Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
“I can’t believe they are having another baby,” my mother says. “She was shocked. She thought she was starting premenopause and boom. Baby.”
The two of them moving in with each other right away was something else, but then they have moved to be closer to Sierra, buying a house a street over and fixing it up. Even though they didn’t want to push Sierra to do anything she didn’t want to. They wanted to be close when she was ready. Right away, she included them in everything. We had Sunday meals together every single week. That with the fact she and Fiona would get coffee a couple of times a week. Each time, Sierra would come home and tell me how she was getting to know her. Each time, it was as if they were almost the same person. Her adoptive parents were just as included and made it a point to come down for Sunday dinners every week even though the drive was over three hours. They made a weekend trip out of it most times and were now looking to buy a home near us. It’s like one big happy family, and as long as Sierra was happy, I didn’t really care.
We pull up to their home, parking on the street as we make our way around back where the ceremony will be held. I spot Joseph and Carl standing together. Both of them are in black suits. Carl with his hands in his pockets while Joseph talks to him. “Hey,” I say to them, “how is everyone doing?”
“He’s nervous,” Joseph states, slapping Carl on the shoulder.
“I’m not nervous at all. Never been more sure of anything in my life. I just want to get this show on the road and finally make that woman mine.”
“Good things come to those who wait,” Joseph teases, and my father laughs at them.
“I’m going to go in and see if I can help in any way,” my mother says, getting up on her tippy-toes and kissing my father.
“Do me a favor, Hailey,” Carl says when she takes a step up, “tell her to get her ass out here.”
My mother hides that she is trying not to laugh but fails. “I’m never going to tell a bride that,” she retorts, then looks at me. “Are you coming with me?”
“I wasn’t going to,” I tell her and share a look with the guys.
“Good, you tell her that message from me,” Carl says, and I throw my head back and laugh.
“You think I’m going to tell my girlfriend’s birth mother to move her ass?” I shake my head. “There is not enough money in the world for me to do that.” I walk up the steps onto the covered porch and into the house.
“It’s almost time,” Marian says.
“You are going to be late.” Sierra knocks on the door. “Isn’t morning sickness supposed to leave after three months?” We walk down the hall toward the voices.
“Knock-knock-knock,” my mother says and knocks on the open door. “How is everyone doing?” She stops and looks at Sierra. “You look beautiful,” she exclaims, walking over to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek, “and so do you!”
“She’s in there. I’m not sure if she’s going to vomit or not,” Sierra tells my mother. “I’m just saying we walk down the aisle, and if she has to throw up, she runs back inside.”
I lean against the doorjamb, taking her in. Her eyes come to me, and she smiles before making her way over to me. She’s wearing a lilac one-shouldered dress that hugs her curves perfectly. It’s like the dress was made for her. A slit down on the right side shows her leg, with a sash that hangs down on the side, trailing her when she walks. “Aren’t you so handsome,” she coos when she gets close to me, putting her hand on my chest and fixing my tie. “So very, very handsome.”
“And you look more beautiful than you did yesterday.” I wink at her.
“We have to talk,” she says softly, coming even closer to me. “We’re getting a dog.”
“Sierra.” I stand now. “I don’t want a dog.”
“But my mother said she always wanted to get me a dog, and then Fiona said she would have definitely gotten me a dog to be my best friend and talk to.” I roll my eyes. “And that’s what I want to give our kids.”
“Shouldn’t we work on getting the kids before the dog?”
“No, it’s even better if I’m pregnant and then bring the baby in. It’ll protect them.” She looks up at me, a smile on her face.
“Fine”—I look over her shoulder—“we’ll get a dog, but when our kids are depressed because the dog died, you’re going to handle that.”
“Deal.” She gets on her tippy-toes and kisses my lips lightly.