“Thanks,” Hannah smiled. “I’m just glad that one of us knows our way around.”
“It’ll be nice having you both close by, too,” Melanie rubbed Hannah’s shoulders.
Hannah had been accepted to several good schools, but had decided in the end to stay near home and attend NYU. She wanted to major in veterinary science and the athletic department had all but offered her a soccer scholarship. Katie had been wait listed at Columbia, but had just received the letter letting her know she was in.
Hannah smiled at Melanie, “Well, I’m going to head next door. I think Katie’s had enough of a head start. We‘ll be back soon to help set up.”
ooooooooooooo
“So, where were we?” Austin grinned as he pulled Melanie down onto his lap on the couch.
She rolled her eyes at him, “Is this all you’re thinking about today? I have things to do.”
“Can’t you take a break…for me?” he leaned in and wiped some flour off her forehead.
“Well maybe a short one,” she brushed her lips across his lightly. “But only for a minute,” she mumbled as she pressed them more firmly to his.
“Mmmmm,” he groaned and deepened the kiss.
Just then Joey came scampering into the room disrupting the moment.
“Yucky Daddy,” he twisted his face in disgust.
Austin chuckled, “Well, I guess our time’s up. He’s got great timing, huh?”
“Yeah,” Melanie sighed as she stood up.
“Joe,” Austin turned towards his son, “Why don’t you go play in your room for a minute and then I’ll come in and join you?”
“K, Daddy,” Joey giggled and raced down the hallway.
ooooooooooo
“He sure knows how to ruin the mood, huh?” Austin walked into the kitchen and observed Melanie frosting some of the cupcakes she had put on the counter earlier.
“Does that bother you?” she questioned without looking directly at him.
Austin shook his head and sighed, “No, but I’ll be remembering all these times when he’s older and has a girlfriend. I’ll make sure I make my presence known every chance I get.”
Melanie giggled, “I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
Right as Austin reached to grab a cupcake, Melanie swatted at his hand.
“You’re as bad as the kids, those are for the party,” she pinned him with her eyes.
“Sorry,” he shrugged and snuck one when she wasn’t looking.
When she turned around his was licking frosting off his fingers and smirking at her.
“What’s so funny?” she glared at him.
“Nothing,” he offered a sheepish smile.
“So, as I was saying…does it bother you that he interrupts us all the time?” she placed the frosting bag on the counter and moved to stand directly in front of him.
“What are you getting at?” Austin cocked his head to the side.
“Well…I’m asking because it’s about to get even more hectic around here,” she looked up at his face, searching for understanding.
“Yeah, I know…we’re about to have like fifty kids here in a few hours,” he sighed.
“That’s not what I meant,” she shook her head and looked down at the ground. Then in the smallest whisper she mumbled, “I’m pregnant.”
“What?” he gasped. “Did you just say what I thought you said?”
“That depends,” she looked up. “What do you think I said?”
“Are we having another baby?” he grinned even bigger and glanced at her stomach.
A smile slowly spread across her face, “Yeah, we are.”
“Oh baby,” he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground. “When?”
“Next February,” she smiled as she reached up and ran her hand along his jaw. “I just found out yesterday. I wanted to wait until today to tell you.”
Austin squatted down in front of her and kissed her still flat belly.
“Hi,” he mumbled quietly. “I’m your daddy and I love you already.”
As Melanie watched him in this tender moment, a tear trickled down her cheek. Nothing could make this day any more perfect, nothing at all.
She was truly unbroken.
The End
Coming Soon Fall 2013
Katie and Patrick's story- The Boy Next Door
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my husband first and foremost for all his work in taking care of the kids and the house when I was stuck at my laptop writing. Without his help, this book would have never made it to the point of publication.
To my children, Anna and Jimmy, who add humor and enjoyment to my life on a daily basis. Mommy loves you very much.
To my parents for making me believe I can do anything I put my mind to. Your encouragement through the years has made me what I am today.
To my incredible Beta reader, Linda Bullock, who kept me sain through this whole process. This book wouldn't have made it without you.
To all the indie authors out there that encouraged and supported me throughout the publishing process.
To Michelle at Indie Book Covers for the beautiful cover design.
And Finally... Thank you to all of you. Your support is what keeps us Indie Authors writing.
About the Author
Heather D'Agostino lives with her husband and two children in Central New York, where she spends most of her time reading, writing, and playing with her children. Originally from the South, she moved to Syracuse in 2006 to follow her husband.
Heather graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Mathematics. She taught for six years before leaving the profession to become a fulltime stay at home mom. She has always enjoyed creative writing. After publishing several short stories, she decided to try a full length novel and Unbreak Me was born.
You can follow Heather on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/H.DAgostino.Author?ref=hl
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1August 2012
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4August 2012
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7 Two days later…
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10September 2012
Chapter 11September 2012
Chapter 12September 2012
Chapter 13September 2012
Chapter 14December 2012
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19Christmas Eve 2012
Chapter 20Christmas Morning 2012
Chapter 21New Year’s Eve 2012
Chapter 22New Years Day 2013
Chapter 23 February 2013- 10 days until the wedding
Chapter 24February 14
Chapter 25Wedding Night…
Chapter 26Honeymoon Day One…
Chapter 27Honeymoon Day 2...
Chapter 28 Final Day of the Honeymoon…
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Unbreak Me (Second Chances) Page 32