31. Are You Ready?
Chapter 31
Are You Ready?
Ori
“H
ey, time to wake up.” Ash nudges me gently, his beard tickling my skin as he drops soft kisses along my shoulder.
“Do I have to?” I grumble, rolling over and snuggling further into the blanket.
“You do, and although you’re going to hate me for this, I hope you’ll understand why it’s necessary.”
Huh?
I blink up at him, confused. “What are you talking about?”
“This.” Ash grabs the blanket and yanks it away in one swift motion.
“If this is your idea of foreplay, we need to have a serious talk,” I mutter, curling into a ball. “Be nice to the pregnant woman.”
“Trust me,” he whispers, scooping me up in his arms. “I plan on being very nice to you.”
“What’s going on? I figured after all the craziness of the opening, we’d lounge around today.”
Ash shakes his head. “No can do. Too much happening.”
He carries me to the bathroom and turns on the spray. Judging by his appearance—freshly showered and dressed—he’s been up for a while. He’s also got this anxious energy buzzing through him, which doesn’t bode well for me.
But I’m too tired to analyze it—much. Best to wake up before I start freaking out over contrived scenarios.
“I’m picking up breakfast for us. You want an omelet?”
“Sure,” I mumble, stepping into the shower. “And tea, please.”
“You got it.” He leans his head into the shower, shooting me a dimpled grin. “Dress casual but nice.”
“So, no sweatpants? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“That’s what I’m telling you.”
“Damn. Fine.” I smack a kiss on his mouth before shooing him from the room.
The warm water does its job, loosening the knots in my neck. As I glide my hands along my body, I pause when they slip over my abdomen. Glancing down, I notice it.
I’m showing.
It’s barely noticeable and only when I’m naked, but it’s there—the faintest bump, the first undeniable sign of this new life growing inside me.
Wow.
I stand there, my hands resting on my belly, allowing my mind to wander. I picture the next several months: late pregnancy, a baby shower with piles of cute gifts, strange cravings, midnight runs for pickles and ice cream, the first kick, and Ash’s head resting on my belly as he talks to our baby.
But what if Ash isn’t here for any of it?
That thought opens a floodgate of bittersweet images: decorating the nursery alone, picking out the crib, prepping my hospital go bag.
Me. Me. Me.
God, I hope I made the right choice in telling him to go.
“Well, Ori,” I say aloud to the steamy tiles. “No take backs. We’re going to be okay, no matter what. There’s enough love in this little town to carry me through the darkest nights. And Ash will?—”
“What will Ash do?” His voice cuts through my thoughts, and I whirl around to see him poking his head in the door, barely visible through the steam.
Shit. I didn’t realize he was back already. How long have I been in here, musing about my future?
“You okay, little one?” Ash asks, pulling back the curtain slightly. “You almost done?”
I shut off the water and offer a rueful grin. “Lost track of time. That’s what a lack of caffeine will do to you.”
“Come on. Let’s eat, and then it’s time for your surprise.”
Ash is usually cool under pressure, but right now, he’s vibrating with so much restless energy, I feel like I should offer him a stress ball. Whatever this surprise is, it’s got him twisted up in knots—and now it’s doing the same to me.
I walk out to the kitchen, marveling at how Ash has set out our food, even going so far as to include a single tulip in a bud vase.
“Look at you,” I remark, fingering the petals of the pink tulip. “Who are you, and what have you done with Asher Hammond?”
He shrugs, a grin splitting his face. “Consider this the upgraded version. Ash 2.0.”
I giggle and bite into my omelet. “Can’t wait to take you for a spin.”
“Oh, that’s happening. I’ve had entirely too little Ori in my life for the six weeks.”
I shovel food into my mouth, but notice Ash is only drinking coffee. “Aren’t you hungry?”
He shakes his head, his fingers drumming a beat on the table. “Not really.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m great.” But the incessant tapping continues as he downs his coffee in big gulps.
He’s definitely nervous.
And he definitely doesn’t want to talk about it now.
Even though not talking about it is sending my anxiety skyward.
Breathe, Ori. You’ll be okay. If he leaves tomorrow or in two months, you’ll be okay.
I huff out a breath, feeling my body calm. For the first time since I gave Ash the chance to leave, I believe my words.
“Put this on.” Ash hands me a blindfold, and I stare at him, my eyes wide.
“Why?”
“For the surprise.”
I hold the blindfold, worrying my lower lip with my teeth. “Do I have to wear it?”
He huffs out a sigh. “Yes.” Then, with practiced ease, he slides it over my eyes and steals a quick kiss.
“What do you have planned?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” His voice is full of mischief, but a gentle squeeze of my hand reassures me.
The soft hum of music fills the truck a moment later—a playlist of my favorite oldies, likely meant to calm my nerves. It works ... a little.
“Can I at least have a hint?” I ask after a few minutes, shifting in my seat.
“Nope. Then it’s not a surprise.” His hand clasps mine, his fingers entwining with my own. “Trust me, little one.”
Twenty minutes later, the truck slows to a stop, and he kills the engine.
“Can I look now?”
“No. Stay put and don’t peek,” he warns as my fingers twitch toward the blindfold.
“Fine,” I grumble, knotting my hands in my lap. “This had better be good.”
I hear him chuckle as my door opens. He loosens my seatbelt and helps me down from the truck, his hands steady.
“I think it’s better than good. Don’t worry. I’ve got you. You’re safe. Step up ... and again.”
I follow his lead, pausing when I hear the jingle of keys and the creak of a door opening. Warm air brushes my skin, carrying with it the faint scent of cinnamon apples.
“Are we at Rum & Ruin ?”
“Definitely not,” he replies, a teasing lilt in his tone. “Hopefully later today, though.”
He guides me further inside, his hands never leaving me. “Ready?”
“I guess.”
“You’re going to have to do better than that,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my neck.
“Abso-fucking-lutely,” I exclaim with an excitement I don’t fully feel.
Hey, give me some credit. Surprises are not always happy.
“Much better.” His chuckle is rich with anticipation as he lifts the blindfold.
I blink against the sudden light, my vision adjusting.
And then I realize where we are.
I spin around, my heart pounding as my mind struggles to reconcile what I’m seeing.
We’re at the Dean Estate, standing in the fully completed carriage house apartment.
But it’s not possible, is it?
“How ... how is this finished?” I twirl slowly, my eyes taking in every detail, half believing that if I blink, I’ll wake and find it all a dream.
“Come on,” Ash says, grabbing my hand. “Let me show you around.”
He gestures to the main living space, drenched in natural light from three massive windows lining one wall. “We kept the exposed brick and beams but laid down new hardwood floors. And there are those Tiffany pendant lamps you liked.”
“It’s incredible,” I breathe, still unsure that any of this is real.
He walks us to the kitchen, a perfect blend of modern convenience and vintage charm. “I know you love cooking, so we made sure there’s plenty of room to whip up your fabulous feasts. And there’s space for a table for when friends come over.”
I run my hand along the cool quartz countertop, marveling at the stained-glass insets in the cabinet doors, each panel capturing natural scenes of the mountains. “It’s fantastic. I can already see myself cooking in here.”
“So can I.” He smiles, taking my hand again and leading me to the master bedroom. “We added crown molding and a tray ceiling, plus a walk-in closet for all your stuff.”
“Smart man,” I murmur, a permanent grin etched on my face.
“And this,” he says, guiding me into the second bedroom, “will be the baby’s room. I didn’t decorate it completely—I figured you’d want to help with that.”
The future nursery is painted a soft, calming green, with a large oak crib already set in the corner. Above the crib, in Ash’s perfect calligraphy, is a familiar term: Sei sempre nel mio cuore.
“That’s what you said to me the other day.”
“You’re always in my heart,” Ash murmurs. “That’s what it means and Ori, you are.”
“I can’t believe you did all this,” I whisper, a few tears slipping down my cheeks.
Ash brushes them away with a tender swipe of his thumb. “Hey, come on. You haven’t seen the best part yet.”
He guides me to the bathroom, pointing out the clawfoot soaking tub and dual shower, but it’s the atrium that steals my breath.
What I never told anyone is that the atrium and gardens—despite their shoddy appearance—were what sealed the deal for me when I bought the Dean Estate. I envisioned them fully restored, bursting with life and color. Turns out, my imagination pales compared to the reality Ash has created.
Sunlight streams through the glass walls, warming the space, while flowering vines climb a trellis that sits above a two-person glider rocker. In the corner, a rock pond gurgles as water splashes down from a delicate waterfall.
“Ash …” My voice falters as I take it all in, my chest tight with emotion.
He wraps me in his embrace, and I melt against him, the world beyond disappearing from view. “I decided, instead of a bouquet, I’d get you a garden. Something that keeps growing, bringing you new surprises every day.”
I plant my chin on his chest, beaming up at him. “It’s perfect. But how did you do all this?”
“Your brother. Turns out, you were right. He’s one hell of a craftsman.”
“Wait a second— you were Eddie’s secret project?”
“Yep. I knew you wanted to throw in the towel, that you were overwhelmed. But I wanted to show you that, together, we can do it all, beautiful.”
He leads me back into the living room and gestures to a box on the table. My breath catches when I realize it’s no ordinary box—it’s my wish box.
The one covered in stickers and doodles, packed with a lifetime of knick-knacks, each one representing dreams of my future wedding, baby, and happily ever after.
“My wish box,” I whisper, my voice quivering.
Ash traces his fingers along the edge of the box. “You need to open it, because I plan on making every one of these wishes come true.”
My lips tremble as the realization hits me—through all those days I thought Ash had moved on, he was really waiting for my return. Just like he said.
Ash points to the floor to ceiling bookshelf. “I also bought you the first book for your newly restored bookshelf.”
I cross the room and pull the special edition book out, my heart skipping at the sight of the gorgeous cover—an infamous rose encased in glass. "Beauty and the Beast."
Ash is by my side in an instant, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. “You’re my Belle. Smart, beautiful, stubborn, and absolutely perfect. And this book? It has the fairytale ending you deserve.”
“Ash—”
“I’m not done.” His voice cracks, his green gaze locked on mine. “That’s the only acceptable ending, and I’m going to give you that. I swear on my life I will, if you’ll let me.”
I burrow my head against his chest and cry, releasing years of pent-up emotion and grief. Ash’s embrace stays strong and unwavering, his arms a haven from the often cruel world.
After a few minutes, I pull back and wipe my tear-stained cheeks, shooting him a rueful grin. “This is too much. It’s perfect—and way better than your last surprise.”
Ash’s brow furrows. “You didn’t enjoy the Keys?”
“God, yes. I meant when I met Lucille. You told me you had a surprise for me, remember? That was not a pleasant one.”
He chokes out a laugh. “I can see why, but that was not the surprise I had in mind.”
“It wasn’t?”
“No. I was going to ask you to move in with me so we could work on this place together.” Ash gestures around the pristine carriage house interior.
“Is that still the plan? Moving in together?”
Because cohabitation with this gorgeous hunk of man sounds pretty damn nice.
Ash skews his mouth to the side and shakes his head. “Nah.”
“Oh,” I murmur, trying to mask the sting of disappointment.
“I’m going to ask you to marry me instead.”
I freeze, my eyes scanning his face, waiting for him to laugh it off and claim he’s joking.
But he’s not laughing.
“You … you don’t believe in marriage,” I stutter.
“I believe in you. I believe in us. You made me believe in forever, Ori. And since you’re having my baby, I’d really like you to have my last name, too.”
He drops to one knee on the hardwood floor, his fingers shaking as he pulls a small velvet box from his pocket. My chest tightens, a surge of emotions rushing through me so fiercely I clutch the edge of the bookshelf to steady myself.
“Ori—”
“Wait.” I cut him off, grabbing his hands as I sink to my knees beside him.
Ash’s eyes widen, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “Wait?”
I need him to understand he’s not bound by any obligation—not to me, not to anyone.
I squeeze his hands, my voice shaking. “You don’t have to marry me because of the baby.”
The tension melts away from Ash’s face as he releases a sharp exhale. “Fuck. Don’t scare me like that, Ori. Just so you know, I bought this ring before I knew about the baby.”
He flips open the box, revealing an exquisite vintage ring—a masterpiece of delicate filigree and sparkling diamonds. At its center sits a stunning Asscher-cut diamond, flanked by two deep green emeralds, their hue almost identical to Ash’s eyes.
I hope our baby has those eyes, too.
Although his hands tremble, his voice remains steady. “This ring was made in the 1920s. He was a writer, and she was his one true love. He bought this as a testament to that love. I thought it was fitting. Maybe he could provide the words I often can’t find.”
My eyes flit between his face and the glorious ring, as a smile lights up my face. “Personally, I think you’re doing pretty great.”
“What do you say? Be Mrs. Hammond? Marry me?”
Tears blur my vision as I cup his face, my voice quivering with emotion. “Yes, Ash. A thousand times, yes. But don’t you see? You’ve already given me my fairytale ending.”
Ash slides the ring onto my finger, and I admire the way it sparkles and shines in the light of our newly restored home. He’s taken my broken life and made it beautiful.
Perfect.
Just like him.
And then, unable to hold back any longer, I pounce, gently pushing him back as I straddle his waist. “I love you, Asher Hammond,” I murmur, claiming his mouth as my tongue dances with his in a perfect, unbreakable rhythm.
His arms wrap around me, locking me in his embrace. His hands tangle in my hair as he deepens the kiss, promising me without words that I’ll never be alone again.
But then I pull back, because I have a surprise for him, too. Something I hope he’ll enjoy seeing.
“I want to show you something,” I say, lifting the hem of my shirt.
Ash smirks, his eyes sparking with mischief. “I like where this is heading.”
I laugh as he slides his hands to the waistband of my pants. “You’re going to have to wait a few more minutes for that brand of attention. Look.” I guide his hand to my abdomen. “I’m starting to show. Just a little, but ... isn’t that crazy?”
Ash falls silent as his fingers splay across my abdomen, but I see the brightness in his eyes.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers.
“I thought you might like to see.”
He sits up and wraps his arms around me, pulling me tight against his chest. “I don’t want to miss another second, Ori. You two are my entire world. Nothing else matters. Don’t you get it? You’re my home.”
“You’re mine.” I frame his face with my hands, depositing a multitude of kisses across his cheeks and mouth. “But don’t worry. I’m going to take a ton of videos throughout this whole pregnancy, so no matter where in the world you are, you’ll still be a part of it.”
Ash quirks a brow at me. “Where exactly am I going?”
“The world tour, remember? Casey said?—”
He grins, ducking his hands beneath my shirt to cup my breasts. “Nope, not until next year. I delayed it. Works out better this way—more time for them to plan, and I get to take my wife and baby along with me.”
“You want me to come, too?”
“Ori, I want you by my side every second of every day. Being away from you this past month taught me something—you put me back together. And I plan on spending every moment showing you how grateful I am that you took that chance.”
His sweet words blend with the sensual caress of his hands, sparking a firestorm inside me. I drag my nails along his shoulders, my body trembling with every touch.
And boy, does Asher Hammond know exactly what he’s doing to me.
A wicked grin spreads across his face as his hands slide lower, curving around my hips.
“You know pregnancy makes a woman really horny, right?”
Ash’s grin deepens. “Tell me more.”
I bury my face against his neck, delivering a small nibble to his throat. “How about I show you instead?”
“Perfect.” Ash pops to his feet, sweeping me into his arms. “Let’s try out our new bed, shall we, Mrs. Hammond?”
Glancing at the ring sparkling on my finger, I shoot him a coy smile. “I’m ready for everything you’ve got to offer, Mr. Hammond. Question is, are you ready for me?”
“Beautiful,” he says, his voice low and filled with desire, “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”
We fought countless battles to get here, but as I gaze into his eyes, I know he was worth every teardrop.
Our love isn’t perfect. No, it’s better. It’s ours—imperfect, messy, and undeniably real.