Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
I turn my attention fully to Beth. Age had done nothing to tamper with her beauty and grace. And she looks even more at peace, especially since finding her soulmate.
“If you hadn’t convinced me to stay,” I say to Beth, shaking my head slowly. “If I’d quit that day...I don’t know what would have become of me. Thank you for being the best sister. Thank you for always having my back. “
“No, Abby. Thank you for being my baby sister,” Beth says, looping an arm affectionately around my shoulder. “I may not say it much, but you have a beautiful soul and have influenced me in so many ways. You spread happiness to those around you. It’s amazing. I’ll always be glad to have you in my life, Sissy.”
My chest swells at Beth’s words, and I turn in her arms for a quick hug, unable to utter a word.
Beth’s arms tighten affectionately around me. “I see your husband and son coming this way,” she says with an amused chuckle.
I turn around and watch two of the most important people in my life walk toward me, laughing hard at some joke. I realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by so much love for the millionth time. Life can’t seem to get any better, but every day is filled with amazing surprises.
“Hey, Mom,” Chase says when they walk into the kitchen where Beth and I stand together. “Hello, Aunt Beth.”
“Hey, son,” I reply, ruffling his hair. He doesn’t like it when I do that, but I do it anyway. This time he just rolls his eyes at me, and I laugh. “I see you had a good time with your dad.”
Chase nods and takes Beth’s extended hand. Beth pulls him closer and throws her arm affectionately around his neck. Those two have a special bond that surprises everyone. Chase has had a special fondness for his aunt since he was a baby. They don’t need words with each other. Even as a baby, he would immediately stop crying once she held him and would spend hours at her and Mom’s place.
Carlos pulls my hand until my breasts are pressed tightly against his chest. I laugh softly and stand on my toes to press a kiss to his lips. “Hey, hubby.”
Carlos wraps his arms around my lower waist, his smoldering black eyes gazing into mine with a million emotions. “I’m thirsty,” Carlos says, a teasing smirk playing on the sexy curve of his lips.
“Mom prepared a fresh pitcher of lemonade,” I reply swiftly. “I can get you....”
“Oh, not that,” Carlos says with a slight chuckle. “I meant...I’m thirsty for you.”
He leans forward to capture my lips in a deep yet teasing kiss that makes my blood rush to my head in a dizzying wave.
“Eww,” Chase says.
Then Beth joins in with, “Get a room, guys.”
Beth places a palm over Chase’s eyes and shakes her head reproachfully at us. “Let’s go, Chase,” she says, leading him further inside the house with a smirk on her face.
“They do that all the time,” Chase says in a bored tone.
Beth says something that I can’t make out as they disappear into the house, but the sounds of their mingled laughter reach us. I turn a mock glare at my husband. “That was your fault. Our son isn’t even surprised anymore.”
“I can’t help it if my wife is too beautiful,” Carlos says with an unrepentant smile. “How about we oblige Beth and... get a room?”
“No, Carlos,” I laugh. “Dinner is ready, and Mom is waiting for us at the table. You know how much my mom loves having us around. She prepared a feast. She would be disappointed if we didn’t come to dinner.”
“But it’s you I want for dinner,” Carlos says with a petulant groan.
“Later, baby,” I reply with an amused chuckle. “First some dinner, and then some more dinner...” I stress the second dinner, so he gets the implication of my words.
Carlo’s expression perks up happily. “I like the sound of that,” he says, placing a quick peck on my forehead. “I love you, Abby.”
“I love you too, Carlos,” I reply, smiling up into his eyes. “Now and forever.”
“Now and forever,” Carlos repeats, intertwining his fingers with mine.
Together we turn to join the others...Our family.
TWO YEARS LATER
Carlos
I never imagined life with a family could be so fulfilling. Now that all the bad days are behind me, I have the rest of my life to love my family and watch the children grow into young men and women.
Abby has blessed our family with one more child, another son, who is now six months old. This old man will never get tired of cuddling and rocking his children. I just wish they could stay small forever, but that isn’t the case.
Chase is now into all the sports that his elementary school offers. The twins go to daycare to give Abby a break every once in a while.