe

  As I'm finishing up with the last few pieces of dishware from the machine, Kennedy walks into the kitchen.

  “You aren't supposed to be doing that, Grace.”

  I look over to him with annoyance. “I'm bored. A little work around here isn't going to hurt me, Kennedy. Besides, what your dad doesn't know can't hurt him.”

  “Okay,” he comments. “But you’re breaking the rules.”

  “He's right, you know.”

  I immediately freeze, but not before I drop a plate on the floor. “Damn it!” The plate hits the granite hard and shatters into a thousand pieces. Magda rushes to the pantry, pulls out a broom and tends to the shards of porcelain at my feet.

  “Baby, don't move. There are pieces everywhere and your feet are bare.” Linc takes two long strides into the kitchen and scoops me up into his arms. “Sometimes you're such a girl.”

  I bury my head into his chest. “Thanks,” I mumble.

  “I told her she shouldn't be doing that, dad,” Kennedy adds as he follows us into the living room.

  “I know, little man. Thanks for trying to look out for her.” Linc gently sets me on the short side of the sofa and steps over to his son and ruffles his hair. “You did what you could. She can be difficult.”

  Kennedy laughs. “Yeah. She sure can.”

  “You know I can hear you, right?”

  They both turn towards me and laugh harder. The same amused expression decorates their faces.

  Like father, like son.

  “Well,” I rise from the sofa and start for the bedroom, “as fun as this is to listen to the two of you laugh at my expense, I have a few things I would like to get done.”

  Linc takes one step to his left and plants himself in front of me. “What do you need to get done?”

  “Things.” I try to move to my left to get around him.

  Damn. No such luck.

  “We have Magdalena to do things around here so you don't have to.”

  I tilt my head back and look up. “I'm not an invalid, Linc.”

  “Never said you were.”

  “So why can't I do things around here. This is my apartment after all.”

  Linc's eyes close slightly and his brow furrows. Without looking at him, he addresses Kennedy. “Hey, buddy. Why don't you go play some video games or something in your room?”

  “Sure thing, dad.” He heads towards the stairs.

  Once he is all the way up, Linc grabs my hand and drags me down onto the couch. With his hands firmly planted on the cushion, he leans down and gets within an inch of my face.

  “So, this is your apartment,” he huffs. “Funny, but I thought this was our apartment now. Mine and yours.”

  “It is. I'm sorry,” I whisper.

  He slides down and lands on his knees in front of me. “It's not that you can't to do anything around here, Grace. I just want to take care of you and give you everything you would ever need, including a woman who comes in everyday to clean for us. If that means that you don't do things around here, then so be it. And if this makes me a controlling dick, then so be it.”

  “Linc.” I raise my hand and place it on his cheek. He leans into it. “I can only watch so many movies or read so many books before I want to beat the shit out of something because I'm bored. As much as I love Kennedy, being with a ten-year-old all day can be a bit much.”

  “What is it that you want to do?”

  “I think I want to go back to work.”

  “You don't have to. I can take care of us.”

  I let out a small laugh. “I know. But I want to feel like I'm worth something.”

  “Your worth everything.”

  “Linc,” I say with a sharp tone. “I don't work. I don't do housework. I'm not a wife. I'm not a mother.”

  “Do you want to be those things? A wife and mother?”

  I look down into my lap as tears begin to sting my eyes.

  “Grace.” He lifts my chin with his index finger. I lift my eyes and match his. “Do you want those things?”

  I nod without saying a word.

  The smirk that I love so much stretches across his face. He kisses me on the forehead, pushes to stand and walks away.

  What the hell?

  The tears have broken free and are now falling down my cheeks. I have no idea what he's thinking. I barely know what I'm thinking.

  He reappears with Kennedy and resumes his place on his knees in front of me. Kennedy kneels next to him. Linc holds the gorgeous Cartier box in his palm. He lifts the top and reveals the equally gorgeous ring inside. It’s exactly how I remember it.

  It's pink. It's perfect. It's me.

  I tear my eyes from the sparkly jewel and search Linc's.

  He smiles that boyish, sexy as hell smile at me and I know that my life is about to change. These last few months since we met he’s taken me over and pushed me into a reality that I want to be in. As fucked up as that reality is at times. I’m consumed by him and he by me. He hasn't rushed me or tried to make this something it isn't.

  Patience is definitely his virtue.

  “Grace,” he takes in a shaky breath. “I never thought I would find someone that I would want to share my life with. Kennedy was all I needed. At least that was until I saw you all those years ago. The pull you had on me even then was one that I couldn't understand but didn't really want to. All I knew was that I needed to be near you. You came in and out of my life for years and didn't even know I existed. I finally got to meet you that night at Colorblind and I felt as though my life was just beginning. You were awkwardly adorable and sexy as sin all at the same time. I knew then and there that you were going to be mine. From talking with Miles, I knew that rushing things with you would be a downfall. Unbeknownst to me, our relationship would become what it is at a pace neither of us anticipated. It's only been a few months, but my heart, my body and my mind all know that they need you.”

  I look to Kennedy, who’s staring at me with wet eyes.

  “I need you. Kennedy needs you. We’ve been two lonely souls looking for the one to make us a complete family. You, Grace, are that piece of the whole.”

  I cover my mouth with my hand as tears dive over my lashes onto my cheeks.

  “I think it's time you wear this.” Linc pulls the ring from its nest inside the small box. He sets the box down on the floor and holds the ring in front of me. “You're my always. You're my forever.” A lonely tear slips from his eye. “Please make us whole and marry me.”

  This is it.

  I think of the time we’ve spent together. All the moments passing quickly through my mind. I could never walk away from him. I wouldn’t survive that. I can deal with his lifestyle and what he has to do for his family. Hell, I already live it with Daddy and my brothers. He’s made a place in my heart so quickly I barely noticed when it happened.

  Linc nudges Kennedy.

  “Will you be my mom?”

  This is so overwhelming, but I can’t say no.

  I’m ready.

  Just breathe.

  I take in a big breath and let it out slowly. As I start to nod, he grabs my hand and starts to put the ring on.

  “I want to hear you say it,” he whispers.

  A weird squeaking noise comes out of me as I try to speak.

  Linc chuckles.

  I clear my throat and try again.

  “Yes,” I quietly push out of my mouth. “I'll marry you,”

  He finishes pushing the ring onto my left ring finger. Grabbing my hand, he engulfs me in his huge arms and holds on tight.

  Kennedy warps his smaller arms around the both of us the best he can.

  “And I would love to be your mom.”

  He sits back and smiles through his tears.

  “Thank you.” Linc squeezes harder. “Thank you for making me he happiest man.” He leans in and takes my mouth with his. “You’re my breath, Grace.”

  I look up into his beautiful eyes that are now just as full of tears as mine.

 
“L'amo la mia bella ragazza.” (I love you my beautiful girl.)

  I inhale.

  I exhale.

  I breathe.

  The End.

  Acknowledgements

  So, I can't believe I actually finished this book! The idea started back in college when I was in the dorms listening to Counting Crows and doing things I can’t say because my is probably reading this. As an English composition major, I had to write a lot of papers, short stories and novellas. Colorblind started as one of those Novellas.

  The first person to thank has to be my man, D. Even when you’re annoyed with me because I’ve been in the office for five days straight, you still support me and push me to go forward. I love you even when I don’t say it.

  Big one and Little one, I love you more than all the hugs in the universe. Your compassion for life is contagious. You are both turning into the best young men and no girls will ever be good enough for either of you.

  Bosley, thanks for being a great listener and protecting me from anyone entering the office. Just being there was a comfort during writer’s block.

  Mama, I don't have enough words for the love that I have for you. You are the strongest woman I know and I can't thank you enough for you just being you.

  Every girl needs a little help from her friends. (Great, now I have the theme song from the Wonder Years stuck in my head.) A solid stand up and clap moment for my best man. Matt, you are the best support a gal could ever have. Even from halfway across the USA you make me laugh. You are the Jack to my Karen. I love you. Thank you for giving me Rafe!

  Writing can be a lonely job. If you find your tribe you don’t feel so alone anymore. I found mine at a table during a writing conference. These six Bad Ass Bitches are the best cheerleaders. I wish everyone could have a group like them in their lives. You can’t have my tribe, though, so go get your own. Danielle: Thank you for such an amazing blurb. I could not have gotten it without you, literally!

  To the man who has more creative than anyone ever in time. Adam Duritz. Without your beautiful lyrics, this idea would not have become a novel. Please don't ever stop writing the songs that make me love and hate, cry and laugh in the same four minutes.

  Shauna, Kristen and Matthew: not enough words for how beautiful the picture turned out. Freya...YOU ARE AMAZING! I never, in a million years, expected a cover this beautiful and so full of everything!

  By now, everyone in the indie community owes some kind of thank you Colleen Hoover. Slammed was the first book I read on my very first Kindle back in 2012 and it’s been a wild ride of books since. You inspire us all to write with heart, love with kindness and support with honesty.

  I couldn't have gotten through the writing of this novel without the help of Diet Coke, Stella Artois, Cheetos, Netflix and iTunes. Also, thank you Ginuwine and Channing Tatum for helping me through the sexy scenes.

  Finally, I would like to give a shout out to everyone who read this book and is still reading through the acknowledgements. I never thought I would ever really get to hit publish. If you have the heart to, please leave a review. Good or bad. I'll take what I can get. I'm just so happy you read it!

  Sonnie

  About the Author

  Living in Minneapolis with her better half, two rowdy boys and a dog the size of a pony, Sonnie spends what time she can writing thoughts and stories in notebooks.

  Other cool facts:

  Extreme Charlie Hunnam enthusiast. Graphic Tee fanatic. Notebook lover. Pen collector. Beer drinker. Cuss word speaker. Dragon rider. All around classy lady.

  Connect with me:

  Website: www.sonniewolf.com

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SonnieWolf/

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonniewrites/

  Twitter: http://twitter.com/sonniewrites

  Email: [email protected]