by Cary Hart
Niki closes her eyes and lays her head back, snoring. “Oh, excuse me. I must have fallen asleep.” She winks at me. “Let’s see...hmm...I’m thankful for wine, first class flights and kids. They’re great. Well, most of them.” She chuckles. “Next.”
“And I,” Reece stands up, “am thankful for Mom’s bun in the oven.” She smiles, not realizing what she just said.
Drew spits out his tea.
Doug chokes.
Sarah gasps.
Niki digs for her phone to video.
The girls laugh at the saying.
Drew and I just look at each other and smile. He nods, kissing me on the forehead.
“Well, since Reece let the cat out of the bag without understanding, and we are all one big happy family, we would like to announce that we are going to have a baby.”
Drew calls Reece and Andie over. “Girls, you are going to be big sisters.”
“WE ARE?” they say in unison.
“What do you guys think about that?” I bend down, hoping they are as excited as we are.
“I think we should name him Snickers.” Reece looks over to Andie.
“No, remember, we made a list. If it’s a girl we can name her Baby Ruth and if it’s a boy, Hershey’s.”
“Kids, I think we need to work on the boy name.” Niki jumps in.
Doug seems uncomfortable.
Sarah looks horrified.
Niki keeps recording.
And Drew looks like the proudest dad in the whole wide world, which makes me the happiest woman. We are a long ways away from the two broken people we were when we started this journey. Now we’re one. Now we’re whole.
Aubrey
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HAPPILY ever after isn’t so happy? When all your dreams and plans dissolve into the chaos of everyday life, and are swallowed up by obligations...
I know firsthand, I lived it. And now I’ve learned what happens when fate twists in a way you never saw coming and life grants you a second chance. From that chaos you emerge stronger and with more than you ever hoped for.
What do you do when you’re given an opportunity for a new happily ever after? You take it, you fight for it and you never let go!
Grateful.
Forgiving.
Happy.
When your heart is so full, because not only did you find a soulmate to share your world, but they also shared theirs. And together you have created a yours, mine and ours life that’s not perfect, but it’s everything you dreamed of.
Surprised.
Overjoyed.
Full.
Life is finally as it should be. Gone are the days of exhausting myself being someone I’m not and the nights of insecurities. I’ve found myself and learned to love who I am. And my nights. Oh, my nights...
Passion.
Acceptance.
Love.
No more obligations. I’m the wife and mother I was always meant to be. Because I have found a partner who puts my needs before his own. Who encourages my hopes and dreams. Who’s an amazing father.
Supportive.
Selfless.
Gentle.
Life isn’t perfect, and he doesn’t expect me to be. He loves me, flaws and all. And I feel the same.
We’ve both got the scars to prove we went through hell and back to find and keep each other, but all the imperfections are part of our story. And even though it was like our own personal war, it’s our love story all the same.
Strong hands wrap around my waist, pulling me from my thoughts and caressing my growing belly.
"Thanks for today momma."
Drew kisses my cheek and I turn in his arms, admiring the blue eyes that not only captured my heart but my soul.
“Thank you for putting the girls to sleep.” I trail my fingers down his arm to where his hand meets my belly.
“Mmm. It’s the least I could do after today.” He tucks a loose hair behind my ear. “The girls and you...” He shakes his head in disbelief. “The matching father and son tool belts were the highlight of the night.”
“The girls were so excited.” I throw my leg over his, trying to get comfortable. “I hope you don’t care that I found out. I know we said we would wait, but the girls and I really wanted to give you something special for Father’s Day.”
“Here.” He takes a pillow and lays it between us so I can prop my belly on it. “Better?”
“Yes.”
“Good, I can’t have Clark miserable in there.”
Here we go.
“We are not naming our son Clark, after a candy bar.” The girls made another list, strictly boy names, and slid it into his card.
“Babe?” He scoots closer, his lips barely touching mine, speaking so I can feel every word he breathes. “Thank you. For the girls, for the son you are giving life and for being the light in my darkest days. I don’t know what I have ever done to deserve you, but I’m grateful.”
His words are sealed with a kiss filled with promise.
“I love you, Mr. Williams.”
“I love you more, Mrs. Williams. Sweet dreams.”
Exhale.
How in the world could I possibly thank everyone who has helped me in this amazing writing journey? Impossible, because there are so many of you.
Brittany, I love you so hard. You are more than a friend you are family. Thank you for pushing me, for brainstorming with me, for sitting up at night reading chapter by chapter as you cough up your lung! Seriously... I don’t deserve you! #BFF #TwinningIsWinning
Stephanie, my spirit animal. You inspire me each and every day. I don’t know where I would be without you. Your daily voice messages and GIFS are golden! Always what I needed. This whole process was scary as hell and each day you helped me through. #SlutNugget #HippyShit
Niki, *kissy face* Thank you girl for being you. For taking a load off me when I feel overwhelmed. I don’t know what I would do without you. You are the greatest friend/fan/ book pimp... EVER.
Which brings me to my Sweethart’s... you guys sure know how to whore me out! I heart you guys! You ladies, I love you so much. Every time I get a tag... I smile. #sharingiscaring
Dani, my amazing editor. I would have NEVER made it through this book if it wasn’t for you. NEVER EVER! Thank you for your patience and support. You are the best and I don’t know how I could ever thank you enough. #MadLove
Sabrina Norris... Congrats on winning the character contests. Thanks for letting me use you. PS...I didn’t turn you into evil beotch. YAY! #NurseSabrina
Let’s not forget Spotify...Thanks for having a song for every one of my moods.
To my husband and kids... I’m still here and I promise next time will be a little different. You have been without a wife and mom for about a month now. I’m sorry, but love that you guys understand my dream. Thank you and love you.
To all the bloggers... As a reader, I enjoy you. As a writer, I adore you. Everything you do is for the love of books... thanks!
A special extra thanks to For the Love of Books and Events. Kelly and Red, I kind of dig you two! Thanks for believing in me! #sorrynotsorry #confidentcary #becausevodka #TWD4Life #hashtagssuck
Cary Hart hails from the Midwest. A sassy, coffee-drinking, sometimes sailor swearing (Shhh...don’t tell), wine-sipping, Spotify addict, lover of all things books!
When not pushing women down the stairs in the fictional world, Cary has her hands full. She is blessed to be the sports mom of two wild and crazy, spoiled kiddos, and wife to the most supportive husband (took a few years to train). In addition to working full-time, she bakes cookies on the side to fund her newly found love of writing and to keep her Sephora VIB Rouge status. The addiction is real, folks!
Believe it or not, writing was never a dream for Cary. Reading was something she never enjoyed growing up. All it took was one friend, who went MIA for a weekend on a book binge, to share her passion and loan an ebook, lighting a fire inside her. Two years, and hundreds of ebooks later, she connected with one of her
favorite authors, who patiently listened to her plot ideas. Her encouragement and saying those three little words — “You write it!” — changed everything!
So, welcome! Hop on board, and enjoy the ride!
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LISTEN ON SPOTIFY
Love is War by RUNAGROUND
Battlefield by Lea Michele
History by Matthew Mayfield
Unhinged by Nick Jonas
Cheap Thrills by Sia
Lights Down Low by MAX
Say Love by JoJo
Body Say by Demi Lovato
Next Time by Jay Ollero
Fight For You by Grayson Reed
Ruin by Shawn Mendes
My Heart is Open by Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani
Scars by James Bay
Either Way by Chris Stapleton
We Can Never Go Back – Acoustic by Joy Williams
Last Song by Jana Kramer
When you Love Someone by James TW
Kiss You Slow by Andy Grammer
Battlefield of Love Series
Love Divide (Battlefield of Love Series, #2) – Niki’s Story
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