by Tina Martin
“You’re family,” Dimitrius said. “And you’re good at what you do.”
“If you haven’t already figured this out, Harding, family is of great importance to us,” Dante said. “And I know we don’t have the same mother, but you’re my brother regardless. From this day forward, I’m officially dropping the half.”
“I am, too,” Desmond said.
“So am I,” Dimitrius added.
With glazed eyes, Harding let out a long exhale while gripping Savannah’s arms and lowering them from around him. “Excuse me for a moment.”
He quickly turned and headed in the direction of the front door.
“I think he’s a little overwhelmed,” Savannah said. “I’ll be right back.” She stepped outside and saw him standing with his hands in his pockets, looking out into the yard. “Harding?”
He looked at her and it was then she saw the glow in his emotion-filled eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“I am,” he replied. “I just had to get some air.”
She stood with him, allowing him to process his thoughts without interrupting.
“My mother couldn’t have been more wrong about them,” he said. He shook his head. “I regret not reaching out to them sooner. I should have. Those men, my brothers, don’t have to do a thing for me. But they are selfishly helping me and by them doing so, it’s giving us the chance to have a good start. That’s all I ever wanted, Savannah. You, a way to provide for you and now our baby.”
“I know, and now you have that,” she said, holding his hands while standing directly in front of him now. She stared deep into his eyes. “We can build our lives right here. You, me and our little one. It’s nerve-racking, isn’t it?”
“It is,” he admitted.
“But it’s exciting too, because when we look back and think about everything we had to go through to get here, it’ll make it all the more sweeter.”
“Yes, it will.”
Savannah circled her arms around him and closed her eyes as she pressed her face close to his chest. To his heart. “Are you okay?”
“I am, sweetheart.”
“Should we go back inside?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
They walked back in together and, upon entering the dining room, Harding said, “Thank you Dante, Dimitrius, Desmond—all of you for accepting me into your world. Since Desmond has already poured the grape juice,” he said, picking up his glass, “I’d like to propose a toast to the ever growing Champion family. May we always be forgiving of one another, respectful of each other and may we always love deeply from our hearts.”
“Hey, that’s the way Champions love,” Desmond said. He looked at Sherita and said, “Deeply.” He clanked his glass to hers. “Cheers, baby.”
More cheers and the music of glasses clanking together filled the dining room.
When Harding sat down, Savannah kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, “I’m so proud of you.”
Harding looked at her, glanced at her lips and pressed his mouth to hers.
“Now, let’s get on to more pressing business,” Dimitrius said.
“And what might that be?” Emily asked, reaching for Ezra’s sippy cup, handing it to him.
“A name for Ezra’s little brother,” Dimitrius answered.
Dante grinned. “We’re open to suggestions, but I don’t want any hurt feelings when you realize we’re not picking your suggested names.”
“Seriously, you’ll like the name me and Dimitrius came up with, Dante,” Melanie said, all giddy.
Dante smirked. “What is it?”
“Nehemiah.”
“Nehemiah?” Dante and Emily said together.
“Why Nehemiah?” Emily asked.
“Because it follows the book of Ezra in the Bible,” Melanie replied.
“Interesting,” Desmond said. “I like the concept. And to keep consistency, if you two have a little girl next, you can name her Esther.”
Dante raised a brow. “Do you see what you have to look forward to, Harding?”
Chewing, Harding covered his mouth with a napkin, then mumbled, “I see that, and I can’t wait for the shenanigans to begin.”
“We’ll know the gender in a couple of weeks,” Savannah said.
“Oh, how exciting,” Sherita said, holding Nolan while his little, chubby hands gripped his own milk bottle.
“It is,” Savannah said. “We’re beyond excited.”
Dante smiled, glancing around the table, taking in the sight of the ever growing Champion family. “So are we.”
Epilogue
Three Weeks Later
“Jemisha, you made it!” Savannah said, hugging her friend who’d come to visit from Charleston.
“I had to make it,” Jemisha said. “I don’t hear from you in like a month and then you call to tell me you’re pregnant and living in another city.” She looked at Harding and said, “And you must be the man who swept her off of her feet.”
“Guilty as charged,” Harding said.
Jemisha grinned. “Well, I’ve heard so much about you and it’s nice to finally put a face to a name.”
“Likewise,” he told her.
“I’m feelin’ the new crib, man,” Mordecai said stepping into the living room after finishing the tour of Harding and Savannah’s three-bedroom townhouse. Then he eyed up the unfamiliar face in the room, staring at the beautiful woman standing next to Savannah.
“Thanks, man. Eventually, we’ll purchase a home, but I don’t want to rush it. I want to wait until after the baby comes…after we’ve settled into our careers and especially after I get Champion Computer and Web Security Services up and running here.”
“I can understand that,” Mordecai said, his eyes locked on the woman as he spoke.
“By the way guys,” Savannah said. “This is my friend Jemisha who came to visit from Charleston. Jemisha, this my brother-in-law, Mordecai, my sisters-in-law, Zoya and Amira and my beautiful mother-in-law, Florence.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Jemisha said.
“Nice to meet you too, gorgeous,” Mordecai responded.
Harding shook his head. His brother was at it again, ready to woo another woman.
“I love the decorative touches you’ve added, Savannah,” Amira said. “Leave it up to Harding and all the walls would be bare.”
“Give Harding a break,” Zoya said. “At least he has good taste in furniture.”
“And women,” Savannah joked.
Harding wrapped his arms around her from behind, placing a kiss beside her face.
“Tell us how the appointment went,” Florence said. She’d been waiting to hear that all was well with the baby. Judging by the smile on Savannah’s and Harding’s faces, she was sure that it was.
“The baby is fine,” Harding said.
Beaming, Savannah continued, “I’m officially four months along and we got to hear the baby’s heartbeat.”
“Aw…” Jemisha crooned.
Harding added, “The doctor said it was a strong one, too.”
Florence folded her hands together and rested her chin on top of them.
“Does that mean it’s a boy?” Amira asked.
Zoya snapped her head back. “What?” she asked laughing. “What bearing does the heartbeat have on the gender?”
“I heard that a strong heartbeat means the woman is having a boy,” Amira explained.
Zoya shook her head. “I don’t know where you heard that from, but it’s totally inaccurate.”
“Savannah? Harding? Let’s clear this up,” Mordecai said. “Girl or boy?”
Savannah looked at Harding and said, “You tell ‘em.”
“Nah. I think I’ll keep it to myself,” Harding teased.
“Nooo,” Amira sang out seemingly in agony. “I need to shop and fulfill my desire to buy baby stuff. You know how much I love babies. Don’t keep us in suspense.”
“Yeah,” Zoya pressed, crossing her arms. “We need answers.”
; “And you know your Mama wants to know,” Florence said.
“Okay, okay,” Harding said. “It’s a…boy.”
“I told you!” Amira said, looking at Zoya.
“Oh my gosh…I’m so happy for you guys,” Zoya said hugging Savannah and then her brother.
Jemisha embraced her friend warmly.
Florence’s eyes filled with happy tears as she wrapped one arm around Harding and the other around Savannah. “I’m so happy and proud of you both.”
“Me, too. Congratulations, man,” Mordecai said.
“Thanks,” Harding told him.
“I can’t wait to help you decorate the nursery, Savannah,” Zoya said.
“Me, too,” Amira chimed in.
“Count me in,” Jemisha said.
“That means you guys are going to be doing a whole lot of visiting,” Savannah told them.
“We sure are,” Zoya said. “Who knows…I might snag myself an Asheville gentleman.”
Harding and Mordecai both looked at her.
“Oh, whatever, y’all,” Zoya said, not swayed by their overprotective gazes.
“Wait a minute now…I can’t have all of my children moving away,” Florence said.
“Wherever we go, Mom, we’ll always be back for you,” Amira said hugging her mother.
“And we’ll always be there for each other,” Harding said. “If meeting and becoming acquainted with Dante, Dimitrius and Desmond hasn’t taught me anything else, it taught me how families are supposed to be united and there for one another.”
“That’s right,” Florence said, eagerly looking forward to meeting Dante, Dimitrius, Desmond and their families tonight at the private banquet room Dante reserved at Connelley’s.
“And another thing I’ve learned when it comes to love,” Harding said turning to look at Savannah. “When she’s worth it, it’s worth fighting for.” He leaned down and captured her lips, kissing her with purpose and looking forward to his new future of having her forever and always as his wife. As his one and only. As his everything.
_________
Dear Readers,
If you’re wondering if there’s going to be another book coming in the Champion Brothers Series, the answer is yes. This time, it may be one of the sisters who’s not necessarily looking for love but just may stumble upon it.
Harding’s story, The Way Champions Love, came to me one day when I thought about how the successful, millionaire Champions (Dante, Dimitrius and Desmond) would react to finding out they had half-siblings (Harding, Mordecai, Zoya and Amira). As you read, they handled it with grace and sophistication. Gotta love those Champions!
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Harding and Savannah’s story and catching up with Dante, Emily and Ezra; Dimitrius, Melanie and Grace; and Desmond, Sherita and the twins – Nolan and Celeste. I always have fun when I’m writing, but I especially enjoy The Champions. They are a group of extraordinary people who love deeply and from the heart! You’ll get to know Zoya, Amira and Mordecai in more detail in future books.
If you have any comments, please send me a quick email. Don’t be shy! Write me at [email protected], and don’t forget to leave a review on the site where you purchased your book. Love you guys!
Tina Martin
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Discover the full Champion Brothers Series. All books are standalone and can be read in any order. (The books below are listed in release order)
Book #1 - HIS PARADISE WIFE
Widower, Dante Champion, has his eyes and heart set on Emily Mitchell, but she’s not interested. She’s falling for a man she met online. When she discovers her mystery, online man is none other than Dante Champion, will a weekend at Pleasure Island change her mind about him?
_________
Book #2 - WHEN A CHAMPION WANTS YOU
Melanie Summers is not ready for a relationship, but a possible new job at The Champion Corporation puts her center stage in front of Dimitrius Champion. They’ve exchanged glances before, but hardly anything more. But will a straightforward proposition from Dimitrius interfere with her chances of landing a dream job and real love?
_________
Book #3 - THE BEST THING HE NEVER KNEW HE NEEDED
Bad boy, motorcycle-riding, alpha male, Desmond Champion, is the youngest of the Champion brothers. He’s had his mind on Sherita Wilkins more times than he’d ever admit. A business deal brings them together, but it may be Desmond’s selfish ways that drives them apart.
_________
Book #4 – WIVES AND CHAMPIONS
Dante, Dimitrius and Desmond are back. Dive into their lives to witness all the drama that comes along with millionaire Champion men as they deal with family and married life.
Check out other books by the author below:
The Blackstone Family Series
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us: Barringer and Calista Blackstone (A short story follow-up to Leaving Barringer. You must read Leaving Barringer before reading this short story)
A Lennox in Love Series
*All books in this series are standalone novellas and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
Claiming You
Making You My Business
Wishing That I Was Yours
Caught in the Storm with a Lennox (Prequel to Claiming You)
Mine By Default Mini-Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Been In Love With You, Book 1
When Hearts Cry, Book 2
You Belong To Me, Book 3
When I Call You Mine, Book 4
Who Do You Love?, Book 5
Forever Mine, Book 6
The Champion Brothers Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories. Read them in any order.
His Paradise Wife
When A Champion Wants You
The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed
Wives And Champions
The Accidental Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Accidental Deception, Book 1
Accidental Heartbreak, Book 2
Accidental Lovers, Book 3
What Donovan Wants, Book 4
Dying To Love Her Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
The Alexander Series:
*Books 1-5 must be read in order. Book 6 and the spinoff book, Different Tastes, can be read in any order as a standalone.
The Millionaire’s Arranged Marriage, Book 1
Watch Me Take Your Girl, Book 2
Her Premarital Ex, Book 3
The Object of His Obsession, Book 4
Dilvan’s Redemption, Book 5
His Charity Challenge, Book 6 (Heshan Alexander and Charity Eason)
Different Tastes (An Alexander Spin-off novel. Tamera Alexander’s Story)
Non-Series Titles:
*Individual standalone books that are not part of a series.
Secrets On Lake Drive
Can’t Just Be His Friend
All Falls Down
Just Like New to the Next Man
Falling Again
Vacation Interrupted
The Crush
Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her
I love connecting with readers so please take a moment to like me on FACEBOOK, TWITTER and GOODREADS. Also, SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter and be the first to know when the next book is released and when I’m hosting a giveaway.
www.tinamartin.net
Way Champions Love
