Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that, Tanya,” he says in a low, emotional voice. “Because that’s what I want too. I want us to raise this baby together, but I wasn’t sure what to think when you didn’t say anything. I thought that you might not want him or her, because of your religion and because of the vow you took.”
“No,” I shake my head quickly, my heartbeat slowing as relief flows through my frame. “I realize that the promise vow, while taken in good faith, was ultimately an error for me. It’s not an error for everyone,” I add quickly. “But it’s definitely was one for me, and I wouldn’t encourage it for my child.”
“That’s good,” Stone interjects, his blue eyes glinting. “Because I wouldn’t want that for our child, whether male or female.”
“I know, right?” I say, cocking my head at him. “Isn’t it weird that only the women of my church were asked to take the vow? The men were allowed to sow their wild oats and it was dismissed as a ‘boys will be boys’ thing. What a double standard!”
Stone nods.
“It sounds like your church engaged in a lot of questionable practices, but this isn’t the time to get into them,” my man says in a low voice. “What matters is that we both want this child, and we’re prepared to raise him or her in a loving home with both parents present. That’s what matters because I love you Tanya Grimes,” he growls. “I’ve adored you since the moment I saw you in that rehearsal room, and now, I’m proud to call you the mother of my child.”
I stare at him.
“You love me?” I whisper.
Stone nods.
“I do, baby. More than life itself. My feelings for you have only deepened during our time together, and even more, I want us to make a new covenant. Will you marry me, honey? This is a different kind of promise before God, but I swear I want this more than life itself.”
I stare at the handsome man, my heart in my throat because everything’s moving so fast. Just a second ago, I was a scorned woman and a sinner before the Church, but now, Stone has saved me again. He’s giving me the opportunity to make a new promise, and I’m so grateful and in love with him that I throw my arms around his neck before whispering against his lips.
“Yes, Stone. I’d love to become Mrs. Thompson because I love you too. I have since the moment I set eyes on you, and thank you for saving me,” I murmur as I begin to cry. “Thank you for everything.”
With that, my handsome fiancé holds me tight while claiming my mouth with his. Our kiss is brutal and passionate as always, but also there’s something new: the promise of a new life together, a new spring, and a new blossoming to lead us into eternal joy, our hands and our hearts locked together forever.
EPILOGUE
TANYA
A few months later.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson!” the doctor beams, looking away from the monitor and towards us. “It seems that you’ll be having a healthy baby boy soon.”
Stone lets out an ecstatic shout before squeezing my hand as he leans in to press a kiss to my lips.
“Thank you, baby,” he whispers. “This is amazing.”
Tears come to my eyes because this is the perfect development in our new life together.
“No, thank you, Mr. Thompson,” I whisper. “For everything.”
After all, life has changed for the better in the past few months. First, I moved permanently into Stone’s penthouse at the Corinthian Hotel. It was ridiculous that I was even keeping my old apartment, but I suppose it made sense because Stone and I had an “arrangement” when we started that was supposed to be based only on physical chemistry. But now, we’ve blown past that and I have a huge diamond on my finger, in addition to a baby to plan for.
But also, I’ve quit the church. I’m not saying that I’ve lost religion or anything like that. In fact, I’m still very devout and consider myself a good Christian woman, but I just couldn’t handle Sanctuary anymore after my encounter with Elder Stott. I can’t believe that guy is an esteemed member of the congregation, and even crazier, that most of the parishioners think that I’m in the wrong for what happened. Yes, I broke my vow, but it happens. We live in the twenty-first century, and even if I did renege on my promise, he still had no business coming after me like that.
But that’s all in the rearview mirror, and after the doctor departs, Stone helps me sit up. I’m huge and as cumbersome as an elephant, but my man loves my new shape and tenderly bends to press a kiss to my bulging tummy.