Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
“We all know that I’ve got the favorite uncle title in the bag,” Maddox tells him.
“Won’t be long and you’ll have another one to fight over,” Legend says, walking into the room. His words have all of us going quiet. Everyone but his wife, Monroe.
“Legend!” Monroe tries to scold, but she’s laughing. “We were going to wait.”
He shrugs. “They’re family.”
“I know, but it’s still so early,” she says, her voice soft.
I watch as Legend wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his chest. His lips press to her temple. “Everything is going to be just fine,” he says, soothing her.
“So, I guess the cat is out of the bag.” Emerson laughs.
I’m not surprised that Emerson knew. She and Monroe have always been tight. I glance at Roman, and he doesn’t look surprised, which means he probably knew too. I guess that’s his right as the best friend’s husband.
“I guess so.” Monroe sighs.
“We’re pregnant,” Legend says with a smile and much more enthusiasm. He pulls his wife into his arms and places a kiss on the top of her head. He’s smiling so widely that I fear his face might crack. Monroe’s smile matches his, and happy tears shimmer in her eyes.
We rally around them, offering them hugs and congratulations. I’m so damn ecstatic for them. Legend is a great guy, but Legend with Monroe, he’s on another level. The same way Roman is with my little sister. I guess the love of a good woman can change your life. Not that I would know anything about that personally. I’m an outsider looking in, but my friends have never been happier, so there has to be something to it.
One day, I’ll have what they have.
I hope.
“We need three more,” Maddox speaks up.
“Three more of what?” Roman asks.
“Babies. One for each of us.” He points to where Lachlan is holding Lilly. “The competition is fierce around here.”
The room erupts in laughter. He’s not wrong. Technically, by blood, I am Lilly’s only uncle, but you don’t have to share blood to be a family. Everyone is in this room. They’re my family. I would do anything for any of them, and yeah, I happen to agree. We need more babies around here. I love seeing my best friends fall in love and start families. Call me sentimental, but it makes me happy to see them finding their forevers.
None of us have been keen on relationships. Me, because I was too worried about raising my little sister because our parents were… are deadbeats. Being ten years older, I did everything I could, including buying this house to give Emerson the stability that our parents failed to provide for her.
Now, here she is, married to my best friend, and a mother. She has a great job, which was a struggle at first. It was hard for me to convince her to let me pay for her schooling, but she eventually relented. The shop does really well, and I wanted to do that for her. I wanted to give her a shot at a real future outside of that rundown trailer we grew up in.
This house was for her, but now, it’s just me living here all alone, and in moments like these, when it’s filled with love and laughter, my heart is content. However, at night, it’s silent and lonely. I can only hope that I find her. That I find the woman who will make me change the way I look at life, the way Emerson and Monroe have for Legend and Roman.
I know that when I find her, I’m going to fight like hell to keep her.
My mind goes back to the conversation we had before I found out about Roman and Emerson and was put on the spot, asking what my ideal woman would be. It’s a short list, and it all comes down to being genuine. I want something real. Something that will last and stand the test of time.
“Let’s eat!” Maddox says, grabbing a bowl from the counter and pouring out his chili. Within ten minutes, we’re all settled around the table. Roman has Lilly in his arms, giving her small bites of his.
“I can’t believe she’s turning one already,” Monroe says, watching Lilly eat bites of her dad’s peanut butter sandwich.
“Time for another one,” Roman replies.
“Maybe let’s get her out of diapers.” Emerson laughs.
“Lills, Daddy needs you to learn to use the potty so we can make you a big sister.” Roman kisses her cheek, and she offers him a huge grin in return. Damn, this girl is too cute.
“Don’t worry, she’ll have a baby cousin in about seven months,” Legend says proudly.
Monroe smiles up at him, and something a lot like envy courses through my veins.
“What are you all doing next Saturday night?” Roman asks.
“Nothing.” I shrug. My life is quite literally boring as shit these days. Work and repeat. “What’s up?”