Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
My grandmother had visited me again last night. Her smile was wide, her time short.
She cupped my cheek, her voice so familiar and warm. “Live and be happy, micul meu leu. You deserve the rest from your former life. Your new blessings will be rich with love. Enjoy the blessing your bride will bestow upon you on your wedding day.”
Then she was gone. I opened my eyes to the darkness, wearing a smile. I no longer fought the truth. She had been with me.
She would always be with me.
“I pronounce you husband and wife.”
I smiled down at Sofia, cupping her face and kissing her. Our friends and family clapped and cheered.
Sofia was mine.
Finally mine.
I raised our clasped hands in victory.
It was as sweet as I’d hoped.
Damien clapped me on the shoulder. “Welcome to the family, cousin.”
I laughed and hugged him. All around me there was laughter. Happiness. The tables groaned with food. Music played. It was a time of celebration and love. It had taken two weeks to arrange it all, but the day had been perfect.
“Thank you.”
“I never thought you’d do it. I certainly never thought Sofia would be the one to propose.”
I chuckled. “She surprised me as well. But she constantly does.”
Everything was moving forward. I’d rented the buildings, ordered equipment. Started interviewing. I had even painted some canvases, ready to sell. Sofia had been to the hospital. Thanks to Matteo and Geo and the connections they had, she was offered a job right away. She sent in her notice to her boss in Canada, and we planned one trip back to close out our lives there. Then we would return and begin anew.
“You make her happy.”
I met Damien’s eyes. “She makes me complete.”
Movement caught my eyes, and I saw Sofia headed toward the beach where we had exchanged our vows. Today had been incredible and emotional. I wondered if she was feeling overwhelmed.
I excused myself from Damien and followed her.
I found her on the beach, staring at the water. She sighed as I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her. “I knew you’d come after me.”
“Are you all right, my love?”
“I’m perfect.”
I chuckled. “Yes, you are.”
She leaned her head back on my chest, a catch in her voice when she spoke. “I love you, Egan.”
“I love you, my wife,” I murmured, loving being able to call her that. “Are you sure you are okay? You seem…distracted.” I had noticed her well up more than once. She had been emotional since we’d arrived on the island, often crying, which was unlike her. Typically, she was so strong. Geo had assured me it was normal, given what had occurred, when I spoke with him.
“She cries and sleeps a lot,” I confessed. “I am worried.”
“She is letting out the stress and worry,” he said. “Recovering from all the anxiety. I can arrange a counselor if she wants one. But give her a little time to adjust.”
“I’m good. So many changes,” she murmured, bringing me back to the present.
“I know. Good ones, though?” I asked.
“The best.” She covered my hands with hers. “And I have another one to add to the list.”
“Oh?” I asked. “A big one?”
She pressed my hand to her stomach. “Well, it’s pretty little right now, but that is going to change.”
It took me a minute before her words sank in. My body locked down, my mind going blank for an instant. I spun her in my arms. “Sofia?” I asked, my voice rough. “You—you are pregnant, iubirea mea? Now?”
“Yes. My birth control failed. I don’t know—”
I cut her off, kissing her hard, then pulling her into my arms. “I don’t care.” I recalled my grandmother’s words. “This is the best gift ever.”
“You’re happy?”
“Happy isn’t a big enough word.” I was also relieved. The crying and the sleeping made more sense. She was pregnant. With my child. Copilul meu. I was going to be a father.
I drew back, studying her face. “Are you happy, Sofia? I know children were in the future—”
She pressed a finger to my lips, cutting me off.
“Our future is now, Egan. We’re building our life now. I am thrilled.”
“And you are all right? The baby is okay? Were you…” I trailed off as a thought hit me. Sofia must have read my mind and seen the worry on my face because she was fast to reassure me.
“Yes, I was pregnant when I was taken. But the baby is fine. I am fine. I was crying for no reason again, and Raven asked me if there was a possibility that I was pregnant. I was stunned when I realized I was displaying so many symptoms and hadn’t noticed. With all the women here, there were a few pregnancy tests around, and I took one. When it said it was positive, Missy and Raven took me to the doctor everyone has used.”