by KL Donn
It was music to my ears. Witnessing the tears in Ava’s eyes when she heard it made me miss my family even more and appreciate my wife's sacrifices.
After the vixen told me about her pregnancy with Maddox—through boudoir pictures that apparently were Heather’s idea—she worked her ass off to finish school as quickly as possible. She graduated six months early, found an amazing substitute job at a private school, and has been home for most of the last four years.
With two children now, though, she has quit working for the time being. She’s the back-up sub if they need her, or she helps tutor when requested. Ava is happier than I’ve ever seen her and loves being a mom.
“Mommy’s going to give you a baby sister.” I pause at the words she’s crooning to our daughter and, immediately, mute the video and call her.
“Hello, handsome.” Her grin upon answering as she breastfeeds Katie tells me she knows exactly why I’m calling. “Having a good day?” she asks instead.
“The fucking best. Were you serious?” She always is, but I need to ask for confirmation.
“As a heart attack.” A tear rolls down her cheek.
“I fucking love you, Ava.” Touching the screen, I wish I could dry her tears away.
“Just come home, Steele.” I have yet to be there for either of the births and have missed every ultrasound. Not once has she done anything but encourage me to come home.
A promise I intend to keep.
Epilogue
Ava
Six Months Later.
“I could kill him!” I scream at Heather, who has been my best friend, birthing coach, babysitter, everything I’ve needed since Steele and I got married nearly five years ago.
“You got this, Ava,” she reassures while pulling my legs up higher as I push when the doctor asks. Exhaustion weighs heavily on my body.
Not only am I pregnant with our third child but also our fourth. Twins. We’re having twins. Surprise twins even. I had no idea, neither did the doctor, until my latest ultrasound a little over a month ago because I was feeling way more uncomfortable than I had with my other pregnancies.
I haven’t told Steele yet. Not because I don’t want to but because he has been unreachable. As much as I’ve hated it, I understand, and his family is always here for me. Even my mother over the last few years. I still barely talk to my father, but that’s his choice, sadly, not mine.
“Baby number one is almost here; one more big push,” the doctor instructs just as the delivery room door opens.
“Holy shit,” Heather mutters.
Looking up, I see my husband in all his sweaty, exhausted, glory. A nurse attempts to push him out of the room, but he growls at her and strides towards me.
“Didn’t want to miss this one,” he grumbles against my lips.
Before I can respond, a contraction hits, and I’m urged to push. Steele secures one leg, while Heather takes the other, and I feel like I’m going to explode. Relief hits me when I hear the shrilly cry.
“And we have a beautiful boy. Dad, would you like to cut the cord?” Steele beams with pride as he does. The nurse takes our son to the incubator to clean him up, and the doctor tells me to get ready to push again because the second baby is ready to crown.
“Second?” Steele appears shell-shocked as he peers between my legs and notices another head coming through. “Son of a bitch. You really like to surprise me.” He grins as I begin to bear down again. Exhausted and ready to quit, I hear another tiny cry.
“A gorgeous little girl.” The doctor grins, and Steele cuts her cord too.
Waiting for the babies to be evaluated, I gaze over at Heather and realize exactly what our newest daughter’s name will be.
“Do we have names?” the nurse asks.
I nod. We’ve discussed boy names already. “He is Charlie”—after Steele and Heather’s dad—“and she is Heather.” My friend freezes in place, and I can see the tears welling in her eyes. Steele nods and grins, approving my choice of name.
“I fucking love you, Ava.” He kisses me before he’s handed Charlie.
“Just glad you’re home, Steele,” I murmur as I watch the two people I love most in this world love on the new babies.
Closing my eyes, gratitude and love fills the room, surrounding me with everything I need in this life.
The End!
Thank you so much for reading Dear Steele. As sad as I am to have this series end, I’m grateful for all the readers who have enjoyed reading these short love stories as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.
If you’re looking for something similar in feel and genre, but a little longer, check out my Daniels Family series or Uncontrolled Heroes series.
Happy reading and please consider joining my newsletter, KL’s Confessions, for a new free book every month!
About the Author
Hey, I'm Krystal. I write as USA Today Bestselling Author KL Donn. I'm stoked you've grabbed one of my books and I really hope you enjoyed the story!
A little about me:
Perpetual romantic.
Coffee addict.
I speak sarcasm more often than not.
Gimme an action flick over a romance. But a romance book over action. I'm weird like that.
Did I mention coffee addict?
Closet shopaholic.
Beach lover.
Coffee addict, it bears repeating. Again.
Husband obsessed. Mine that is, you can keep yours.
Mom of 6, well 7 if you count the husband. Oh and 2 of those are a cat & dog.
I love to connect with my readers so feel free to find me on any and all social media platforms you use! I can’t promise to be sane, or not swear a lot, but I’ll be extra happy to hear from you!
KL’s Deviant Readers | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Eden Books
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Also by KL Donn
Mafia Made
His Kingdom | Her Empire | His Jailbird
Task Force 779
Missing in Action | Explosive Encounter | Nowhere To Run
Neighbor Novels
Possessive Neighbor
Power of Vashchenko
Taking Emmaline
Uncontrolled Heroes
A Girl Worth Fighting For | The Girl Who was Meant to be Mine | Loving the Girl in the Tutu
Daniels Family
Until Arsen | With Kol | Embers Falling | Before Noah | Dreaming of California
Those Malcolm Boys
Obsessive Addiction | Accidental Obsession | Arrogantly Obsessed
Adair Empire
King | Luther | Castiel | Atticus | Carver | Grasping For Air
Timeless Love
Once Upon A Time | Happily Ever After
In His Arms Series
Safe, In His Arms | Bullied, In His Arms | Coached, In His Arms
Naughty Tales
Dirty | Treat Me | Snowed In | Cuffed
The Protectors Series
Keeley’s Fight | Emily’s Protectors | Kennedy’s Redemption
The Possessed Series
Owned | Consumed | Unrestrained | Grinched
The Hogan Brother’s
One Chance | One Choice | Unchained
Love Letters
Dear Killian | Dear Gage | Dear Maverick | Dear Desmond | Dear Lena | Dear Steele
Stand Alone Books
Holding Out For A Hero | Love Comes After | Saving Their Princess | London’s Calling | Cowboy Bodyguard | Holly’s Knight
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