Mandy cleared her throat and nodded. Remembering that he could not see her, she said, "Sure, I'm good."
"Are you sure? I lost you there for a second."
"Uh yeah, I'm sure, Lucas," she said quickly. There was no need to tell him she was unwell. She was choosing to believe that he at least cared enough about her to be worried if she was unhealthy. So, with that thought at the back of her mind, she concluded she would not disclose her state of ill health. Besides she was already feeling better. May had been right. But she would still go to the hospital and do some tests, full body workup, just in case it was something that would come back. She was going to be spending a lot of time with Lucas and not only did he have a game the next day, playoffs were in a week. She could not risk him falling sick if what she had was contagious. She doubted it was but felt better covering all her bases.
"How's practice coming along?" she asked, trying to pull his mind away from her state of wellbeing.
He hesitated before he spoke and she thought he wanted to ask about her health some more but he did not. He probably thought better of it and chose to believe her, she hoped. Instead, he answered her question,
"Very well, it's been a very satisfying morning and we're taking a break now. Where are you? You're still coming right?"
Was that panic she had just heard in his voice? Was he worried that she would not make it again? Amanda wondered. Maybe, just maybe, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe he missed her. Maybe he did care about her as much as she did about him.
Her bubble of happiness was burst once her and her sister finally got to the hospital. After a battery of tests, an excited doctor delivered the news that she was pregnant.
The shock on Amanda's face was a mirror's of her sister's. Too shocked to drive, May had done it. Just as she got home, her phone beeped, it was Lucas asking her if she was already on her way.
The disappointment in his voice was very obvious this time around when she told him she would not be able to make it but Amanda paid no heed. She needed to understand what was going on and she couldn’t see him in her state. She just let the hand holding her phone fall to her side. She looked up to see her sister, her arms outstretched and Amanda let her sister envelope her in a hug. She needed it more than ever.
A tapping sound jolted Amanda out of her thoughts. Her head jolted up and she turned to the source of the sound. Her red-rimmed eyes widened at the sight of Lucas at her window. He had been tapping on it. He motioned that she roll the window down. Amanda felt a pang in her chest as she watched him. She knew what this was. He had come to tell her that he could not be with her and he could not love their child. Suddenly, Amanda shook her head defiantly and she stretched out her hand to roll down the window. It did not matter that he would not love their child. She was going to be there for her child and he would never want for a parent's love, just like her uncles had been there for her.
As she rolled the window down, Lucas reached in and opened the door. Before Amanda knew what was happening, he pulled her into his arms and one hand around her waist and the other caressing her face, he kissed her. As he deepened the kiss, her hands flew up and linked themselves behind his neck. Amanda had no idea how long they stood there ravishing each other but finally, he let go of her and she could see the regret in his eyes at the action.
"Wha..." She started saying but he silenced her by flicking his finger across her lower lip.
"I love you, Amanda Kates and I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out. I want to be with you not because we are having a child together but because I realize now that my life will not be complete without you. I have no idea how I was ever able to survive without you. I am never going to let go of you because I don't ever want to experience how it is to live life without you."
Amanda chuckled as she looked up at him with awe-filled eyes. "Is this you trying to be romantic?" She teased him.
He chuckled and dipped his head towards her. "Listen to me, silly. What I am trying to say is I do not care about the Ryders. If I'm to choose between you and our baby and the Ryders, I pick you without any hesitations, without a doubt. I love you, beautiful. You are my future, babe, you and our child, not the Rough Ryders. And I want to create a life with you, if you will have me."
Amanda stroked his cheeks and said, "I love you, Lucas ‘party boy’ Dennison and since you've asked so nicely, I will have you."
He laughed and said, "You know, I have Friday night parties to thank for meeting you."
"Indeed you do. Now will you kiss me again?"
He laughed and he drew her in for a long, passionate, fairytale kiss.
LUCAS
Nine Months later
"Can you go any faster?" Lucas snapped at the chauffeur.
Amanda rolled her eyes and slapped his shoulder. "Oh would you relax, Lucas? I'm perfectly fine. There is no need for us to be in a hurry."
"How can you say that? Your water broke at the party. And we left, what? Ten minutes ago? Of course I'm worried. Are you not feeling any pains? You've not started having contractions yet, love?"
Amanda sighed and looked skywards. "Honey, if I was in pain don't you think that I would be screaming my head off?"
"How do I know if you have a very high threshold for pain? I can’t guarantee it," Lucas retorted and he turned forward to glare at the driver. "Step on it, will you?"
He heard Amanda muttering and he turned back to her, his hand holding hers tightened its grip.
"I would like to be able to carry our child when I have him, Lucas, but at the rate that we are going, you are going to break my fingers before we get to the hospital," Amanda said pointedly. Lucas' eyes followed hers to his hand that was entwined in hers tightly.
"Too tight, babe?" He grinned. She rolled her eyes and just then, his phone started ringing.
He answered it. "Yes, May, we’re headed to the hospital now. Yes, your sister is very okay. She is on a rant actually so you can imagine how well she is doing. Ooh yeah, see you soon."
"On a rant?" Amanda quirked a brow.
"No...?" He scratched his head, making her chuckle.
They pulled into the emergency entrance of the hospital and Lucas helped her out of the car despite her protests.
"I am not incapacitated, Lucas. I feel fine. Would you stop acting like I'm a piece of glass?" Amanda scolded Lucas as they headed into the hospital, his hand around her waist.
"You're not glass, babe, you are a diamond, rare and beautiful," he whispered as he nuzzled her ear.
Amanda laughed and slapped his chest playfully. "Oh you and your silly pickup lines, Lucas Dennison."
They registered and were taken to a room while they waited for Amanda's doctor.
"I believe that this is going to be a breeze," Amanda said as she made herself comfortable on the bed, "Well, at least for me."
"For you?" Lucas who had been dialing a number looked up at her.
"Well judging from how you've been acting, you are definitely going to be very panicky and restive once the birth starts."
"Not true," he argued, knowing that he was lying. He loved Amanda completely and the thought of her in pain was dreadful to think of.
"Do you want to wager on it?" She winked at him and pouting, he turned away, it only made her laugh more.
Lucas groaned and he stood at the window, watching the day outside. They had been at the party a pair of their friends threw for their little son when her water broke. He had been so worried and had instantly gone into overprotective mode but judging from the way she was laughing, he had nothing to worry about. That was good. Nothing could happen to her because if there was anything Lucas was sure of, it was the fact that he could not live without her.
He was seated beside her when the door flung open and in rushed May and their uncles, worry and concern written on their faces. As soon as they saw Amanda laughing as she read a novel, they paused, their worries dissipating.
"Are you sure she is ready to have the baby?" Thomas asked Lucas as he shook
hands with him.
"Ooh yes, it will be any minute now."
"Wow, I certainly need my birth to be like yours, sis, you are so relaxed," May grinned as she sat on the other side of her sister.
"I know, right? It's incredible. You know frankly, I think it has to do with my body metabolism. Maybe..."
The three men exchanged looks and rolled their eyes as the girls got started.
Thirty minutes later, a cry was heard, the cry of a little boy, the fruit of the love that Lucas Dennison, football player and party boy shared with Amanda Kates, author and nerd.
It was spring the year after Ryder Kates Dennison was born. The little boy was almost one and his pattering around was always a source of joy to his parents. Cherries had started to bloom and everywhere, there was the scent of flowers and the warmth of spring. It was a welcome development when compared to the very cold winter that they had experienced at the beginning of the year.
Amanda sat still as her sister applied the finishing touches of her makeup. With a flair, Maybelle Kates dabbed the powder on her face and grinning, she stood back to admire her work.
"There, now it's perfect. You look beautiful, sis, although thinking about it, you are always beautiful. We really have to thank Mom and Dad for our beautiful genes.”
Amanda laughed as she stood up and walked towards the full-length mirror. Indeed, finding guys who loved them with all their hearts helped the sisters open up and heal. They were finally able to accept what happened to their parents and they could now talk about them with what was akin to happiness, without feeling downcast.
Amanda gasped when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Her long brown hair had been curled and held back in a loose bouffant. White flowers had been attached around her hair and they formed a crown framing her face. Amanda ran a hand down the front of the ivory and nude lace embellished dress. It was sleeveless and backless and when she saw it, she had known it was the one.
She turned to look at her sister and smiled, "I’m ready."
"About damn time. I'm sure Lucas is already killing himself with worry wondering if you are going to run off," May chuckled. She looked beautiful in a sunflower yellow strapless embellished lace dress. She had a large yellow flower in her hair, which she had curled and pinned back. As expected, she was the maid of honor.
"He's so sweet," Amanda said wistfully.
"Yeah, yeah, come on. You don't want to be late for your own wedding."
An hour later, Amanda and Lucas stood with their hands joined in front of an alcove made of flowers. Looking at them as they made their vows to love each other unconditionally forever were their friends and family members. Seated in the front were Amanda's uncles, Ryder in Thomas' hands. Next to them were Lucas' parents. Colin and Maybelle were standing on either side of Lucas and Amanda respectively. They were in a park surrounded by cherry blossoms and it was the perfect setting.
"You may now kiss the bride," the minister pronounced.
"Finally," Lucas proclaimed and they all laughed. He pulled Amanda close and fused his lips with hers. Cheers of their friends and families filled the air and reluctantly, he let go of her.
Everyone hurried forward to congratulate them and Amanda pulled her sister into an embrace, "You're up next."
Laughing May looked at Danny who was on the other side, congratulating Lucas. Their gazes met. He winked and she blew him a kiss.
The reception followed immediately. Marquees had been set up in the park under which tables and seats had been arranged. The newlywed couple was left alone to go change their clothes while everyone headed to their seats.
For the first time that day, they found themselves alone. He helped her unzip her dress and as it fell to her waist, he held her and pulled her towards him, his head on her shoulder, "I love you, beautiful."
"I love you too. Now, close your eyes. I have a surprise for you."
She asked him to open them again and he looked down to see what she was holding in her outstretched hands. It was a pair of baby shoes.
Lucas looked at her, his eyes widening. He needed to hear her say it. He needed to know that he was not just imagining this.
"Do you mean it?" Lucas asked, his heart swelling with joy. Their love had brought forth another fruit.
"I'm pregnant, Lucas." She smiled.
"I’m going to be a father again?" Lucas' blue eyes danced with delight.
"Yes," she nodded and he pulled her into an embrace, squealing in delight
Lucas knew he was the luckiest man on earth. Yes, he may not have chosen the path he thought was for him, but the path he was on was so much greater.
About the Author
Henley Maverick lives in Northern California with her husband and fur baby, and when she's not writing, she's reading, shoe shopping, or at the beach.
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Also by Henley Maverick
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Always
Royally Addicted
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Forbidden Lessons
Love Affair with the Billionaire
Check out Second Chances
Releasing December 30, 2018
Kade Carlson wasn’t ready to move back to his hometown, but after the death of his fiancee, and now solely in charge of his three year old daughter, he had no choice.
Ariana Hayworth had never been happier with her life. Well, except for her high school years. But she tries not to think about those. She’s the teacher at the local preschool, and has almost everything going for her.
But when she meets Ava Carlson, Kade’s daughter, all of her past memories that she tried so hard to push down come rushing back. Even worse, Kade wants her back. Can she put the past where it belongs in order to have a future with Kade? Or will her self-destructing ways ruin the only true love she’s ever had?
Expose: A Secret Baby Sports Romance Page 9
