“Claire, be nice,” Ryke whispers into my ear. “You got this, sweetheart.” I’m sure I’ve just embarrassed the hell out of my fiancé, but I couldn’t care less right now. He’s the one who got me into this situation.
Thankfully, the doctor decides to shut his damn mouth, so I can focus on getting this kid out of me.
I’ve just had the hardest workout of my life, but then I hear the sweetest cries and I suddenly forget how exhausted I am.
“It’s a girl!”
I look over and see tears on Ryke’s face. I’ve never seen him so happy before. After much arguing, he finally agreed to not find out the gender of the baby. I have to say it was difficult not knowing, but now it’s totally worth it, seeing how thrilled he is.
“We have a girl, sweetheart,” he whispers in my ear in a croaked voice. “She’s beautiful, just like her mother.” He leans in and kisses my sweaty forehead.
I’ve never been more content in all my life. This man came into my life when I was at my lowest, but he saved me. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay him for that, but I’ll spend the rest of our lives trying.
67
Claire
One year after engagement
“Look at you Mama, all hot and sexy!” Avery shrieks as she walks into my make-shift dressing room at the church.
“Av, calm down.” I smirk at her and then lean in to kiss her on the cheek, careful not to ruin my newly applied makeup that Sierra did.
I turn back toward the mirror to admire myself. The simple mermaid floor-length gown is covered completely in lace, its train pooling at my feet. My mother’s dress was very similar and it was my way of having a piece of her here with me today. Between the capped sleeves, the neckline dips low, showing a bit of cleavage that Ryke is sure to like. It’s beautiful and timeless.
Around my neck lies a white gold chain that holds both my parents’ wedding bands. I choke up at the thought of not having them here with me today, my dad not able to walk me down the aisle. Thank God for my brother.
I twirl around in circles, my three best friends laughing at me.
They all wear deep purple, knee-length dresses with black heels. I decorated flip flops for all of us to change into at the reception.
I carefully bend over and lift each of their bouquets from the box. They’ll each carry a bundle of white roses. My bouquet the color of their dresses. Elegant, yet simple.
“Here, girls.” I hand them each their flowers and they “ohhh” and “ahhh” over them.
“They are gorgeous,” Sierra says as Avery goes to answer the knock at the door.
“Hey, sis, you about ready?” Evan walks in and stares at my dress, tears starting to form in his eyes. This is something I rarely see, so it shreds me to pieces when I do.
I let out a big breath. “Yeah, I think so.” I smile at him through the mirror.
“He’s out there driving us all fucking crazy, so you better hurry your ass up before Miles and Austin kill him.”
I laugh, having no doubt about him having nervous energy. He was the same way at the hospital when we had the baby.
“Alright, let’s go then.” I hug each of my friends and then lace my arm through Evan’s.
I can’t believe I’m finally marrying Ryker Allen.
68
Ryker
I can’t believe this day is finally here. I’m marrying my best friend and the mother of our children. Yes, you heard me right. Once Claire’s divorce was finalized and her ex was shoved into prison for paying someone to kill her, he signed over full parental rights of Brady and I adopted him right away. After he admitted to trying to kill her, we found out that he had hired a friend to run her off the road, but the idiot ended up killing himself instead. For whatever fucked up reason, Trevor thought he’d actually get custody of Brady. Over my fucking dead body. It makes me sick for the little guy, but, thankfully, he doesn’t know any better.
I’m also the father of a beautiful little princess named Aria. Thankfully, Claire’s pregnancy was uneventful with minimal sickness after our trip to Miami. She’s now a full-time stay-at-home mother while I still work at Ryke’s. Since I now have a family, I decided to change the bar into a partial restaurant so my children are able to visit me. I didn’t want them around a bunch of drunk idiots, so we only have a small bar separated from the rest of the building.
Over the last year, Claire has developed a relationship with Monica. At first, I hated it because I didn’t care for her to be around my ex, but they’ve really helped each other. They both were hurt by Trevor Davis and Claire wanted Brady to grow up knowing his sister. Monica has recently gotten into a relationship with a guy she met at counseling. As fucked up as it sounds, I’m proud of her.
Evan and Avery just found out last week that they are expecting their first child. Claire is over the moon for them and thrilled about being an aunt.
Miles, Sierra’s husband came home last year and they are now also expecting their second child. Claire has already informed me that her “baby factory” is closed for the next couple years. We’ll see. Seeing her with our children makes me feel like the fucking luckiest man alive. I’d loved to put ten more in her if she’d let me.
I now stand at the front of the church waiting for my bride. I see the doors open in the back of the room. My beautiful girl is in a simple white lace, floor-length dress. A purple bow sits perfectly under her breasts, at my request. It’s always been my favorite color on her. Her veil drapes over her face, but it doesn’t hide her beauty. She’s stunning. Brady stands next to me with Austin and Aria is cradled in Avery’s arms. My dad, Gail, Becca, and Justin sit in the front row, promising to help with the kids if we need it.
We repeat our vows to each other and the minister pronounces us husband and wife. Before I’m even told to kiss her, I grab my wife by the back of the neck and crash my lips to hers. She giggles when I finally let her go. She wears the biggest smile on her face I’ve ever seen.
She always says she’s unworthy of my love because she feels like there is nothing for her to give me in return. She’s given me more than she’ll ever know. She revived me.
The End
Want more? Stay tuned for Evan and Avery’s story in Survive!
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, thank you to my wonderful hubby who didn’t think this writing journey was completely insane. I couldn’t have done any of this without you. Love you, babe!
My two amazing kiddos who put up with me working on the weekends while they were home.
My BFF, Amanda for reading my book even though it made you blush ; )
My parents for believing in me. I miss you guys every day!
MA Foster, Kim Deister, Trenda London, Andrea Galante, and Jessica Ames. Your guidance has made this book everything I could have possibly wanted it to be.
ALL of my Beta readers!
All the amazing authors I’ve met on this fun and exciting journey and put up with my obnoxious questions.
My AWESOME reading group who has supported me from the beginning! You all seriously complete my days.
My new friends, Missy and Valerie for making me laugh every day and believing in this first-time author.
Last, but definitely not least, my readers! Thanks for taking a chance on this new author!
About the Author
S.E. Roberts was born and raised in the cornfields of Central Illinois, but now lives in sunny Arizona with her husband, two children, and her rescue cat, Stanley. When she isn’t spending time with her family, she enjoys writing steamy romance, reading, and sipping on iced vanilla coffees. She continues to dream up her characters with the assistance of rocky road ice cream.
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Revived (Unexpected Series Book 1) Page 26
