Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“He thought releasing those photos would hurt me, but I don’t care what people say.”
“Have you looked recently?”
I shake my head. “If I’m not at work, I’m with Maddie. To call it an addiction would be an understatement.”
“Since you announced your engagement, there’s been the usual crap. It’s the internet. Everybody has an opinion, but most people are happy for you. They can tell how in love you are. There are memes, side-by-side shots of you before you met Maddie, and you after…”
“At least nothing is standing in our way now. That’s all I care about.”
Leaving Brad, I drive home. It used to be a slightly disheartening affair, returning to the empty apartment, wishing I was back at work instead, but now it’s a struggle not to speed.
In the apartment, Maddie left a note for me on the board. The noticeboard is just one of her additions. She’s added rugs, a lamp, and a bookcase—warm touches that make it feel like a home instead of a big, empty space.
Could you read the draft article when you get home? It’s on my laptop in the living room. Love you x
Curious, I walk across the open floor plan and find her laptop resting on the desk. I wonder where she is. Sitting, I lean over to the laptop.
My cheeks instantly start aching from smiling so widely. My heart thunders with the joy of the news. My world, piece by piece, is fitting into place.
The headline reads, Breaking News! Maddie is P-R-E-G-N-A-N-T! I scan the short “article.”
That’s right, readers. Madison Lewis—soon to be Madison Jennings—is pregnant with her first child. Her dreams are coming true, and if Jacob Jennings goes into the bedroom right now, his dreams might come true too…
I run through the apartment. Maddie is waiting for me on the bed in a silk nightgown that has the heat rising in my body.
“I love you,” I whisper, climbing atop her.
“I love you, too.”
We kiss, the future contained within it, the hope and the joy calling to us.
EPILOGUE
FOUR MONTHS LATER
Madison
“I’ve never seen Jacob like this,” Henry says to me.
It’s been wonderful, bonding with Jacob’s dad since he came back for the wedding. I thought about contacting my dad again, but I decided against it. He’s not interested and, anyway, I’ve found a new family with Jacob’s parents.
We’re sitting on the back porch of our new house. Jacob bought it soon after I revealed I was pregnant. He was so happy when he showed it to me, a big smile on his face that would’ve seemed like it was painted on and entirely make-believe before we fell in love.
Jacob, Mom, and Lena, Jacob’s mom, are at the store grabbing some food for a little party we’re having tomorrow at lunchtime. Since the morning sickness chose the end of the day to hit me—typical—Henry offered to stay behind.
It’s two days before the wedding. I rest my hand on my belly, smiling across at Henry. He’s fit for an old man—not as tall as Jacob, but still tall and muscular.
“Good genes,” Mom joked when we all met, about a week ago. “Your sons are going to be massive, Maddie.”
We all laughed, and we’ve got on well ever since.
“I mean it,” Henry says, taking a sip of his soda as the sun sets over the garden, a warm summer glow. “He wasn’t a sad child, by any means, but I’ve always sensed…”
“What?” I say, eagerly, but then I realize Henry is getting choked up.
I reach over and gently touch his hand. “It’s okay.”
He coughs away the emotion. “He was always a little withdrawn. I said once that it was like there was a piece of him missing. I was drunk, and I regretted it immediately. He’s a driven, determined, impressive person. He has been since he was a small boy, but laughter and love and joy… it seemed these things were not in the cards for him.”
Henry smiles away his discomfort. “I told myself and Lena that it didn’t matter. He’s built a business based on ethics. He was and is a force for good in the world, but I always wondered if he had it in him to be happy, to find love…”
“He’s the most loving person I know,” I whisper, getting choked up, too.
“Because of you, Madison,” Henry says. “Never forget that.”
I almost jump when there’s a knock on the glass. Turning, I find Jacob smiling at me, holding up pizza boxes. It seems they grabbed more than party supplies while they were out.
“What were you two talking about?” Jacob asks warmly as he leans in for a kiss.
“Oh, just gossiping about how I melted all that ice around your cold heart, that’s all.”
I mean it for it to come out as a lighthearted joke, but Jacob nods seriously. “It’s true. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I’m so glad you and Dad are getting along.”