Page 97 of Wishing for Love

“A partner. I don’t want you to do it all. I don’t want you to be afraid to tell me you’re overwhelmed or need help.”

She laughed. “Considering I just called your mother, do you think I’m someone who is afraid to ask for help? I think that isyou and not me. So I’m going to repeat your words. I want a partner.”

“Then you’ve got one,” he said, pulling her close to his body.

“Good,” she said. “Because I’ve always felt like I didn’t know where I was going in life or what I wanted. But I finally figured out where I needed to be and what it is I’m meant to do and what I want.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Be a family with you.”

“Best thing I’ve heard in years,” he said, laughing.

“And since you’re home, you can help me start to move my things to your room. No reason to wait!”

EPILOGUE

Two Months Later

“I’m soglad we got to take a little vacation,” Crystal said two months later.

“I wanted to get it in while we could. Work is crazy but in a good way. My mother wanted to see you again too. She’s excited about the baby. She’s going to want to plan a baby shower for you here.”

They flew to Orlando yesterday and were going to stay for the weekend and fly home on Monday.

It was Crystal’s birthday and he wanted to give her something special. That was the weekend alone and Elsie was staying with his parents for two days.

He had a hotel on the water and they were sitting on the balcony looking up at the night sky, the stars all around.

“I’ll let her do whatever she wants,” she said. “My mother won’t do one. My sister Anne most likely will though. We’ll see. I’m not worrying or planning on anything. I don’t want to think of anything but these two days by ourselves.”

“The same,” he said. “Elsie is having a good time. My mother is spoiling her rotten. I’m sure there will be an extra piece of luggage to check. They were going shopping today.”

“Do you want a boy or a girl?” she asked.

“I don’t care,” he said. “I’ll be happy as long as it’s healthy.”

“The same,” she said. “You’re so good with Elsie. I think you’re meant to be a girl Dad.”

He laughed. “If I don’t get a girl this time, we can try for another.”

She turned to look at him. “I hope you aren’t trying to compete with your mom. No way I’m having that many kids. I don’t want more than two. With Elsie, it’s three. More than enough.”

“Dang it,” he said. “There is always a chance for multiplies next time.”

He was grinning when he said it, but he honestly wouldn’t mind more though he’d never push something like that.

He came from a big crazy family and though he never thought he was as close with his siblings as he would have liked, he wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.

Crystal playfully slapped his arm. “Let’s get through this one first. I’m just starting to show.”

He looked at her tiny waist. “Where?”

“My belly is thickening. Like I ate a big meal that won’t go away.”

“Okay,” he said. “If you think so.”

“I do,” she said.

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