Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 127(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Josie sits back, her mind whirling.
“So,” she finally says, “you haven’t had sex with Candace in a long time.”
I snort. “No. I’m not even attracted to her, to be honest, and that was one of our problems even while we were married. She’s too thin, and always had a face full of make-up, which turned me off. We probably only had sex five times during our marriage, if you can believe it.”
Josie takes another deep breath, and turns to me then.
“So where does that leave us then?”
It’s time for my mea culpa. I take her shoulders with my big hands and look deep into those beautiful brown eyes.
“Sweetheart, you’re the only woman I want. I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you. I’m so sorry that this occurred before we could talk, but I love you, baby. I adore you so much, and you’re all I think about. It almost destroyed me when you left the apartment that day, and it felt like my heart was walking out the door. Please come home with me.”
Josie’s eyes fill with tears and for a moment, I’m terrified that she’s going to say no. But instead, she smiles gently, and it’s as if the sun’s rays are peeking out from behind the clouds.
“I love you too, Cyrus,” she says in a low voice. “You make me so happy, and I’ve been miserable without you this week. It’s been really hard.”
I seize upon the opening.
“Then let’s go home, baby. I never want to be without you again. In fact, I want you to move in with me permanently.”
Her smile drops a bit and she scrunches her nose. “But if I move in, then Alyssa will know. In fact, I think my mom already suspects, so …”
I stare deep into her eyes again.
“Sweetheart, Alyssa already knows. After you left, I went to your apartment in desperation to find you. Of course, Alyssa was there and I ended up revealing everything. I told my daughter about us and she gave me your mom’s address in Connecticut.”
Josie gasps, panic in her eyes.
“Oh shit! How did Alyssa react?”
I pull the curvy girl into my arms and rest my chin on her head.
“Don’t worry. Sure, my daughter was surprised at first but she got over it pretty quick. She’s even happy for us, believe it or not. She says it makes sense, because we’re the two people in the world that she loves the most, so why wouldn’t she want us to be together?”
Josie is thunderstruck and pulls back to look at me with wide eyes.
“Are you serious?”
I nod, my gaze solemn.
“Very much so, honey. We have Alyssa’s blessing, and as for your mom …”
Josie looks out the window towards the back yard where Marilyn’s puttering away at some soil. “I’m sure my mom has figured it out too, since you practically knocked down her front door demanding to see me.”
Laughing, I say, “Yes. I’m sure she has. Marilyn was always a smart one.”
“Especially since –” Josie begins before biting her lip.
“Since what?” I squeeze her small palm, encouraging her to go on. Everything’s worked out, and I’m excited to begin this next phase in our lives together. What could be making her hesitate?
But the curvy girl inhales deeply before meeting my eyes.
“Well, ever since I told my mother that I’m pregnant. I didn’t specify who the father is, but I think now, Marilyn has an idea.”
My eyes go wide as I stare at the gorgeous girl, letting her words sink in. “We’re having a baby?” I ask in a dazed whisper.
“Yes,” she nods, her lower lip trembling. “Is that okay? Are you happy?”
A smile stretches across my face so wide that I feel like my cheeks are going to break open. Then, I pull Josie into my arms and kiss her, pouring all of my love and happiness into the touch.
“Thank you, baby,” I murmur against her lips fervently. “This is the best gift you could ever give me.”
She giggles through her tears. “Really?”
I nod, and to my surprise, there are tears in my eyes too.
“For carrying our baby. For giving me the opportunity to be a father again. I love you, sweetheart, and I’ll make you happy, I promise,” is my fervent vow.
With that, Josie cups my face with her small hands and smiles tearfully. “I love you too, Cyrus, and you make me so happy as well.” Then she takes my hand and rests it against the slight bulge of her lower belly. “And I know our baby is going to love you too, Daddy.”
With that, our lips join in another kiss as my heart soars because this is the woman for me. Our relationship was tangled at first because I’m her ex-stepfather, and because Josie is best friends with my daughter too. But all that matters is the adoration we feel and our promise to cherish one another going forward. There’s only one path forward now, and that path speaks of love, hope, and passion forevermore.