Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“Say it again.” His voice is rough and unsteady in a way I’ve never heard before.
“I’m pregnant,” I repeat, softer this time. “I found out this morning.”
Something breaks open in his expression—pure, unfiltered joy. His eyes shine with unshed tears.
“A baby?” he whispers, fingers splaying protectively across my abdomen. “Our baby?”
I nod, my own vision blurring. “Our baby.”
He presses his forehead against my stomach, shoulders shaking once, twice. When he looks up, there’s wetness on his lashes. “Thank you,” he says, the words carrying the weight of everything unsaid between us—how far we’ve come, how impossible this all once seemed.
“I’m gonna be a big brother?” Ryan’s voice breaks the spell, high with excitement. “Really? Like, for real, for real?”
I laugh through my own tears. “Really.”
Ryan launches himself out of his chair and around the table, practically vibrating with energy. “Is it a boy or a girl? Can I help pick the name? Where will the baby sleep? Can I teach them about dinosaurs? Babies like dinosaurs, right?”
“Whoa, slow down.” Ronan chuckles, one arm still around my waist, the other reaching for his son. “We don’t know if it’s a boy or girl yet. And yes, you can help with the name.”
“And you’ll be the best big brother,” I add, watching Ryan’s face light up like it’s Christmas morning.
“I’ll share all my toys, even the special ones.”
“That’s very generous,” Ronan says, pulling Ryan into our huddle.
“The baby will be so lucky to have you,” I tell him, running a hand through his soft hair.
Ryan beams, then his expression turns serious. “Will you still have time for me? When the baby comes?”
My heart constricts. “Always. Always and forever.”
“You’re our son,” Ronan adds. “Nothing will ever change that.”
Ryan seems satisfied with this answer, nestling closer into our awkward, wonderful embrace beside my chair. Dinner sits forgotten on the table, cooling in the wake of news far more important than food.
“I love you,” Ronan whispers against my ear, too low for Ryan to hear. “All three of you.” His hand tightens protectively over my stomach.
My mind flashes back to what feels like a lifetime ago: drowning in debt, terrified of losing my mother, walking into an auction with nothing but desperation and pride. How could I have known that night would lead here? To this table, this family, this future growing inside me?
Ronan kisses me softly, then presses his lips to Ryan’s forehead, his strong hands holding us both.
Once, forever sounded impossible. But now, forever sits at this table with me—Ronan’s hand in mine, Ryan’s laughter filling the air, and a new life already beating inside me. Not perfect, not without challenges ahead, but real and solid and mine.
Ours.
The End.