"Yes, mam free and clear." Emily smiled through the tears. "Babe, you are leaving me hanging here."
"Yes. Yes, Wade, I will marry you." Wade slid the ring up her finger, standing to pull her into his arms. Neither noticed the crowd as he pulled her into his arms for an earth-shattering kiss.
Epilogue
Emily rested on the front porch of her big white farmhouse. Black shutters framed the windows as plants hung from the blue porch ceiling. A large swing hung to one side, as the outdoor cushions made the perfect place for an afternoon nap. Emily stretched and tried to change her position as two bright blue eyes popped open to stare straight at her. "Hi honey, did you have a good nap? Mommy sure did." Emily smoothed her baby's hair down, his several cowlicks just like his daddy's. Emily smiled at the thought. "I wonder where your Daddy is?"
"Dada"
"Yes. Lincoln say, Momma, Mama." Lincoln smiled.
"Okay, for another day." Emily moved Lincoln's little hand to her belly. "Ooh, It is your brother." Lincoln giggles as he feels the baby kick, one of his favorite pastimes. With just shy of six weeks left of her pregnancy, exhausted a good majority of the time. Wade was true to his word, continuing as a very hands-on Dad. He spends most of his days here at the farm, writing music, taking care of the cattle and horses, and most importantly a lot of time with Lincoln. At forty-one, Emily knows this is her last pregnancy, sometimes the thought saddens her but with Katie now a junior in high school it is time to start looking at colleges while preparing for another baby at the same time. Emily continues to rock the swing back and forth as Linc lays against her chest, not quite ready to explore the world again. She could not help but think back to how her life has changed in the past two years since Wade came to town. Then, Emily never imagined she could have a second chance at love and a family.
If someone had told her she would fall in love with a man ten years younger than herself, she would declare them crazy. Recently, she had purchased every special face cream that she could find, anything to keep her body from betraying the age difference. Rarely when they were out together, they would happen across a twenty-something-year-old fan who would fawn all over him. Wade always laughed, taking it in stride as he walked away with his arm firmly around his wife.
Wade still returns to Nashville a couple of times a year, also does a limited few tour dates, as he insists writing songs and selling albums is enough for him for the present while his passion is Emily, their family, and the land. Emily traces her fingers through the soft baby hair, smoothing back the curls hating the idea of one day they will give way to his first big boy haircut.
Remembering the transitions since her pregnancy when Wade returned to town, taking the stage wooing her with the lyrics and melody, a song he sings to her frequently. They traveled to North Carolina not long after moving into their farm; it was beautiful when they visited Wade's mother. She was thrilled when she visited for Lincoln's birth. Emily embarrasses easily by the fact that when they had their wedding, Lincoln had turned six months old. Wade wanted to have the wedding during the pregnancy, but Emily insisted on waiting. She was bound and determined to have a big ceremony with a formal dress this time, instead of the simple summer dress like the first time around.
Meghan and Emily drove to Austin to an upscale bridal shop to find a dress, luckily all her hard work to lose the baby weight worked and managed to look beautiful on her wedding day. Emily kisses his baby head, taking in the fading baby scent, knowing she would miss her boys as they grow. Two boys, well three if you count Wade, at least she will stay active. "Lincoln, look." Pointing towards the driveway, Lincoln raised his head from his mother's chest. "Dada home."
"Yes, baby, your daddy is home." Emily smiled as Wade parked his truck, sprinting to the porch. After giving his wife a deep kiss, he took his son, down the steps. Wade lowered Lincoln to the ground, holding his little hand as they walked down the gravel path towards the barn. Emily watched them, remembering the dream not that long ago when she wished for the potential of a beautiful life.
"It is here."
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Thank you for reading For Love or Music, I hoped you enjoyed Wade and Emily’s story. If you are interested in joining my email list of advanced readers, please drop me a note. I am always searching for feedback on how I am doing as an author. I look forward to hearing your reviews.
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I have several new books due out summer of 2019.
Time to be the Better Man.
Devotion: For love or honor
The Island Pawn
Keep an eye out for the releases and drop me a note if you would like the opportunity for an advance copy.
For Love or Music Page 8