I haven’t let Trudi out of my sight and she’s on me like white on rice, but we never get on each other's nerves and every day is just as exciting as the first day I saw her, walking up those stairs and seeing her fine behind, almost winking at me. Daring me to claim her as my own.
I don’t feel nervous about our life together, far from it, I’m looking forward to it more than anything. And as my dad says his little speech, the one he just happened to have prepared, I look deep into Trudi’s eyes and I feel like every hardship I’ve faced, very pleasure I tell myself I’ve known, it was all leading to that magical moment when I met her and I knew that she was mine.
My one and only. Me her first and she my wife.
The mother of our children and my partner in everything.
My Trudi.
EPILOGUE
Trudi
“I dunno, Kane. It might’ve been that fish last night, but I just feel like crap…”
“Then, I’ll cancel the meeting. I’m not going there without you, it’s your project,” he says, and I give him that look.
“And it’s your company… Our company… You go, I’ll be alright. I’ll just curl up on the couch here and die.”
Kane drops everything and rushes over to me, gripping me by the arms, “Don’t you even think it, let alone say that… now. I’ll go to the meeting, but only if I know you’re gonna be okay,” he says, the worry showing on his face as I only consider whether to throw up on my knees this time when he goes or standing up.
I haven’t mentioned it to Kane all this month, but I’ve been sick every morning, and most times after I eat, late at night… anytime really. I thought it was the flu or something like that, but when I did the math it made me smile. When I missed my period I started shopping online for baby clothes and blue and pink paint.
A little bug I don’t mind have growing in me at all.
I want to be sure though, I know how much it means to Kane to start a family, and for me too. But every time I look at the test kit in the bathroom, I get scared. I get worried. I get all those feelings about not being good enough, about my baby body, about all kinds of weird and wonderful, hormone-fueled things.
You know you’re pregnant, just do it to double check.
Once Kane goes out to the meeting, and once he calls me from the lobby to tell me he’s leaving, then again from the car to tell me he’s on his way to the meeting, I figure I’m safe. I figure I’m alone, for a few hours at least.
I take some deep breaths, suddenly not feeling so sick anymore, wondering if it's all in my imagination, wondering if maybe I’m just wishing I was pregnant. I read a lot of articles about women who get so convinced they need a baby, they actually get signs of being pregnant.
Being fat isn’t a sign…
Yeah, but throwing up every five minutes can be, so I’d better check, just to be sure it’s not something else.
Oh god! What if it’s something else!
Just do the frikin’ test already.
I remember how it felt that first time, how even Kane seemed to just ‘know’. I’ve lost count how many times we’ve done it since then.
How many times a day, you mean…
If anything, it’d be a miracle if I wasn’t pregnant. But here goes nothing…
I feel nauseous again, but I pee on the stick, then I wait.
And I wait some more.
Then I can’t wait because I worry.
I put the test in the drawer without looking, leaving the bathroom to pace the penthouse, doing a few laps to try and clear my head.
All of the memories of Kane and our time together run through my mind, all his encouragement and his help. But most of all, I think about the changes in me. How I’ve grown so much as a person with his strength to support me, with his love to nourish me.
Then what am I so scared of?
It hits me like a lightning bolt, and I start to cry. I don’t feel like I’ve changed a bit all of a sudden, the one thing that’s plagued me since I can remember is even following me to the start of my own family.
What if the baby looks like me? What if it’s chubby?
I know what Kane would say if he even heard me thinking that, let alone saying it, but I have to be honest. I know how hard it is growing up big. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
I wish I had someone else, a mom or even a dad, someone who’s already had kids. Somebody who could talk me through this.
I wish Kane was here…
Like the magician that he is, I feel his arms around me, making me jump until I feel his chin on my cheek, his lips on my ear whispering to me.
“I came back… I’ve postponed the meeting. I just knew something was up, now you’re going to tell me…”
He turns me around to face him, holding my face in his hands, wiping my tears away with his thumbs, touching them to his own lips.
“Out with it, Trudi. We don’t have secrets, remember?” he whispers and I take him by the hand leading him to the bathroom, pointing to the drawer, but I can’t even look up.
“I’m scared Kane…” is all I can manage.
“You’re scared of the drawer?” he asks.
I give him my best mean face, and punch his arm.
“I’m scared our kids will look more like me than you, there. I said it. It’s bugging me and I’m terrified we’ll have a dozen chubby kids growing up with a dad who looks like an Adonis.”
Kane’s head’s shaking gently, he hugs me first, then holds me to him, holding me like a child as he speaks softly.
“Trudi… I love you, you know that. All the children we have will be the most precious things we have, that we can share together, as a family.”
I agree, but I still can’t help but feel frightened.
“I… I know… I just…No! Don’t look, don’t open it!” I cry out, Kane firmly clutching me to his side as he opens the drawer.
I can’t look. The suspense is killing me, but there’s still a part of me that doesn’t want to know. I’m not ready. It feels like I’ll never be ready.
“Trudi…?” Kane says in his most serious voice.
I can only look up at him in a question.
“I just wanna say that I hope all our kids do look like you, exactly like you,” he says firmly.
“Why?” I ask him, not wanting to believe him, but knowing he’s telling me the truth.
“So every time I look into their eyes, every time I kiss them goodnight and good morning, I can see you in them… so I can have more of my Trudi to love.”
I gasp aloud, throwing myself at Kane, burying myself into his chest. He always knows what to say, what to do to make me feel a hundred percent, even when I’m low or just acting plain crazy.
“By the way, I think you’ve been promoted… Mommy…” he says, and his face lights up as he holds me out lifting me off the ground as he spins me around.
“We’re having a baby, baby!”
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
10 YEARS LATER
Kane
“Look! Daddy! There’s Mommy!” Sky calls out through the darkened silence, the whole auditorium becoming a wave of muted laughter from her cuteness overload.
We’re right up front, and I know Trudi can see us, she gives Sky a special little wave from her seat next to the podium and her eyes meet mine. I’ve never been so proud of her, if that’s at all possible, every day she makes me even prouder. Every day I love her just that little bit more.
It’s a Barret Industries awards show, but it’s not my company. It’s Trudi’s. She’s set up her own real estate empire. And she’s done all of it in her spare time, in between raising our three beautiful kids, Sky, Taylor and Phoenix. All in between putting up with my endless schedules and insisting that she take breaks and come on holidays with us all the time.
The award she’s getting isn't a company one though, it’s a federal government award, recognition for her tireless service but also the announcement of her rent to own program for single moms to be
implemented on a national level by congress into the public housing budget.
In ten years she’s taken the idea from a block of apartments she renovated, to whole communities being built up with quality, affordable housing that tenants can actually own themselves over time.
Sky and Taylor sit on either side of me, with little Phoenix bouncing on my knee. He’s usually the loudest of the crew, but today he’s in awe of his mom as much as anyone else.
There’s speeches from government dignitaries, even some speakers from overseas wanting to use her finance and administration model for overseas communities.
The kids, usually so restless, and myself not being one for sitting still for long periods, are all in a trance, watching Trudi.
Once it’s her turn to accept an award, and give a speech, I’m glad the mic’s up so loud, the P.A drowning out our gasps and sounds of admiration. I use my baby son’s bib to repeatedly wipe something from my eye.
It’s the single proudest day of our whole family’s life, with Trudi being Trudi, saving the best or worst surprise for last. Worst for me, I get terrible stage fright, but the kids love it and Sky wrestlers the mike from her older brother, vying for just as much attention as their beautiful Mom.
She has all of us get up onstage with her, to thundering applause as she introduces our kids, three and lastly myself, who I’m thankful for, for once, that nobody present really recognizes even though my name’s on the building.
It’s all about Trudi, and that’s how I always want it to be. How it will be forever.
I’ve offered to help her out, financially and with staff, contacts, the whole nine yards with her projects, but she’s always done everything herself. Done it all her way and with nothing but complete success.
The main difference with everything she’s set up, like everything she does in her personal life too, with her family life, she’s always giving back.
Every single one of Trudi’s companies is not for profit and has been set in tone to continue to give, long after we’re both gone. Giving our kids and their kid’s kid’s something that they too can be proud of.
There’s an hour of questions, then the media to get through, but the kids, just like me, are so amazed by their Mom that we all get through it like it’s a five minute thing.
Once we’re finally outside, then inside the car, it’s Trudi, superstar mom coming home with us again. She takes all this in her stride like it’s all the same thing, like it could be her changing a diaper, or making pancakes, or painting the kid’s room. She’s CEO of one of the biggest companies in the state and most importantly, she’s my wife.
The love of my life.
Mommy to our kids, best friend to them all when they need it most and my soulmate, my one and only.
“You were great, honey!” I gush, as the kids fight loudly over who was best at thinking mommy was the best.
“Ugh. Thank god that’s over and done with!” She exclaims, “I’m starving, who’s up for burgers and shakes?” she cries out, getting drowned out instantly by all three kids, who know it’s a treat day like no other if mom’s shouting burgers and shakes.
She snuggles into me, clawing my abs through my jacket, “That was terrifying,” she whispers into my ear. “Thanks for coming out.”
I kiss her forehead, “You were great, you are great. I had no idea you were such a confident public speaker,” I tell her, meaning it.
“The kids loved it,” she reflects thoughtfully.
“I think Sky’s gonna be a star when she’s older, maybe sooner than that.” I observe.
“I think I’m ready for that break though, Like you suggested… but maybe this time, for some maternity leave,” she says, rubbing her belly with one hand and eyeing the kids, putting a finger to her lips.
“Oh darling, really?” I gasp, hardly able to keep myself from shouting it out loud, clutching her hand and squeezing her as hard as I dare.
Trudi tries to whisper something, but I can’t help myself.
“Kids? Your mom’s gonna have another baby!” I shout out, and all four of us cheer and shout, swarming over mommy, being careful of her belly but hugging her and kissing her until we forget all about everything, even forgetting burgers and shakes.
The kids take turns all the way home listening to Mommy’s tummy and then Mommy herself fields the question best, straight to daddy when it comes up, from Sky of course.
“Mommy? Where do babies come from?”
“You’d better ask your Daddy… he’s the expert on their manufacture and production, honey!”
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justice
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Bo
ok 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Possessive Landlord: An Instalove Possessive Alpha Romance (A Man Who Knows What He Wants Book 168) Page 8