Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 50828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“You two came?” I hold out my hand to Doug, then brush a kiss to Julia’s cheek. “Thanks for giving up your Valentine’s Day.”
My ex-wife smiles. “Izzy called and invited us. I’m happy to celebrate you.”
“Besides, we have news,” Doug says. “Julia and I have hired a surrogate to carry a child for us. They took one of my wife’s eggs and my sperm and implanted it…and it took! We should be parents by Halloween.”
“Congratulations!” I tell them. I mean it sincerely. Yeah, I could remain bitter that Julia put off being a mother for a decade and lied to me about it, but I’ve realized that, despite the pain, this outcome is best for everyone.
Or it will be as soon as Isabella is pregnant.
Our New Year’s Eve was an absolute sexfest. I did everything humanly possible to breed my wife. Even if it didn’t work, that was still one of the hottest nights of my life, but I’m hopeful. Isabella hasn’t had a period all year, hence the home pregnancy test I brought in the plastic bag. Which I left in the break room, damn it. I’ll grab it shortly.
“Oh, Dad,” my wife croons. “I’m so happy for you two!”
“Thanks.” He hugs his daughter. “This time, I’m going to do fatherhood right.”
“We’re both putting our child first,” Julia swears.
Honestly, I think they mean it. And good for them.
Food arrives, something far more gourmet than pizza. Everything is delicious, the champagne flows, and the gifts I receive are either thoughtful or hysterical. I have an odd, ragtag bunch of colleagues, exes, and friends, but since I have Isabella, too, I feel beyond happy. I’m only missing one thing.
“You’re not drinking the champagne,” I murmur to her as we finish dinner. “Something you want to tell me?”
Her cheeks turn pink. “No.”
“Okay. I bought you a pregnancy test for Valentine’s Day. Why don’t you make me happy and go take it?”
“Not necessary.” Her coy expression splits into a giant grin. “I saw the doctor today.”
Hope ticks up. “And?”
Isabella ignores me and clinks her fork on her glass. “Attention, everyone. I need to say a few words about my husband.”
Everyone falls quiet, except Marcus, who is his usual asshole self. “Speech!”
“Spill the tea!” Savannah seconds.
Uh-oh. “Is this the part where you all roast me?”
The group laughs, and Isabella lifts a glass of water. “Happy birthday to the most amazing man. He changed my life, helped me understand love, and makes me feel like the most important person in his world every day. He believes that I can do anything, picks me up when I falter, and celebrates my every win. There’s no better man to share my life with. Despite the less than normal start to our marriage”—Doug groans, and everyone laughs again—“there’s no man I would rather be with. I choose you every day, and I love you with all my heart. Not to mention my womb. Congratulations! I’m pregnant. We’re having a September baby.”
The gathering erupts in cheers. The sound is a roaring in my head, only eclipsed by the chugging of my heart.
I grab my wife and delve into her dancing blue eyes. “You mean it? You’re sure?”
She nods, biting her lip. “I’m nine weeks pregnant. Doctor confirmed. Are you happy?”
“Oh, baby girl. Happy doesn’t begin to cover how I feel. I’m ecstatic, humbled, and so fucking in love with you. You’re going to be an amazing mom.”
“And you’re going to be the best dad ever. I’m sure of it.”
I press a kiss to her lips and lose myself, knowing that I’m exactly where I should be and I’m with the woman who has finally made me feel totally complete.