I force myself to remain calm as I take the seat across from him. “I have a surprise.”
Tyler groans. “Lennie, please tell me you didn’t adopt another dog.”
“No, I didn’t.” I chuckle. “But I can’t make any promises for the future.” Tyler tries to give me a stern look, but like always, he fails miserably.
“What’s this surprise you have for me?”
“I just got off the phone with Stacey. She chose us.”
I watch as Tyler’s face goes from strict to excited in seconds. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not joking.”
Tyler jumps to his feet and runs around the table, wrapping me up in his arms. “You know what this means?” he breathes into my ear.
“Yes, it means we’re going to be parents.”
Tyler squeezes me even tighter. “I love you.”
My eyes fill with tears. “I love you, too.”
When I agreed to marry Tyler, we went straight to the courthouse and filed for a marriage license. Tyler didn’t care where we got married or who attended the wedding. His only request was that we get married as soon as possible.
Two days later, we were married with only Chad and Jodi as witnesses.
As much as I hate doctors, I agreed to start counseling. Outside of the years of anger I had held on to, I discovered that I was suffering from survivor’s guilt. Maddy deserved to live just as much as me, and somewhere in my messed up head, I convinced myself it was only a matter of time before I died because nothing about me was better than Maddy, and if someone as wonderful as her couldn’t make it, then I wouldn’t either.
I’ll always wonder why me, but with help from an outsider, I decided to let go of the things I can’t control and live for the people who love me.
A few months later, we decided to buy a house in a suburb outside of Dallas. Putting down roots in Dallas no longer seemed like a horrible idea. The perk to having our house in Dallas is that Tyler not only suggested but encouraged the idea of the two of us traveling together. After spending years hiding out in his apartment, Tyler had hundreds of places he wanted to check off his list. As the years ticked by, we started traveling less and started thinking about a family of our own. Every time we interviewed with a pregnant mother considering adoption and we weren’t selected, I adopted an animal. Add those to the endless strays I feed and we almost have our own animal shelter.
But this time is different. Stacey, our adoption counselor, just called and informed me that the last mother we interviewed with chose us.
Jodi saved my life when I was only fifteen, and Tyler gave my life meaning when I was twenty-five, but now with this baby, my life finally feels complete.
I’ll never know why me, but for as long as I live, I’ll love the time I was gifted.
My husband: Thank you for being my rock. My life wouldn’t be the same without you.
My kids: You both drive me crazy in the best possible way. I love you to the moon and back.
My best friend Aaron:Your endless support and friendship means the world to me.
My editor and friend, Edee: You bring happiness and love to both my life and my books.
My cover designer, formatter and friend, Jules: Thank you for creating another masterpiece and for always being there for me when I need someone.
My PA, Lainey Da Silva: I’m lucky to have you in my life. Thanks for the wonderful friendship and continuous support.
My street team: Riann’s Ravens & my reading group: Riann’s readers- you ladies rock. I’m blessed to have you in my life.
My beta readers: I have a special group of ladies who stop everything and read for me. Colette Trainor, Katie Benson, & Chantal Baxendale, you have no idea how much your support and help means to me. Thank you for always being honest.
My readers: Thank you for escaping into my crazy world.
Riann C. Miller is a wife and a mother of two. She was born and raised in the Mid-West where she still lives today.
Shortly after she discovered her addition to reading romance novels she started writing reviews and it wasn’t long before actively blogging turned to a desire to write her own romance novels.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorriannmiller
Website: https://riannmiller.com/
Unlikely Love
Living With Regret
Living With Lies Series
Beneath The Lies
Locked Away
Meeting The Unpredictable Page 24
