Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“That’s because it is hers. When I asked your father, he offered me her ring. And knowing how much you miss her, I couldn’t think of anything better. Now can you answer me before my knee goes out?”
“Noah, yes! Yes!” He rose and pressed a long kiss to her lips. When they broke apart, she focused on the girls. “I’m so honored to become your stepmom.” But she’d never try to take Charlie’s place and she hoped everyone, including their mother, knew that.
“Can we call you Momma Fallon?” Dylan asked.
“We wanted to say Mommy Fallon but Grandma said we’d outgrow saying Mommy and then what would we do?” Dakota said, quoting her more practical sister.
“I love you girls. You can call me whatever makes you comfortable and happy.” Her heart filled even more, threatening to overflow with pure, undiluted joy.
Clara joined them and wished them all the best. “Now, it’s time to open!”
Noah slipped the ring on her finger. He grasped her hand, taking Dylan’s in his free one while she grasped Dakota’s in hers. And as a family, they walked into the gallery to celebrate so many things.
Epilogue Two
Another Six Months Later
Noah waited for Fallon to walk down the aisle escorted by her father. As he stood and looked over the crowd of family and close friends, he thought over the last year of his life, which had turned out better than he could have hoped for. The twins had adjusted to Fallon moving in easily and she’d stepped into the role of stepmom like a champ. She didn’t let them get away with their shenanigans but had a special way of dealing with them to avoid anger, tantrums or tears. Sometimes. They were kids, after all.
And it meant everything to him to fall asleep with her in his arms at night and wake up beside her in the morning. Now they’d make it legal before heading to Aruba for their honeymoon. The girls waited inside, dressed in light blue dresses, looking too old for his liking and utterly beautiful. Along with Brooke, they were Fallon’s maids of honor. Though she could have made them junior bridesmaids, she said she’d wanted to give them starring roles to show how important they were to her.
The music started and the processional began. Noah fidgeted in anticipation, appreciating those in the wedding party, especially his daughters who walked down side by side. No giggling, they were little ladies and he couldn’t be more proud.
They stood close by him, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood in a line on either side. Finally, the “Wedding March” began and the curtains at the end of the aisle parted. Fallon appeared, her arm hooked around her father’s, and they started down the aisle.
She took his breath away in a stunning, strapless gown fitted to her lithe body. One look at her and all he wanted was to say I do, drag her into a private room, and ravage his wife.
He made it through the ceremony, speaking over the lump in his throat. He was touched by the sheen of tears in her eyes as he slipped the diamond band onto her finger beside her mother’s stone.
They were declared husband and wife and he pulled her into his arms, dipped her low, and kissed his bride. Hand in hand, they walked up the aisle to the cheers and whistles of their guests. A few short minutes later and he had her alone in the bridal room and pulled her into his arms.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Powers.”
She smiled, beaming, her face flushed. “Congratulations to you, Mr. Powers.”
“I thought the ceremony would never end. Now that you’re mine, I can breathe.”
Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Is it a string bikini for the honeymoon?”
She laughed at his comment. “I have one of those, yes, but that isn’t it.” She stepped out of his embrace and walked over to the small, white pearl purse on the counter. “I hope it’s a good surprise even if it is an unplanned one.”
He narrowed his gaze, wondering what she had for him. “I will love anything you give me, sweetheart. You know that.”
She turned back to him, her throat moving as she visibly swallowed hard. “I hope so,” she whispered, holding up a white stick. Turning it toward him, a plus sign was visible. “Surprise! I’m pregnant.”
He heard the hesitancy in her tone, the slightly fearful hitch to her voice. Still, he took a second to process the news, then grinned. “Seriously?”
“I wouldn’t joke about this. Please tell me you’re happy.”
He lowered himself to one knee, leaned forward, and pressed a kiss to her still flat belly. “I don’t know how it happened but I told you I’d be lucky as hell if you were pregnant and I meant it, Fallon. I love you.”