When Sky Breaks: Burn & Break Duet Book 2

54. Sky

TWO YEARS LATER

The turquoise waterbubbles and gently sweeps against the shore, sending tiny grains of sand in between my toes. As a child, I dreamed of the ocean, its depiction only available on TV or in the few books I could get my hands on.

Nothing can prepare you for the cleansing salt in the air or the reflection of the warm sun off the rolling waves. The last I visited a beach, it was with Johnny and he had me doing so many outdoor activities; I didn’t get to stop and fully appreciate the vast swell of the waves, the scent of suntan lotion, and the peaceful mood of a tropical paradise.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” August asks as he wraps his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder like he always does. When I’m reading, or cooking, or watching TV, he finds his spot in the crook of my neck and breathes me in.

Overcome with emotion, I swallow my tears. “Gorgeous. So much better in person.” I squeeze his hands with mine, feeling the warm metal of our wedding bands touch. “Want to take a picture?”

He pulls away and walks to our towels and bags, plucking out his camera and holding it up. “Our long overdue honeymoon wouldn’t be complete without photographic evidence.”

I chuckle. “I like the memories we’ve made off camera, too.”

He smirks because he knows exactly what I’m talking about.

Our wedding day last month was one for the books. And quite literally was. Word got around that my successful and sexy travel photographer fiancé was getting married, and there was a battle for who would take the pictures. In the end, his Uncle Spencer did the honors and, under August’s creative eye, submitted our photos to a magazine, which then ended up in yet another photography book, proudly displayed in our house next to the others.

“Where do you want me to stand?”

August positions me with the ocean as the backdrop. Then he sets his tripod a few feet in front of the boardwalk leading to the cute little house we rented on a private beach. Because of conflicting work schedules, we couldn’t take our honeymoon right away, but it worked out for us. This sweet cottage was going through renovations and was finally available when it was time to book our trip.

He sets the timer and jogs next to me while the camera runs down the seconds.

Anticipation swells in my body as I reach into the pocket of my swimsuit cover and take out the plastic stick I’ve been hiding.

Five seconds left.

I hope I time this right.

“August?”

He looks down, and his blazing smile falls for a fraction of a second. “You okay?”

I nod, grabbing his hand and placing the stick in his palm, confusion rippling over his features.

“What is thi—?” He cuts himself off when he reads it, his mouth opening in shock.

The camera flashes, and I know I’ve got it on film.

“You’re pregnant?” he asks, a smile widening. Tears gloss over my eyes as I cup my mouth and move my head up and down.

“I had a feeling, so I bought a test when I went into town for groceries while you unpacked our bags. It’s very early, but yes, you’re going to be a daddy.”

August sweeps me into his arms and hugs me tight, my arms around his neck, my lips on his stubble cheek, and my fingers in his hair. He let it grow out some more, and the thick, dusky brown locks curl around his ears.

He’s beautiful. Especially when he smiles like this.

Burying his head to my chest, I feel his warm breaths on my skin and the tightening of his fingers around my waist.

He stays like this for a few minutes. A rolling sensation moves through my stomach when he doesn’t say anything. His body becomes stiff and unyielding, cold under my touch.

“Babe, are you all right?” I ask, lifting his head with my hands.

His quicksilver eyes are glassy, and there’s a crease between his brows.

“Do you not want this?” Worry trickles in, and the warm breeze feels frigid as sweat rolls down my spine.

August shakes his head, and I think I’m going to throw up.

“I need to sit down.” I step back and take a shallow inhale before letting it out, my hands shaking and my stomach threatening to capsize its contents into the soft sand at my feet.

He deepens his frown before he curls his hand around my arm. “Oh fuck, baby, no, no, of course I’m okay with it. Oh god, come here.”

Tears stream down my face as he cradles me, raining kisses over my braided hair and temple.

“It’s not you, Shortcake. God, no, it’s not that. I’m just—fuck—I’m scared, okay. That’s all. I’m happy and scared.”

I wipe away my tears to read his face. There’s worry, but it’s now for me.

“Scared?”

He brushes another tear from my cheek and leans down to kiss away the remaining salt trails. Sighing, he drops his forehead to mine. “I’m worried I won’t be a good dad. I didn’t really have a good example growing up, and I won’t forgive myself if I fuck this up. You, and now this baby, mean everything to me.” He places a trembling hand on my lower stomach, and I cover his with one of mine.

Relief floods me, and I sag into his arms. “Honey, you’re going to be an amazing father. There’s no way you could ever mess this up.”

I crack a joke so he knows I’m not upset. “Hell, if Trek can do it, so can you. Besides, I’ve seen you with little Ivy and you’re a natural. And we have Foster, who’s been the best grandpa and second dad to you. Trust me, you’re going to be great, I know it.”

August laughs softly and pulls me in tighter. I kiss the little hairs exposed on his bronzed bare chest before looking into his face at the dark freckles dotting his perfect nose. “You and I may have had crappy parents when we were little, but we don’t let that get in the way of being good people. You’re a good man. The best I know and the only one I want to have a family with.”

He breathes out, his eyes now twinkling. “I’m going to be a dad.”

I bite my lip and bob my head. “I’m going to be a mom.”

Lifting me into his arms, he swings me around gently, and we laugh and cry before settling on the sand, the ocean lapping at our feet.

August sits behind me, and his solid presence fills me with peace.

With the weight of our past behind us, we’ve forged a life filled with laughter and love, now blossoming into a cherished family of our own.