Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Or maybe he can already smell something different about me.
I COULD.
Mila replies, I just think you’ll go crazy if you don’t get this out of your system.
I know she’s right, but this news is so big.
Loki barks as if telling me to stop overthinking.
“Fine then,” I say, wagging my finger at him, getting an adorable tail wag in response. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
Sorry to text you at work. But I just did a test…a special kind of test. And it was positive.
I don’t expect a reply straight away, but my phone buzzes almost instantly. Are you saying you’re pregnant, Brooke? PLEASE tell me that’s what you’re saying.
My smile spreads widely, making my cheeks glow.
And there’s no darkness tinging our happiness now, nothing threatening to ruin it. There’s no guilt.
Dad has supported us every step of the way, and Sonya’s doubts faded when she saw how serious we were.
It is, I reply. I’m pregnant.
I’m coming home now, he sends.
What about the meeting?
The meeting can go to hell.
I bite my lip. But won’t you get in trouble?
Get in trouble? Not to sound arrogant, my beautifully messy-haired wife-to-be, but I’ve got dozens of companies requesting my services every week. They can wait. YOU can’t. I’m coming home.
I love you so much, I type. Please get here fast. I think the pregnancy hormones might be kicking in already.
Nothing could stop me, he replies. You’re going to make an amazing mom, Brooke. The best.
You’re going to be the best dad.
I clasp the phone to my chest, looking down at Loki, a smile on my face.
He barks happily.
“Yeah, you were right. Sending the text was a good idea.”
EPILOGUE
ONE YEAR LATER
Banner
I sit with Harlow in my arms, rocking her gently, her lighted mobile spinning and sending stars around the room.
It’s peaceful this late at night. Harlow is finally going back to sleep, her eyes close peacefully.
It’s easy to sit here, in the silence of the suburbs at nighttime, and think about this past year.
Mine and Brooke’s wedding, how beautiful she looked walking down the aisle, her hair styled by her stepsister, Mila, and looking sublime even if I’d mess it up later. Lifting her veil, kissing her gently, knowing I had to be careful or I’d kiss her harder, claim her like I did in the grove.
I think about Brooke studying her course books.
The shelter has partially agreed to sponsor her degree, allowing her to continue her work there and incorporate her assignments into her day-to-day activities.
As Loki walks in, curling up at my feet, I think about the dog walks, the breakfasts, the double dates with Sonya and Gil – a little awkward at first, now feeling natural – and the rest of it. The life we’ve shared and are sharing each and every day.
From the side table, my phone lights up.
I’ve got it on silent, and the vibrate is turned off – plus the brightness is at its lowest setting – so I don’t wake Harlow.
But I take it in here with me because my wife is overflowing with love. She has so much of it to give, always thinking about our daughter.
I’m getting suspicious. I don’t hear any crying.
I grin. Texting always brings me back to the island, when it was the only way we could communicate…or should have, since we kept messing up our agreement over and over.
But can I call it messing up if it led us here?
No, not even a bit.
She’s sleeping so peacefully. I think I’ve got the magic touch.
I wouldn’t argue with that, she replies. She feels so safe in your arms. We all feel safer with you around. Me, Harlow, Loki. All of us. And Harlow’s brothers and sisters will too.
I blink, sure I feel tears rising to my eyes.
There’s so much emotion in this house, so much good. It’s like an invisible rope connecting us all; the connection never fades.
I’ll always keep you safe, I tell her. I’ll never let anything happen to any of you.
I remember when you saved me that day on the island. I felt like I was flying when you dragged me from the water.
We’re flying now, I reply. And we’re not going to stop. I love you.
I love you too. So much.
I smile, then stand and carefully carry Harlow to her crib.
EPILOGUE
TEN YEARS LATER
Brooke
I stand at the kitchen counter, smiling like I do every Sunday morning. Harlow and Jeneva are laughing from the living room, Harlow doing one of her funny voices, entertaining her little sister.
Jamie and Seb are already playing in the yard.
I look across our open-plan house at Harlow walking up and down, dramatically tossing her hair as she switches between several different characters.
Jeneva sits cross-legged, with a big four-year-old smile on her face, staring adoringly at her older sister.
Jamie and Seb are building some kind of fort out of cardboard packing, Jamie standing like his father, a serious eight-year-old furrow to his eyebrow as he waves a hand at Seb.