I give him my left hand. “Yes,” I say.
He slides the ring on. Then he slides even deeper inside of me.
Epilogue to the Epilogue
We wake up a few hours later to the buzzing and ringing sounds of both our phones.
Disentangling our limbs, we reach for the phones at the same time.
I blink several times and try to focus on the alarm clock on the night table.
Who’s calling at 4:49 am?
Liam reaches over me with his much longer arm and grabs both our phones from the table, hands me mine, and checks his phone while I try to focus on my screen.
We look at each other’s phones and scramble out of bed at the same time.
‘I’m a mom’ and ‘I’m a dad’ messages shine on the iPhone screens.
My phone rings and we both stop. I answer it.
“Skye?”
Her voice is a little strained, but calm.
“River, you are an auntie.”
I squeal. “Oh my God! But, but, but—it’s not time yet. You have another three weeks.”
Liam jumps over the bed and comes to my side. I’m momentarily distracted by his nakedness.
“I guess babies have their own time schedule,” she says.
“I’m an aunt, and you’re an uncle.” I grin at Liam.
“Are you okay? Is everything good? Did it hurt? And the babies? How’s Logan?”
Words come tumbling off my lips and I’m bouncing on my feet. I’m so happy for my sister, my excitement can’t be contained.
I hear Skye giggle.
“Everything is perfect.”
That one word—perfect—answers all of my questions. Skye found in Logan a man who sees and loves her. She’s a mom. I’m an aunt. Liam and I are getting married. Just one word to describe it all—perfect.
Relief and joy swell in my chest and spill out of my eyes. Liam’s arms go around me in an instant. He presses my head to his chest, phone in my ear still.
“When can we come in?” I ask.
“Visiting hours start at nine. Logan wanted to wait until morning to call, but I knew you’d kick my ass if I didn’t tell you right away. I wanted to call before, but my water broke in the middle of the night and the contractions started so fast, we didn’t have time to do anything other than run to the hospital. The doctor was very surprised by how quick the labor developed, especially for being a first-time mother.”
“I’m so happy for you.”
Liam points at himself and makes the sign of a phone call with his hand.
“Liam says hi, and he’s super excited to be an uncle too. Tell Logan to call him.”
“I will. His hands are quite full right now, but I’m going to try to nurse and I’ll tell him to call Liam.”
“Okay, go nurse and rest. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Bye, Sis. I love you.”
“Love you too, Skye.”
Liam
Being in a hospital as a med student or as a visitor is quite different from being in a hospital as a patient. For a while I wondered if everything I went through in the service would taint me as a future doctor. But I now know it will give me an edge. I’ll be able to relate to my future patients in a deeper level because of everything I experienced. Being in a hospital no longer feels like being in a prison. I’m not trapped by my wounds and scars. They no longer wear me down. I wear them with honor and pride. Every cut to my flesh and soul brought me here, and here is undiluted happiness.
I look at all the faces around me. Everyone has a story to tell and all of them have their dark moments. We all do. The key is not to dwell on those dark moments. The key is to use the dark to find the light. Because in the darkest nights, you can see even the smallest light. And that’s all it takes to find your way out. Just follow that one small spark of light. I followed River’s spark and I’ll keep on following her forever.
I look at my twin nephews. Skye holds one and Logan the other. The tiny babies, wrapped in blue, make happy sounds in their parents’ arms. I want this for myself. I want this with River. Her voice brings me back to the room.
“I still think you should name them River Two and River Three.” She waves her hand at the babies—her left hand. The ring sparkles under the fluorescent lights above. I watch as Skye’s eyes widen when she sees the ring.
“Is that a . . . ?” she asks River but doesn’t finish the question.
River glances at me and gives away the answer to the question. I just smile. We decided not to say anything until Skye is back home, but I guess that plan failed.
Serena, the girls’ mom, steps closer and takes River’s hand. Logan looks at me. He already knows. I told him before I proposed and asked him to keep quiet about it. Skye’s surprise is a good indication Logan didn’t share my secret.
“When did this happen?” Serena asks River.
River gives me a look that tells me trouble is coming and then smirks.
Oh, fuck!
“Well, Mom. It was very romantic . . .”
#MeToo
A Note From The Author
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Acknowledgments
Writing is a solitary endeavor, but that does not mean that we are alone in this author journey. The book you hold in your hands, be it virtual words on a device or a paperback, is just the tip of an iceberg made up of many people. People who stands in the shadows and behind the curtains. But their support and presence is no less important. While I can’t name every person whom in one way or another guided and helped me in this journey, my heartfelt thanks travels across the universe to each of them, and each of you.
To my husband—my real life book boyfriend and the inspiration for all the sexy scenes, a man who knows the true meaning of ladies first (yes, I said it)—I’ll love you across space and time and multiple life times.
To my two boys, who taught me the meaning of unconditional love. You are as excited as I am about every book. But no, you can’t read them until you’re at least 30.
Thank you Kristy Stalter deBoer for all the help in reading the final manuscript and your eagle eyes. Thank you Rachelle Westcott for being an awesome ARC reader.
I also want to thank my fellow authors in the Do Not Disturb Book Club. You guys have been a great source of knowledge and support. Dear reader, if you are not in our club, you need to join us. We have loads of fun every day.
And last, but not least, I want to say thanks to you, reading these words right now. Your support allows me to make a reality out of the stories.
Thank you for the kindness, for telling me the words I’ve written has touched you. You have no idea how meaningful it is to me that something I created has touched you. Because above all, as human beings, what we crave is connection. And words are a beautiful bridge between us.
Much love,
Erica.
Also by Erica Alexander
Would you like a signed paperback?
Find them here.
Because of Logan
Book One in the Riggins U Series
All her life Skye Devereaux has been content to live in the shadow of her beautiful and vivacious fraternal twin.
But when she meets a sexy and charming police officer, Skye decides she deserves more.
She’s worthy of more.
Now she wants to throw off her introvert shell.
She wants to challenge her fears.
And she wants him.
So what if she's scared?
She'll fake it until she makes it.
Logan Cole left behind a life he never chose to live.
Being a cop gave him the escape he needed to be on his own.
With a past he’d rather forget, he holds everyone at bay.
But when chance brings him face-to-face with an intriguing and awkward girl, Logan knows he can’t let her go.
So what if he's scared?
He just needs to figure out how to let her in while protecting his heart.
Seventeen Wishes
If knowing the truth could leave you more broken than believing the lies, would you still want to know it?
This is a story about a boy and a girl.
About friendship.
Secrets.
Omission.
Fate.
About the lies we tell ourselves so we can hold on to hope.
About the lies we tell those we love to protect them.
About risking it all and the price one pays when choices are made.
But above all, this is a story about wishes, love and the hope we hold on to when there’s nothing left to grasp.
There was never a time when Zac and Lilly hadn’t been in each other’s lives. They are neighbors, playmates, and best friends. But unknown to Lilly, she’s also the love of his life.
And the reason for Zac’s secrets.
Erica Alexander has been a storyteller her entire life. If she’s not writing stories, she’s daydreaming them. Which has gotten her in trouble once or twice. She has an inclination to use sarcasm and she can make anything that comes out of her mouth, sound dirty. It’s a gift.
Erica’s life goals are: to make sure her family is happy and healthy, bring to life all the stories in her head, visit Australia, and jump off a plane. Preferably with a parachute.
Erica has degrees in Communications and Computer Science and she loves history, all things Native American, and anything that’s off the beaten path and weird.
You can find Erica at:
Erica’s Webpage.
Join Erica’s Reader Group.
Sign up for her newsletter here.
And at any of the places below:
Because of Liam Page 24
