Finding Forever

by Linda Oaks

  “OMG!” I heard Susan squeal. A crowd gathered around us. The chatter of the office had grown quiet.

  Devon knelt before me wearing a rakish smile that sent my pulse fluttering wildly. His hand reached for mine. “The last text I received from you made me mad as hell.” I gasped in outrage. If he was going for romantic, he was blowing it big time. I tried to pull my hand from his, but he wouldn’t let go. His fingers tightened around mine, holding me firmly in place. “You said goodbye, Kara.”

  The office was silent. You could have heard a pin drop. The expectant faces of my co-workers watched on with nosey interest. I’d never live this one down. What had Devon been thinking? Obviously, he hadn’t.

  “Eyes here, Kara.” I looked at him, gritting my teeth. “You and me… we don’t say goodbye to each other, ever. Anytime you’re away from me… there’s nothing good about it.”

  “Aww.” I heard someone murmur. Heat settled in to my cheeks.

  My spine stiffened, and I gazed back at him unable to hide the emotions I’d struggled with since leaving him behind. He’d never asked me to stay. “Well, you never had a problem with goodbye before.” I snapped, and his grin widened. My eyes narrowed as I glared back at him.

  “Before, I made a mistake. I thought I was doing what was best for you. I was trying to protect you. I didn’t want to hold you back. I know now, I was wrong. I’m the type of man, Kara, who learns from his mistakes. I don’t make the same mistake twice. When I wake up in the morning, you’re the first thing on my mind. When I close my eyes at night, you’re the last thought I have before I drift off to sleep.”

  Tears welled up in my eyes. When Devon was sweet, it was hard to resist him. He did sweet really well. Every female face that watched us appeared to be held as spellbound as I was by his words. Devon’s expression was solemn. His dark head lowered. His lips brushed the back of my hand. My skin tingled from his kiss.

  “I know I’ve fucked up in the past, baby. But I promise you, if you say yes to spending the rest of your life with me… I can damn well guarantee you won’t regret it.”

  He released my hand, his big body shifting as he reached in to the front pocket of his jeans. “Devon,” I began, and fell quiet at the intensity of his gaze. He opened the box. The most beautiful diamond I’d ever seen winked back at me. The overhead light caught its brilliance just right. It was absolutely gorgeous. A tear slipped down my cheek. My lips curved into a smile. My fingers curled around the seat of my chair. I was bombarded by a thousand different emotions. My eyes held his. Those sexy dimples in his cheeks were beckoning for me to kiss them.

  “Kara, that smartass mouth of yours drives me wild, and the sexy way you roll your eyes at me….” He sighed, grinning. “I can’t live the rest of my life without all of that sweetness. Say yes, Kara. Say yes to me and to Jagger. Let us be your family. I want to be your forever, baby.”

  My chest felt tight. My smile was so wide, my cheeks hurt. It felt like a dream. Everything I’d ever wanted was kneeling before me and offering me my forever. I loved this big hulk of a man so much, and he’d finally admitted he loved me. “Yes,” I squealed as tears rushed down my cheeks. The sounds of clapping filled the office as Devon took my hand and slid the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly… as if made especially for me.

  Devon didn’t let go my hand. He stood pulling me to him, and my arms immediately wrapped around his waist. Tilting my head back, I stared up at him. I’d never seen that expression on his face before unless he was looking at his son, and now he was looking at me wearing that same expression. It was a look of pure love.

  His head lowered, and his lips covered mine. When he pulled away, I was gasping for air and he was grinning from ear to ear. His warm breath teased my ear. “And you said I didn’t know how to communicate.”

  At hearing those words, I started giggling. “Can we go someplace and talk?” he asked. This time it was a request, not an order.

  “Yes,” I said breathlessly, pulling away from him and moving to my desk to retrieve my purse. I couldn’t help but look down at the rock on the fourth finger of my left hand. It was gorgeous, and so was my man.

  I heard numerous female co-workers murmur “that was so romantic” while Devon stood there looking handsome as sin and decidedly smug as he waited for me to gather my things while graciously accepting congratulations from the crowd still gathered around him.

  I grabbed my purse and the report from my desk. Susan had walked around and stood inside my cubicle smiling at me and dabbing a tissue at the corners of her eyes. “Will you see that Mr. Hartley gets this, please?’ I asked.

  She took the report from my hand and wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you,” she said, hugging me. She was such a good friend.

  “Will you cancel that date for me?” I whispered near her ear. She pulled away and smiled, nodding her head.

  A firm hand settled at my hip drawing my attention. “Are you ready?’ Devon asked.

  With a smile on my lips, I replied,” Yes, baby. I’ve always been ready.”

  He grinned, and then the next thing I knew, he was scooping me up in his arms. I clutched his shoulders laughing and giggling in his ear as another round of applause broke out. I caught Susan’s eye, and mouthed the word, “dibs.” She started laughing and gave me a thumbs up sign.

  Devon carried me down the aisle between the cubicles toward the elevator. A co-worker rushed to hit the button to hold the door. I buried my face in Devon’s shoulder, kissing his neck. He smelled like home. His hands tightened around my thighs, and he grinned down at me. “I’m going to fuck you senseless,” he murmured, his eyes flashing with desire.

  “You’ve already made me senseless, Devon McGraw,” I replied, my body heating at his words. I giggled nervously as he stepped inside the elevator. As the door slid closed, Devon’s lips covered mine. Distantly, I could hear the sounds of catcalls and whistles above us as the elevator descended to the lobby floor.

  EPILOGUE

  IT WAS THREE IN THE morning. I shifted Jagger in my lap glancing over at Devon who stood with Addie’s parents, Clyde, and my mom gathered at the vending machine talking while we waited to hear news about Addie and the baby. She’d called me a little after ten saying she didn’t feel well. She thought she’d been having false contractions throughout the day. It turned out there was nothing false about those contractions. She’d been in labor. Thank God Jake had good sense to insist she come to the hospital. When they arrived, she was dilated to a six.

  We’d all been back to see her. Addie still managing to smile as her stomach tightened with contractions. It wouldn’t be long. The doctor had been called in, and we’d been huddled outside in the waiting room for the past hour. Jagger was asleep. The excitement of the day had finally caught up with him even though he couldn’t wait to meet the new baby.

  The doors to the delivery room opened, and Jake appeared carrying a tiny bundle swaddled in a pink blanket. He was grinning from ear to ear. Devon was by my side lifting Jagger into his arms. We walked toward Jake who was proudly showing off his daughter to Addie’s parents, Clyde, and my mom. “Everyone, meet Natalie Althea Riley,” he said, and I gazed down at the most perfect little features I’d ever seen in my life. She’d deserved the name of a goddess. She was beautiful.

  A tiny rosebud mouth was pursed as if waiting for a kiss. Curly blonde fuzz covered her perfect round head. Her eyes were closed, and long lashes rested against her plump round baby cheeks. Her little angelic face turned slightly red, then her tiny nose crinkled and she let out a loud wail. “Just like her daddy,” Devon remarked, and everyone started laughing.

  “Addie’s doing great. She’s strong as steel. Just wait until you and Kara have one,” Jake joked with a grin, and then he excused himself, returning to the delivery room with Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. It was obvious Jake couldn’t stand to be away from Addie any longer.

  Devon’s eyes met mine. Jagger’s head rested in the crook of
his shoulder, and his mouth was slightly open. He was adorable when he slept. He was adorable all of the time. Not even the wails of Baby Natalie Althea had managed to awaken him. When my gaze met Devon’s, it was as if something had passed between us. His expression softened as he stared back at me, and then something flickered in his eyes. Shit! I was so transparent. OMG! He knew. I didn’t want to tell him yet. I wanted to wait until after the wedding. It was only three weeks away.

  “Kara,” he said, his eyes focused intently on mine and filled with love. “Are you?” he asked, and I nodded my head yes. I was never good at keeping secrets. Strong arms wrapped around me. “I love you so much,” Devon said in my ear; his voice filled with happiness.

  Jagger began to wiggle between us. “You’re squishing me,” he protested, groggily.

  “You’re going to have a baby brother or sister sometime next year,” he told Jagger, and my mom squealed in delight having overheard the conversation. Jagger was wide awake now and smiling. Clyde practically beamed. He patted Devon hard on the back. “Congratulations son.”

  My mom’s arms were wrapped around me. “I’m going to be a grandma.” She cried, pulling back and smiling at me. “This is all so sudden. The wedding is only three weeks away. We have to start planning for this baby.”

  “Momma, one thing at a time. Calm down. This baby will not be here for another seven months. We have plenty of time,” I said, recalling how drastically my life had changed over the past few months.

  After leaving the office the day that Devon had proposed, we’d stayed locked inside my apartment for the next two days with him fucking me senseless. We’d also managed to have some serious heart to heart talks about the past and Devon’s reasoning for not telling me about my father. Even though, I didn’t agree, he claimed he’d been trying to protect me. But little did Devon realize, I didn’t need protecting. I only needed him. From here on out, we both agreed no more secrets. The following week, I’d ended up turning in my notice at work. Since Devon had to return back to Crawley, my evenings consisted of packing up my apartment. Thank God I’d had Dairy and Susan to keep me company. When my two weeks were up, Devon, Clyde, Jake, Cal, and Brandon had loaded everything I’d owned into a U-Haul while Addie and I’d supervised and they’d moved me back to Crawley in one day.

  I’d moved in with Devon, and we’d been together ever since then. Jagger stayed with us since Blair’s schedule was so unpredictable with the takeoff of her modeling career. She was a good mom and saw Jagger whenever she wasn’t working. They face timed a lot and talked every night on the phone. We’d finally managed to agree to coexist for the sake of Jagger and Devon.

  Addie and Brandon had helped me plan the wedding, which was now less than three weeks away. I don’t know what I would have done without them. Devon had wanted to marry as soon as possible, but I wanted my fairytale day with the princess dress and my prince. He’d finally agreed to wait even though he didn’t like it, but he didn’t stand a chance with Momma, Brandon, and Addie on my side. What did it matter anyway? I was living at his house and we had a baby on the way. I’d never wanted a conventional love story anyway. To me, the forever was what mattered the most.

  Jagger’s arms wrapped around my leg as Devon’s wrapped around my waist. My lips curved into a smile. Jagger’s blue eyes were staring up at me. “I’m going to be a big brother,” he said, flashing me those dimples that were identical to his daddy’s.

  “That’s right,” I said, and he squeezed my leg tighter, and in return, I ruffled his thick dark hair. Devon’s chest was pressed against my back. His big hand rested on my belly while his other hand lay on Jagger’s shoulder. “Our very own little ass kicker,” He said, his warm breath teasing my ear.

  I tilted my head back against his shoulder, giggling, and stared up at him. “You mean another little ass kicker to add to our collection,” I informed him. He chuckled then lowered his head and settled his lips against mine.

  Three weeks later, I was staring into the mirror, watching as my mom brushed away a stray tear. She was smiling and crying. My gaze drifted from hers to my wedding dress. It was a dress fit for a princess. I looked beautiful with my hair upswept, clad in layers of white chiffon and wearing my Louboutin’s and Goddess Pink.

  “It’s time,” Addie said, as she stood just inside the doorway holding baby Althea in her arms while wearing a sappy smile. “Your prince awaits,” she teased, and I laughed.

  My very own fairytale, but this wasn’t the end of my story. It was only the beginning. A life lay ahead of me filled with love and laughter; a life shared with Devon and Jagger and our own little miracle on the way. Sure, I’d had to slay a few dragons to get here, but I got my happy ending, and I damn well got my prince — tattoos and all.

  I placed my hand on my stomach feeling the tiny fluttering of the new life growing inside of me, a promise of the love that Devon and I shared. This was the start to my very own happily ever after. There was no more chasing after my forever since it was right where it had always been — in Crawley, waiting for me to return, and for my prince to get his head out of his ass and realize that he couldn’t live without me. Sometimes, men were so stubborn, but he’d finally come around.

  I smiled and stepped forward kissing my mom’s cheek. “Go get him, baby girl,” she said, and bent down to lift up the train of my dress. I turned to Addie, who looked as beautiful as ever, even after only giving birth less than three weeks ago. I wanted to hate her, but I loved her too much to be jealous. I only hoped I looked that good when it was my turn.

  “You got this in the bag,” she said, and I winked at her and brushed a kiss against her cheek. When I pulled back, I noticed a faint smear of Goddess Pink on her cheek and reached up, wiping it away with my thumb. Althea was nestled in the crook of her arm wearing a white satin and lace dress and snuggled in a matching baby blanket. Her wide cobalt blue eyes stared up at me filled with wonder. Her tiny rosebud lips curled upward. “She smiled at me,” I said in awe.

  Addie giggled. “It’s just gas, silly. Devon is driving everyone crazy, Kara. You better get on out there,” she said, then I heard the music start.

  It was time. I walked from the room with Addie and my mom following after me and paused, standing at the back of hallway, staring out into the church where all of our family and friends had gathered here today to witness Devon and I exchange our vows.

  At the end of the aisle, Devon stood waiting for me. The sight of him in a black tuxedo stole my breath away. He was so handsome. Jagger stood beside him, a miniature version of his father holding a small pink pillow that held the rings. Addie smiled as she brushed past me and walked up the side aisle to slip into place beside of Brandon.

  “It’s time,” I heard my mom say. Clyde walked up the hallway and took my arm in his. He smiled down at me.

  “You look beautiful, girl.” he said, his gruff voice thick with emotion. If he cried, I would probably faint. “This is it,” he said, and I nodded my head. My gaze was focused on Devon.

  “This is it,” I whispered, echoing his words. My lips curved into a smile.

  At the front of the church stood my forever, and with the cue from the piano, I took a step forward keeping my eyes locked on Devon’s as I walked toward him. He was my future; he and Jagger and the tiny life I carried within me were my family. All the expectant faces staring back at me were nothing more than a distant blur. I didn’t see anyone but him. There was only this man. The man who drove me crazy. The man who made my heart skip a beat. The man I loved more than my next breath… and he was smiling back at me. I had finally found my forever.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  LINDA OAKS has always had a passion for books. At the age of five, she was a book of the month club member. Her love for books eventually led her to a love of writing. She resides in Eastern Kentucky with her husband, two children, three dogs and a pet rabbit named Dozer.

  She can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. She can also
be reached by email at authorlindaoaks@gmail.com. She loves connecting with her readers.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  FIRST AND FOREMOST, I would like to start by thanking Nathan Van Dyken and everyone at Blue Tulip Publishing for making “Finding Forever” possible. Thank you for all of your guidance, support and for caring about your authors. It has been a blessing to work with such an awesome group of people.

  A big, big thank you to Monica Kimble. I hope you’re happy, Monica. You’ve created a monster. Big hugs and much love to you, my friend! This one’s for you!!! <3

  I would also like to thank the talented and lovely Rachel Van Dyken for all of her help and guidance. I really, really appreciate it! :)

  A huge shout out of thanks to Jena Brignola for the book teasers and fantastic book cover for “Finding Forever.” I also want to thank Opal Campbell of Videos by O for the awesome book trailer and Becca Manuel at Becca the Bibliophile for the phenomenal book teasers. Thanks, everyone!

  All right brace yourself, because here goes a ton of thank you sentences! :)

  I would also like to thank two of the best editors a girl could get lucky enough to be paired with, Kathleen Payne and Amy Neighbors Senethavilay. Thank you both for going above and beyond to make “Finding Forever” shine. Even through the rounds of edits, the two of you always managed to make me smile. Thank you for that, and for your friendship, guidance and tough love. ;) I love you both dearly!!!

  I would also like to give a much-deserved shout out to these amazing bloggers/friends who have been with me throughout this entire journey. Thank you! You don’t know how much your support and friendship means to me! You all are AWESOME!!! <3 <3

  -Jill Sava of Love Affair with Fiction

  -Danielle Reyes of Love Danielle’s Escape

  -Nichole Dennis of Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog

  -Amy Rogers of One Book Boyfriend at a Time

  -Anne Bollmann of The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange