Page 68 of Slate

“Emma.” Slate’s deep voice pulled my attention from Ash and Rebel, and I looked up at the man who still took my breath away every single time I saw him. His dark hair and stark gray-blue eyes were a beautiful combination that spelled home to me. “Is everything okay?”

I nodded. I hoped everythingwouldbe okay. I had some news to share with Slate and I wasn’t sure how he would react, “Got a minute?”

He walked over to me as he nodded. “Of course. What’s in the box?”

I laughed. “Always focused on the important things,” I joked because of course he lasered in on the bakery box. “It’s a surprise. Open this,” I handed him an envelope. “And thenopen the box.” I took a step back and kept my eyes on his face. I needed to see every flicker of emotion. I needed to know the truth.

He stepped forward without a care in the world and tore into the envelope. “Divorce complete? Is this for real?”

I nodded again, my smile too big to contain. “Official as of today.”

Slate’s nostrils flared and he turned to the table and flipped open the lid on the green box. “Congratulations again, Daddy.” He read the words iced on the cake again and then once more before he turned to me. “We’re having a baby?”

I nodded. “In about five and a half months. What do you think about that?”

His smile came slowly at first, but it beamed so bright there was no doubt how he felt about having another baby. “I think that’s the best fucking news I’ve heard all day! You’re having my baby and free to marry me now?”

I nodded. “Yes to both.” I squealed when he picked me up and spun me around, kissing me the way he kissed me everything morning, like I was his everything. “You get to be around for everything this time around.”

“I’m gonna be a big sister?” Ash tugged on my shirt to get my attention.

I nodded and handed her the gift bag, which she tore into comically fast before she pulled out her surprise.

“What’s it say?”

Rebel looked at the shirt with a smile. “Best big sister in the world.”

She jumped up and down happily and took off. “Leo, I’m gonna be a big sister!”

“You know what this means,” Slate asked excitedly.

“Yeah, it means we’re having a baby.”

“And getting married,” he added. “As soon as I go home and get the ring.”

He already had a ring? That was news to me, but it wasn’t unwelcome, not in the least.

“But it means right now, we’re fucking celebrating!”

The guys and some of the girls rushed around and an hour later the clubhouse overflowed with music and people and a good time.

This was the life I should’ve lived. I knew I couldn’t go back and change the choices and mistakes I made in the past because they led me right here with this man, right now. The stars aligned to bring Slate and I back together, to make us a family and I couldn’t be more grateful for that fact.

It wasn’t the journey I would have chosen but now I was here in the middle of my own happy ending, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

THE END