Part of me wanted to argue, but my swollen ankles and throbbing lower back told me to shut up. I practically plopped down.
“Here. Give me your feet. Your ankles should be elevated.”
I scooted toward the end and he lifted them into his lap, gently kneading the soles of my feet. I melted into the couch. “That does feel good.”
“I like the shirt, by the way.”
I grinned down at it. I was wearing a black T-shirt with the skeleton of a baby stretched across my seven-month pregnant stomach. Technically, by nature’s rules, it was our second biological child together. But neither of us ever felt that way. This was our third child. My smile fell as I thought about what I knew about said baby.
When we had Leo I didn’t want to know the gender then either. But Joy and Grayson did, so we compromised and had a gender reveal party when I was eight months pregnant. We were supposed to be doing the same for this one.
Except Naomi—who was in charge of setting up the reveal—let it slip at lunch earlier.
I wasn’t mad. She looked exhausted, which I suppose was to be expected with twin eight-month-old boys. But I didn’t know how to tell Grayson. Even though it wasn’t my fault, I felt guilty. Of the two of us, he’d been wanting to know.
“I know the gender,” I blurted out. I was still looking down at my stomach when Grayson’s hands froze.
“I didn’t mean to. We were at lunch and Naomi let it slip, but she’s really—”
He chuckled, lightly squeezing my feet. “Relax. Naomi sent me a text after it happened. She felt awful.”
“Oh. Did she tell you what we’re having?”
“No. She wanted to leave that to you.” He lifted his eyebrows, waiting.
With a small smile, I rested my hands against the sides of my stomach. “A girl. We’re having a baby girl.”
“We are?” He exhaled, gently setting down my legs before scooting down and pulling me into a hug; well, as much of a hug as he could give me with a beach ball between us. Grayson kissed my cheek and pulled back, staring into my eyes while his hands framed my face.
“I want to name her Taylor,” I whispered. I hadn’t been sure if he’d been thinking it, but the look in his eyes told me he had. “I was thinking about it when we had Leo, too. I had a middle name and everything.”
“Let’s hear it.” One of his hands dropped to my knee.
“Taylor Elizabeth Mable.”
“I love it, Ellie. Thank you.”
He leaned forward to kiss me right as Andy came in. “Ewww…”
We separated with a chuckle, settling back against the couch. Grayson wrapped his arm around me and lightly stroked my shoulder. “Sorry, bud. Where’s your costume?”
“Oh. I haven’t decided.”
“Still?” I groaned.
“It’s an important decision, Mom.”
“Yeah, Mom,” Grayson teased.
“I’ve been helping Leo with his.” Then he turned toward the stairs and screamed, “Are you ready?!”
“Yeah!” came back.
“Okay, close your eyes.”
We both did as we were told, listening to little feet running across the wood until Andy told us we could open our eyes. Our oldest was standing proudly next to his younger brother, who was dressed in a makeshift suit.
Leo was wearing his own black pants and white shirt, but he was swimming in one of Grayson’s suit jackets and had one of my husband’s ties hastily looped around his neck.
“Hmm… I’m stumped,” Grayson finally said. Both boys turned to me, pleased with the possibility of fooling both of us.
“Yeah, me too.”
“Leo wanted to be his favorite superhero,” Andy explained. My husband still seemed lost, but I was slowly putting the pieces together. Finally Leo couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“I’m DADDY!” he screamed. I winced, rubbing my ear. Both our sons had too much energy and lung capacity for my sanity sometimes.
“You’re… me?” Grayson asked, pointing to himself in disbelief.
Leo came over and wedged in between us. “Don’t worry, I know you’re not a real superhero,” our youngest whispered as he pulled on his dad’s pant leg. Before either of us could say more, he finished, “You’re better than a superhero.”
Grayson’s eyes glassed. “And why’s that?”
“Because you’re real.” An implicit duh was tacked on the end.
Stick a fork in me.
I was done. These kids may drive me insane, but they had the biggest hearts.
I ran my hand through Leo’s hair. “Does he still get a cape?”
My son bunched up his face in contemplation. “I guess.” Leo whipped toward his father. “But I get to pick it.”
“I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Glancing over, I saw Andy standing there with a proud look on his face. I waved him over and even though he pretended like it was a chore, he slumped over and sat next to me. My arm went around him and he melted into my side.
After a few minutes, the boys stood up and started bickering. Grayson erased the distance between us and pulled me into his side. He weaved his fingers through mine before placing a kiss on the back of my hand.
“I love the story we’ve written,” I whispered, my eyes focused on his. “I can’t wait for what comes next.”
My husband rested our joined hands on my stomach. “Me too. Fate hasn’t let me down so far,” he said with a grin.
“I love you, Grayson.”
“Always.” With a softer smile, his gaze roamed over my face like he was looking at something precious. “I see you, Ellie…”
And he’s never made me doubt it.
“When You Were Young” - The Killers
“Fuckin’ Perfect” - Pink
“Numb” - Sia
“Collide” - Howie Day
“Demons” - Imagine Dragons
“Wanted” (Cover) - Dez Duron
“You and Me” - Lifehouse
“Every Storm” - Gary Allan
“Superheroes” - The Script
“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” (Cover) - Ariana Grande
“Brave” - Sara Bareilles
“Your Song” (Cover) - Ellie Goulding
“Come Home” - One Republic (Feat. Sara Bareilles)
“Something Just Like This” - The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
“Come To Me” - The Goo Goo Dolls
It’s only my name on the cover, but it took so many people to make this book a reality. I am beyond grateful for all the love and support the following people have given me. They deserve so much more than I can ever give them.
First and foremost, thank you to my family for putting up with the crazy deadlines I set for myself (and then flail around to meet). Thank you to my friends who don’t hate me (right??) for constantly changing/delaying plans. I love you all for understanding how much my writing means to me!
To my beta readers: Delilah Frost, Jenny Baker Reimer, Kristen Humphry Johnson, and Robin Renee Hill. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it a thousand times: you guys are the unsung heroes in the book world. I write the book and like it, but you guys help me love it. You give me suggestions, and put up with endless questions and revisions. This book wouldn’t be the same without you. And an extra shoutout to Robin, who tirelessly helped me nail the blurb for this book. I honestly didn’t expect us to be going back and forth until two in the morning when I asked you to look over it. Thank you SO much!!
To Sarah at Okay Creations, your covers blow me away. I’m like a kid on Christmas when I get the mockup. Thank you creating such stunning covers for this series!
To my editor, Stephanie Parent. Thank you for dealing with how much of a slacker I am, and believing my lie of “I’ll be more prepared next time.” ;)
To my formatter, Stacey Blake at Champagne Formats. I’ve loved working with you so far, and I’m excited to continue!
To Mary Ruth for creating amazing designs. You are such a pleasure to wo
rk with, and I can’t wait for what’s to come!
To H.A. Robinson, Malene Dich, and Sarah Torpey. Oh boy, you three lift me up so much. You guys have swopped in and saved me from self-doubt without even realizing it. All the likes, shares, and random messages you send my way push me to keep going. I need you to know that I never take any of that for granted. I could never say thank you enough <3
And last, but certainly not least, to Briana Pacheco. Holy shit, woman, what the hell would I do without you??? Seriously. You see more of my crazy than anyone else, and somehow you put up with me. You’re involved in every single aspect of my book life. Dude, you are truly irreplaceable and you’ve made this journey so much easier by being in my life. THANK YOU!!!! Plus all the emojis ;)
Jeannine Allison is an author of contemporary and New Adult romance. After waffling between many degrees in college, she finally graduated with a BA in English Literature from Arizona State University. She loves writing and reading—obviously :)—but when she’s not, she enjoys playing with her two dogs, watching her favorite YouTube beauty bloggers, drinking coffee, googling new tattoos, and pretty much anything else that allows her to wear yoga pants and a sweatshirt.
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The Unveiling Series
Unveiling the Sky
Unveiling Chaos
Unveiling Ghosts
Unveiling Fate
Pure Hearts
Unveiling Fate Page 30
