Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28374 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28374 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 142(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 95(@300wpm)
I’m stunned into silence, just staring at this beautiful woman who’s going to be the mother of my child. Elation races through my veins, but Kelsey begins to apologize then.
“I don’t want you to think I did this for your money. I’m not like that. I’m keeping this baby and you don’t have to do anything, I swear. I know this is probably not what you envisioned happening, but I’m pregnant, and the baby’s yours.”
I sweep her up in my arms and kiss those strawberry lips I’ve missed so much over the last couple weeks.
“Kelsey, this is wonderful,” I growl, holding her tight as my blue eyes burn into her possessively. “I love you and there is no one I would rather have as the mother of my children. You’ll be a wonderful mommy, sweetheart.”
She sniffles a bit and I continue.
“I know I haven’t been celibate during my life in New York. I know I’ve been a jerk and probably hurt some women in the past, but I meant what I told you in Tahiti. You’re different, sweetheart. You can trust me and I promise I will earn your love. I’ll be the best dad I can be, and I want to take our boy to baseball games and teach him to swim and ride a bike. I’ve never been happier about anything in my life. A baby! Move in with me, honey. Let me take you out of this cramped apartment. Please, Kelsey. Be mine.”
She smiles tremulously, and this time, I know the tears in her eyes are ones of happiness and not sorrow as her arms slip around my neck.
“You don’t know it’s a boy yet,” she murmurs. “It could be a girl.”
I swoop down and claim her lips with my own.
“It could be,” I acknowledge. “A pretty little girl who looks just like her mommy would make me so happy. I love you Kels. I want to be with you. Please, say you love me too.”
Then, the curvy girl smiles and my future begins.
“I love you, Keith Commons. With all my heart, I love you.”
With those words, my mouth swoops in to claim what’s mine: this woman, and our child together.
Epilogue
Kelsey
Two years later.
Here we are back in Tahiti: me, Keith, our baby and Grandpa Joe. The locale has brought back so many good memories, even if it’s different now. The beaches are bustling with tourists. Restaurants are crowded and tiki bars are serving fruity drinks right on the sand, with people laughing and talking. Coronavirus is merely a memory now.
Then again, the last two years have been a whirlwind. They eventually found a vaccine for the virus, and life returned to normal. It took a while, but everything slowly picked up once more.
Meanwhile, I moved into Keith’s penthouse and we created a dream nursery for our baby girl, safe from the ravages of the world. Our daughter is named Freesia, and she’s the light of our lives, with black hair and blue eyes, just like her daddy. But the worst part is that Keith spoils her absolutely rotten. Freesia has her father wrapped around her little finger, and my boyfriend jumps at every opportunity to make his daughter happy. It’s so silly, and very amusing to see the large man dancing for a baby.
Meanwhile, I’ve quit working for Keith Commons Shoes. Keith was willing to transfer me to public relations but I decided against it. I don’t want to miss out on this time with our daughter and we certainly don’t need the income. Keith always asks for my input, though. He’s taken my advice on some things the PR department has had to handle, and it feels really good to contribute, even if my contributions are informal.
I do miss talking to Melissa at our desks every day, however. But she got a new job as a stylist for a fashion company, and she loves it. She and her boyfriend, Ron, finally got married, and I was their bridesmaid, even though I was nine months pregnant. But Mel wanted me to stand next to her, and I did so, beaming with joy for my friend.
Today, Freesia’s building a sand castle with her grandpa. I’m not sure who’s enjoying it more: Joe or the baby. We’re close with my father-in-law, and enjoy vacationing with him because he babysits while Keith and I enjoy couples time together. In fact, we’re hoping to set up Joe with a very eligible widow we know, but that’ll take some finessing.
As we relax on the beach, Keith pulls up in a golf cart and motions for me to get in.
“Will you guys be okay here?” I ask, shading my eyes from the sun. Joe nods.
“Of course. Little Freeze and I are having the best time building castles. Come on, sweetheart, wave to Mommy. She’ll be back soon.”