by Hazel Gower
“It’s been more than a couple of months since your last lesson, I want you to refresh before I we go out into busier roads. We can’t have you making a mistake.”
My tempter which was already on edge started to fall. I had been in a car and driven more than ten or even fifteen hours. “I’m not stupid and suddenly going to start forgetting what I’d been taught.” I kept driving and saw we were getting to traffic.
“Turn left again.”
“No. I don’t want to go back around to nothing. I want to show you what I can do.”
“No. I’m not having you showing me anything like that until I’m conformable you know the basics. I won’t risk you or the babies.”
“Argh. That’s it. If I listen to anymore I’m going to start yelling. From now on, I’m going to learn form an instructor. Since you won’t let me pay for much I’ll use some of the money I’m saving for two lessons a week.”
“I can teach you.”
“No.” I pull over and park the car. “If you teach me right now all we’re going to do is fight. This way prevents that.”
I’d saved us from major arguments. He hasn’t taught me since, but he does pay for my third lesson. He tried to pay for my other two, but I put my foot down. I conceded to him paying for one. So, for the last couple of weeks I’ve been having driving lessons. I’m getting confident and gathering hours.
I’d been out with my friends, but I spent most of my night with Adam. We went to the movies, dinner and even bowling, but my favorite thing to do was get a movie, snacks and relax on the sofa together. Lately, I usually fell asleep before the movie even finished, but I didn’t mind, I always woke up snuggled in our bed, to either Adam or his warm pillow.
I helped him with his work. His paperwork was a mess, but after a couple of days of sorting through it, I now had an easy system which had me spending an hour a day to keep up with it all. If I was home and not busy, I answered his phone and helped with appointments.
Life was good. I was almost scared that it was too good, but day by day, Adam would ease any worry I had and just, well, just love me.
I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS different this family night. Kate had just dropped by, and Adam stuck to me like glue. I’d offered to help, but both Adam’s mother and grandmother had shooed me away and told me they didn’t want or need help.
Adam’s cousins started arriving and I started to worry I’d forgotten someone’s birthday. When the house was full to the brim with Adam’s family, I tugged on his arm. “Is something going on? Is it a birthday or an anniversary? You didn’t tell me. I didn’t pick anything up or get a card.”
“Hannah, they’re here for us.”
“What?” I took a step back and then gasped as he nodded behind me, and then dropped down onto one knee. I shook my head as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small blue, velvet box. I stumbled back and looked around to see everyone watching us.
“Hannah Wright, I love you more than any words I could ever say. Every day I fall more in love with you and how you make me feel. Will you do me the honor and marry me?” He opened the velvet box.
I stared down, speechless at the stunning ring. It was a gold band with lots of diamonds in an infinity symbol, in the center of the loop sat a white gold heart. It was perfect. It was something I’d pick out myself. I darted my gaze up to my man, and at the look of utter love and devotion I threw myself at him and yelled, “Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.”
ADAM
I HELD MY DAUGHTERS, ALISSA and Layla in my arms as Hannah fed our son, Jacob. She was breastfeeding, but we were supplementing with formula. I thought I knew what babies were like, but having one was a lot different than having three at the same time. My son was a muma’s boy and didn’t take the bottle top ups very well. Hannah, was amazing. I was so damn proud of her. She seemed to be in her element as a mother. My own mother and grandmother came over and helped with the babies, but even they were surprised at how well Hannah was doing with them all.
At two months old, the babies were thriving. Hannah had been put on bed rest from thirty-three weeks to thirty-nine when she had the babies by Cesarean. Tonight, my parents were babysitting so Hannah and I could go out for dinner and a movie.
Hannah and I married a month after I proposed in my parent’s backyard, surrounded by our close friends and family. Hannah looked radiant as she walked down the flower stewed aisle on Jamie’s arm. They weren’t close like they’d been before, but Hannah forgave him and they were friends, and because of the friendship they had, she had wanted him to give her away and I felt it was fitting.
“Are you going to give over my daughters so I can feed them and put this little man in his cot, or you going to stare at me all night?”
Winking at Hannah, I looked down at my daughters and then back at my wife. “I could stare at all my girls all night, they’re so beautiful.”
The husky laugh that came from Hannah, had my cock coming alive. I wondered if we had time if the babies slept after being fed for a quickie. “I love you, Adam, but I can tell by that look what you want, and no we don’t have time. I booked the restaurant and it would be nice to not be half an hour late.”
I went to Hannah, placed Layla on the boomerang pillow beside the chair, and helped Alissa get to her food. I then carefully detached a sleeping Jacob and swapped him with Layla, sighing wishfully at seeing my wife’s breasts. I didn’t like sharing. I loved my wife’s body, but for my babies I’d share her breasts.
Hannah giggled. “Did you just sigh when you got a look at my breasts?”
Picking up Jacob, I brought him over to the cot and placed him in before turning back to Hannah. “Yep. I miss them. I just have to remind myself they’re on loan and I’ll get them back.”
Her giggle turned into a full-blown laugh and had my two little girls crying as it made it hard with their mummy laughing to eat. “I love you. Go shower and get ready so we can go out.”
Leaning down, I kissed my wife and then brushed my lips over my daughter’s cheeks. “I love you, too.” I did more every day.
HANNAH
Twenty Years and One Month Later
I WATCHED JAMIE AS HE stood on the stage where the band has been playing, taps his wine glass over the mic, and then asks, “Quiet please. If I could have your attention.” The room goes silent. “Dad. Hannah. Come up here.”
Gazing around the room, I got caught by a pair of darkening brown eyes. I let my gaze take in my handsome husband as he puts down our eighth, and final child, Kegan, who’s four. Adam and I were fertile. I’d made him get the snip though. No more. Eight was plenty.
I made my way to the stage, my triplets who were nineteen, stopping to hug and kiss me. My sixteen-year-old son, Isaak and fifteen-year-old daughter, Sarah cheered me on as my son’s eleven-year-old, Drake and eight-year-old, Luke whacked my back in what I assumed was encouragement.
Adam and I reached the stage at the same time and he threaded his fingers through mine. When we arrived next to Jamie, Adam gathered me so I stood with my back against his chest and hugged me to him. I loved this man so much. My love over the years only grew and I always thought he was the sexiest man in the room.
“Firstly.” Jamie said, “I want to say thank you to Hannah.”
Surprised by Jamie’s words it took me a moment to respond. “What? Why?”
The smile Jamie sent me was one of love and thankfulness. “Because you have made my dad happy. You’ve given him eight beautiful children and given me awesome brothers and sisters.” The kids all cheered and hooted their brother. “I always thought dad was happy with just me and him, and I know he was, but the happiness he has with you radiates from him. The way you look at him even after being married to him for twenty years is—”
“Totally gross.” Drake shouted.
“Embarrassing.” Sarah added.
“Therapy inducing.” Isaak yelled.
Adam chuckled behind me and leaned down. “Should I turn you around and really give
them something they’ll need therapy for?”
I laughed and shivered as he nibbled on my ear and then kissed his way up and down my neck.
“Dadddd,” Isaak yelled.
“Ewh.” Luke cried out.
"Daaaddd, people are like, watching. Stop,” moaned Sarah.
Jamie laughed. “Or, I should say the way my dad still looks at you and the way the two of you act is like two—”
“Randy teenagers.” Adam’s mother interrupted Jamie with her own gibe.
Jamie shook his head. “Nanna, you’re being as bad as my siblings. I better get this in before I get any more interruptions.” Jamie smiled our way. “Happy twentieth anniversary. I look forward to watching you two celebrate another twenty years together. Everyone raise your glass in wishing my dad and Hannah happy anniversary."
Adam and I were handed by a waiter a glass of apple cider, and I watched as everyone raised their glasses and cheered, “Happy anniversary, Adam and Hannah.”
I leaned back against my husband. The man I loved more than anything in the world and stared out at my family; my heart soaring with overflowing love. I was so lucky and blessed.
I turned my head so I could look at Adam. “Thank you for all you’ve given me. I love our family. I love you.”
“I love you, too, more than I could ever find words to say. Thank you.” I spun in his embrace and he leaned down and kissed me. We got lost in the kiss and ignored the cheering of friends and the groans and moans of our children. I loved Adam. I loved my life.
Getting a book out takes a lot of work, so I always need to thank people for their help in getting it ready and out there for all of you.
A massive thank you and I love you to my amazing family, for being second while I focus on books and complete them. I’m so blessed to have you in my life and love you more than words can say.
Secondly, Jessica Henshall from Sinfully Sweet Designs, thanks so much for the amazing cover.
A huge shout out to Cassia Brightmore, my amazing editor from, Beyond the Click: Photography & Publishing Services. You’ve made this book shine. I can’t thank you enough.
Sonya, thank you for not only formatting the book, but for listening to me bounce ideas off you and then drone on about my books. I love you, and I appreciate everything you do for me.
I also want to thank all my readers for their support.
Lastly, thanks to everyone who helps promote my work, I really appreciate it.
I would love to hear from you!
WEBSITE: www.hazelgower.com
EMAIL: [email protected]
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/HazelGowerAuthor
TWITTER: @HazelGower1
SELF-PUBLISHED
Gordon’s Dawn
A Mate’s Escape
The Price of Fame
All I Want for Christmas
Her Big Bad Mistake
Lucian’s Soul
Caveman Instincts
Stephan
Richard
Carl
Ryder
The MacLeod Clan
The Laird’s Future Bride
Peacekeepers
Her Keepers
Knocked Up
Knocked Up By Her Best Friends Dad
~ ~ ~
PUBLISHED WITH BEACHWALK PRESS
Armageddon Mates
Kane’s Mate
Rane’s Mate
Ava’s Mate
Arden’s Mate
The Protectors
Volume 1
Finding Love
Winning Her Love
Earning Her Love
~ ~ ~
PUBLISHED WITH EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING
The Bears
Theirs
Ours
Hers
The Inteli
Savior
Sin City Shifters
Sasha’s Lion
Jezebel’s Lion
Merpeople
A Merman of her Own
A Merman Uncovered
Mount View Treaty
Claimed by Her Panthers
(Co-authored with Jess Buffett)
Scandal’s
Dillon
Stand Alone Books
Always and Forever
Letters to her Soldier
Table of Contents
(Untitled)