by Tessa Elaine
“Baby, I have waited most of my life to make you my wife. Please, don't make me wait any longer.”
I caved immediately, I didn't want to wait any longer either. So, six months from now I will be getting married. We will be cutting it close, I have some incredible news for Lucas. I have been feeling a little under the weather and I’m a couple weeks late, so I had blood work done. I don't want to give him the news at the party so I will just wait until we get home. I want to keep it our secret for little while. We are going to have a family.
Dr. Andrew did an ultrasound to make sure everything was going great and I got to hear the heartbeat. I couldn't help but cry. That was the most amazing sound I have ever heard. I'm going to be a mom. I am a mom. This is so amazing.
When I'm ready for our party I head downstairs and find Lucas looking at a box on the table. Shit, I thought I hide that better. When he turns around to see me I'm in a pink chiffon dress, with the straps hanging off the shoulder. I have on black heels and my hair is in a side braid. My makeup is done lightly with soft tones.
Lucas's eyes roam over my body and his attention has heat traveling straight to my core. I walk over to him and when he can reach me his hands slide around my waist and he pulls me flush to his body. He places a soft kiss on the corner of my mouth and looks over at the gift on the table.
“What's that darlin’.” He asks with a heart stopping smile.
Should I lie? No, he can see right through that. So, I just go with the truth.
“It's a gift for you, after the party.” His brow furrow and he looks disappointing.
“You're going to make me go the whole night wondering what's in it.” I nod my head and when that doesn't work.
“I promise it's worth it.” That seems to work, he picks up the gift and places it back in the closet.
“Thank you” I tell him.
He takes my hand and leads me to the truck. We head over to Lucas's parents’ house and everyone is already there. My aunt and uncle came, Lucas mom and dad, along with his sister and her boyfriend. Lucas’s little brother- that's not so little. Also, some of our friends. I wish Aubrey could have come, I miss that hooker like crazy. Talking on the phone isn't the same.
When we go inside it smells amazing, Eva has outdone herself. When everyone sees us, we are greeted with smiles and hugs. Lots of congratulations and them telling us it's about time.
Sarah comes up to me giving a big hug and telling me how happy she is for us. She also introduces Lucas to her new boyfriend Brad and Lucas does not look happy.
I look around the room and spot another set of eyes that are not happy. Wyatt is staring daggers into the back of Brad's head. As soon as he sees me he smiles and winks, like I didn't just see heartbreak written all over his face. When will these two stop running from their feelings. I shake my head and turn back to Sarah.
“So how did he do it?” She asks and I give her all the details, leaving out all the naughty stuff. She hugs Lucas and tells him she loves him before heading off to find Brad. I watch Wyatt follow after her and I can't help but smile. Those two are meant to be and fate will get them.
When Eva comes over Lucas offers to grab us something to drink.
“You look beautiful sweet girl.” Eva says.
“Thank you” I blush. Eva is the most amazing women I know, she has welcomed me into her family and her life with open arms.
“This dinner is amazing Eva, thank you so much.” Lucas walks up behind me and hands me a beer.
“Yeah ma, you have gone above and beyond.”
Lucas and his mother are talking about the dinner party and I'm just looking down at the beer in my hand. How do I tell him I don't want it without making everyone suspicious? Aunt Grace comes up and saves me when she asks to steal me away. We get to the kitchen and she takes the beer and hands me what looks like a sweet tea.
“How far along are you?” She asks with a knowing smile.
“How do you know?” I say, freaking out that other people might know.
“For one you were looking down at that beer like it might bite you and two you already have that glow. You are beaming with the look of a new mother.” I tuck my chin and hide my face.
“Aunt Grace, I haven't told Lucas yet. I have it all planned out, I'm going to tell him tonight when I get home.” She smiles softly and shakes her head.
“If only your mother could see you now, she would be so proud. And your father would have loved to walk you down the aisle.” Usually at the mention of my parents I am in tears, but all I can do is smile.
“Thank you, Aunt Grace. Would you and Uncle James give me away at the wedding?” I ask her. Aunt Grace sniffles and wipes her eyes.
“We would be honored, dear girl.” She gives me a long hug and then we join the party again.
I find Lucas and Wyatt arguing over something in the corner. I join them and they both turn their attention on me. Uh oh.
“How long have you known?” Wyatt snips at me.
“Hey, don't talk to my wife like that.” Lucas tells him.
“She's not your wife, yet.” Wyatt shoots back at Lucas. Geesh, what has crawled up their asses?
“I don't need a piece of paper telling me she's my wife, the minute I put that ring on her finger it made her mine.” Wyatt and I roll our eyes at the same time over his caveman act.
“Okay you two, slow down. Tell me what has your panties in a twist?” I look from Lucas to Wyatt and they both look at each other. Wyatt goes first.
“How long have you known about Sarah and Brad?” Damn Sarah for making me keep her secret. I'm thinking of the best answer when Lucas steps in.
“Elena, you knew she was dating that weasel?” Sarah owes me for this one. I start with Lucas first.
“Your sister is a grown woman, whoever she sleeps with is not my business.” Wyatt growls next to me and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. Then I turn to Wyatt.
“You only have yourself to blame.” Wyatt's jaw drops open and he looks at Lucas then back to me and storms off.
“What was that?” Lucas asks behind me and I just shrug my shoulders leaning back into his chest.
“Were you going to tell me that she is dating Brad?” He says with his chin on my head.
“Lucas, it wasn't my place to say anything. If you would have asked I wouldn't have lied to you.” He huffs out a breath, but lets it go.
The rest of the party goes by smoothly, dinner was outstanding and all the people in my life make me realize how truly blessed I am. Lucas only tried to hand me a beer one other time and I just told him I was starting to get a headache. He offers to take me home early, but I tell him I want to stay.
After everyone is gone except Aunt Grace and Uncle James, Eva tells us to go home that they have the cleanup taken care of. Lucas drives us back to the house, he pulls up and gets to my side he sees I don't have any shoes on. The man that he is he scoops me up in his arms and cradles me to his chest and my shoes dangle from his fingers. After we get inside he sits me on the counter and goes to the fridge. Grabbing a bottle of water and some Tylenol he comes back and hands them to me. God, this man is unbelievable. I take the Tylenol because I do have a small headache, but I'm ready for him to open his gift.
“Lucas, will you go grab the gift from the closet. Please.” Lucas walks over to the closet, gets the gift then walks back to me, and I slide off the counter. He shakes it lightly and I smile at him starting to get nervous.
“Open it,” I tell him, unable to wait any longer.
Lucas opens it and it's a wooden box with his last name etched into it “Wayne” It's a beautiful cedar box. Lucas opens the box and pulls the tissue paper back. In it is a frame with our sonogram in it and it says “Baby's first photo” Lucas stares at it for a minute then looks up at me. My hands cup my flat stomach and Lucas falls to his knees. His head goes to my stomach and he wraps his arms around me.
“I'm going to be a dad.” His voice is in awe. He sounds so stunned.
“Yes, we are going to have a baby.” He kisses my stomach and whispers sweet words to our baby. I fall in love with this man even more if that's even possible.
“Hey little bean, daddy loves you and mommy so much.” My heart melts for the future we are creating.
What an amazing feeling it is to know you are growing a life inside of you. That you are protecting and providing for this beautiful life we created. I know Lucas is going to be a wonderful father and I cannot wait to hold our precious little boy or girl. To think only a few months ago I came back to cut ties with this part of my life.
I am so glad fate had other plans for us.
About The Author
Tessa Elaine was born and raised in southern Missouri where she currently resides with her two beautiful children. She has an obsession with reading paranormal romance and the dirtier, the better. She soon found that her love for reading and her love for writing went hand in hand. She writes contemporary erotic romance novels.This is Tessa’s debut novel and she hopes you enjoy it as much as she does.
Acknowledgments
When I started on this journey it was just an idea that I couldn’t get out of my head. The more I wrote, the more the book came to life and I just couldn’t stop. I would send each chapter I finished to my friend, Erin, and she would reply with one word, “More!” She was encouraging me to keep writing and kept telling me I need to get it published. My cousin, Jessica, helped me go over the book many times once I finished it because my nervous were getting the best of me. I never felt the story was good enough to publish. “I keep forgetting to fix errors. I’m getting too involved in the story and forget what I’m supposed to be doing,” she would tell me. That had to be a good sign, right?
I put off doing anything with the book due to large amounts of self-doubt, until one of my favorite authors made a post on Facebook. She asked authors what finally gave them the push they needed to publish their first book. I told her I had written a book six months ago, but I was too big of a chicken shit to take the final step. I had to be honest. I didn’t have the cojones to push that dang button. Her words to me were, “Well... Knock it off!! If I can help you push that dang button in any way, you let me know!!” Those words were exactly what I needed to hear.
Dee Ellis is an amazing lady. She took a complete stranger under her wing and helped with so much. From designing the amazing cover, formatting, and answering every overwhelmingly question I had about this new world. Honestly, I could not have done this without her. She has brought me into a world with some of the most awesome people. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to get to know everyone at Indie Ink and all of the Indie authors. They are a very supportive group. They willingly opened their arms to a complete stranger and supported this adventure. You all kick ass. I also have to thank the sweetest lady, Jenny Dillion from Rather be Reading, for reaching out to me and asking if I needed help with edits. Jenny Dillion, your kind words and guidance not only with my book, but with this new world is, unforgettable. You didn't just jump in and make corrections; you also gave me great advice and showed me how to become a better writer.
I cannot say ‘thank you’ enough to express my gratitude to everyone. You all are amazing. My family has supported me through this crazy adventure and let me tell you, there is nothing easy about becoming an author. I am so thankful for my two amazing kids and my wonderful old man for being patient and always by my side.
Thank you to my friend Jennifer Wesson, at Shots by Wesson photography, for taking such incredible pictures. She captured exactly what I was looking for in the cover. I would like to give a big thank you to my brother in-law, Aaron Boyd, for being on the cover of my first book. I know I drive you crazy and the whole photo shoot made you feel super uncomfortable, but you owned that shit. Now look at it, the cover is amazing! Thank you bro it means so much.
I have made some fabulous new friends that help me every step of the way. Thank you all for sharing my posts and advertising my book. The Indie Ink community is a rare gem of wonderful people that boost your confidence. I am so thankful for all of you. Also, thank you to everyone that gives my book a chance. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
I need to say one last thank you. Even though she is no longer with me, my grandmother never stopped believing in me. She was so happy when I decided to write my first book. I wish you could have read it Nanna. I love you and miss you every day. Thank you for being my rock and always believing in me.
