Epilogue
“It’s OK.”Atlas holds my hair while Lacey rubs my back in a slow circle.
I have the best friends.I think right before I empty my stomach again. I didn’t even realize it was possible to be this sick.
When I’m certain it’s over, I lean my head against the bathroom wall and count the lilies on the wallpaper.
“I didn’t know nerves could affect you like this,” I tell them. I glance at my watch, but I still have an hour before the wedding ceremony with Michael. My eyes tear up just thinking about my growly alpha.
It’s the second time this week that I’ve gotten sick unexpectedly. I guess wedding stress doesn’t agree with me.
My friends who are sitting in the ladies’ bathroom floor with me exchange a look. Their matching expressions give me the feeling I’m missing something important.
“Have you told my dad about this?” Atlas asks softly. “About the throwing up?”
I start to shake my head then realize the motion makes me dizzy. “He freaks out if I so much as sniffle.”
Lacey passes me a piece of gum and I accept the minty sugar stick. In a few minutes, I’ll get up and rinse with mouthwash, but right now I’m too tired. Wedding planning is exhausting. “Is he a germophobe?”
Atlas picks at a string on her dress. “Do you remember how I told you my mom got sick and died?”
“Oh,” Lacey makes a sympathetic noise. “Cancer, right?”
She nods and glances at me. “Eric is the same way. I can’t sneeze without him wanting me to have a bowl of chicken soup and three days’ worth of vitamin C.”
“That’s why I don’t want to tell him. I can go on my honeymoon sick. It’s not a big deal.” I square my shoulders and remind myself that I can do this.
They exchange another look.
Finally, I scowl at them. “What is it?”
Atlas makes a face. “I can’t ask the question because it’s my dad and eww. So, Lacey, you’re up for this one.”
Lacey nods solemnly and turns her focus to me. “Have you and Michael used protection every single time?”
“Oh, shit.” I think back to the day on his desk. It’s the only time we’ve ever been without protection. I was so caught up in how I felt that I didn’t think about it. “It was just one time, but…”
I take a deep breath and another. Instead of making it easier to breathe, my lungs just feel tighter. “He told me he had surgery years ago and couldn’t have kids.”
Michael explained that both his wife and daughter nearly died during the delivery process. Together, they made the decision not to have more children and Michael underwent a surgical procedure.
“I didn’t know you’d come along later,” he said softly. “Children are the one thing I can’t give you, Katie.”
Atlas takes my hand. “First things first, you need confirmation. After the reception, I’ll go out and get you a pregnancy test.”
When Michael and I had that conversation, I accepted it. I thought that there were still so many other adventures we could have together. Like going to Rum Point for our honeymoon and continuing to build his business while my career blossoms. “I won’t be able to concentrate on anything. I need to know now.”
“I’m on it.” Lacey stands and disappears from the bathroom.
While she’s gone, Atlas sits with me the entire time. She chats idly about nothing and everything. I love that she’s working so hard to keep my mind off of this possibility.
I try to tell myself that this isn’t what it seems. I’ll be on a plane to Rum Point in a few hours with Michael, sipping champagne and laughing about my earlier freak out.
When Lacey returns, she’s carrying a brown paper bag. “Ryan said to take two to confirm. And don’t worry. I swore him to secrecy. He won’t say anything to Michael.”
I accept the bag from her and stare at my two friends. “How could this happen? He’ll think I cheated on him.” But Michael has ruined me for any other man. No one will ever show me as much tenderness and love as he does.
Lacey smooths her purple hair down with one hand. “I asked Ryan about it. Apparently, the type of surgery Michael had—well, sometimes it heals and things go back to normal. It doesn’t always happen but it’s possible.”
“He’s not supposed to have sperm!” I practically shout the words. Why wouldn’t they tell Michael that there’s a big fuckin’ possibility that he could turn into a sperm-making machine again?
“Sticking my fingers in my ears now,” Atlas says.
“Let’s just get you peeing.” Lacey glances at her watch. I know the wedding is soon, but I’ve entered into a place where time seems to have no meaning. There’s only one pressing question I have to answer.
After the longest four minutes of my life, it’s confirmed.
I’m carrying Michael Junior.
“So this is…news,” Lacey says glancing nervously at Atlas.
I stare at the stick. “What do I do? Is Michael going to freak out? He’s going to freak out. I’m freaking out. We’ll be two freaked out people together. That’s what parenting is, right?”
Atlas puts her hands on my shoulder and gives me a smile. “First, you just made a baby. Congratulations.”
“Second, it’s OK to be scared,” Lacey adds while blotting at my face with a tissue. “But you have a wedding to get to.”
I sniff and glance at Atlas. “You’ve known him your whole life. Do you think he’ll be happy about this?”
“He’ll be over the moon once the shock wears off.” She gives me a grin. “Now, I have what I’ve always wanted. A little brother or sister. That’s pretty cool.”
I laugh at the idea that I’m having a child who will be my best friend’s sibling. I give both of them a big hug. “I love you two so much.”
During the wedding, I try to focus on staying in the moment. But my heart feels like it’s going to burst. Not only am I marrying the man I love, now I’m carrying his child. Everything is falling into place at once and my life seems magical.
Throughout the vow exchange, I keep blinking away tears. I never imagined six weeks ago that I could be this happy.
The reception is a small event, just a few of my friends and Michael’s. His parents couldn’t make it and I haven’t talked to my mom since that day I walked out of her apartment. I finally realized that she is never going to love me. But that’s OK because I decided to love me.
By the time we get on the private plane Michael chartered, my eyes are heavy, and I curl into his shoulder. I sleep for the entire ride, only waking when he nudges me that we’ve touched down.
From there, he drives the rental car to the villa in Rum Point. Despite my best intentions to be a good conversationalist, I fall asleep again.
I wake just as Michael pulls to a stop in front of the extravagant villa he rented. It’s the size of a shopping mall and in the evening light, it takes my breath away.
I yawn and finger-comb my hair. “Sorry. I must have dozed off again.”
“I’m glad you’re sleeping now. I don’t plan to let you do that tonight.” He winks at me before disappearing behind the car to grab our suitcases.
The words send butterflies tumbling through my stomach. We haven’t been together in two weeks. I thought it would make the honeymoon more romantic.
“This is beautiful,” I say when I step into the foyer. The overhead chandelier contains dozens of beautiful crystals that create a rainbow across the marble floor.
“I figured we need a vacation home now that we’re married, somewhere we can slip away when life gets crazy.”
“Wait, this is ours now? Did you buy us a vacation home?” I gape at the place. It seems big for two people.
“I signed the papers two weeks ago.” He grins at me. “Now let me show you my favorite feature, the bedroom.”
I laugh and let him lead me to it. As soon as I step into the room, I spot the oversized four poster king bed. I blush, thinking of that scene from my book. The one with the rope, when Michael restrained Kitty.
Absently, I stroke my hand along one of the ornate cherry oak posts as he sets the suitcases down. “Is there any chance you remember—”
“Book thirteen,” he answers, coming up behind me. He places a kiss on my neck. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think of that when I had this delivered.”
I shiver at the way his stubble scrapes against my skin.
“But it’s not the only thing I want to show you.” He nibbles on my ear. “I have a surprise for you.”
I lean against his body, liking the way his hands move to my hips. I push my ass against his groin and grind. “A bigger surprise than buying us a vacation home?”
He groans. “Keep doing that and I’ll rip your clothes off and tie you up right now.”
“Show me my surprise.” I pause, thinking of the little one between us. The one he doesn’t know about yet. “And I’ll give you a bigger surprise.”
“How could you have a bigger surprise than I do?”
I press a chaste kiss to his lips. “Oh, you’ll never see this one coming.”
He threads his fingers through mine before showing me to the room across the hall from the bedroom.
He opens the door, and it looks like I stepped back in time. There’s teal carpet, a bright yellow couch, and wood paneling. There’s even a vintage rolltop desk tucked away in the corner.
Tears fill my eyes at his thoughtfulness. If he’s this kind to me, I can only imagine how wonderful he’ll be with our little one.
“I thought it might inspire you to have a writing retreat.”
I blink away the tears. “This is a good surprise. Want to hear mine?”
He brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Go ahead. Try to top a vacation home with a writing retreat custom designed for you.”
I lean up on my tip toes and whisper in his ear, “I’m pregnant.”
His breath comes out in a whoosh. He stares at me. “How?”
“Apparently, the surgery you had can heal.” I wait for him to say something, realizing suddenly just how nervous I am. I want Michael to want this baby. To love it as much as I already do.
He continues to stare. I know he’s trying to process this, but the doubts in my head are loud. “Are you mad, sad or…I don’t know. I need you to tell me what you’re feeling right now. Because I’m getting scared.”
He pulls me into his arms and holds me against his chest, his fingers stroking my back.
“We’re having a baby,” he whispers. His voice is filled with wonder and joy and pride.
I can’t keep the tears at bay this time. Instead, I take his hand and I press a kiss to his palm before putting it against my stomach. “You made me a mom.”
“I want a dozen more.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “I want to buy a house in the suburbs and fill it with babies that look like their beautiful mother.”
I laugh. “Whoa there, super sperm. One kid at a time.”
He studies my face. “Are you happy? This isn’t something we even thought was a possibility.”
I cup his face in my hand. “I’m carrying your baby. Nothing could make me happier than that.”
He gives me a grin before scooping me into his arms. “Then I’m going to spend the night making you even happier, Mrs. Morgan.”
“I like that idea, Mr. Morgan.” I snuggle against his chest and grin. I always feel safest and happiest when I’m in the arms of my sexy alpha. I can’t wait to meet our little one and start our family together.
* * *