“I will never leave you or Stella again, I can promise you that. I’m here for the long haul. You both mean the world to me,” he said hoarsely, holding me hard against him. “I’ve barely been able to function without the two of you.”
We continued to talk a little, which eventually led to us making out on my couch, until I heard Stella start to wake up. I reluctantly broke away from Kyle and went into the bedroom to get her. After changing her diaper the two of us made our way back out to the living room. The minute she saw Kyle sitting on the couch, she ran full speed into his open arms.
“Ky, you’re here!” she shouted. “I missed you.”
“Oh, baby girl, I missed you, too,” he said, tears rolling down his cheeks. The fact that I found a man that not only loved me but also loved my daughter in equal measure was an answer to all my prayers. I knew then, watching the two of them embracing each other, that this was my happily ever after.
Epilogue
Kyle
Ten Months Later
“Ky, I’m hungry!” Stella shouted as she jumped onto our bed, effectively waking me up. I didn’t think I’d slept past seven in the six months since Simone and Stella moved in. I had never been a morning person, but even the early wakeup calls didn’t make me regret asking the two of them to live with me.
I had wanted them to move in with me shortly after we got back together, but walking away like I did had hurt Simone more than I’d even realized. I had to work hard to earn back her trust before she would consider taking such a huge step. I couldn’t blame her. Almost everyone in her life had abandoned her and she worked hard every day learning to trust those of us who loved her.
“Let’s go make breakfast while we let your mama sleep,” I suggested, climbing out of bed and carrying Stella down to the kitchen.
It was Saturday and I had a whole day planned for Simone and me. First, she was going to drop Stella off at Jim and Marla’s for Brad’s visitation. After his overdose, Brad entered a ninety-day, inpatient rehab facility. He was lucky to have the support of his family and I think it was one of the largest factors in helping him with his recovery. Once he completed the program, he moved back in with his parents and continued participating in drug treatment classes.
I still wasn’t his biggest fan, but I could see that he was making an effort, especially when it came to Stella. It would be a long time before we ever trusted him with her by himself, but for now, our arrangement was working.
While she was gone, I was going to get everything ready for our ‘beach date’. Simone’s birthday was coming up in a couple days so we were having our own private celebration today. I was hoping it would be her most memorable birthday yet.
“What’s going on down here?” Simone asked as she walked down the stairs into the kitchen. Even in a robe and her hair a mess, I thought my girl was the most beautiful woman in the world.
“We’re making pancakes,” Stella announced from where she was kneeling on the barstool, stirring the batter I had put in front of her.
Simone walked over to her daughter and placed a kiss on the top of her head before meeting me by the stove and to give me my morning kiss as well. I loved that we had settled into a routine. When I bought this house a couple years ago, the idea of a family filling it seemed like a distant dream. I never expected it to happen so soon. Now I woke up every morning to the faces of the people I loved more than anything in the world. I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.
After breakfast, the girls finished getting ready and headed out. As soon as they left I started making the lunch we would be eating on the beach. It was early October, so it wouldn’t be too crowded out there today. The forecast was calling for sunny skies with temperatures in the upper sixties.
I made a simple cold pasta salad and prepared a cheese and cracker platter. I packed up the food, along with some water and a bottle of champagne and glasses into the picnic basket I had purchased recently.
I ran upstairs and took a shower knowing I only had a little bit of time before Simone would be back. I changed into a pair of black cargo shorts and a gray T-shirt. We were going to be sitting on the sand so I wanted to be comfortable. As I came back downstairs I heard the garage door open and saw Simone walk in.
“Are you ready to go?” I asked, picking up everything we needed off the counter. I hadn’t told her what we were doing today, but she could probably guess by the basket and huge blanket I was carrying.
“Sure,” she said, eyeing everything in my arms. “I guess I’m dressed okay?”
I looked her up and down in her blue maxi dress and cardigan. “You look perfect,” I told her honestly.
I held her hand as we walked down to the sand. We found a perfect spot away from the few other beachgoers. I spread the blanket out for us and sat with Simone between my outstretched legs.
I pulled a small portable speaker from the basket and started the special playlist I had made for today. The first song was the one that had been playing at the club when we had kissed out on the dance floor the night of her birthday.
We opened up the food and snacked on that for a little bit while the songs continued, each of them holding special meaning for us. I had never felt so much peace in my life as I did now holding the love of my life in my arms, just looking out at the water.
Finally the moment I had been anticipating was here. Train’s “Marry Me” started playing in the background. I don’t know if Simone noticed right away so I remained quiet just listening to the music. When the song came to an end, I gently turned Simone around to face me. When I looked into her eyes I could already see them glistening with tears.
I wasn’t kneeling in front of her, but our position felt more intimate this way. I wanted to be able to continue holding her when I laid my heart out to her.
“Simone, I love you. Being with you has been the happiest time of my life. I can’t imagine my life without you or Stella. I want to be the man you both can depend on. The man who will protect you and never let you go. The one who will love you for the rest of our lives.” I paused, having rehearsed this speech, wanting it to be perfect when I delivered each line. “Will you marry me?”
I opened the black velvet box I’d had in my pocket so she could see the diamond ring I’d picked out. She was quiet for a few moments but then her eyes met mine and I could see the love and joy I had for her reflected back at me.
“Of course I’ll marry you,” she said, placing her hands on both sides of my face, kissing me. She then pulled back so I could put the ring on her finger. “I love you, Kyle.”
I continued to kiss her, hoping she could feel every ounce of love I was putting into it.
Falling for Simone may have been unexpected, but it was the best thing to ever happen to me.
The End
Author’s Note
Making the decision to move forward with publishing this book was both an exciting and scary undertaking. The amount of support and encouragement I received throughout this entire process was truly inspiring. I am eternally grateful to all of you.
To my amazing husband, there is no way I could have done any of this without you. You kept everything going when I would lock myself away in my room to write. The kids and I are extremely lucky to have you. I love you!
William, Madalyn, Gina, Genevieve, and Michael, you are the best kids a mom could ask for. And even though you aren’t allowed to read this book, I hope I have taught you that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
Mom, thank you for being my biggest cheerleader. It’s because of you that I discovered my love of reading. Dad, thank you for giving up your spot at the table so I could come over and write when I needed a quiet spot to focus. You put up with Mom and me talking nonstop about book ideas. Love you both!
To Carolyn, my awesome mentor. I will never be able to express how appreciative I am to you for all the guidance you have provided. Thank you for always being there to answer my questions and for keeping me motivated.
M
y editor, Katie, thank you for taking a chance on me and caring about my story and characters. This whole process was scary but you made it so much better.
Tabitha, my partner in crime. Thank you for being the first person to read Falling for the Unexpected and encouraging me to continue. Your friendship means more to me than you’ll ever know. I’m so glad you’ve become such a big part of my life.
Meagan, who would have thought a chance meeting at a book signing would’ve sparked such a meaningful friendship? Thank you for always being there for me to bounce ideas off of, give me feedback, and provide me with encouragement when I’m just not feeling it.
BookSmacked Promotions, bloggers, and reviewers, thank you for all you have done to spread the word about Falling for the Unexpected.
To the readers, thank you for taking a chance on a new author. I hoped you enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed telling it.
Playlist
Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
Two Weeks – All That Remains
Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
Home – Three Days Grace
So Far Away – Staind
Painkiller – Three Days Grace
Just Like You – Three Days Grace
This Is What You Came For (feat. Rihanna) – Calvin Harris
Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran
Cake By The Ocean – DNCE
The High Road – Three Days Grace
Marry Me – Train
About the Author
Rachel lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, five children, two dogs, two cats, and a gecko. Whenever she has some free time you’ll find her with a book in her hands. She never believed she was the creative type until she sat down one day and started plotting out a story that wouldn’t leave her head. From there, the ideas continued to flow. It was then that she found her outlet and she hasn’t stopped since.
Falling for the Unexpected is her debut novel.
Follow Rachel here and get updates on future projects:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rachellynadams
Twitter: @rachellynadams2
Email: [email protected]
Falling for the Unexpected (Life Unexpected Book 1) Page 29
