Passion & Lies
Page 16
“You know how stressed he gets because he can’t stop himself from worrying.”
“That he does.”
Ryan and Faith sat in the pew each feeding a baby. “Do you remember the last time that we were in this church?”
“Do I ever. The sexiest bride I’ve ever seen came limping down the aisle adjusting her crown and then I married her.” Ryan smiled.
“It felt like the longest walk of my life. All I wanted to do was to be in your arms.”
“And now our arms are full of these cute little munchkins.”
“As much as I love these two I do miss having you all to myself sometimes.”
“Me too.”
“Maybe in a couple of months when they are a little older we can sneak away for a weekend.”
“You mean maybe we can go away for a weekend with a nanny that sleeps in an adjoining room with the babies?” Ryan laughed.
“Ok, maybe that.”
“I don’t think you’ll be ready anytime soon to go away and leave them.”
“You’re right.” Faith kissed little Nicky. “Your mommy would miss you and your sister too much.”
Ryan kissed Alli. “Daddy would miss you too.”
“Mommy can you come here and hurry!”
Lacey came running into Lilly’s room. “What is it Molly?”
“I need a hand with Lilly.”
“Yeah, Mommy, he needs a hand with Lilly.”
“Ok. What do you need a hand with?”
“We ran out of diapers so can you start undressing her and I’ll go downstairs and grab a case?”
“Ok.” Lacey started to unbutton Lilly’s blouse and Molly started to tug on her shirt.
“Will you.”
“What, Molly?”
Molly looked to see if her mom had removed Lilly’s top. “Ok, Mommy, Will You…”
Lacey looked down at Lilly and her shirt said Marry.
“ME!”
Lacey turned her head and Dane was on his knee behind her holding a ring.
“I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and our girls. Marry me, Lacey?”
Lacey nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “Yes!”
Dane stood up and kissed her before sliding the ring onto her finger.
Molly was clapping and jumping up and down. “Does this mean we are all going to be Carltons now?”
Dane leaned down and hugged Molly. “Yes, that means that we are all going to be Carltons now, even you.”
“YAY!”
Lacey looked down at her ring. It was a large oval diamond with a pink baguette on each side to represent her two girls. “I’ve never been so happy.”
“I never knew what love was until I found you, Lacey. You and the girls are my whole world.”
“And you’re ours, Dane.”
Lacey and Dane had decided to keep the news of their engagement quiet until after the christening so as not to take away from Sarah’s big day.
As soon it was over Molly climbed out of her pew and ran over to Alex.
“Hi, Molly.”
“I’m going to be a Carlton and so is my mommy.”
“You are?”
“Yes.”
Alex got up and walked over to Lacey and grabbed her hand. “OH MY GOD!”
“Molly, did you spill the beans?”
Molly giggled. “Maybe.”
Alex held Lacey’s hand up. “LACEY AND DANE GOT ENGAGED!”
Alex hugged Lacey and then Dane before all their friends did the same.
Miguel was the last to congratulate Dane. “I told you, love always finds a way.”
Dane looked over at Lacey and they exchanged smiles. “I suppose you’re going to tell me that I’m going to live happily ever after too?”
“No, that only happens in books.” Miguel winked and Dane laughed.
Three years later…
EDEN HUGGED MIGUEL. “WELL, dear brother, it looks like you pulled off another successful Cruz Carnival Day.”
“Thanks to my wife and Lacey who planned most of it.”
Eden looked around at all the families. “You did this. Not just this carnival, but you’re responsible for my happiness too.”
“Miles is the one who should get the credit for that.”
“Miggy, if it wasn’t for you putting your life on hold to raise me and take care of me who knows how things would have ended up for me.”
Miguel kissed Eden on her forehead. “I’ll take some of the credit for standing by you but see that man right there he is the reason you’re smiling.”
Eden looked over at Miles who was trying to get Cruz, Sarah and baby Levi into the car. “I think I had better go and give him a hand. Sarah is covered in cotton candy.”
Miguel laughed. “She is a huge blue mess, isn’t she.”
“Good night, Miggy.”
“Good night, Sis.”
“Good night, Faith.” Alex hugged Faith and then Ryan. “Ry, you really should try and relax sometime.” Alex laughed.
Ryan looked up at Alex. He had his arms full off stuffed animals and goldfish Alli and Nicky had won at the carnival and popcorn in his hair. “I’ll drop the twins off for the weekend and Faith and I will go to the spa. Then I can relax.”
“Anytime. I know that Emmie and Ethan are always happy to see them.”
“Ok, everyone’s buckled in.” Ryan hugged Alex. “Night, Sis.”
“Drive safe.” Alex hugged Faith.
Dane and Lacey pulled up next to Miguel. “We’re all packed up and heading out.”
“You look good driving a big family SUV.” Miguel smirked.
“It has the highest safety rating and with Molly, Lilly and our son on the way we outgrew my sporty SUV.”
Miguel stuck his head in the window and kissed Lacey. “Thank you, Lacey, today was the best ever.”
“I’m just so happy that we were able to raise all that money for the Cruz Foundation.”
“Me too.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“No, no, you take tomorrow off. I’ll make my own coffee.” Miguel winked.
Lacey patted her belly. “Did you hear that DJ, your Uncle Miguel is going to try to make his own coffee.” Lacey and Dane both laughed.
“Very funny.”
“Night, Migs.” Dane waved.
Alex was sitting in the car with the children waiting for Miguel. She couldn’t wait to tell him her good news.
“Is everyone buckled in back here?”
Emmie giggled. “Buckled up.”
Miguel kissed her cheek, looked over at Ethan who was asleep and then he closed the door and got into the front seat. “Ready, Sweetheart?”
“Can we wait a minute. I have something I want to tell you.”
Miguel turned and looked at Alex with concern. “Is everything ok?”
“More than ok. I’m pregnant.” Alex smiled.
Miguel grabbed her and kissed her. “The perfect way to end a perfect night.”
The End
I would like to thank my family, especially my husband, children and my mother. I love you all so much. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.
To my friends who have supported me through this yet again, you know who you are and I love you “more.” Thank you!
BT Urruela—BT, thank you so much for agreeing to be my Dane. You are an inspiration and a hero. Having you on my cover is a true honor. Welcome to my “Book Baby” family! Love you, Mister.
Golden Czermak/FuriousFotog—Golden, you are a friend and an epic photographer. This shoot was fun and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Stay Furious and Thank You for everything xoxo
To the talented designers at Dynamic Design Team who designed another awesome book cover. Thank you!
To my readers, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness, friendship and constant support means the world to me. You all bring a smile to my face every day. Thank you!
Also by Michelle Iannarelli
The You Series
Intoxicated by You
Craving You
Crazy Over You
Taming You
Underground Affair Series
Ace of Spades
Jack of Hearts
Queen of Diamonds
King of Clubs
Undercover Love Series
Love & Lies
Secrets & Lies
Sex & Lies
Soulmates
Soulmates 2
Choosing Lance