Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 437(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
My heart swells a bit as I write back that I love her too. I don’t tell her she’s welcome or tell her she doesn’t have to thank me, but I do hold her words close to my heart. What she doesn’t realize is that I’m thankful for her, for adopting the baby who was in the bed beside mine in the nursery.
Because I’m pretty sure our parents always knew the girl next to me was my soul mate.
EPILOGUE
Life has been a whirlwind.
Instead of waiting until the new year, Dad paid to start construction early. I’m super excited about that because it’s getting harder and harder to keep it down when my man is home. He is as wild for me as I am for him. I can’t get enough of him, and I don’t think that will ever change. Things are just that good between us. I never thought I could love him even more than I did, but I do.
Oh Lord, do I.
Arwen has started speech therapy, and it’s so amazing to watch her grow daily. On Ingrid’s campus, they have a little day school for children who are deaf, and Arwen has been going twice a week when I’m teaching at the school for students who want to become physical therapists. I was going to go back to the IceCats, but after everything that happened, I thought it was too much for me to be involved not only in Thatcher’s home life but also in his work life. Not because I think he’d get jealous again; I know he would. He’s possessive as hell, but I’d rather keep things separate. Plus, hockey players can whine a lot.
Mine included.
On days when I have to work and he’s home, he comes with me for me to demonstrate on, and then he complains that I pulled too hard or twisted him in the wrong way. While he makes me laugh, along with all my students, I can’t help but call him a baby. I usually kick him out, and then he’ll go hang with Arwen and Ingrid at the day school. Ingrid volunteers on the days Arwen is there, because living together isn’t enough. Not that I’m complaining. I love how close Arwen and Ingrid are.
How close we all are.
I glance down at my phone, checking the time to see if I have a minute for a quick cup of herbal tea. My lock screen is a photo of me holding Arwen up while she kisses her daddy through the glass. Her hair is in pigtails with huge red bows, and she has her daddy’s number on her back. Not only does Thatcher look dream-worthy, but the smile on my face in the photo shows how happy I am. How completely in love I am with that man.
With our family.
Our growing family.
I feel a hand slide up under my jersey, cupping my belly as he presses his body into mine. He kisses my neck then the spot below my ear before he whispers, “How are you feeling?”
I lean into him, letting my eyes drift shut. “Nauseous.”
He lets out a little sound of distress before holding me closer. “How can I make it better?”
“Just like this, moy.”
He smiles against my cheek, kissing it once then twice. “Arwen is loaded in the car. How about we stop at Starbucks on the way, and I get you a tea to help settle your belly?”
I turn my head so that our lips practically meet. “I love you.”
He kisses my nose. “I love you.” He kisses my lips this time before he says, “Ready? I want to beat my parents to the rink.”
I nod and then take his waiting hand as he leads me out to the car. We have the IceCats’ family winter skate tonight, and everyone will be there. I’m nervous but also very excited for Arwen’s first family skate. When I get in the car, Arwen calls out for me. I look back, and she signs, Are you feeling better?
I nod. Yes, love. Thank you.
We haven’t told her she’s going to be a big sister. We’re waiting to tell everyone on Christmas. I’m a little over eight weeks—because of course I got pregnant our first time together.
Again.
Apparently my eggs really love Thatcher’s sperm. He’s pretty damn proud of himself, and if I’m honest, I am too.
God, I love him.
After getting my tea, we head to the rink to find the parking lot filling up quickly. We park, and I’m getting Arwen out when my mom appears beside me. She looks at me, raises a brow, and then leans in. “You look green.”
“Thank you, Mother. Just what all girls want to hear.”
She doesn’t laugh at that, nor does she grab Arwen. She just stares and I let her. I’m not confirming or denying anything, but I think she knows.