Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
EPILOGUE
THREE YEARS LATER…
Troy
“Daddy, daddy,” Ella shouts, looking up at me and tugging my sleeve. “Can we watch another princess movie?”
I smile down at my oldest daughter, her dark hair framing her face. She’s the spitting image of her mother, even though Liz argues with me about it. “You know,” I begin, glancing over to Liz, who’s snoozing on the couch across the room. “I think it’s just about bedtime, honey.”
Ella’s shoulders drop beneath her purple flannel pajamas. “Is that just because Mommy is already sleeping?”
“No,” I chuckle, shaking my head and swooping her into my arms. “Though Mommy does seem really tired.”
“She’s growing a baby in her tummy,” Ella says matter-of-factly. “She said my baby brother will be here any day.”
My stomach tightens with excitement. “Yeah, she’s right, too. Your baby brother will be here soon.”
“You think he’s going to like me?” Ella furrows her brows as I stand, cradling her in my arms. “I don’t know if he’s going to ’cause I don’t want to share my toys with him.”
“Well, first of all, you ought to share your toys with him,” I begin, bopping her on the nose, “but he’ll be too little to play with your toys for quite some time. And yes, your brother is going to love you, Ella.” I kiss her cheek and go upstairs to her bedroom. She lets out a little yawn and leans her head against my chest.
I hold her tighter, my chest full of pride and love. There’s nothing quite like having a daughter, which is why I’ll never understand Henry’s decision years ago to offer up Liz for an arranged marriage just for money. That’s not something I could ever do to my daughter. Ever.
I slip into Ella’s room, reaching out and turning on the lights, keeping it dim. “Are you ready to get some sleep?”
Ella stirs, mumbling something incoherent.
Smiling, I take her to her canopy bed, balancing her in one arm while I pull down the covers. I gently lay my daughter down, admiring her peaceful face as I cover her up. Her eyes are closed, hiding the gray irises she got from me. Maybe that’s why Liz is so adamant she looks like me. Yet, sleeping here like this, she reminds me so much of Liz. It nearly brings tears to my eyes.
I’m the luckiest man alive.
I yawn as I head out of her room, leaving the door cracked. She doesn’t like us closing her door. I’m okay with that, just like I’m okay with how she sometimes sneaks into our bed in the middle of the night.
She won’t be little forever.
That thought makes my heart squeeze. Regardless, I’ll protect her as long as I’m breathing and able, just like her mother and her unborn brother.
My feet are silent as I head back downstairs. However, the buzz of the TV catches my attention. I didn’t start another movie when I got up to take Ella to her room. Either it automatically started playing something, or Liz is awake now. As I peek into the room, Liz’s bright eyes greet me.
“Well, look who’s awake from their nap,” I say, shooting her a grin as I sit beside her on the couch. “Ella was out before I even made it to her room.”
Liz laughs softly, her hand on her nine-month-pregnant belly. “I’m not surprised in the slightest. I find it funny how she goes from talking nonstop to suddenly falling asleep. I wish I had that ability.”
“You do,” I tease, squeezing my arm around her shoulder.
“Oh, stop,” she swats at me, rolling her eyes. “It’s only like that for me when I’m pregnant.”
“It’s never like that for me, so I’m jealous of both of you.” I kiss the top of her head, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo. Everything about Liz is familiar now, after having been together for over four years, but it never stops being exciting.
“Do we have everything ready?” Liz asks, suddenly whipping her head back to look up at me.
“Um,” I hesitate, trying to read her expression. “I think we have everything ready if you’re talking about the baby, that is. The nursery is done, and I finished packing our hospital bags almost a month ago.” I give her a reassuring look, but it doesn’t seem to land in the moment.
Her face contorts, and she grabs her side. “I knew I woke up to a contraction,” she groans, nearly doubling over in my arms. “I think we’re having a baby tonight.”
“Holy…” My voice trails off as the excitement hits my chest. “I guess I need to call Henry then. Maria is out of town, so we don’t have the nanny to fall back on like usual.”
“Figures she would plan a vacation right at the end of my pregnancy,” Liz mutters as I wipe the sweat away that’s forming on her forehead. I try not to chuckle at the comment. She’s only saying that because labor has started.