As I look around the studio, love in the form of photographs lines each and every wall.
I stop in the middle of my studio and place my hand on my own flat belly as I feel for the first time our little baby in my stomach move. It’s so faint it almost feels like a baby butterfly fluttering in my stomach. I look over to the floor length mirror and catch the smile on my face. I turn my body to the side and smile once again at my chameleon tattoo. On the tip of the chameleon’s nose now sits a beautiful butterfly.
Next to the mirror is a photo of Joss and River, and Nina and Josh’s double wedding that was held at a beautiful vineyard estate. It’s nestled between photos of each of Joss and Nina’s beautiful wedding dresses gently blowing in the breeze as they hang on lace hangers from the center of two heavy antique wooden doors.
A photo of Kate, Cooper, and Sadie embracing under a white gazebo on a sandy, golden beach sits on the opposite wall of River and Joss’s wedding photo. There isn’t a single photo from Kate and Cooper’s wedding that doesn’t have Sadie sitting protectively next to Kate’s side. I’d argue that Sadie was really Kate’s maid of honor and not me, but it’s an honor I shared proudly with her.
Dozens of happy client photos fill every square inch of my studio. Everywhere my eye can see . . . there is so much love.
I continue into my office in the back room and flip on the lights. Framed and hanging behind my dark, leather office chair is the award from the magazine photo contest I entered with the photo of the homeless woman on the bench. It won the grand prize and was published on the front cover in ten different languages in dozens of countries all over the world. I immediately donated the cash prize to our local women’s shelter.
Since the magazine cover was published, I’ve done several other freelance pieces for various national and international magazines, and Photography By Maddy has been booked solid six months out. I also do exclusive shots for a very popular food magazine.
It’s been nine months now since I’ve moved in with Stephen, and I wake up every morning in our warm bed, wrapped in his protective arms with a smile on my face. I love the way each morning isn’t complete for him unless he has his morning snuggles. It’s like its fuel for his soul. I love the way he holds me and pulls me into his body with a contented sigh, and rains feather light kisses over his favorite freckles.
I walk back out of my office to make sure everything is ready for the photo shoot this morning. I look to my right and see the engagement photo of Stephen and I that Doreen took. In just three short weeks, I’ll walk down the aisle and marry the love of my life, the man who helped me see the worth in myself.
Doreen is now my one and only full time employee. She now lives in the house just outside of Malibu that belongs to Nina and Joss. Doreen has an amazing eye for photography, and she soaks up everything I teach her.
The front door opens, and the room immediately fills with loud, boisterous laughter from Joss, Nina, and Kate.
“Give me that baby!” Nina yells at Kate.
“It’s my turn!” Joss whines.
I smile at the two of them, then look next to the wedding photo of Kate and Cooper at the teeny tiny two-week old photo of their daughter, Peyton Madelyn Sullivan.
“Her godmother gets her first,” Kate says, placing Peyton in my arms.
I bring my nose to the top of Peyton’s head and loudly inhale her intoxicating baby scent. If heaven has a smell, this is what it must smell like.
“Let’s do this,” River says, walking into the studio. “Stephen and I are going to take out the L’amour vrai,” he says.
Stephen and River take out the family yacht, L’amour vrai on a regular basis. That yacht that once belonged to River, Stephen, and Kate’s parents holds so many wonderful family memories.
Cooper walks in behind the girls, then lifts Kenzie up on his shoulders. He bounces up and down earning the cutest little girly giggles from Kenzie.
Last night, I set up four chairs for the first annual Mason family portrait. The ladies will sit in the chairs, and the men will stand behind them. Kenzie will sit on Nina’s lap, and Kate will hold baby Peyton. I instruct everyone where to sit, then I check the positioning of my camera. When I look through the lens, I’m suddenly hit with a ton of emotions. This, these people, I’m now a part of something so much bigger than I ever thought possible . . . Family. I’m part of a family.
After a few minutes of not saying anything, Stephen gets up and walks over to me.
“Are you alright? Is it morning sickness?” he asks.
“No. It’s . . . it’s,” I start to say, then the baby kicks again. “The baby,” I finish.
“Is something wrong?” he questions concerned, placing his hand over my flat stomach.
“I felt the baby move,” I say, shaking my head.
Stephen’s face fills with sheer joy, then he wraps his arms around my shoulders in a tight hug.
“I love you, Sweetness,” he whispers.
“I’m so lucky you love me,” I reply.
“I speak only the truth,” he says, pulling slightly away, then runs his finger down my cheek and kisses me.
“Are they kissing?” River asks.
Sadie lets out a loud bark, and everyone laughs.
“Let’s do this,” I say, grabbing the hands free remote for the camera.
I take my seat next to Kate. Stephen stands behind me and places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
“Everyone smile!” I say, then push the button on the remote and proceed to take dozens of photos.
After the photo session, Stephen and River head to the marina. Cooper, Kate, and Sadie head home to lay Peyton down for a nap. Kenzie is playing with props, and Nina and Joss are standing in front of some new photos Doreen just hung up on the wall. I stand in the center of my studio, and my heart overflows with the love. A single tear slides down my cheek as I smile.
Both Nina and Joss walk over to me with a smile, and make a Maddy sandwich. Then at the same time, they both gently nudge my elbows with their secret I love you nudge.
The Running Into Love Series:
Take A Chance – Running Into Love – Book 1
I’ll Take A Chance – Running Into Love – Book 2
Second Chance – Running Into Love – Book 3
A Fighting Chance – Running Into Love – Book 4
Running Into Love Box Set - Books One to Four
Unavoidable Chance - Running Into Love Book 5
Unexpected Chance – Running Into Love Book 6
A Very Wellington Christmas Novella
Running Into Love—The Complete Box Set
(Books 1–6, A Very Wellington Christmas, and a bonus short story!)
A Different Road Series:
I See . . . Love—A Different Road—Book 1
I Hear . . . Love—A Different Road—Book 2
I Speak Love—A Different Road—Book 3
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I’m an International Bestselling, “Indie,” Contemporary Romance author. A thought occurred to me in December of 2012 that maybe I could write a romance novel. So, I went to work with the encouragement of my husband and my sister-in-law.
It didn’t take long to figure out that I really love writing. I published my debut novel Take A Chance in October of 2013.
I’ve been married to my wonderful husband since 1996, and I love being a stay-at-home mom to our two teenage boys. I was born and raised in Michigan, but currently live in sunny California.
I’m a self-published author, and it’s been an amazing, crazy, wonderful journey.
Website: annalisanicole.com
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Thank you to my wonderful, supportive husband, I love you forever and always. My two boys, you are the light in my life given to me from above. Thank you for always believing in me, supporting me each and every step of the way, and encouraging me to follow my dreams.
Thank you to all my beautiful beta readers. Your dedication and continued support mean the world to me. I love you all: Master Beta—Erin Dolin, Jenny Allen, Alissa Glenn, Kell Donaldson, Cristie Alleman, Crissy Sutcliffe, Amanda Farmer, and Di Ainsworth.
Thank you, Lindsay, from LTE Editing. You are an amazing editor and a valued friend. I love working with you.
Najla, from Najla Qamber Designs, thank you once again for an amazing cover. I absolutely love it!
Thank you to my amazing proofreader, Alissa Glenn. Your friendship means the world to me!
Thank you, Tami, from Integrity Formatting. You are such a lovely person, and I absolutely love working with you. You’re always there for me, and I love and appreciate that so much.
Thank you, Enticing Journey Book Promotions for running the cover reveal, pre-order blitz, and release day blitz. It’s always a pleasure to work with two lovely, dedicated ladies.
Julie Franke, thank you for always being a constant source of friendship, encouragement, love, and support in my life. Without you, I would never have started this amazing journey.
Thank you, Kellie Montgomery, from Eye Candy Bookstore. You are an amazing person and have mad PR skills. I’m so proud to be an Eye Candy Bookstore author!
Thank you, Di, from Di’s Dazzling Dezines for all the beautiful Kindle Couch’s! I absolutely love you, and each and every one of them. You make me smile.
I want to give some extra special love to some people, who without them in my life . . . I would probably self-implode. I usually hold things inside . . . until they’re not . . . These people have a special place in my heart and have never ever walked away even when I hit crazy lady status: Julie Franke, Amo Thomson, Michelle Schwartz, Alissa Glenn, Stacy Ford, Delisa Lynn, Amanda Farmer, Kell Donaldson, Tiffany West, and Di Ainsworth.
Thank you, readers, reviewers, and bloggers for continuing to stay with me on this amazing, wonderful journey. Thank you for continuing to read what the crazy characters in my head make me write. Thank you for all the wonderful personal messages, emails, and reviews. I read each and every review, so keep them coming. From the bottom of my heart . . . thank you!
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
About Annalisa
Other Books
Contact Annalisa
Acknowledgements
I Speak...Love (A Different Road #3) Page 18
