Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 178688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 893(@200wpm)___ 715(@250wpm)___ 596(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 893(@200wpm)___ 715(@250wpm)___ 596(@300wpm)
Since we’re adding a bundle of joy to our family, we’ll be looking for a bigger house in the next year or two. I’ll be sad to leave the cottage and all the memories we’ve made, but we’ll need more room once the baby is able to walk. Until then, I’m soaking up every day being here.
The best part of still being in my first trimester is my brother will be here for some of our pregnancy journey. For the first time in ten years, he’ll be living back in Lawton Ridge, and though I’m nervous for him, I can’t wait to hug him again. Noah and I were very close growing up, and a part of my heart went with him when he was charged with unintentional manslaughter. He’s done his time, and now he’ll have to figure out how to be a part of society again. People in this town haven’t forgotten what happened, and they’ll judge Noah, as well as anyone who’s associated with him. I can only hope some of them will be forgiving, and I pray one of those people will be Katie.
Though I have a feeling she’s not gonna make it easy.
Tyler comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my stomach, and nuzzles his nose in my neck. “Morning, baby.” He slides one hand up and cups my breast. “Morning, sexy.”
I snort with laughter at the cute way he always tells me and our baby good morning or night. He’s ecstatic and already running wild with ideas and making a list of things we’ll need. Telling my dad was another highlight of my life. I’d only seen him cry a handful of times, one including the moment we gave him a custom mug with the words “Best Grandpa Ever” written on it.
“What’re you doing?” he asks.
“Just looking. I can’t wait to add more photos on this wall. Hopefully some with Noah.”
“I’m glad he’ll be able to meet the baby,” he admits. “It’ll be nice having another man around, too.”
“Me too. And I’m happy you two get along so well. That definitely helps.”
After the first time Tyler visited Noah with me, he joined me every month after. It became our thing, and when we told Noah we got hitched, he had to stop himself from reaching over and hugging us. He was so ecstatic for us and also because he was getting a brother he liked. I hate that he wasn’t able to celebrate the wedding with us, but after missing a decade’s worth of important events, I’ll take whatever I can.
“We should eat and get moving if we wanna meet the contractors on time. I’m gonna need extra coffee today,” he warns, slapping my ass. “Especially since my hot wife kept me up half the night.”
I turn around in his arms and scowl. “Hey, you started it! I was almost asleep when I felt your cock pressed against me.”
“And that’s an automatic invitation to jump me?” he taunts, flashing a smoldering grin. “I mean, I’m not complaining, but it definitely wasn’t one-sided.”
Rolling my eyes, I push past him and walk toward the kitchen. “Yeah, yeah. You blame my hormones, but you’re all over me all the time.”
“Is that a bad thing?” He arches a brow when I glance over my shoulder. “You definitely weren’t mad about it last night, or the night before that, or the night before that, or the night…”
“Stop!” I burst out laughing, and he comes around the island, wrapping me up in his arms. “I get it. Over a year later and we’re still hot for each other.”
“Insatiable,” he adds.
“Do you think that’ll change once the baby’s born?”
“Only for the first six weeks. Then I’ll go back to trying to knock you up again.”
“Oh my God, no you’re not! I’m not taking care of two babies under the age of two.”
“Why not? I bet we make adorable kids. Hell, let’s have ten.”
I groan, pushing back so I can start the coffee maker. “You’re insane. Let’s get through one pregnancy before you start renting my uterus out for nine more.” I grab a mug, then the creamer from the fridge. “Plus, with us remodeling the gym and planning the re-opening, I don’t know that we should be biting off more than we can chew. I’ll already be juggling a newborn by the time it’s open plus all the paperwork and office stuff. I’ll be lucky if I don’t go crazy.”
“Gemma, I already know you’re gonna be an amazing mom. Stop worrying.” Tyler cups my cheeks and brings our mouths together. His tongue swipes along my bottom lip, and I hum at the sweet gesture.
This past year, he really reminded me why I love him so much. After moving in together, we got to know each other on a deeper level. Even after all this time, he still cooks me breakfast every morning. We spend our lunch breaks together, and soon, we’ll see each other throughout the day even more. He’s worked so hard to save money and between the two of us, we were able to get a business loan to buy the old gym downtown. The owner, Sam, was finally ready to sell it, and after Dad started dating Belinda six months ago, he’s ready to retire early. He claims it’s because he wants more time to spend with Noah once he’s out, but we all know the truth. It’s his first girlfriend in over twenty years. I’m happy for him, even if it’s still a little weird for me.