Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 44963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“I take it you’re happy?” I say, smiling wider.
He leans down for a kiss. “Happy doesn’t even come close!”
EPILOGUE
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Luke
“You’re going to have such an amazing life,” I whisper, lying in bed with my cheek resting against Violet’s bump, feeling the heat of her skin, the warmth of our child pressing through her pregnant belly. “My wife is the best, most loving woman in the world, so don’t worry, you’re safe in there.”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing that,” Violet says softly, her hand moving through my hair.
“I’ll never get tired of saying it, wife.”
She laughs gently. I smile, feeling my cheek change shape against the bump.
These months have been the greatest of my life—watching Violet excel in college, driving her to the medical appointments for the pregnancy, standing beneath the aisle, and staring down at her, happiness flowing between us. It’s the same every time we look at each other, the influx of joy, of belonging, of knowing we made the right choice.
Andrew and I are getting close again, too. Once he saw I was serious about my dedication to his daughter, it’s like he opened himself up to the friendship.
Reginald is in prison for several sickening acts. He will be there for a long time. He should consider himself lucky.
“Wife, wife, wife,” I say, kissing the bump after each word, then looking up at her.
She’s propped up in bed, wearing her lacy PJ shirt that enhances her curves, her regular ones and the new ones brought on by pregnancy. She’s getting more beautiful every single day, which always makes her laugh when I say it, but it’s the truth. The curvier, the fuller, the better.
She smiles cutely. “Husband, husband, husband…”
It’s like our little one gets jealous. A kick against my cheek, movement in her bump. Violet gasps and sits up even more. I leap off the bed, excitement making my movements jerky, my heart pounding as I kneel next to her and cradle the bump.
“Did I imagine that?” I say frantically.
“I don’t think so,” she replies, voice giddy. “Oh, Luke, it’s happening again.”
“I can feel it.”
Cradling the bump, I feel our child kicking, like the first time it’s happened.
I’m smiling wider than I ever thought possible before I met Violet, before I stalked through the garden and stood over her dad’s bed, before fate threw us together.
“Eager to meet us, eh?” I whisper, kissing her bump, feeling the kicks against my lips. “Not long now. Just you wait. We’re going to give you the life you deserve.”
I lean forward, bringing my lips to my wife’s face, kissing the happy tears from her cheeks.
EPILOGUE
TEN MONTHS LATER
Violet
“How do I look?” Luke asks, standing in front of the hallway mirror in a sleek silver suit that matches the shade of his hair.
I cradle Brody to my chest, rocking him softly as I walk over to my husband and lay a kiss on his cheek. He grins at me in the mirror, looking like a different man than the hit man he was. There’s still that savage glint in his eyes, that readiness to take care of his family, but there’s so much light in him now, in his carefree smiles and the playful voice he uses when baby-talking to Brody.
Reaching up, I adjust his tie.
“Like a professional,” I tell him.
“This meeting stuff takes some getting used to,” he smiles, “but it’s worth it to build a life for you and the little man.”
He leans down, softly stroking his hand across Brody’s face. “Who would’ve believed it, huh? Me heading up a protection business. Your daddy’s doing things the right way.”
Brody makes baby noises, elation in each one, how he always sounds when his dad gives him attention. Which is a lot.
Caring for a baby is difficult, especially with college to contend with, but Luke is ready to help, waking in the night when exhaustion is dragging me to bed.
Luke steps back, brushing his jacket down. “You look so beautiful, Violet.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t stop the compliment from rushing around me. I’m wearing baggy sweatpants and an old hoodie, my hair a mess since I was up early with Brody, but Luke still looks at me like he’s never seen anybody more perfect.
“Don’t you roll your eyes at me.” He grins, enveloping me tenderly in his embrace, wrapping Brody in warmth between us. “It’s the truth. You get more beautiful every day.”
“Careful,” I tease. “You might not want to get too close. I don’t smell beautiful.”
He laughs, leaning down and taking a big inhale. “I love the smell. You smell like motherhood. Like love. Like the commitment we made.”
I giggle, playfully shoving him away. “Is that code for gross?”
“I mean it,” he says, his voice intense as he stares down at me. “Everything makes me grateful. Your smell. Your smile. The cute sound Brody makes when I bob him on my knee. Everything reminds me how lucky I am.”