Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
We both startle when Forrest tosses his head back in laughter. Not just ha-ha laughter. No, this is “shoulders shaking, gasping for air, can’t stop it” kind of laughter. Emerson scowls at her brother, and I bite down on my cheek to keep from snickering. Not because what she said was in any way funny. Well, okay, it was kind of funny. She’s not an obligation to Roman. She’s his queen, and now that they don’t have to hide, he’s living his best life. I know she knows that. These pregnancy hormones must be getting to her.
“Are you done?” Emerson asks, folding her arms over her chest.
“Emerson Bailey.” Forrest shakes his head. “You’re his wife. He doesn’t feel obligated to take care of you. That’s who he is. We didn’t see that growing up. We didn’t have a good view of what a marriage should be, but you lean on one another. You can’t tell me if Rome was sick, you wouldn’t be fussing over him.”
“I’m not sick, Forty. I’m pregnant.”
“And doing all the work.” Roman joins the conversation. He hands Forrest and me a bottle of water each before kneeling in front of where Emerson sits on the couch. “You’re doing it all, baby girl.” He moves the bowl of fruit from her lap and places it on the end table, then settles his hand over her still-flat belly. “You’re growing and protecting our son or daughter. I want to do everything I can to make life easier for you. I don’t feel obligated to do it. I want to do it. We’re a team, Em. You and me for the rest of forever.” He leans in and kisses her softly.
“Told you,” Forrest says.
I kid you not, the man-child sticks his tongue out at his little sister, which makes her laugh, just as I’m sure he intended.
“Go off and do manly things. We need girl time.” I wave my hand in the air at them.
“She’s been my wife less than twenty-four hours and you want me to leave her?” Roman asks incredulously.
“Just to the kitchen or the backyard, big guy. Your wife needs to tell me all about her wedding night.” I wag my eyebrows, and Roman gives me a saucy grin.
“Nope. No. Just no.” Forrest stands, grabs his bottle of water, and stalks off toward the kitchen. He’s mumbling about his ears bleeding, which makes us all laugh.
“You good, baby girl?” Roman asks.
“I’m good. I’m… overly emotional. I’m sorry.”
“No apologies for feeling how you feel. Just remember to be open and honest with me so I can put your fears at ease.” He stands, leans over, and captures her lips in a kiss before trailing toward the kitchen after Forrest.
“You good?” I ask her.
“Yeah.” She smiles and waves me off. “These hormone swings are no joke, and I’m living this life, the one I’ve always dreamed of, with the man who I dreamed of having beside me, and this morning, when you and Forrest got here, it kind of hit me. I don’t think yesterday quite set in for me until that moment. I got my happily ever after, Monroe.”
Her smile lights up her face, and in turn, so does my own. Reaching over, I pull her into a hug and hold her tightly. “You deserve all the happiness in the world, Emerson. You fought for what you wanted, you never gave up, and here you are. Starting your own family with your husband.”
“My husband.” She stares down at her engagement ring that’s now accompanied by a diamond wedding band. “It’s all felt like a dream until the moment you and my brother stepped through the door. I don’t know why, but it all hit me at once.”
“How was the wedding night? And no, I don’t want specifics because that’s special between the two of you, but really, how was the wedding night?” I ask again, making us both laugh.
“Magical. Roman is… my husband. Gah, will I ever tire of saying that?”
“I hope not,” Roman says, walking back into the room, reaching over the back of the couch, and rubbing her shoulders. “How do you feel about inviting the rest of the guys over to help us take care of some of this food? Maybe later for dinner?”
“That’s a perfect idea.” Emerson tilts her head back to look at her husband.
“Love you, baby girl,” he says, kissing her nose before removing his hands from her shoulders and heading back toward the kitchen.
“I have to show you what we picked out for the nursery. With all the wedding planning, I keep forgetting to show you.”
“Do you know which room you’re going to use for the nursery?” I ask.
“We decided to use the one right across the hall from ours.”
“And when can we go shopping?” I ask. “Aunt Monroe has some gifts to buy.”