Soon after James and I had gotten back together, he asked me to marry him. There was no doubt in my mind I was meant to be James’ wife. Plus, we had an unexpected little bun in the oven, so waiting was no longer an option. I couldn’t wait to become Mrs. James Diamond Parker. We had a small, intimate ceremony in Maui, no surprise there, with just our family. Not wanting to bore anyone with wedding details, let’s just say it was the most perfect day of my life.
James decided to move to San Diego. Since my store was there, he had no problem leaving Arizona. We now treat the Arizona home as just another getaway, and bought a house in Mission Hills. Lynn was able to buy the little home we were renting and couldn’t be happier. The guy, Brian, whom we met at happy hour, was now a permanent boyfriend, turned husband within a year. Those two were joined at the hip from day one and were the perfect match. Seeing my best friend happily married to such a wonderful man brings me such joy. She deserved her happily ever after.
Back to my romance book. I decided to give writing a chance. Not wanting to be stuck in a contract with a big publisher, I published on my own. Best decision to date, because the buzz about, If You’ll Have Me, had publishers practically knocking down my door. I never realized my little romance story would get so many people’s attention. It blew my mind. Molly, James’ sister, is also my agent. Having two little boys, I couldn’t handle everything all on my own, so thank goodness for my personal assistant, Shannon. She’s been a Godsend. I recently added her to my team and couldn’t be happier.
“Ugh, my God, this baby needs to come out already! I can barely get on this friggin’ bed,” Lynn groans. I help her up onto the cabana bed, and adjust the pillows for her aching back. Poor thing has had it rough in the last month. Her sciatic nerve has been bothering her, she’s been very uncomfortable. So this week I have planned a whole day where we’ll get massages and facials. It’s going to be amazing.
“I’m still surprised the airlines let you fly,” I mention, while taking a drink of my water. Lynn is now seven months pregnant, and shouldn’t even be here.
“Woman, I had to lie to them, remember? I was not going to miss a vacay in Maui, of all places. Hell to the no, especially now since I have two more months of being childless.”
She makes a valid point. “Very true. I’m glad you’re here though.”
“Me too.” She exhales.
The breeze feels so good on my newly sunburnt skin I got yesterday. The sun is so strong here. I always forget to put on extra sunscreen. But I made sure the boys had on their rash guards and were smothered with sunscreen. I didn’t want little crispy babies for sons.
It’s the end of June, and the weather couldn’t be more perfect. Lynn and I are watching James and Brian play with the boys in the pool. They’re having such a blast, I should totally join them, but I don’t want to leave Lynn.
“They’re the sexiest men ever,” Lynn comments. “Look at them playing with your kids. Too adorable.”
“They sure are.” I grin, nodding my head. “Who knew three years ago I’d have the perfect husband, kids - the perfect family. I’m truly blessed.”
“I know right? Three years ago, I’d never picture myself married again and now pregnant and walking around like a beached whale.” She pats her belly. “I’ll never let Brian hear the end of it.”
“I think you’re a beautiful beached whale. Before you know it I’ll be looking like one myself again.” I chuckle. Oh, yeah, I never mentioned to Lynn I was prego again. Eight weeks to be exact.
“Wait, what are you talking about? You’re not knocked up again are you?” One glance at my guilty expression, Lynn knows. “Holy crap you are! You’re nuts my friend. Plain nuts.” She points at me. “One will be enough for me, thank you very much.” What can I say, I love being a mom, and I love making babies with my ever sexy husband. Who wouldn’t be? I mean, the man is super hot! Plus, being pregnant is the most amazing experience. Nudging my arm, Lynn says, “Congratulations, by the way, hon. You guys make gorgeous babies.”
That we do. “Thank you. I think so too.”
“Come on, babe, get your sexy belly in here,” Brian yells for Lynn from the pool.
“Are you crazy?” she hollers back. “I could barely make it onto this bed, and now you want me to waddle to the pool? You gonna carry me?”
I laugh at these two all the time. She’s got Brian wrapped around her little pinky, he’d do anything for her. He’s a really great guy. After meeting each other for the first time, James and Brian bonded pretty quickly. They’re now great friends and hang out quite a bit. It’s wonderful seeing my husband have a good friend in his life again. I never saw him with Glen, but experiencing the loss of his best friend, and Dominic, James never became close with anyone else - not until Brian.
Brian climbs out of the pool, dripping wet and shakes his hair out like a dog, all over us…the big jerk. But it feels really good. “It’s good for you, let’s go.” He holds out his hand for Lynn, and helps her off the bed. He’s too sweet, and treats my bff like a queen. I really adore him.
“Paybacks a bitch, just so you know,” she grumbles.
Walking away from the cabana, I overhear Brian say, “Yeah, like you haven’t already told me a million times in the last seven months.”
“Whatever,” Lynn mutters.
I just shake my head and get a good chuckle out of their banter. Those two were made for each other. Well…now that my entire family is in the pool, I guess I’ll go join them.
Later on in the evening, I called James’ mom. We talked about how Dominic was doing. After three years, the judge decided to change Dominic’s sentence and reduced it. Instead of spending the rest of his life in a prison amongst lethal prisoners, he’s now living in a new limited security prison for those that are not a threat to the public. Kind of like where Martha Stewart was living all those years ago. The judge also allowed parole. So after ten years, Dominic will be a free man. I’m not quite sure how this all happened, but I guess Dominic was determined to get his life back in order and made some changes. His parents, despite how horrible their son’s actions were or how he has affected other families, including James and myself, wanted to help their son. And they should. So, I guess we’ll see what happens in the next decade.
I finally made my peace with Dominic, and so has James. Together, we went to counseling and we were able to forgive the past, meaning Dominic, and to move forward. Although the past is behind us, we’ll never forget.
After I get off the phone with Gwen, I put the boys down for bed. They’re both wiped out from the pool today, so I hope they’ll sleep through the night. Lynn was too, and is sleeping down the hall. Kissing the boys’ goodnight, I take the baby monitor downstairs with me, and make my way to the cabana. It’s such a beautiful night, I need to be outside. Walking past James and Brian I overhear them discussing movies. James’ book, Minus, is now in production. Since Unleashed was such a mega hit, and won an Oscar for best film, they now want to turn every single book James has ever written into a film. We are totally blown away over this. On top of that, the series James is writing is also in the works to becoming a series on HBO. It’s pretty incredible, and surreal. We couldn’t be more excited.
Relaxing on the cabana is heaven sent. The breeze is amazing, as well as the bright stars twinkling up above me. Aside from that, the smell from my Plumeria plant is awesome, so I pick a flower off, and inhale the sweet aroma. Yum. What makes this night even more perfect is being in my husband’s arms. He’s my other favorite smell. Delicious.
James kisses the side of my head. “Feels so good to be alone with you.”
“Mmmm, it does.” I sigh with a permanent smile on my face.
“Have you felt okay today? No morning sickness?”
I love how he wants to take care of me. He’s the most amazing husband a wife could ever ask for. “Just a little, nothing major.”
“Perfect, because I want my wife feeling good. I hate seeing you sick,” he says nuzzling
his nose into the side of my neck. I love when he nuzzles. Being pregnant again, I get overly aroused, so James takes full advantage…the dirty man. But I love it.
“I know, but it’s all worth it in the end.”
“You’re amazing, you know that? I don’t know how you do it.”
Taking his hand, I place it over my belly. “Well, knowing there’s a little human being inside of me that you and I created? It’s a miracle. I’d have a dozen babies with you if I could, because nothing beats the feeling of being a mom. And on top of that…having you as their father.”
“That’s right, because they have my male beauty and charm, correct?” He teases.
I laugh. “Oh man, I’ve created a bigger maniac than I’d realized.”
James begins rubbing my tiny baby bump. “Maybe this one will be a girl, and she’ll have those brownies I love so much, just like her mama.” He then kisses my belly. I get goosies whenever he does that.
Turning my face to look at my gorgeous male beauty I whisper, “Our first girl. That would be nice.”
He lightly brushes the hair off my forehead, kisses my lips, and then tells me, “Many of firsts, baby. Just like I had promised.”
That’s right. Just like he’d promised, we got our first of everything: Love, Happiness, Forgiveness, Marriage, Children, and yes….a little baby girl– Lila.
THE END
From the Author
I hope you enjoyed the first book in my Falling For Words Series. I would love to hear from you. You can follow me on,
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This book and story would not have happened without the love and support from my mom, Janine. I wanted to do something different for her and to create a story without my normal explicit language and sex - like I have in my TJWest books. I wanted to give her and other readers a chance to experience my writing in a “tasteful” view, yet still have that romantic/sexy feel that you’d get from TJWest. I believe everyone deserves a book just for them, don’t you think? So, Mom, thank you for sticking by me for two years until it was your turn. I hope you love Chasing Paige as much as I do.
To my loyal, dedicated readers of TJWest: Without you, seriously, I don’t know where I would be. You have cheered me on no matter how hard this book industry has been on me. I hope you enjoy Chasing Paige and continue reading my books no matter what genre I write in. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for standing by my side because there have been many days where I wanted to quit, but you kept me going, and for that I’m so very grateful.
To my amazing support group of amazing authors and friends: Heather Dahlgren, Dawn Sullivan, Carian Cole, Susan Fisher Davis, Teri Kay, Lisa Sommers and my PA – Melissa Ann…Girls, thank you. Your ongoing support, love, and friendship mean the world to me. Whenever I need a virtual hug or a good kick in the ass, you are there for me. I love you. Melissa, thank you a million times over for working so hard to get my books out there. I know life is busy, yet you take the time to pimp me out or get the blogs to promote me. You rock!
Thank you to ALL the blogs who know me and help what they can do to promote all my books. You are appreciated.
Kari Ayasha (Cover to Cover Designs) – once again you have created a cover that was meant to be mine. When I saw it, I knew I had to have it. You’re a very talented lady and the sweetest person. I love you woman!
Stacy Ryan Blake (Champagne Formats) Your work never ceases to amaze me. Thank you for all the dedicated hard work you put into making beautiful formats. I think every book deserves to be as amazing on the inside just as it is on the outside. You rock!
Liz Jones – Thank you, once again, for taking the time to helping little ole me. I am so grateful to your advice, suggestions and questions. I love how we are growing within each book. It’s pretty amazing. I think I’ll keep you. LOL.
To my family: I know I can be outspoken, loud, and risqué at times and probably embarrass you. But however crazy I can be, I want to thank you for understanding what this journey means to me. I love writing, I love using my imagination – I take advantage of it, because we only live once, right? Why not take risks when life could end the next day. Take a chance, because you never know where it will lead you.
Tiffany is a stay at home mom of two teenagers and has been married for 17 years. She resides in San Diego, California with her family.
She became a self-published author in 2014, as erotic romance author TJWest, after being inspired by many self indie authors. She has always enjoyed writing, enjoyed putting her imagination and thoughts down on paper.
In her spare time, Tiffany loves: watching many TV shows, movies, going to the beach, spending time with the family, road trips, and cocktail nights with friends and being interactive with readers, friends and family on Facebook.
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