Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
“Sorry for scaring you. Justin said it’s safe to call, and I guess I figured I’d better do it now before I lose my nerve,” I say as my husband takes my hand.
“You don’t have to apologize. Not for anything. I’m the one who owes you an apology. I wish things were different. If I’d never gone down this path in the first place, things could have been—”
“Stop,” I cut him off. “What happened to me isn’t your fault. I wasn’t targeted because of who you are. It was a case of me being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the only person who’s to blame is already dead. Let’s leave it in the past where it belongs.”
“Fine, I’ll give you that.” I listen to him let out a deep breath. “But I’m still so fucking sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you, sorry that you ran, and sorry I’m missing out on knowing my niece.”
This version of Aedan is very different from the one I left behind. And as much as I wish he’d been as open and understanding before, I’m glad he wasn’t, because then I might never have met Justin.
“I accept your apology,” I say, unsure what role I want him to play in our lives.
“Are you happy?” he asks, sounding curious.
“I have an amazing husband and a beautiful daughter,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “Right now, I’m focusing on what I’ve gained instead of what I left behind.”
“I’m happy for you, little sis.”
“Thank you.” I look at my husband, the man who changed everything for me, and know without a doubt my path led me exactly to where I needed to be.
Epilogue
“IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL here,” Aubrey says, leaning back into me as Jenna plays in the sand a few feet away. The sunset casts a pink glow on the ocean and sky.
“It is.” I kiss her temple, and she links her hand with mine and rests it on her stomach. “I have a feeling I can make it even better,” I say, spotting the group of people coming down the beach toward us. I’m not surprised Aedan is wearing jeans and black motorcycle boots on a beach in Hawaii, since I’ve never seen him in anything else. Aaron and Alexander, Aubrey’s other brothers, are dressed similarly, but her mom and dad look like they’re ready for a luau, with colorful-printed clothes on and leis around their necks.
“Better than a Christmas Eve sunset on a private Hawaiian beach with you and Jenna? Not to mention your parents and friends in the house behind us, which looks like something from a magazine and is decorated for a television show.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “I know you can pull off miracles, but I doubt you can do better than this.”
I grin at her then take her chin between my fingers, kissing her before turning her head.
I don’t see her face but still hear the tears in her voice as she whispers, “Aedan.” She pushes up off the ground and races across the beach to throw herself into her brother’s arms.
“Mama!” Jenna screeches, unsure what’s happening.
“It’s okay, baby.” I pick her up and kiss her cheek then follow after Aubrey across the sand.
“My baby.” Aubrey’s mom stretches her hands out to Jenna, and I hand her over then look at Aubrey’s dad when he pats me on the back.
“Thanks for making this happen.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” I watch Aubrey hug Aedan then let him go to hug Aaron and Alexander. I couldn’t think of a better way for us to spend Christmas than with friends and family in Hawaii, and it just happened to work out that Aedan was able to get away from Vegas for a few days.
“I can’t believe you did this.” Aubrey turns to face me with tears in her eyes. “Just when I think you can’t get any better, you do something that proves I’ll forever be trying to find ways to give you back even a little of what you give me.”
“Baby, you give me everything.”
She shakes her head. “I was going to wait to tell you tomorrow, but now seems like as good a time as any.”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“Fuck,” Aedan mutters.
“You’re pregnant?” I breathe.
“I took the test a couple days ago.” She places her hands on her stomach. “I wanted to tell you tomorrow morning.”
“You flew today.” I shake my head, wondering if the long flight could harm the baby.
“It was a private plane, and your mom assured me when she helped me pack that it would be okay.”
“My mom knew?”
“Yeah, she was going to watch Jenna tomorrow morning while I told you.” She walks toward me and rests her hands on my chest. “This isn’t exactly the reaction I expected.”
“Bean, you just told the man you’re having a baby. He’s in shock like the rest of us are,” Aedan says.