Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60750 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“I’ve never taken one of these before,” she confides, talking into my back, her voice shaky. “I’ve always been on the shot, since I had terrible cramps. But with all the craziness with Geesha and everything, birth control was the last thing on my mind. I hope you’re not mad.” Her voice breaks, and I turn, taking her in my arms.
“Mad? Alyssa, are you kidding?” I cover the top of her head with small kisses as I hold her in my arms. “How could I be mad? How could any of us?”
“I fucked up,” she says.
“No, you did the best you could in the situation we were all in,” I tell her, tipping her face up to look in her beautiful amber eyes. They’re glassy with unshed tears. “Baby,” I say, not sure if I mean the possible pregnancy or a new nickname for her, but suddenly it feels so right. “My baby.” I don’t know why I searched so long for something to call her when the simplest solution is the right one. “My baby,” I repeat, voice low and crackly.
She lets out a little sob and wraps her arms around me tightly.
“Should we check the test? Is it ready yet?” I’ve never seen one of these things in person either.
Her voice is muffled against my chest now. “You look. I’m too scared!”
I pry the test out of her hand. It’s upside down. “Okay,” I say. Even before I turn it over, I guess what it’s going to say, and my heart does a little leap in my chest. A baby would be the perfect addition to our little family, and certainly would not be wanting for love.
I’ve never been so happy to see two blue lines in my life. I feel a tear snake its way down my cheek. “Alyssa, baby,” I say.
“Yes, my love,” she answers.
“Baby makes uh… five,” I tell her. All I want to do is lift her up, swing her around, run outside holding hands and shout it to the world, but making her throw up all over the place is probably not the best idea I’ve ever had.
“Really?” she says.
“Most definitely,” I answer, holding the test up so she can see. Her breath hitches.
“I’m so glad you are with me right now,” she says, her breath coming smoother. “And you’re happy?”
“Never been happier,” I say, knowing it’s true. “Do you want to tell the others?”
She nods, grabs my hand, tightening her little fingers over my rough hand. Little fingers that I’ve so many times seen grip the microphone, touch all of us so fiercely and tenderly, and pen amazing lyrics. We walk to the door, sharing a little look of excitement before she swings it open.
“Guys,” she calls, “I have something to tell you.” Her voice is stronger now; hopeful.
Rhys and Van are just waking up. Rhys sits up and rubs his eyes. “What is it, darling? Everything all right?”
“More than all right,” I answer.
“Princess,” mumbles Van. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure how to say this so I’m just going to come right out with it. I’m pregnant,” she announces. Instantly electrified, the boys jump out of bed and surround her, looking like nothing more than golden retriever puppies, full of kisses and excitement.
“Careful, she’s not feeling too well,” I warn them, wanting to shelter her from their enthusiasm, but her face is bright and clear, and she’s laughing now too. “We have to be way more careful with her.”
She shoots me a smile. “Don’t worry. I’m okay. So I guess that means you’re not angry,” she says, as they gingerly wrap their arms around her, protecting her from their full enthusiasm, just like I do. She is our queen, after all. The love of our lives.
Rhys softly kisses her cheek. “Are you serious? Darling, that’s brilliant. It’s the best news I’ve heard all year. All my life, when I think about it.”
“I’m a little dazed, but I’m delighted.” Van’s smile is practically ear to ear. “You’re certain?”
“According to the pregnancy test, and they’re”—I check the box—“99 percent accurate.”
“I think we should name the baby Rhys the Third,” Rhys interrupts, gesturing into the air. “My dad was Rhys the first.”
Van fixes him with a stare, complete with crooked eyebrow. “Oh you think so, do you…”
“Does that mean we should have been calling you Junior this whole time?” I ask, and Rhys sends me a dirty look.