She lands in Braxton’s arms, and he hugs her so tight he picks her up. My lower lip trembles and tears start to leak out of the corners of my eyes. Again. Brax and Selene stay there for a long moment, holding each other.
Then Ronan walks over, his eyebrows raised, a small smile playing across his face.
Selene pulls away and wipes the tears from her cheeks. “Oh my god, Brax.”
“I feel like I missed something,” Ronan says. “Is everything okay?”
Selene looks at me and raises her eyebrows. I glance at Braxton. Who wants to say it?
Braxton takes my hand and pulls me closer to him. “We’re going to have a baby.”
Ronan’s mouth opens and his eyes register surprise. “Kylie? You’re pregnant?”
I nod and swipe my fingers beneath my eyes. “Yes. Selene, I’m so sorry. I didn’t want to steal your thunder. I was going to tell him tomorrow, but—”
She shakes her head. “No, I’m so glad you did. Brax, I knew. I knew last weekend and it’s been killing me.”
Brax hasn’t once stopped smiling. Is it possible to say a guy is glowing? That’s such a girl thing, but I’m not even kidding; he totally is.
“Wait,” Ronan says, holding up a hand. “Kylie’s the one who’s pregnant? I thought…”
“You thought what?” Selene asks.
“I thought you were pregnant,” he says.
“Yeah, I did too,” Braxton says.
“Why?” Selene asks with a laugh.
“I found a box of pregnancy tests in the garbage,” Ronan says. “I figured you were waiting to tell me, so I didn’t ask you about it.”
I laugh. “No, that was me. I took one at your house before I went to the doctor.”
Ronan looks bewildered. “Wow, I really had the wrong impression.” He turns to Selene. “So you’re not pregnant?”
Selene shakes her head. “No, but I have to be honest, I thought I could be. This whole thing started last weekend. I was late so I took a test to find out, and I made Kylie take one, too. But hers was the one that was positive.”
“I suppose considering we’ve been married for about an hour, this is good news.” Ronan turns to Selene and slips a hand around her waist. “But I have to admit I’m a little disappointed.”
Selene’s lips part. “You are?”
Ronan smiles. “Yeah. It hit me when I saw that test that I’d love to have a baby with you.”
“Are you serious?” she asks.
“Absolutely,” he says. “Maybe we should talk about it a bit first, but at some point, yes. I think we should have a baby.”
He gathers her in his arms and kisses her. Any hope I had of not being a sobbing mess is long gone. I wipe my cheeks, but the tears don’t stop.
Braxton lifts my hand and brings it to his lips. “You’re so tired. Are you ready to go?”
I take a deep breath. I don’t want to bail on Selene’s reception, but I’m pretty sure if I sit, I’m either going to put my head down and sob, or pass out. “Yes. I’m exhausted.”
Selene reaches out and squeezes my hand. “Go get some rest, babe.”
I squeeze her back. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
We gather up our things and say goodbye to people. Braxton puts his arm around me and leads me toward the lobby.
“So,” he says, “we can still have sex while you’re pregnant, right?”
I laugh. “Of course that’s your first question.”
He leans away so he can look at me and raises his eyebrows. “But can we?”
“Yes, we definitely can.”
He laughs and hugs me tighter. “I’m just teasing. Let’s get you to the hotel so we can get in bed. I’m going to cuddle the fuck out of you tonight.”
And that sounds absolutely perfect to me.
Epilogue: Braxton
I look up at the clock, bleary-eyed. Two o’clock. Is that a.m. or p.m.? There’s light coming in through the cracks in the blinds. That must mean it’s afternoon. It’s been a little hard to keep track. To say the last twenty-four hours or so have been a whirlwind would be the understatement of the century.
Kylie is fast asleep in the hospital bed. That fucking woman—I already knew she was amazing, but after what I witnessed a few hours ago I will forever be in awe of her. She was so damn strong. Whoever claimed women are the weaker sex didn’t know what the fuck they were talking about—and obviously never witnessed a woman give birth.
Yesterday—was it really only yesterday?—we were on the couch, and Kylie couldn’t seem to get comfortable. I got her some extra pillows and rubbed her feet while she dozed off. I sat there, watching her for a while. Her eyes were closed, her face still, her hands on the swell of her belly. I was mesmerized. Pregnancy did nothing but make Kylie more beautiful. Her body changed, but it was so sensual. I still loved every inch of her.
Being pregnant wasn’t always easy on her. I did what I could to help, but at the end of the day, there’s only so much a guy can do. I was always on hand for back rubs, and foot rubs, and bringing home her favorite foods.
And sex when she wanted it. Holy shit, there was about a four month stretch where she could not get enough. It was fucking awesome. It got a little awkward as her belly grew, but all it took was a little creativity. I’m great at being creative.
As I sat there on the couch, caressing her skin, she shifted her hips and her forehead tightened. She held her belly, opened her eyes, and simply said, “Uh oh.”
It wasn’t a race to the hospital, like you see in the movies. But she definitely started having contractions, and we knew it was close. We hung out at home for a while, until they started to get more intense. She called her doctor’s office, and they told her it was time to come in.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my entire life.
She held my hand in a tight grip on the way to the hospital. I walked her inside and they put her in a wheelchair. For a second, I thought they were going to take her away from me, and I almost lost my shit. But the nurse said, “Come on back, Dad,” and I followed.
Hearing those words really almost made me lose my shit.
The next ten hours were the most exhausting, incredible, and awe-inspiring hours of my life. Kylie was a fucking rock star. They told us ahead of time that a C-section was likely, but if the conditions were right they’d let Kylie try to give birth naturally. She really hoped it would work out that way.
We got very lucky. It took time for her body to be ready, but when the time came, the babies were in the right position and everything went perfectly.
That’s right. Babies. We just had twins.
We got that piece of news when she was about four months along. She was shocked. Somehow, I wasn’t. Of course we’d have twins. A boy and a girl, just like me and Selene.
The door opens and a nurse comes in, wheeling a bassinet. I sit up, moving the beige hospital blanket to the side.
She gives me a warm smile and speaks in a soft whisper. “How’s Mom doing?”
I glance over at Kylie. She’s still sound asleep. She needs it, after everything she’s been through. “She’s good. Been sleeping for a while.”
“Good,” the nurse whispers. “We should let her rest.”
I stand and stare at the two newborn babies, wrapped in white blankets, little knit hats covering their heads. My heart rate kicks up, and a deep feeling of wonder runs through me. Our babies. Kylie’s and mine.
“They’re doing very well,” the nurse says.
They took the babies to the nursery for a while so Kylie and I could get some sleep. I didn’t want to let them go, but the nurse had me walk back with them so I could see where they’d be, and she promised to bring them back soon. It was hard, even though I knew she was right. Kylie, in particular, needed rest.
“Can I hold them again?” I ask.
The nurse smiles. “Of course you can. Actually, that will be good for them. They’re maintaining their body temperature pre
tty well, but they could use some skin to skin contact. Here, take off your shirt and have a seat. I’ll hand them to you. It’s easier that way with two.”
I strip off my t-shirt and toss it aside while the nurse picks up my little boy and unwraps him so he’s in nothing but a diaper. He squirms and lets out a little grunt. I settle back in the reclining chair and the nurse hands him to me, placing him tummy down on my chest with his head near my shoulder.
“There’s one,” she says.
She picks up my daughter, and my throat feels tight. She unwraps her and helps place her tiny form on the other side of my chest. Then she takes a warm blanket and lays it over all three of us.
“There,” she says. “Perfect.”
I tuck these tiny, perfect little people in the crooks of my arms and look down at them. They both squirm around a bit, but it only takes a couple minutes for them to relax. Their cheeks squish against my chest, and their eyes are closed. Their skin is so soft against mine.
The nurse gives me one last smile, and leaves. Alone in this dim, quiet room, with my wife sleeping nearby, and two babies on my chest, it hits me: I’m a dad.
This is real.
I didn’t think I could love anyone as much as I love Kylie. I’ve loved her so deep, and for so long, it seemed impossible that anything could be bigger than that. But I look down at these two tiny sleeping babies, their warm bodies cradled against my chest, and my eyes burn with the tears of loving them. I love them fierce. In the space of the few hours since they were born, they took my heart and opened it up, lodging themselves deep inside.
I press my lips to my son’s head. My son. Kylie already says he looks like me. He’s so small, so innocent. The weight of responsibility for teaching him to be a man is heavy. But I actually think I might be strong enough.
I turn and kiss my daughter’s head. I have a daughter. This precious little princess is mine. Mine to protect and cherish. I get to show her what it is to be loved.
It makes me wonder if my dad had a moment like this. Did he hold me and Selene when we were hours old, staring at us in awe? Did he worry about whether he’d be a good father? I wish he was here, so I could ask him. I wish they could both be here, to meet their grandchildren.
Kylie stirs and opens her eyes. “Hey.”
“Hi,” I whisper. I don’t want to wake them.
She scoots closer to the edge of the bed and reaches out to caress our baby girl’s head. I see the way I feel about them reflected in Kylie’s eyes, and my throat feels tight again.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more amazing than this,” she says.
“Them?”
“You, holding them,” she says. It looks like she wants to say more, but she just smiles and a few tears trail down her cheeks.
I turn my head and stare at her. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more than I do right now.”
She slips a hand beneath the blanket and rests it on my arm. “I love you too. So much.”
There’s a soft knock on the door, and Selene pokes her head inside. “Can we come in?”
“Yeah,” Kylie says.
Selene and Ronan come in and shut the door with a soft click. Ronan stands near the foot of the bed, and Selene walks around to where I’m reclining. Her hand covers her mouth, and tears are already springing to her eyes.
“Oh, Brax.” She leans over so she can see the babies. “They’re so beautiful.”
My chest swells with pride. Fuck yeah, my babies are beautiful.
She sits on the edge of the bed and rubs Kylie’s leg. “How are you feeling?”
“Exhausted,” Kylie says. “But okay, considering.”
“We won’t stay long,” she says. “But I had to see them. I can’t even believe this. I’m so happy for you guys.”
“Thanks, sis,” I say.
Ronan steps forward and hands Kylie a small gift bag. “Here, we brought a present for the babies.”
Kylie takes the tissue paper off the top and pulls out two little onesies, one pink, one blue. She unfolds them and lays them in her lap.
I do a double take. “Wait, what do those say?”
Kylie gasps. “I love my cousin? Oh, my god, Selene, are you…?”
Selene is absolutely beaming, and Ronan looks at her with an expression I’m pretty familiar with. I’ve been wearing the same one for the last nine months.
“Yes. I’m pregnant,” Selene says.
Kylie starts to squeal, then claps her hand over her mouth. She sits up to hug Selene, and they hold each other for a long moment. With two babies on my chest I can’t really move, but I give Ronan a nod and turn back to my sister. She’s all lit up, her smile wide. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her this happy.
“Congratulations, you guys,” I say. “You’re in for a hell of a ride, but I can tell you firsthand, it’s worth it.”
Selene wipes the tears from her eyes. “Thanks, Brax. I’m really excited. But enough about us. Have you named them yet?”
“Not yet,” I say. “But I’m thinking Clark Kent and Lois Lane.”
“Good choices,” Ronan says.
Kylie laughs. “Um, no.”
“Come on, it’s perfect,” I say.
“Our wonder twins are not going to be named Lois and Clark,” Kylie says.
“You guys will figure it out,” Selene says. “But we should go. I can’t even fathom how exhausted you are, Ky.”
I look over at my wife. “She was incredible.”
Selene smiles and kisses us both, then softly kisses each baby’s forehead. “Love you guys. Let us know when you’re going home, and we’ll come help.”
“Okay,” Kylie says. “Oh my god, Selene, I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks, babe.”
After another round of hugs from my sister, she and Ronan leave. I had a feeling Selene might be pregnant. When I saw her a few days ago, something seemed different. I couldn’t put my finger on it at the time, but now it makes so much sense.
“Can you believe it?” Kylie asks. “All these babies.”
“Your dad is going to be ecstatic.”
“He really is,” she says.
I adjust myself in the chair a little, careful not to move too much. If I wake the babies, I’ll have to hand at least one of them over to Kylie. I’m enjoying holding them so much, I don’t want to give them up yet.
“You know, we do need to decide on names,” Kylie says. “Because we’re not naming them Clark Kent and Lois Lane.”
“Well, now that we’ve met them, what are you thinking?”
“Middle names are easy,” she says.
“Are they?”
“Of course,” she says. “Dean and Rose.”
I swallow hard against the lump in my throat. Dean and Rose were my parents’ names. “Yeah, that’s perfect, isn’t it? And I already know our little boy’s first name.”
“You do? What is it?”
“Henry, after your dad.”
Kylie smiles, and fresh tears fill her eyes. “Oh my god, Brax.”
“But what about this little lady?” I kiss our daughter’s head again. “What’s her name?”
“Well, I know we had a list, but I have another idea,” she says. “What about London? It’s sweet, and such a special place to us.”
“London Rose,” I say, listening to the sound of it as I gaze at my little girl. “I think it’s perfect.”
“Henry Dean and London Rose,” Kylie says with a hitch in her voice. She covers her mouth and sniffs.
“You okay, baby girl?”
She nods. “Yeah. I feel like my heart is so full I’m going to burst. You gave me these beautiful babies, and I love them so much, and I love you so much.” She pauses and takes a trembling breath. “Is this real?”
I glance down at my two beautiful babies, sleeping on my chest, then at my wife, whom I love more than I could possibly put into words.
My precious family.
I grin at Kylie. “It’s all real
, baby girl. Always.”
~~~
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About the Book
Yes, I know. It’s short. It isn’t a full novel; it isn’t even long enough that I can safely call it a novella. I fully expect a lot of “I just wish it was longer!” comments.
I get it. These characters do it for me too.
And to be honest, that’s why I wrote it. I didn’t end ALWAYS HAVE with a cliffhanger or uncertainty. We end that book at Braxton and Kylie’s wedding, seeing them all the way through their I do. But I wasn’t quite ready to let these two go.
We see them again in ALWAYS WILL, of course. And I’ve been so thrilled with all the comments from readers who noticed, and enjoyed getting a glimpse of Brax and Ky in the midst of Selene and Ronan’s story.
But there was still a little more story to be told. This is a different sort of thing for me, since it isn’t technically a romance. It’s more like an extended epilogue, following them forward in time to another special milestone in their lives.
Writing this was a bit of a creative indulgence for me. I simply wanted to write more about these characters. I wouldn’t in a million years dream of messing with their HEA. They fought too hard for it to have me come along and screw things up.
However, I had a few ideas swirling through my head about what would come next for them. How great would it be to see them have a baby? I mean, really, can you imagine Braxton holding his newborn in his arms? SWOON CITY.
While I was writing, I decided we’d see them through all the way to the birth of their child—which meant I needed to know if they had a boy or a girl. DECISIONS! I figured this would be a fun one to reader-source. So I asked my private FB reader group (Alpha Ever After) if they thought Brax and Ky would have a boy or a girl. The response was overwhelming, and I have no idea why I was surprised.
Always Ever After Page 5
