Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Yeah, Brogan,” I say, not holding back the smile just saying her name brings to my face. “She’s worried I’ll change my mind. She has a past that’s shaped her feelings. She wants this to work.”
Mom nods. “When do we get to meet her?”
“Soon, but I’m going to leave that up to her. I’m going to give her some time before I bring it up. I need to get going. She’s at home waiting for me.”
“And where is home?” Dad asks.
“Wherever she is,” I answer automatically.
“Good answer, son. Give your wife our best, and let her know we can’t wait to meet her, but she can take all the time she needs.”
“It’s poetic, really,” Mom says. “We met and fell in love quickly. You grew up hearing our love story; it’s only natural you’d have one similar.”
Love.
“Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too.”
“Hey!” Dad pretends to pout.
“Love you too, old man.” I wave, and then I’m rushing out the door. Rushing home to my wife.
At the front door with a bouquet of flowers in hand, I hesitate. This is my home now, but am I supposed to knock? Deciding to just walk on in, I turn the handle and call out, “Honey, I’m home!” Kicking off my shoes, I go in search of my wife.
I find her in the living room curled up with a blanket, watching TV. “Hey. You’re back early.”
“Yeah, my client canceled, so I stopped by my parents’ and then came straight home.” I sit next to her on the couch and lean in to kiss her cheek. “These are for you.”
“What? You bought me flowers?”
“I did.”
“Why?” She glances from the flowers in my hands back to me.
“Can a husband not buy flowers for his wife?” I ask, tilting my head to the side. I study her and watch as tears well in her eyes. This was meant to be a good surprise, not one to cause her tears.
“I don’t know,” she answers. “My dad, he was only with my mom, and she passed away when we were babies.”
My fucking chest cracks, seeing the sadness and hearing her talk about all that she’s lost. “Well, life is what we make it. I’ve never been a husband before, but I wanted to bring my wife flowers. Not because I want something or need to apologize. I just wanted to make you smile.”
She flashes me a watery grin and reaches for the bouquet. She smells them before replying softly, “Thank you, Maddox.”
“You’re welcome. Let me put them in water for you, and then I’ll start packing all of my things in.”
“I can do it.”
“Finish your movie,” I tell her.
“It’s a rerun of a Christmas movie. I’ve already seen it.” She tosses the cover off her lap, and stands, making her way to the kitchen. I follow her and watch as she pulls open the cabinet doors and searches. “I don’t know if I have something to put them in.” She rummages some more and comes up with a plastic pitcher. “This will have to do.”
“I’ll do better next time,” I tell her. I’m already kicking myself in the ass for not buying the huge bouquet with the vase. I didn’t even think about her needing one.
“There,” she says, stepping back to survey her work. “Thank you, Maddox. They’re beautiful, and I’ll always remember the first time I ever got flowers.” She pulls her phone out of her pocket and snaps a picture.
“Perfect.” I wink.
“You went to see your parents?”
“Yeah, I thought I should tell them in person that I got married.”
“How did that go?” she asks. I can hear the worry in her voice.
“Good.” I nod. “They trust me, and I told them how amazing you are. They can’t wait to meet you.”
“Can we maybe give it a little more time?”
“Absolutely.” I smile, letting her know I mean what I say. She can take all the time she needs. Sure, my parents are eager to meet her, but I explained our situation and told them we needed some time. I knew Brogan wasn’t ready yet. “I’m going to go grab some boxes.” I need to step away before I grab her and haul her off to our room to do things I know she’s not ready for. Something about knowing that I’m the first man to treat this woman like the queen she is lights a fire inside my soul. I want all of her firsts, everything she’s never had or experienced. I want her to share all of them with me.
“Let me get my shoes on.”
“Why don’t you just stand by the door and hold it open for me? That way, we’re not letting all of the heat out. I don’t have too many and it’s cold as hell outside.”
“I have a coat and boots.” She laughs.
“Yeah, but you’re all warm and snuggly in here. Just watch for me and open the door.” I place a kiss on her temple, move back to the front door to slide into my shoes, and head outside to grab my things.