Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 115619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
This should be a joyful, blissful moment. The woman I love is telling me she’s having my child. In its place, we’re talking about my ex-wife and her snake-like tendencies.
“Tatum is upset,” Bianca reminds me, and the worry lines between her brows make me want to wipe them from her face. “I don’t know what to do or how to fix it. I can’t lose her. She’s my best friend.”
“Yes, that’s a little sensitive, though she’ll come around. It’s most likely the surprise factor that got her, but try not to let it worry you.”
“Also, I threw up in a trash can,” she grumbles. “When we were shopping, and well, she put it all together like a puzzle.”
“She’s observant,” I agree, brushing her dark hair away from her face, my chest swelling with love and admiration as I peer into her eyes. A monster like me should never be given such a beautiful angel like her. “No matter what, I promise you, she will come around. We need to give her a little time and space, but she loves you. I know that much, and this won’t change that.”
Bianca nods, even as the harsh worry lines on her face don’t appear to ease.
“I'll talk to her, too,” I add. “I'll give her a few hours to calm down, then try and have a conversation with her. Don't worry,” I insist when she gives me a skeptical look. “I just want to ensure she knows this isn't one of those situations where Dad forgets all about his first family now that he's got a new one. I would hope she'd know better than that by now, although who's to say?”
“I want to be happy about this,” she frowns, her eyes searching mine. “I genuinely do.”
“Then be happy,” I tell her with a smile. “You deserve it. We deserve it. We're going to have a baby, and if you doubt at all the type of mother you'll be, stop right now. I already know you’ll be amazing.”
“I’m not worried about that. I was worried you’d be unhappy. That you wouldn’t want me anymore.” The relief in her laughter makes me hate Amanda all the more. Is there any low that women won't stoop to?
“I could never not want you. You’re the air I need to fucking breathe, Bianca. If anything, that baby growing inside you makes me ten times more possessive of what I already know is mine.”
“Wow, slow it down, caveman. I don’t need you tossing me over your shoulder and carrying me back to your cave.” She laughs, and that seems to ease the tension.
“Oh, you know damn well what I’m capable of, my little bird.” I smile, “Now I have some questions. When are you due? And when is your next doctor's appointment?”
“The appointment is in a couple of weeks,” she peers up at me. “The problem is, I'm not sure exactly when I ovulated, so I guess they'll be able to tell us the due date when we have the ultrasound. I’ve taken my pills religiously, except they must have failed at some point. I haven’t had a period in a while.”
“Is this also why you thought I'd be upset?”
“Well, yeah. Here you are, thinking I'm on the pill, and somehow I end up pregnant. That’s pretty suspicious, if you ask me.”
It would be, if I didn’t have a part in it. Guilt eats away at my black heart. She thinks this is all on her, unaware of the switch I pulled with her pills. “These things happen.” I ignore the nasty feeling growing in my gut and press a kiss to her forehead. “I'm not unhappy. I'm thrilled. This is a fresh start, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.”
It's almost reverent, the way I drop a hand to her stomach, cradling her smooth belly. My child is growing inside her. Our child. Shit. I’m going to be a dad all over again. The final piece in my plan to keep her beside me is in place. “I swear I'll do right by you both. Tatum, too. There's more than enough room for everyone—not to mention anyone who comes after this, and believe me, I plan to make sure you’re pregnant over and over again.”
Ultimately, she laughs, swatting at my hand. “Slow down, one thing at a time. I just had my first bout of morning sickness today. Let me adjust.”
I lean in to kiss her forehead again, then her salty, tear-stained cheeks. “I love you. Don't ever doubt that, and never let anyone tell you otherwise.”
“I love you, too,” she smiles through her tears. “I’m so emotional.”
“That’s to be expected.” I stand, extending my hands for her to join me. “Come on, you look exhausted and need to rest.”
“I don't need to rest,” she shoots back.