Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“I’m calling the police,” Morris shouts as we turn away.
“You do that,” I call over my shoulder. I rattle off my address. “Send them over. I’ll be happy to talk to them.”
“You’re not even a man.” Morris tries one more time to needle me.
Maybe I’d care more if an insult like that came from Nat, but she’s snugged up against my body, her face shining with happiness, and so Morris’ diatribe rolls off my back like water off an otter’s fur.
“You’re my man,” she says as we walk toward my car. “And I mean that in every sense of the word because I’m going to quit, which means I need someone to support me.”
“I’m your man,” I affirm. “My life’s goal is to take care of you, and I’m glad you’re going to allow me to do it.”
“It’s not easy for me to let go,” she admits.
“It never is, but I’m here to catch you. Always and forever.”
Epilogue
NATALIE
Ican’t help the pride I feel typing the words ‘The end’ on the final page. It’s about more than finishing my first book. It’s about choosing what I want and leading the life I have always wanted but was too scared to go after or let myself dream about.
If you let the fears control you, you’ll never find what your heart wants and needs. My husband not only taught me that, but he showed me too. I couldn’t have done any of this without his love and support.
The day I quit the firm, I started living for me and my own choices, Dylan by my side every step of the way. Those first steps might have been straight to the courthouse. Not to deal with Morris; the trash ended up taking itself out when he’d partied too hard a few days later. No, we’d gone to say I do. Everything with Dylan and me was quick, and neither of us wanted to slow down. I used to read love stories about love at first sight, but I thought it was all just in romance books. Until I met Dylan, and that little phrase when you know, you know rang true almost instantly.
“Babe,” Dylan calls out. I hear his steps quickly coming down the hallway. I close my laptop.
“I finished,” I tell him when he enters the home office he made for me. It was a surprise I had gotten when we returned from our honeymoon. Two of the walls are covered in white, custom bookshelves from floor to ceiling.
All the books that I once had stored away in my tiny apartment are now on full display, but one of the things I love most about the room is the reading nook in the bay window. It's big enough for us both to stretch out on. Me on one side, and Dylan on the other. I’ll read, sometimes out loud for us both while he knits away.
“I knew you would.” He comes over to me, pressing a kiss to my lips. “Does that mean I can read it now?”
"I was considering reading it aloud to you."
“Our next read.”
“Yes, and then I could make small changes if need be, or you could help me talk through something if it’s snagging me up.”
“Sounds perfect.” He kisses me again. “You got a delivery.” Dylan holds up the box in his hands.
“I have a delivery?” I laugh. “You’re the one with a shopping addiction.”
“We need all those things I ordered,” he says defensively, making me laugh because he one hundred percent believes it.
Dyan has gone overboard with the nursery and the things a person needs to have a baby. It's actually really adorable. We’ve been so excited for this new Chapter in our lives. I'm only four months along, and this house is so baby-proofed I can't even get into some of the cabinets around here. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. I know without a doubt that Dylan is going to make the best dad.
I take the box from him and see the return address. Now I know why he brought the box to me. It’s from my mom. To say that she was upset about me quitting being a lawyer is an understatement.
She didn’t talk to me for almost a month. I’d been more torn up about it than I thought I would be. Hell, my mom and I could go months without speaking before when she was mad at me. Maybe it was seeing Dylan with his own mom. To see what could be. How a mother is supposed to support their child and encourage them to do what makes them happy. My sadness turned to anger, and then when I found out I was pregnant, it started morphing into indifference.
Dylan asked if I wanted to give it one more shot. This time, however, I didn’t call. I showed up. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I didn't anticipate her breaking down in tears. We made up for the most part, but it’s a slow build. I’m changing, and so is she. But no matter the outcome, I still have Dylan’s mom, who is going to be an all-star grandma.