“Are we ready?” I ask the group, who all shout some sort of exclamation about getting it over with.
I look at Ben, who is smiling at me like I’m his whole world. “Are you ready?”
He nods before leaning down, finding my lips in a kiss that is a little too long to be done in public and a little too short to cross the line of indecent. I can’t help but smile when he pulls away, because smiling is all I seem to be doing these days.
My personal life is amazing. I’m about to start a family. And my professional life? It’s better than I could have hoped for. For so many years, I didn’t think that I could have it all -- be a police officer and have a family. But it turns out I can. I talked to my superiors, asking them what positions I could take that wouldn’t put me in the front line as much. And now it’s in the works for a promotion to sergeant.
But first, I need to find out if nugget is a boy or a girl.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
The cake is placed in front of Ben and I and we each take hold of the knife before gently slicing into the cake. When we pull it out, we can’t tell either way, so we make another slice before carefully lifting the piece up in the air for all to see.
“It’s a boy!”
Cheers erupt around us as Ben and I are being hugged from every direction. Maverick grabs the money and flaunts it around, being a part of the winning guesses. Tori pouts for five seconds before figuring out what names sound good with a middle name of Victor.
After the celebration calms down, I find Ben, who is standing across the table from me, just staring at me with a smile on his handsome face that reaches his eyes.
I hope our son has that smile. And his eyes.
“What are you thinking about?” Ben asks as he walks next to me, sliding his arms around my belly.
“That I hope our son gets your eyes.”
“Hmm. I could deal with that. What else are you thinking?”
“Honest? I’m kind of glad we aren’t having a girl.”
He turns me to face him at this point, confused as to why I’d say that.
“Why? I’d love a little girl. I say we should try for a girl as soon as we can.”
I laugh because that’s not happening.
“Because. I don’t want to give my daughter my resting bitch face.”
Ben laughs before kissing the next comment away from my lips.
“I disagree. I’d love a little girl with your face. It’s the one I fell in love with. I think that face is pretty perfect.”
And I know right then and there that’s how I’m going to be pregnant again sooner rather than later.
Epilogue
Ben-One year later
I know my mother would murder me if she knew that all I was thinking about right now was taking the wedding dress off of my about-to-be wife during our wedding ceremony, but I really don’t care right now. That is, if she’s done being mad at me and Amanda for not having a full Catholic mass.
Neither of us wanted anything big, just our family and friends as we finally became husband and wife. And wouldn’t you know it, apparently Mr. Dunlap is ordained to perform wedding ceremonies, a little fact he told me after I finally came back to the chess club.
He also finally told me about his unexpected run-in with Amanda, and he made sure to include that he’s the reason we are standing here today during his part of the ceremony. That got a good laugh from everyone in attendance.
Needless to say, Mr. Dunlap and Tori have struck up quite the friendship, which began last night at the rehearsal when he made sure to tell everyone that he called me a dumbass.
I was a dumbass then. But not anymore. Since Amanda and I worked everything out, things have been smooth sailing.
And that includes her pregnancy and delivery, when we welcomed our son into the world. Our son who has my dark hair and her blue eyes.
Asher Victor Jameson came into the world on the day he was supposed to with a quick and easy delivery for Amanda. Scarlett was mad at her for a week after that, not having nearly an easy time with her pregnancies. And I don’t know where he gets this from, but he is the most easy-going baby ever. He sleeps through most nights, rarely cries and is just… chill. We are waiting for the other shoe to drop. We also now don’t know if we want to have a second child, thinking that it will be the exact opposite.
I mean we will, but we know we’ll be pushing our luck.
I look over Amanda’s shoulder to our son, who is sleeping on his Uncle Christopher’s lap, like the angel and blessing he is.
Amanda was always worried about what kind of mother she would be, not having one of her own to know what to do. But she has fallen into the role with ease. The woman was born to be a mother, and I thank the heavens every day that my child will get to know her love.
I still sometimes have to pinch myself that this is all real. That Amanda and I made it through the hell we did to end up back together. But if we had to go through that for everything to work out, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. It would hurt like hell, but I know the payout is worth it.
She begins her vows, giving me her promises of love, faith and fidelity. She promises to love me through the ups and downs of life, and proclaims that these vows are for as long as we both shall live.
I follow, also promising to love her forever, but that forever won’t be long enough. I promise to love our son and future children with everything I have in me. And I promise to never run from our problems again. To fight every day for the love we have, because our love is eternal.
I take my eyes away from my bride for just a second to look back at Aiden, who is holding the rings for me. Behind him are Kalum, Maverick and Jaxson. I might not be paying close attention to what Mr. Dunlap is saying, but I did hear the words “And the rings please.”
Aiden is still living with Mom, but he’s in the process of getting his own place. I never knew that before he went away, he was pretty good with cars. Knowing how hard it is for ex-cons to find work, Kalum and Maverick didn’t flinch when hiring him at their shop.
“Repeat after me,” Mr. Dunlap begins, and Amanda does before slipping the ring onto my finger.
“Repeat after me,” Mr. Dunlap says to me, a sly grin on his face.
“I Benjamin Arthur Jameson…”
“I Benjamin Arthur Jameson…”
“Arthur! This whole time it was Arthur! How the hell did I not guess Arthur!”
The crowd laughs at the outburst -- luckily all of them know Tori. And yes, I purposely put in my middle name as a present to Tori. She’s the Godmother of Asher, the least she can do now is know my middle name.
“And… with the power invested in me by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Jameson. You may kiss your bride.”
He doesn’t need to tell me twice. I gather Amanda in my arms and kiss the hell out of her. I kiss her for today, and for our future. I kiss her because today officially begins our forever.
Also by Alexis Winter
Castille Hotel Series
Hate That I Love You
Business & Pleasure
Baby Mistake
Fake It
* * *
Mountain Ridge Series
Just Friends: Mountain Ridge Book 1
Protect Me: Mountain Ridge Book 2
Baby Shock: Mountain Ridge Book 3
* * *
Make Her Mine Series
My Best Friend’s Brother
Billionaire With Benefits
My Boss’s Sister
My Best Friend’s Ex
Best Friend’s Baby
* * *
Slade Brothers Series
Billionaire’s Bride
Off Limits Daddy
Baby Secret
Loves me NOT
Best Friend’s Sister
* * *
**ALL BOOKS CAN BE READ AS STAND-ALONE READS WITHIN THESE SERIES**
About the Author
Alexis Winter is a contempora
ry romance author who loves to share her steamy stories with the world. She specializes in billionaires, alpha males and the women they love.
* * *
If you love to curl up with a good romance book you will certainly enjoy her work. Whether it's a story about an innocent young woman learning about the world or a sassy and fierce heroin who knows what she wants you,'re sure to enjoy the happily ever afters she provides.
When Alexis isn't writing away furiously, you can find her exploring the Rocky Mountains, traveling, enjoying a glass of wine or petting a cat.
You can find her books on Amazon or at https://www.alexiswinterauthor.com/
Say You're Mine Page 72
