Page 88 of Long Hard Road

The three interior walls were made of floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases. They were the same beautiful wood as our kitchen cabinets. Each wall also had its own rolling ladder, every book lover’s dream. The wall across from the door had a fireplace right in the middle of the bookcases. It was currently casting the room in a warm glow. The fourth wall was composed of a window that spanned almost the entire width and came to rest above a cozy window seat covered in plush pillows. I could imagine curling up there for hours to read my books.

“You didn’t… Nate…” For someone who loved getting lost in words, I suddenly couldn’t string any together.

“The fireplace is electric. I didn’t think wood burning would be a smart idea inside a library where there will be so much kindling. I went ahead and put your books on those shelves, but you can reorganize them however you want. And over here…” He stepped past me and went to one of the bookshelves flanking the fireplace. “I added some new books. For the future.”

I stepped next to him and scanned the titles. “Children’s books?” My heart had never felt so full. “It’s good to be prepared.”

“Some of these were mine when I was a kid.” He ran his finger over the worn spine of a Roald Dahl book. “I can’t wait to read them to our kids.”

“Well, you’re going to have to wait a little while.” I wrapped my arms around him and felt tears forming in my eyes. “For about eight months.”

“Eight months?” His eyebrows came together in an adorable wrinkle. “But… We… Are you…” Now I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t string together words.

“Remember that morning I ate three of Amelia’s cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then immediately threw up?” I grimaced at the memory. I hadn’t been able to eat one of her rolls since. “I also threw up my birth control, apparently. I’m pregnant, Nate.”

“Pregnant?” He looked so confused that I started to wonder if no one had explained to him how babies were made. Then the most beautiful smile transformed his face into an expression of complete joy. “We’re going to have a baby?”

“We are,” I confirmed, taking one of his hands and placing it on my stomach. “You’re going to be a dad, honey. The absolute best dad.”

“And here I thought I was the one surprising you tonight.” He scooped me up and I wrapped my legs around his hips while he squeezed me tight against his chest. “I love you, Madison. And I love our baby so much already.”

“Me too.” I brushed my nose against his and added, “Until my last breath.”

He looked into my eyes as if he was planning to get lost there forever. “For seventy years or more.”

32

NATE

Six Years Later

“Hold my hand while we cross the street, Gracie.” I reached out for the tiny hand that was still sticky from the ice cream cone that had melted all over it a few minutes ago.

“Do you think Mommy will be excited?” Gracie skipped along next to me in pink tennis shoes that lit up with each step. She had picked those shoes out herself for her first day of kindergarten.

“I hope so.” We made it across the street without incident and headed toward the beautiful woman standing down the sidewalk with one kid resting on her hip and another wrapped around her leg. A familiar ache throbbed in my chest at the sight of my wife and kids.

“Mommy!” Gracie tried to run while still holding my hand.

Madison turned, wearing a delighted smile as she greeted our daughter. “Hi, sweetie.” Then her eyes flicked up to mine and the smile turned more intimate. “And hello to you, gorgeous.”

“Daddy!” The three-year-old girl released Madison’s leg and held up her arms, the universal sign that she wanted to be picked up.

I scooped her up in one arm and kissed her cheek. “Hey, my little pea. Did you have fun with Mommy today?”

Penelope smiled and threw her arms around my neck. “So much fun. Granny made cookies for us!”

I turned to the little boy sleeping in Madison’s arms and ran a hand over his dark curls. “Looks like Henry wore himself out.”

“He’s not the only one,” Madison said with a sigh. “How did pick-up go?”

“Without incident.” I took a moment to stroke her cheek before leaning in for a tender kiss. After six years together I still wasn’t tired of kissing her. “How’s Gran?”

“Nosy as ever. She only asked four times when we’re having the next baby.” She smiled as she rolled her eyes. “I guess three in five years isn’t enough.”

It had been a crazy, wonderful five years. Watching Madison give birth to our beautiful children was the most amazing experience of my life. She was a wonderful mother. A couple of months after I found out she was pregnant with Gracie, I made sure to lock her down with a diamond ring. She had surprised me by asking if we could get married the next week at the courthouse.

When I asked her why she didn’t want to wait and have a big wedding, her answer had nearly made me cry. She just wanted to be my wife as soon as possible. Of course I said yes. That had been almost five and half years ago and every day married to her had been better than the last.

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