by Shealy James
Parker got the hint when he tried to put Perry’s shirt over his head causing him to scream and cry once more. I held him in the backseat while Parker drove quickly to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Four hours, three x-rays, and one blue cast later, we were on our way home. We walked in to a relatively quiet house. The kids were in the family room watching a movie while the adults sat outside on the porch talking. Everyone immediately asked Perry about his arm when they heard us enter. He told them how tough he was in front of the doctor, and he chose a blue cast because it was his daddy’s favorite color. Parker smiled proudly as he picked up a sleeping Mary Leigh from Daddy’s lap and took her to bed.
The little boys thought Perry’s cast was cool, and they were all especially excited when it was finally time Parker blew out his candles on his giant chocolate cake. They all oohed and ahhed at his arm right until I announced it was time for cake. Perry frowned at the loss of attention until his daddy picked him up and let him make a wish and blow out the candles for him.
Once the cake was served, everyone was gone, and our two little angels were tucked safely in bed, Parker and I had a little birthday celebration of our own.
“Thank you for the party, pretty girl.”
“You deserved it. Too bad it didn’t go exactly as planned, but we have our first broken bone out of the way.”
“Did you notice our little tough guy ran right to his mommy when he was hurt?” Parker asked with a smile.
“I did. Nice to know I’m still needed,” I said with a dramatic eye roll.
“I need you,” Parker whispered as he nuzzled my neck.
“Oh?” I smiled. “What is it that you need?”
“I think you know,” he added suggestively as he backed me towards our large four-poster king-sized bed.
“I think you’re going to have to be more specific, Mr. Pryce.”
“I think we need less talking and more action, Mrs. Pryce.”
I hummed as Parker pressed his lips to mine and guided me back onto the bed. His hands snuck under my dress and skirted up my thighs.
“Mommy?” a sweet little voice said my name.
“Mary? What are you doing up?” Parker asked as he slid his hand out from between my thighs.
“I don’t feel good,” she said right before she proceeded to vomit all over the floor of our bedroom. Oh, the joys of motherhood.
Parker went to get something to clean the carpet while I picked up Mary Leigh and brought her in the bathroom.
“What did your Papa let you eat, Princess?”
“Brownies and chicken and chips. I had a red popsicle,” she frowned and then heaved again. This time I had time to guide her to the toilet where I had the pleasure of seeing exactly what she ate that day in bright Technicolor.
“Babe, the red stained the carpet. Any ideas?” Parker said as he came in the bathroom to wash out the sponge he used.
“Nope. We’ll call Eliza in the morning.”
“How’s she doing?”
“Hanging in there. Hopefully almost done.” I told him with an exhausted smile. He smiled back and tweaked my nose before mouthing, “I love you.” I responded by mouthing those words back to him while I ran my fingers through the hair of my youngest.
“Daddy?” The other little voice called from his room.
“Be right back,” Parker said as he headed down the hall to get our son.
That night I fell asleep with all three loves of my life tucked tightly in my bed. Parker held my hand as our two kids snuggled in between us. It wasn’t the romantic night I had planned, and I could have done without the trip to the hospital and the vomit, but it was our life, our wonderful life. If I had to go through finding us all over again, I would live through the tears and heartaches and all. Having Parker, Perry, and Mary Leigh in my life made every one of those moments worth it.
The End
Dear Readers,
I am forever grateful to those of you who made my first book series successful. When I started this process I thought I would simply try my hand at writing a novel. Maggie attacked my brain and wouldn’t let go. She was like a virus. Parker was more of a slow infiltrator. Originally his point of view didn’t exist, but over time he found his way into my thoughts. With my mind thoroughly occupied by two lost souls, my first novel was born. I couldn’t get their whole story into one book though, so that novel turned into a series.
The good news is the series isn’t quite finished. Sarah hasn’t had her happy ending yet, but she has one in stored. A girl like her deserves it, right? Loyal readers, I am excited to announce Sarah’s book, Find Me in Manhattan, will be released in March 2015.
In the mean time, if you wouldn’t mind helping a girl out, please go on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads and review this book. Tell me what you loved, what you didn’t love so much, and what you want more of in the future. I love hearing from readers, so find me online and share your thoughts.
Thanks for the support!
Love,
Shealy
www.shealyjamesbooks.com
http://twitter.com/ShealyJames
http://www.facebook.com/shealyjamesbooks
[email protected]
Acknowledgements:
As usual, my friend and self-appointed life coach, Karla Reed, made this book better with her editing prowess and general awesomeness. She has no idea how much love I have for her. She’s my Jiminy.
Ryan Ringbloom had the pleasure of being the first to read the rough version of Finding Us, and I feel certain this book wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t saved me from a writer’s block.
A huge shout out to my new beta readers Lisa Wilson and Mia Rivers, who both offered critical feedback right there at the end. You can thank them for the intimacy between Maggie and Parker because I originally skimped too much on it. They wanted more, thank goodness. Maggie and Parker are hot for each other, and it needed to be written.
Fortunately I have a husband who not only supports me by letting me write in peace, but he helps with marketing, babysitting our new baby girl, and coffee and wine purchasing. Not to brag, but he loves me like Parker loves Maggie, so I am one lucky girl.
About Shealy James
Shealy James is Georgia native who teaches middle school math during the day and disappears into fiction at night. She is an avid reader and a writer who laughs in the face of middle school angst and welcomes humor, drama, and the all-important happy ending.
Also by Shealy James
Whole Life Series
Book 1
Whole Life Re-Do
Available now exclusively on Amazon.com
After a disastrous first marriage, Eve Bryant is attempting to make a drastic change by moving across the country for a new job and a new life. She swears she isn't looking for a new man, but when she meets a persistent Grant Mitchell, she throws her rules right out the window. Unfortunately, Grant and Eve's new relationship may not withstand interference from a woman scorned and a troubled ex-husband. Grant will fight to keep Eve in his life, but after what she’s been through, Eve isn't sure she hasn't any fight left to give. Is love really enough or does this mean the end for a couple who seemed to find everything they ever needed in each other?
Book 2
Whole Life Makeover
Available now exclusively on Amazon.com
Katherine (AKA Kitty) Peters is done doing what Daddy says. She wants freedom, and she wants it now. When her father gives her a month to take the life he offers or find her own way, she takes full advantage and makes over her whole life. It doesn’t take long for her heart to take over, making Katherine more vulnerable than ever before. When circumstances intervene, she realizes that escaping her father’s reign was harder than she imagined, especially when the tattooed maverick she fell in love with needs her help. Katherine is forced to make a deal with the devil and return to her old life only to discover her makeover may have changed her more than she realized.
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