Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26073 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26073 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 130(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
But I'm not worried. With Alaric to watch over her, she’ll always be safe. I know because I am. He's spent the last five years protecting me like his life depends on it. No one even looks at me sideways without answering to him.
I gave up trying to rein him in long ago. My husband is wildly overprotective. It's just part of who he is and how he loves. And he loves me fiercely. There hasn't been a single time when I've questioned or doubted that.
How could I when he shows me every single day how much I mean to him? He doesn't hold a single part of himself back, and he doesn't care what anyone thinks. If he wants to kiss me, he kisses me. If he wants me in his lap, he puts me in his lap.
No one at work even bats a lash anymore. They're used to how he is with me. Blaze is the same way with Georgia.
Alaric's idea of putting individual designers' names on labels was a smashing success. It led to several of us launching our very own lines within the company. The terms are incredibly generous, and we get to do what we love without dealing with the headache of trying to build our own companies.
A few designers have left over the years to pursue their own business ventures. Alaric and Blaze are always supportive when they make that choice. There's room for everyone at the table.
I'm happy where I am, working with the man of my dreams. Cory didn't understand that part of my dream five years ago, but he gets it now.
Things between the two of us have improved a lot. It took a long time for me to really believe that he meant what he said back then. I kept waiting for him to pull the rug out from underneath me, but he never did. He was genuinely remorseful that he ever made me feel like I wasn't good enough. I don't think he ever realized that's what he was doing. In his mind, he was trying to protect me from being the center of another humiliating incident. He thought he was doing what was best for me, never realizing that he was the one hurting me.
We had a lot to heal. But we're in a good place now. He remarried three years ago. His new wife is young, but she's great. Jillian and I both adore her. He never ran for governor. I don't think he ever will. I'm not sure exactly what changed or why, but he lost the passion for it.
He swears it has nothing to do with me or Jillian, but I sometimes wonder. Whatever it was, he seems happier now. We're all happier now.
I'd be even happier if I could spend Christmas at home with my family.
"Please tell your daughter to stop being stubborn and be born soon," I tell Alaric. "I want to go home for Christmas."
"I know, angel." He runs his lips across my forehead and then leans down, pressing his head to my belly. "Sweet one, your mama says you have to come out now. She's ready to meet you."
The baby kicks and Alaric jumps back, startled.
His wide eyes meet mine. "Uh, I think the baby just told me to buzz off."
I cover my mouth to hide a laugh.
The next contraction hits.
It's going to be a long night.
"Merry Christmas, Mama," a nurse says hours later, laying the baby on my chest. "Your baby girl is perfect."
"Alaric," I sob, staring in awe at the tiny baby squirming on my chest. She lets out a wail and then nuzzles her face against the side of my breast and settles down. "She's so beautiful."
"She is beautiful," he rasps from beside me, clinging to my hand.
She has a head of dark hair and the cutest little nose. She's so small, smaller than her brothers were. But she's perfect. Tears slip down my cheeks, dripping into my hair as I run my free hand down her soft head.
"Hi, baby," I say. "I'm your mama."
"Fuck," Alaric chokes.
I turn my face up to him, laughing and crying at the same time. His eyes are bright with moisture as he stares at me and our daughter. I've never felt his love as acutely as I do in this moment. It blazes from him, shining as bright as the sun.
"You're perfect," he whispers, leaning down to kiss me gently. "Both of you are absolutely perfect."
I don't doubt him. I never do.
"What are you going to name her?" the nurse asks.
"Noelle," I whisper, glancing at Alaric.
He grins at me, running his hand across our daughter's head. "December and Noelle, my angels."