Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30011 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 150(@200wpm)___ 120(@250wpm)___ 100(@300wpm)
Life with Griffin has been amazing. He supports and encourages me in ways I never expected anybody to. The idea of me succeeding makes him deliriously happy, and he continues to push me in the direction I want to go. Right now, I’m interning with a very well-renowned doctor of sports medicine. I’m learning so much from him and, more importantly, making connections.
I’m not sure what my end goal is yet—to open my own clinic or perhaps catch on with a professional team in need of a physical therapist. I haven’t decided yet which way I want to go. The only thing I do know is that no matter which path I choose, Griffin is going to be by my side, cheering me on. And that makes me happier more than anything.
“Grace?”
It takes me a minute to realize the reporter who’s been interviewing Griffin is calling me. I give myself a little shake, then turn to see her waving me over to the interview stage that’s been set up near the ring in his center. A wicked little smile touches my lips. I spoke with the reporter, Samantha, a week ago about setting up this little surprise for him. She thought it would be a fantastic idea and signed off on it almost immediately.
He looks at me curiously as I walk over and stand beside him. Resting my hands on his shoulder, I turn back to Samantha and give her a little wink. She’s the longtime host of a national morning show and is very well respected. She turns to her cameramen and tells them to start rolling again. All the while, Griffin is looking from me to her and then back again as he tries to figure out what we’re up to.
“So, Griffin, your lovely wife and I have been talking,” Samantha starts.
“Have you now?” he asks.
Samantha grins. “We have. And we thought this might be a fun way to surprise you with a little news your wife has.”
“And what news is that?” he asks.
“Grace, take it away,” Samantha says.
I turn and look him in the eye. Even after all these years, that silver-blue gaze still manages to put a quiver through my heart and butterflies in my belly. He’s a beautiful man. And he’s all I’ve ever wanted and quite a few things I never knew I did.
“Well,” I begin, “I just want to say these last three years with you have been mind-blowingly amazing. I couldn’t have hoped for a better husband than you. You really are more than I ever expected or hoped to have in my life.”
“Why does it sound like you’re about to serve me with divorce papers?”
Samantha and I laugh, giving each other knowing smiles. Griffin looks more confused than ever, which is good.
“I’m not serving you with divorce papers,” I say.
“Then what is it?”
I pull the sheet of paper out of my pocket and hand it to him. Griffin quickly unfolds it and looks disbelievingly down at the page. I can see all the pieces start falling together in his mind. He looks up at me, his eyes shimmering with tears and a shaky smile crossing his lips.
“Really?” he asks.
“Really,” I say. “We’re going to have a baby.”
The crew all applaud as Griffin scoops me up and spins me around, both of us laughing together. There was never a point in my life when I thought I’d be this happy. And as a little girl, back when I thought about marriage and tried to dream up my perfect husband, I realize now, nothing I came up with back then could have come close to matching the incredible man I married.
My heart is full, as is my soul. I never thought I could feel such joy in life or be with such an amazing partner. Now that I have him and this beautiful life we’re building together, I’m going to hang on as tight as I possibly can, and I’m never going to let go.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
GRIFFIN
Six Years Later
“Oh my God, this is crazy,” Grace says.
“Welcome to Vegas,” I reply and give her a quick kiss.
Stepping back but still holding onto her hands, I look her up and down. Dressed in a form-fitting black silk dress that shows off the curve of her hips and the swell of her breasts, she looks absolutely ethereal. A blood-red wrap and black heels complete her outfit, and the slit up the thigh of her gown shows me her black stockings, and I suddenly can’t wait to get her back to the hotel room tonight. I love it when she wears lingerie.
“You look absolutely stunning,” I say.
She straightens the lapels on my black jacket and smooths out the sleeves. “As do you, my love,” she says. “Face it, we are one sexy couple.”
“Yes, we are.”
Taking her hand, I lead her through the curtain then down the red carpet. We stop and let the paparazzi do their thing. They clamor to get their shots, blinding us with ten thousand flashes. Grace is a natural with the press. She’s funny, witty, charming, and, of course, very camera-friendly. It’s like she was born on the red carpet, but it’s something I’m still not comfortable with. I’m not the star of this story.