Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26563 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 106(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Sorry. I was thinking about—”
Another contraction cuts me off, and I gasp.
“See?” Sam says. “Our son knows you’re not paying attention to him so he’s getting jealous.”
“Oh Sam,” I giggle breathily. “You mean, our second daughter is just letting me know that she’s ready to come out. She doesn’t mean to hurt her mama.”
He grins mischievously, and my heart flutters in my chest. Ever since I announced that I was pregnant again, Sam and I have had a running bet on the gender. He says it’ll be a boy, while I say it’ll be a girl. Whoever wins will treat the other to an ice cream sandwich.
But secretly, I’d love a boy, and especially one who looks just like his father with wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes. I have my own little Mini-Me already, so Sam should get his too. Plus, I know my boyfriend will adore having a son, and teach him how to fish and play baseball as soon as possible. A man can only have so many tea parties with his girls, right?
Suddenly, the contractions become more intense, but Sam never wavers. His calm voice coaches me through the birth, and the sound of his deep, soothing tone is all I need as he tells me what to do and how to breathe. After about half an hour, I let out a hoarse scream, there’s a splash, and suddenly, the baby is here. A sweet, soprano cry rings out in the bathroom as the infant slides into the world.
Sam tends to the baby, carefully washing and swaddling the chubby body before turning to me.
“So,” I murmur, as my boyfriend leans toward my exhausted form. I nuzzle against his neck, feeling as though I could fall asleep right then. “Who wins the bet? Do we have a son or a daughter?”
“It’s a boy,” he says worshipfully in a low voice, kissing my cheek while helping me into bed. “You did good, honey.”
“Oh damn,” I say with a tired smile. “Ice cream sandwiches aren’t as tasty when you lose.”
He chuckles and settles me beneath the covers. Then, he brings me our son, and I gaze down into the baby’s beautiful face. He doesn’t have as much hair as his sister, but he is most definitely a blond.
“What should we name him?” Sam asks, gazing at his son with adoration.
“I’ve been thinking about that for a while,” I murmur. “What do you think about the name Aiden?”
“Ava and Aiden,” my boyfriend nods. “I love it, honey. It’s perfect.”
With that, everything’s settled. Sam smiles at me before pressing a kiss to my forehead, and my heart swells with love. How did I get so lucky? But then the handsome alpha male takes a deep breath, and I look up at him swiftly.
“Is everything okay?” I ask. “Sam?”
He merely smiles and shakes his head, even as tears dot his lashes.
“Everything’s fine. More than fine, in fact. I was just thinking how I’m the luckiest man in the world, and how fortunate I am to have two beautiful children with you, Jess.” Then, without dropping my gaze, he reaches into the nightstand and pulls out a small, velvet box.
I gasp. I look from him to the box and back again, realization dawning in my chest.
“S-Sam?” I stammer. “What is that?”
He smiles at me and opens it before dropping to one knee. Inside rests a beautiful diamond ring sparkling within the plush interior. “You have made me the luckiest man alive, Jessa,” he says with emotion pouring through his voice. “I have never been happier these past two years, and I want to keep it this way for the rest of my life, if you’ll have me. Will you, Jessa? Will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Sam Nelson?”
Unable to speak, I nod. My lashes tremble with unshed tears as I clutch Aiden even more tightly to my chest.
“Yes Sam,” I breathe. “I’d love to marry you!”
With that, the handsome EMT takes my hand and slips the ring on. It’s a perfect fit, and I stare in awe at the gem, tilting my hand this way and that to watch it glitter in the gentle lighting of our bedroom.
“Do you like it?” he murmurs. “I assumed that a diamond would be best, but I know some women prefer non-traditional stones these days.”
I shake my head, tears in my eyes.
“No, not me,” I say. “This is perfect. And I love you.”
“I love you too.” My gorgeous fiancé kisses me, and now, there’s nothing in the world that will come between us again.
* * *
THE END