Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
“You can hug him,” Candice said.
Antwone looked at his baby and he now knew what it meant to be a father. He thought about his own dad. That man had been a monster. Staring at his son, his flesh and blood, he knew he would never hurt this little baby. He was going to do everything in his power to love and care for him.
Luke Bianchi, I know this life is going to be hard when you grow older, but I will guide you. I will take care of you. I will prepare you, but you will never know my anger, nor my disappointment. You will be loved.
He brought his son against his chest, and held him tight.
“I think you called Draven and Maria. Do you want to go and see them?” Candice asked.
“No,” Antwone said. “I’m staying right here.”
He didn’t know how long Candice was going to give him, or if she would go back to hating him, but he would rather sit with his wife than see his brother.
Draven could wait.
Chapter Ten
One Month Later
Candice hummed at her son as she looked down at him in the crib. “You’re perfect, aren’t you?” she asked. “My perfect, sweet, loving little boy.”
He’d been in her life for a month but she didn’t know how she was ever able to live without him.
Life with Antwone had changed again. In the hospital, screaming in agony, Antwone hadn’t left her. He held her hands even as she yelled. Not once did he walk away. He kissed her forehead and helped her through the painful experience. When she heard her son crying, it had been the most magical sound in the world.
Holding him in her arms, Candice had felt so happy. She had watched Antwone, the love in his eyes, and then when she got him to hold his own son, there had been a moment of panic and fear, but it had morphed into love.
Antwone loved his son.
This wasn’t him fulfilling any duty. Her husband loved their son. He wasn’t just an heir, but their baby boy.
“Is he asleep?” Antwone asked.
It was as if her thoughts had made him appear. She glanced over her shoulder toward him.
“Not yet, he’s getting there.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear.
He walked into the room and stood beside her, looking down into the crib. “He is perfect, isn’t he?” he asked.
“Yeah, he is.” She nibbled her lip.
Antwone reached in and stroked the back of his knuckles against their son’s cheek. He pulled away and neither of them moved. Slowly, Luke closed his eyes, and within five minutes, their son was fast asleep.
She grabbed the baby monitor, which she carried with her everywhere when he slept. She had them in several rooms so she was able to keep an eye on him. They stepped out of the room and Antwone took her hand.
Candice didn’t pull away from him. He didn’t lead her to his bedroom, but he did take her downstairs. She had no idea where they were going, but when they passed the dining room table and went into the kitchen, she was surprised.
“Antwone, what is going on?”
There was no staff. No one around. On the kitchen counter, her mother’s cookbooks were waiting for her.
“I talked to the chef and gave him the night off. The fridge and pantry are fully stocked. You can cook until your heart is content. Any day you want to come into the kitchen, the chef knows you can and he will not say anything to you. This home is yours. You can come and go as you please.”
“I can come and go as I please?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“What about going outside? Maybe going to do some shopping?” She walked around the counter and heard him sigh.
“I’ll need to be informed first so I can arrange guards for you.”
“Guards.”
“I will not risk you, Candice, nor will I risk our son. I assume you wouldn’t leave him behind. If I’m not available to go with you. I’ll find someone suitable.”
“What has changed?” she asked, putting a hand on her hip and looking at him.
“Nothing has changed. You wouldn’t talk to me. Before Luke was born, you never told me what you wanted. All you had to do was ask.”
She nodded.
Antwone tapped his fingers on the counter and she glanced at them and then at him. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?” she asked.
“I’m starving and I hope you’re willing to cook for me as well as for you.” He winked at her and she couldn’t help but laugh. He did look so helpless.
Opening the book, she sighed, and then glanced through the recipes, trying to find something that would be delicious. “A fully stocked fridge?” she asked.
“Yes, everything you could want. The chef also said something about fresh herbs in the window. Look around, enjoy.”