Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he held her hand and guided her down the aisle. Since their wedding had been announced, he had people ask him if it irritated him the patience he had to show.
There was no patience when it came to Belle. Helping her down streets and in houses she’d never been wasn’t a chore to him or an inconvenience, it was a gift. It was his chance to show her that he loved her. That he had no intention of letting her go, nor would he let anyone else take his place.
“Diego, there’s no way I’d ever regret this. I love you, and I know you love me. How could that possibly be a bad thing?”
“Come on, lovebirds, let’s get this show on the road.”
“Your not-friend made it as your best man.”
“I know, we’ve got to set him up with someone to get him off my back.”
Belle giggled. “Maybe we should get him with Charlotte?”
“Now that would be interesting.” He took Belle’s hand, leading her outside to where a photographer stood waiting patiently. Not that anyone in their right mind would ever complain about waiting around for The Boss.
He didn’t let Belle go. Every single picture he stood by her side, holding her, protecting her, loving her, knowing in his heart and mind, he couldn’t ever let her go. He loved her. She had given him a second chance, and he wasn’t ever going to let that go, not for a second.
Epilogue One
Eight months later
“She’s so beautiful,” Diego said.
He stared down at his daughter and his wife as she held their child. For the past eight months, he’d been waiting for this moment. She had gone through nearly three hours of labor at this point. Hearing her scream would forever be embedded in his mind. He hated the pain she had gone through as she refused to have any medication of any kind. He’d held her hands through the pain, marveling at her strength. He’d watched her bring their baby girl into the world.
Some men in his world would be disappointed she didn’t have a boy, but he didn’t care. His daughter was beautiful, just like her mother, and he knew he was the happiest man in the world.
“We did it, Diego. Do you want to hold her?” Belle asked.
“I can hold her?”
She chuckled. “You’re her daddy. Of course you can hold her.”
He stood by his wife’s side, staring down at that tiny bundle, and he didn’t think he could hold something so precious. Yet, as he leaned forward to help his wife, he took his little girl and held her.
Placing a hand gently on the blanket she’d been wrapped up in, he felt tears fill his eyes. He’d never been a man to cry.
“Oh, Belle, she is so beautiful.”
“Look what we did. You and I.” He took her hand, squeezing her, letting her know he felt the exact same way. “So, when do you want to start making another one?”
“Belle, honey, I don’t think I’m ever going to recover. I’m going to always remember you screaming. Let’s just keep this one, and not think about another.”
She laughed. “I feel fine. It hurt, but I’m fine now. I want us to have another baby.”
“Let’s enjoy this one.” He kissed her knuckles, happier than he’d ever been.
“Is my dad still waiting?” Belle asked.
“James is always there, as is Richard.”
“And of course Charlotte,” Belle said. “You better go and show her off.”
“I don’t want to leave you.”
“They’re going to be worried. When they’ve seen her and know we’re fine, they can relax.”
“You care way too much for other people.”
“I care just enough, and it’s one of the many reasons you love me.” She let go of his hand, and with one last, lingering look on his wife, he carried their little girl out to the room where their loved ones were waiting.
Epilogue Two
Ten years later
“I don’t want to be another year older,” Diego said.
Belle moved to straddle her husband’s lap. Their four children were asleep for the night, and they were alone in his study. Diego had built a house just for them out in the country, away from the threat and danger.
She knew deep down they would never be away from the violence, but he’d also employed several men and women to be on guard at all times.
“You’re only fifty.”
“Yeah, and you’re thirty-one years old.” He gripped her thighs, moving her into the right position, directly over his swelling cock. “How do you think I feel?”
“I think you feel just as good as you did when we met ten years ago. You know I don’t have a problem with your age. You shouldn’t either.”
“The kids are getting older. Eliza’s ten now, and you know she asked me about what boyfriends are good for?”
Their eldest daughter was growing up so fast. Belle would never forget giving birth to her. She hadn’t taken any medication for any of her births, and each one had been a trial. By the time she got to hold her bundle of joy, it was worth it. Just like her life with Diego was worth it.