by E. M. Abel
I dropped my head and shook it back and forth, unable to fight the overwhelming feeling in my chest. I’d had no idea how much those words would mean to me until I heard them. They were everything.
“Your mom says she wants you to let go of the guilt and anger you carry. She says you still beat yourself up for not spending more time with her, and she wants you to stop. She says she wanted you to live your life. Do you understand that?”
I nodded and wiped more tears away.
“She says she wouldn’t change a thing, and she’s so proud of the man you’ve become.”
Lillian paused, her eyes bouncing between Sky and me, a grin curling her lips. Sky and I stared at each other before facing her again, anxiously waiting to hear what she’d say next.
“Your mom also says she’s so happy you’re finally giving her a grandchild.”
My eyebrows furrowed, and I looked back at Sky. Her eyes were as wide as saucers, and her jaw dropped open.
“What?” I asked, glancing back at Lillian for clarification.
She was just sitting there, smiling at Sky.
“Sky?” My heart was pounding in my chest.
“I wanted to see the doctor before I told you. I didn’t want to get your hopes up if I was wrong.”
I pushed my chair back, so I could turn my body toward hers. Leaning forward, I put my elbows on my knees and took her hands in mine, staring up into her blue eyes. “We’re having a baby?” I asked, trying to stay calm as total elation took over me.
There was nothing I wanted more than to build a family with Sky.
More tears slid down Sky’s cheeks, and she smiled. “I guess so.”
Standing up, I swept Sky into my arms and squeezed her tight. “We’re having a baby? We’re having a baby!”
As I pulled away and smiled down at her, Sky giggled and shrugged. “Happy birthday!”
THE END
To my readers—Thank you for allowing me to share my work with you and for supporting my dream.
To my husband—Thank you for your unwavering support and love. I couldn’t do any of this without you by my side.
To my Street Team and friends—Thank you for your support, loyalty, and encouragement. It means the world to me.
To my beta readers—Cindy Crowley, Kristine Dillon, Kelli Jean, Pam Godwin, Vanessa Morse, and Hope Scherlin—Thank you so much for taking the time to help me and provide feedback. Your input is invaluable.
To my editor, Jovana Shirley at Unforeseen Editing—Thank you for your friendship and amazing talent. My books wouldn’t survive without you.
To my friend and cover designer, Renee Ericson at RE Creatives—Thank you for this beautiful cover and my awesome teasers! Kelli is right; you are a wizard.
E.M. Abel was born and raised a Marine Corps brat. She spent a large portion of her life moving and living in her mother’s home country, Japan. As a result, she gained independence and a unique perspective on the world. The youngest of three girls, E.M. spent a lot of time alone in her room, writing or sketching in her journals and dreaming up stories. Growing up, she wrote poems, short stories, and then articles for her high school newspaper. She also fell in love with art and discovered her desire for self-expression.
Now, a Navy wife with two children of her own, she still loves being creative and, most of all, translating her stories into novels. E.M. can often be found jamming out to music with her headphones on, practicing yoga, searching for her Zen, or exploring the latest place she calls home. No matter what she’s doing in her life, she’s always sure to do it her way.
