by Emma Renshaw
“I was always hot when I was pregnant with Caden,” Harper chimes in. “It didn’t matter if it was the dead of winter and ten degrees outside. I was sweating.”
I wince as another pain stabs my back. “What’s going on, babe?” Savannah asks. All the girls in their matching burgundy dresses crowd around me.
“Braxton hicks, I think. I’m getting these stabby pains in my back.”
Savannah and Harper glance at each other. “Are you sure they’re Braxton Hicks?”
“Yes,” I say. “This baby, even though already big like their dad, isn’t due for another two weeks.”
Carmen shuffles into the room is a purple lace dress. “It’s time, mija.”
“I’m going to need help getting up from the couch.” I raise my arms in the air and they’re grabbed by a laughing Brae, Savannah, Harper, and Tate. Together they lift me from the couch and I smooth down the front of my wedding dress.
It’s not exactly the dress I imagined getting married in, but I do feel beautiful and I know Callan will love it. The knee-length dress is the only one I could find on such short notice and could accommodate my belly that seems to expand by the minute.
I sized out of the original dress I chose months ago, but Callan promised that we’ll find somewhere I can wear it after I have the baby.
I waddle down the hallway to the doors that will lead outside. I watch as each of my bridesmaids exit, followed by my maid of honor—Brae. And then, the music changes signaling it’s my turn.
Carmen wraps my hand around her arm.
“I’m honored to walk you down the aisle and give you away, but if I could trade places with your Grams, I would.”
I lick my lips as my chin quivers. “She’s here,” I whisper. “Thank you for walking me. I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
The wedding coordinator opens the double doors revealing me to Callan and our guests. The tall natural stone fireplace behind Callan fades into the background and the twinkling lights disappear as I focus on Callan. His eyes meet mine from down the aisle. In this moment, nothing exists except the two of us.
My pace quickens so I can reach him faster. I want to be in his arms, wrapped up tightly, promising him forever. He was right to convince me to get married before our baby arrives. I can’t imagine this happening another way.
My heart races inside of my chest, beating only for him. He takes my hand from Carmen when I reach him and brushes a piece of my hair behind my ear.
“Didn’t think it was possible for you to become even more beautiful,” he murmurs as the officiant begins the ceremony.
A rush of wetness hits me between the legs and my eyes widen as it splashes against the ground.
“Was that—?”
“Yeah,” I whisper. The officiant doesn’t notice, but the girls behind me do. They start whispering and I hear Brae chuckle.
“Carl,” Callan says, getting the officiant’s attention. “You’re going to have to hurry this along. My about-to-be-wife’s water just broke and I really want my ring on her finger before this baby comes.”
I laugh just before another pain stabs through me cutting my laugh short. Callan’s brows crease. “Hurry up,” Callan says again. Our small crowd laughs.
Callan and I promise each other forever before the next contraction hits.
Callan
Walking into a hospital and telling them your wife is in labor is an exhilarating feeling. I was on top of the world until seven hours passed with Iris barely progressing in the labor.
I lean my forehead against hers. “I love you so fucking much.”
“I can’t do this,” she whispers. Her forehead is covered in sweat with pieces of her hair sticking to it. She shakes her head and grabs my hand as another contraction hits.
“On the next contraction, you’re going to start pushing, Iris,” the doctor says. She smiles reassuringly. “It’s time.”
Iris trembles. “I’m not ready,” she says to the doctor.
“You are,” I say into her ear before I kiss her cheek. “You’re ready. Do you think it’s a boy or girl?” I ask to distract her. We chose to wait to be surprised, but Iris has been insisting for the last several months that our baby is a girl.
She says she just knows.
“Why do you have to be so much bigger than me?” Iris asks. “Why do you make big babies?”
I chuckle and run my nose along her jaw to ear her. “I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you, too,” she responds.
The next contraction hits and Iris starts to push and push and push. She collapses back on the bed and shakes her head. “I can’t do this.”
“Yes, birdie, you can. You can do it. Our baby boy will be here in a minute,” I say.
“Baby girl,” she returns before she begins pushing again.
Finally, our baby is laid down on Iris’s chest as we meet her for the first time. Iris looks up at me with tears swimming in her eyes. “Pancakes,” she whispers. “I already love her so much.”
“I love you so much, birdie. I’m so proud of you. You’ve given me more than I deserve. I spend every second until my last breath trying to balance those scales.”
“They’re balanced,” she murmurs. “I love you.”
My lips land on Iris’s and we both open for each other. My tongue slides against hers soaking in her taste. I pull back and plant a peck on her lips once more as I wrap my arms around my wife and daughter.
Just as Iris predicted, our new daughter, Wren, has me wrapped around her finger before she even cries for the first time.
The End
Meet me in Crater Falls for an epic, twisty, swoony, and heartfelt duet. Book one and two coming this fall!
Click here to pre-order Breaking Apart
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Acknowledgments
Creating a book from the spark of an idea to the finished product in your hands truly takes a village. I couldn’t live this dream of mine without the help of so many around me. Please accept an apology to anyone I may have left out, it wasn’t by intention—my sincerest apologies and my deepest gratitude.
This was my hardest book to date—even though I said that last time. A person never really knows what life will throw at them and it’s certainly never convenient. The people who help us through and keep us from stumbling deserve all the greatest gifts the world has to offer. I wish I could gift those people in my life with everything they’ve ever dreamed of, but unfortunately, I can’t. I’ll never stop thanking them.
My darling husband, this book was a beast, huh? Thank you for holding me during every nervous breakdown and loving me through it all.
You make every triumph sweeter.
Mom, Dad, Sestra, thank you for the love and support y’all gave to A and me during this time. I love y’all so much. I’m so thankful to have y’all as my family!
Erica, you are a rockstar! Thank you so much for being such a wonderful part of my reader group and sharing some of your stories with me! I truly cherish you, our interactions, and your bright personality. You never fail to bring a smile to my face! I can’t wait to drag more weird stories out of you! Keep being amazing!
Bj, thank you for being my music guru! I love you big, girl!
A huge Thank You goes to: Catherine (Wormhole Twinsie Forever!), Grahame, Steph, Traci, Hang, Stacey, Becca, Give Me Books, and every other person that contributed to this book. It all means so much and each of you deserve so much more than a thank you.
Bloggers, thank you so much for all the love and support. I’ve loved connecting with so many of you and hope to meet more of you in the future. Whether I’ve chatted with you or never spoken to you, I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication you give to the book community. Thank you so much! I wish I could hug all of you.
The ladies of Emma Renshaw’s Books and Addicted to Love Stories, y’all are freaking wonderful! Thank you so much for the love and support! Y’all are my favorite to hang out with! Thanks for making me smile and laugh.
Lastly, thank YOU! I wish I could thank every reader in person, give them a big hug, and a slice of cake! Every time a reader like you picks up my book, my dreams come true. You’re magnificent! THANK YOU!
About Emma Renshaw
Emma loves to write, just don't ask her to write about herself. If she isn't writing, you can find her lost in a book or trying to get her doggo to take a selfie with her. He usually refuses. At the end of the day, you can find Emma at the closest Mexican restaurant eating queso and sipping on a margarita. She lives in Texas with her husband and dog.
Also by Emma Renshaw
Vow of Retribution
Vow of Atonement
Vow of Honor
Vow of Devotion
Vow of Sacrifice
