Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
My body slumps against hers, and breathless, we ride the last of our orgasms.
Lifting my head, I press a kiss to her mouth before saying, “So, you’re moving in with me?”
Everleigh lets out a burst of laughter and shakes her head. “No. It’s way too soon.”
“Mommy,” Vincent calls.
I’m up in a flash and rush to the bathroom.
“Mommy’s coming,” Everleigh replies. “Shit.”
A moment later, I hear the door open and close, and I let out a breath of relief. I don’t want to scar my son for life.
Chuckling, I walk back into the room and put on my boxers.
When I check the time, I notice it’s only three am.
I open the door and walk to Vincent’s room, where Everleigh is stripping the sheets off.
“Did he wet the bed?”
“I’m sorry,” Vincent sniffles and my eyes dart to my boy, who’s busy putting on clean pajama shorts.
“Hey, no, accidents happen.” I walk closer, and picking him up, I wipe the tears from his face.
“It’s because he fell asleep in the car. He didn’t go to the bathroom when we got home,” Everleigh explains.
Only then does Vincent realize it’s the middle of the night, and I’m still here. “You didn’t leave! I want to sleep by you.”
My eyes dart to Everleigh. “It’s going to be a tight fit.” A horrified expression tightens her features. “On the bed. All three of us on the bed.”
Letting out a burst of laughter, I carry Vincent to Everleigh’s room.
I place Vincent down in the middle of the bed and lie down beside him.
His eyes flit over my chest, then he touches the scar on my shoulder. “You have an owie?”
“No. It doesn’t hurt.”
“Because you’re strong?”
When I nod, he snuggles against my chest. “Night, Daddy.”
My boy is lights out by the time Everleigh comes into the bedroom. She turns off the light and climbs into bed on the other side of Vincent.
I reach over our son and rest my hand on her hip.
“I’m going to be dead at work,” she whispers.
“Take the day off.”
She lets out a soft chuckle. “You’re a bad influence.”
“You still love me,” I tease her.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Get some sleep, moya malen'kaya lyubov'.”
Just as quick as Vincent, Everleigh drifts off to sleep. I lie awake listening to their soft breaths, and calmness I’ve never felt before settles in my heart.
Before I have to take Viktor to the office for a meeting, I create a three-way call between Misha, Armani, and myself.
Misha is the first to answer. “Wow. It’s the second time you’ve called me in a row. Miracles are happening.”
Armani’s face appears, and seeing Misha and me, a wide smile curves his mouth. “This is a surprise.”
“Before Misha spoils the surprise, I have news. Get Tiana,” I say.
Seconds later, Tiana’s cheek is pressed against Armani’s.
“It’s so good to see you, Alek,” she says.
“I have good news and good news,” I tease. They all give me expectant looks. “Everleigh’s alive.”
There’s a collective cheer, and Tiana actually looks like she’s going to cry. “Oh, my God. How did you even find her?”
“I found her at Viktor’s house. Turns out she’s friends with Rosalie.”
“That must’ve been so emotional. How are you holding up?” Armani asks.
Misha just watches with a huge smile on his face.
“It was a shit show. I kind of lost my mind,” I admit. “But everything has been straightened out.” I grin at them. “And I have a son. Everleigh named him after Vincent.”
“What the fuck?” Armani mutters in disbelief.
“Yep. I’m a father. My boy is three years old.”
“Jesus,” Tiana whispers. “Your entire life has changed.”
“For the better,” Misha adds his two cents. “I’m happy for you, brother.”
“Yes, we’re so happy for you,” Tiana agrees.
“You found your woman,” Armani says. “But is she willing to pick up where you left off?”
“Yes. She’s as amazing as I remember. It’s like we were meant to love each other.”
Unable to hold back the tears, Tiana sniffles, “God, this is the best news ever. Have you told Mama?”
“Not yet, and don’t you dare tell her before me,” I warn them.
“We won’t,” Tiana promises.
We talk for a long while and take the opportunity to catch up on each other's lives.
By the time we end the call, my face hurts from all the smiling, but my heart is full.
Things are finally starting to go right for me.
Chapter 44
Everleigh
Lifting Vincent out of his car seat, I set him down so he can run to the playground, where Jonas is waiting for him.
“I have a Daddy,” he shouts for everyone to hear.
Grinning from ear to ear, I walk to where Rosalie is sitting on a bench.
I take a moment to peek into the stroller and brush my hand over Roman’s hair. “Hi, sweetie.”
He’s chewing on a teething ring looking content to be at the park.
Smiling at Rosalie, I say, “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”
“I’ve only just gotten here.” Her eyes scan my face. “It feels like it’s been ages since I last saw you. How are you doing?”