Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 268(@200wpm)___ 214(@250wpm)___ 178(@300wpm)
My father’s eyes fill with tears, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen my father this happy. He brushes past everyone, making his way over to me. He wraps me into a hug, tightening his hold on me. “I never thought you’d be the first to give me my first grandchild. Hell, I’m so happy.”
I’m nearly in tears as I hug him back. I can’t believe how real this all feels. Felicity is busy being hugged and welcomed into my family.
A weird sensation rushes through my system at the sight. Like I’m fucking proud. I’m happy to have this woman standing by with me. Like I feel possessive over her. Like she’s mine.
It’s a crazy feeling, and makes me want to hold onto this woman forever.
I can picture it all with her. Everything.
Now I just need to make her see it too.
After everyone’s congratulated us, we make our way into the dining room, sitting around the table. My mother, Hartford, and Anya bring in the food, setting each dish on the table.
My father says grace, and then we all dig in.
“That went better than expected,” Felicity says, leaning closer to me for only me to hear.
I study her. “How did you expect it to go?”
“I just thought because we’re not married, or heck, even together that they would…I don’t know.”
I rest my hand on her knee under the table. “My family’s great, and they’re not ever going to not accept you. You don’t ever have to worry about things with me. You’re one of us now, whether you want to be, or not.”
“You have a great family. I’ve always heard things about the almighty Atwood’s. How everyone in this town loves you all. Now I see why. My father left town when I was a baby. I guess I’m just scared.”
I squeeze her knee. “I’m not ever going anywhere.”
And looking into Felicity’s soft brown eyes, I know I’m not lying. I’ll never leave her or my child. Ever.
She’s stuck with me.
Chapter 19
Felicity
I climb into bed and settle against the headboard, resting my back on a pillow. Today was not at all what I expected. Just as the thought enters my head, my phone rings, and I smile, seeing it’s Emmie.
“Hey,” I answer, my voice light with relief.
“Give me all the details. How was it with the infamous Atwood family?” she demands eagerly.
I giggle, adjusting my position to get more comfortable. “It was nothing like I expected. All the talk about what an amazing family they are, it’s all true.” My heart beats a little faster at the memory of them, the warmth of the day still fresh in my mind.
“I’m not really surprised, but I need more details than that,” she says, laughing.
I take a sip of water and grin, recalling the day’s events. “Well, his parents couldn’t have been more excited. His mom kept crying, tears of joy streaming down her face, and his dad never stopped smiling, his eyes twinkling with happiness. Anya was the one who really spilled the beans because she hugged me immediately, almost lifting me off the ground, telling me how excited she was to be an aunt. I was hugged and kissed more today than I think I’ve ever been in my entire life. All of his brothers were welcoming and incredibly excited. Paxton’s fiancée, Hartford, and Anya’s boyfriend, Griffin, both told me to be ready for endless Sunday dinners and watching the Atwood brothers tease one another.”
“It sounds like it was a great day,” she says, her voice full of joy for me.
I chew my bottom lip, feeling the emotion welling up inside me as I prepare to share the part that truly touched my heart. “They all told me I’m part of the Atwood family now,” I whisper, my voice cracking slightly with the weight of their acceptance and love.
Emmie is silent for a moment, then she speaks, her tone soft and sincere. “That’s incredible. You deserve every bit of happiness, and it sounds like you’ve found the perfect family to be a part of.”
I nod, even though she can’t see me, feeling a tear slip down my cheek. Today was not at all what I expected—it was so much more.
I never considered that my baby wasn’t just getting an amazing father, but an entire huge, loving, well-known family. I have no idea if Shepherd will stick around, but after today, I know my baby will have a big family that loves him or her regardless of that.
My mother was a single parent my entire life. I never met my father because he took off before I was even born. My mother did everything on her own. She sacrificed so I wouldn’t need to. I resented my father for that. I hated him without ever meeting him and that’s all I ever let my mom see. But there was always a part of me that was sad, wondering why he never wanted to meet me. Why he didn’t care that I existed, that’s what I fear most about Shepherd. I never want my child to feel that sadness and rejection.