Anchored Love (Propositions and Proposals #2): A Fake Boyfriend Romance
Page 17
The hotel hosting our nuptials had the reception ready to go. More tiki torches and candlelight awaited us. Mason led me straight to the dance floor for our first dance. There was nowhere I’d rather be than in his arms, slow dancing under the moon.
Mason
I paced the floor of labor and delivery, wearing a hole into the linoleum as I walked back and forth so many times. I’d been at work when I got the call. Everly’s water had broken, and Jane Lynn was loading her into her car and bringing her in.
Our families waited patiently for news. The scariest hour of my life. Our baby was in distress. The umbilical chord had wrapped around her neck, and she was breech. Everly’s oxygen level was rapidly decreasing, and they had no choice but to prep her for an emergency C-section. Sick with worry, there was nothing I could do but stroll back and forth, waiting for them to call me in or give me any news. Everyone wanted to reassure me or comfort me, but no one knew how. I wouldn’t rest until I knew both my wife and child would be okay.
“She’s going to be fine. You’ll see,” Drake reassured me, clamping a hand on my shoulder.
“Was it like this for you and Kelsey?” Honestly, I couldn’t remember Everly mentioning anything. I was out of town at a conference when Benjamin made his debut into the world.
“Dude, I was sick to my stomach and running to the bathroom every five minutes like I had food poisoning. I thought I would miss the birth because my anxiety shot through the damn roof.” Kelsey wanted to come, but Ben had come down with a fever, and she didn’t want to leave him with a sitter.
“I’ve got coffee and donuts,” Samantha announced, entering the waiting area, trailed by her fiancé, Greg. I’d gotten to know him since I’d married Everly. They came over for dinner often. She handed out foam cups, and Greg handed out donuts.
“You should try to eat. The sugar and caffeine will give you some pep,” my mom told me, pushing a donut stick toward my mouth. I appreciated the gesture; however, I couldn’t drink or eat anything. I’d vomit if I tried. The only thing I cared about was the safety of Everly and our child. Mom and Dad made the decision to move back to Boise when Everly and I announced we were expecting. Mom said she didn’t want to miss out on seeing her grandchild grow up. They sold their house in Colorado.
Casey had brought his camera, ready to capture the good moments. But with the way I felt, if he snapped my picture one more time, I’d kick him out. I rubbed the back of my neck, knowing it wasn’t him I was mad at.
Click. Click.
“Stop that,” Jess snapped, grabbing the camera from him. Those two were always good for a laugh with their shenanigans. Jess still hadn’t budged on the whole big wedding thing. Everly worried that one day Casey would get tired of waiting for Jess to say I do, but they were solid. That guy wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon; he had an engagement ring on her finger. He adored Jess. I didn’t know anyone else who would put up with all her nasty health food crap for as long as he had. The woman had a new recipe she forced on us every Sunday at the family dinner Jane Lynn continued to host.
“Mr. Jones?” My head snapped up so quick I thought I’d given myself whiplash. “Come with me. Let’s get you to your wife.”
After scrubbing up and getting my scrubs on, I was taken to the delivery room and told to stand directly behind Everly’s head. She was on the operating table with a curtain drawn over her chest, preventing us from seeing from her breasts down. Her thick hair was shoved under her cap. We’d read the books and watched videos of deliveries, but nothing prepared me for the real thing. Everly squeezed my hand, and I bent down to kiss her forehead.
“I love you more than anything,” she faintly mumbled in response. I didn’t want to think the worst, but I needed her to know—for my wife to hear that she was my absolute world.
She was in and out of consciousness, but her eyes kept focus on me every time she opened them. I felt powerless as I stared down at her with the oxygen mask covering most of her face. The smell of antiseptic permeated my nose. I tried to listen as the doctor did what was needed to make the incision, barking out orders as he directed his surgical team. I waited on pins and needles for the moment my world would be right again. If I lost Everly or our child … I didn’t know what I’d do.
We had only been married nearly a year. I wasn’t ready for my forever to be over. A nurse smiled at me with her eyes, but it did nothing to ease the panic filtering through me in large waves that threatened to suck me under. I held my breath until I heard a wail pierce the room. Our baby girl made her entrance into the world.
When they handed me the scissors to cut the cord, my head began to swim. Our daughter, pink, screaming, and covered in gunk was utterly the most beautiful yet horrifying thing I’d ever laid eyes on. She had the darkest bunch of hair that accounted for all the late nights Everly spent unable to sleep thanks to the heartburn she endured.
Mia was whisked away to be scrubbed and weighed while Everly got stitched up. I went out to the waiting area to end the suspense and share our good news with the family. Jane Lynn sat perched on the edge of her yellow plastic chair, hands clasped under her chin, eyes closed and silently mumbling to herself.
“Hey.” I smiled, and the moment she saw my face her body visibly relaxed. “Everything went as planned. We have a loudmouthed little girl with a head full of dark hair like her mother’s.”
My mother-in-law popped up from her seat and threw her arms around me. “Oh, thank God.” She kissed my cheeks and shouted to Herbert who was already on his feet. I hugged my mother then went back to see my sweet little girl. Holding her was an out of body experience. One look into her dark blue eyes and I knew I’d move heaven and hell to give her the world.
Later, once Everly was moved into her room, I sat in a chair in the corner, watching in awe as she breastfed our little girl. I’d never thought there could be anything more beautiful than Everly the night I married her; until now. I loved my wife, but this was something different, pure. My heart swelled so damn big I thought it may burst. Mia’s tiny hand wrapped around one of Everly’s fingers, clutching for dear life.
My wife looked over at me smiling and caressing her hand over all that dark hair. “You know most babies lose all their hair.” My eyes widened.
Everly giggled and kissed Mia’s fingers. “Your daddy has so much to learn, but we’ll teach him; won’t we, baby girl?”
I left my chair and crossed the room. I bent down and kissed Everly’s forehead then Mia’s, wondering how I’d gone so long without this. My family. My forever.
More books by Ryan
www.authorryanmichele.com/books
Romances
Standalone
Needing to Fall
Safe
Wanting You
Blood & Loyalties: A Mafia Romance
Propositions & Proposals Series
Dream Lover
Anchored Love
The Fearless Few Series
Killian
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Eli (Coming Soon)
Cannon (Coming Soon)
Novellas
Stood Up (Billionaire Up Romance)
Short Stories
Hate Sex
Branded
Bangin’
The Best Friends Collection
Motorcycle Club Romance
Ravage MC Series
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Seduce Me (Ravage MC #2)
Consume Me (Ravage MC #3)
Inflame Me (Ravage MC #4)
Captivate Me (Ravage MC #5)
Bound by Family (Ravage MC #6) (Bound #1)
Bound by Desire (Ravage MC #7) (Bound #2)
Bound by Vengeance (Ravage MC #8) (Bound #3)
Bound by Affliction (Ravage MC #9) (Bound #4)
Bound by Destiny (Ravage MC #10) (Bound #5)
Bound by Wreckage (Ravage MC #11) (Bound #6)
Connected in Pain (Ravage MC #12) (Rebellion #1)
Fueled in Fire (Ravage MC #13
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Sealed in Strength (Ravage MC #14) (Rebellion #3)
Connected in Code (Ravage MC #15) (Rebellion #4)
Bound by Consequences (Ravage MC #16) (Bound #7) (Preorder Now Coming 6.24.20)
Companion Reads for the Ravage MC Series
Satisfy Me
Rattle Me
Ride with Me (co-written with Chelsea Camaron)
Vipers Creed MC
Crossover
Challenged
Conquering
Ruthless Rebels MC (co-written with Chelsea Camaron)
Shamed
Scorned
Scarred
Schooled
Ruthless Rebels Box Set
Anti-Hero Romance
Power Chain: Anti-Hero Game (co-written with Chelsea Camaron)
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PowerHouse
Power Player
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Overpowered
Paranormal Romance
Raber Wolf Pack Series
Raber Wolf Pack Book 1
Raber Wolf Pack Book 2
Raber Wolf Pack Book 3
Raber Wolf Pack Series Box Set
Howls Romance Series
The Alpha’s Arrangement
The Alpha’s Bargain
www.authorryanmichele.com/books
About the Author
Ryan Michele is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of over 40 romantic suspense novels. She found her passion bringing fictional characters to life, being in an imaginative world where anything is possible. Her knack for the unexpected twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat with each page. She is best known for her alpha, bad boy bikers and strong, independent heroines who refuse to back down. When she’s not writing, you can find her on her swing, watching the water ripple in the pond and daydreaming about her next book.
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