Total pages in book: 151
Estimated words: 139803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 699(@200wpm)___ 559(@250wpm)___ 466(@300wpm)
I shrugged. “So, we hyphenate our last names, Julian,” I told him. His eyes widened in surprise. “I’ve thought about this a lot, wondering how we would make this work with her long term. Your first name will be on that piece of paper with hers, but both of our last names will be on there, which she will then take as her own. And she can wear a ring from both of us. Though your first name is on the paper with hers, she’ll still get to feel that she’s married to us both and not just you.”
He grinned at me. “You’re a fucking genius, Axel.”
I laughed and turned to walk out of the kitchen to go cuddle with our woman. “Nah, not a genius, Julian. I just don’t get my head knocked around inside my football helmet anymore.”
“Dick,” he called after me, but he was laughing.
43
Meghan leaned up on her tiptoes to cup my face in her hands. Julian was leaning back against the car with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his leather jacket, his feet crossed at the ankles as he watched her from behind his shades.
I kept my gaze focused on her, so fucking proud of her for being so open about how she felt about both of us, not giving a fuck about what other people thought, nor how the other visitors walking past us openly stared at her.
“Julian will be with me.” She pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. I smiled down at her and lightly pushed my hand under her hoodie and shirt, letting my thumb caress the soft skin of her belly, which was now truly a pregnancy bump. “Your sister needs to see you, Axel.”
Julian was taking her to visit his mom and dad while we were all in town. I wanted to be with her for support since I knew how anxious she could get while meeting new people, but I knew my sister needed me, too.
Meghan was being so fucking brave for me, and I loved her for it.
“You’re fucking courageous, sweet girl,” I told her honestly. I tucked her dark hair behind her ear. “So fucking proud of you.”
She beamed up at me, and the excitement on her face made my heart swell with so much love for her that it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. “I’ll be brave as long as you promise to see your sister and be there for her today as long as Dr. Gresham allows you to.” I brushed my thumb over her cheek. “Do not leave just because you’re worried about me. Julian can take care of me.”
I sighed. “I know he can, sweet girl, but doesn’t mean I won’t worry about you regardless.” I pressed my lips to her forehead for a moment before I pulled back to let my eyes meet her beautiful green ones again. “But I’ll stay.” I glared at Julian over her shoulder. “Fucking take care of her.”
Julian slid his shades down to arch an eyebrow at me. “Questioning my abilities, Axel?”
I rolled my eyes at him. “This is the first time I’m not going to be here for something this huge for her. It’s not easy for me, Julian.”
He sighed and pushed his shades to the top of his head. “I know, Axel, but she’s going to be fine. If she gets overwhelmed, she and I will be leaving. I know her boundaries.”
I blew out a harsh breath before I cupped Meghan’s face in my hands and settled my lips over hers. She moaned and stepped closer to me, her hands twisting in my hoodie to pull me closer.
“Be strong for me, and I promise I will take care of every need you have,” I promised her.
She blushed but nodded, her green eyes darkening to that beautiful, cool moss color. I gently pushed her back into Julian’s arms, and he wound his arms around her waist, splaying his hands protectively over her belly. I winked at her as I sent her an easy smile. “Be his goddess while I’m gone, sweet girl.”
Julian pressed his lips to her temple. I turned on my heel and strode away towards the building in front of me.
“Axel!” Meghan called, making me turn to look at her. “I love you.”
I grinned, my soul melting for her. “I love you, too, sweet girl.”
* * *
✶ ✶ ✶
* * *
Meghan
* * *
“Julian, I’m scared.” I clutched his hand tightly in my own.
He turned to face me and reached up to cup the side of my neck, using his thumb to tilt my head back to look at him. “Don’t be nervous or scared, baby girl. My parents are excited to meet you. It’s just them. I told them not to invite anyone else.”