Page 44 of Healing Bonds

“Amber—” Ace began as I got settled into the passenger seat of the truck, but I cut him off.

“Your wife is a fucking bitch. Be sure to pass along the message,” I huffed.

He rolled his eyes. “I’d reckon that you’re both bitches, but what do I know? See you guys later,” he tossed over his shoulder as he went back inside, leaving me fuming.

I glared at Ryan as he slid into the driver’s seat. “Ryan, how could you congratulate her when you have to know what that did to me?” I turned my anger on him, and he only shrugged. I was picking for a fight, and I had a feeling he knew it. Which meant he wouldn’t give me the argument I wanted.

“I’m happy for my sister. I told you we’ll have our baby. Now, put your seatbelt on so I can take you home and get you out of that sexy as fuck dress again.”

I sneered at him. “You’re a fucking prick, too.”

He only smirked, not at all bothered by my rage. “Glad to see you’re back, spitfire.”

I gave him two stiff middle fingers.

THREE WEEKS LATER

I clutched the toilet bowl as I heaved, emptying my stomach for the third time that morning. Ryan was pressing a cold towel to my neck as he held my hair back, clearly concerned.

“I think we should go to a doctor,” he said quietly, reaching forward to flush the toilet once I stopped puking my guts out.

I shook my head, my throat raw and sore. “Not yet,” I rasped. “It might just be food poisoning.”

Only… the vomiting didn’t stop. And Ryan finally put his foot down.

Two days later, we were in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. Feeling another wave of nausea, I rushed for the bathroom in the back corner, praying I made it in time. I barely had time to lock the door and make it to the toilet before my breakfast came back up.

When I emerged back into the waiting room, Ryan handed me a piece of gum and gave me a worried smile as I sat back down beside him. He grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. I could barely return his smile, my stomach was so queasy, so I just rested my head on his shoulder, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. I had no idea what in the hell had me so sick, but I was ready for it to be over.

Hopefully, the doc could give us some guidance and give me some nausea meds, too.

An hour later, we were in a room, waiting for results from a round of blood work and a urine sample when the doctor finally walked back in. I slowly lifted my head from Ryan’s shoulder, and he squeezed my hand, reminding me he was here.

“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson! You’re pregnant!” the doctor exclaimed, beaming at us.

I swung wide, disbelieving eyes to Ryan.

We… we were having a fucking baby.We were having a baby!

Chapter Nineteen

AMBER

Happiness surged through me as I looked at Ryan, whose jaw was still on the ground a good minute after the doctor announced ourveryunexpected pregnancy. I’d been expectinganythingbut a pregnancy announcement. Judging by my husband’s expression, he definitely hadn’t even thought of pregnancy being a possibility either.

“Ryan, you promised me a baby, and now, we have a chance to be parents again,” I finally whispered. I reached for his hand and latched onto his warmth, pulling him to me. He stumbled before wrapping me in his big, burly arms and spinning us around the room. I laughed, tears burning in my eyes.

We werefinallygetting our second chance.

“A baby,” he whispered near my ear before he stilled and held me in place, his big hands cupping my face. “Ourbaby.” His nose brushed along mine, and butterflies erupted in my stomach at the feeling, at his display of affection in front of a stranger. “I won’t let anything happen to you or our baby,” he swore. “I promise you, Ames, I’ll protect you both.” He sealed his promise with a kiss that sent my mind reeling and my heart racing.

After I was given a prescription for prenatal vitamins and the doctor went over everything to expect, we walked out of thedoctor’s office with matching smiles. There was a lightness in my heart and chest that wasn’t there before. I wanted to run around and tell the entire world my good news. This little boy or girl would never replace Angel in my heart, but I would love it just the same, and I would cherish each beautiful moment, good or bad.

Once we were settled in his truck, Ryan didn’t pull out of the parking lot immediately. Instead, he stared down at the steering wheel with great concentration, scratching his now-longer hair. He finally turned to me.

“Should we tell anyone?” he asked in a whisper, almost like someone was going to hear us in the cab of his truck, as if he were afraid that if he spoke too loudly, something would happen to our baby.

“Not yet.” I reached for his hand and intertwined our fingers, finally feeling at peace, finally feeling that weight lift off my chest, even if just for a brief moment.

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