Page 19 of One Pucking Destiny

“But he wouldn’t take it?”

She shakes her head and smiles. “No, he wouldn’t.”

“Of course not because he loves you!”

She chuckles. “I know, and I believe him when he says that he does. But you know me.”

I raise a brow. “You mean the stubborn part of you that doesn’t want to accept help from anyone and thinks you can do everything alone?”

She swats at my leg. “Hey.”

“You’ve been fighting your whole life. It’s your turn to be happy.”

She nods. “I know, and I am.”

“Good. As much as I tease you about Beckett and the age thing, you two are made to be together. The room radiates love when you’re together. It’s obvious to anyone around you that you two are the real deal.”

“Thank you for understanding, Ari. I just wanted to apologize for lying to you. I know that hurt you, and I’ll regret it forever.”

“Don’t. I’m over it. Trust me. You have nothing to apologize for. You did what you had to do. It’s fine. I promise.”

“Okay, good.” She wears a look of relief. “And there is one more thing I wanted to tell you.”

I look at her in anticipation.

“I’m pregnant.”

My eyes bulge, and my mouth falls open. “Are you serious?”

Her eyes fill with tears, and she nods her head.

“Oh my God!” We leap from the couch. We jump up and down, hugging, crying, and cheering. “This is amazing!”

“I know! I never thought I’d get the chance to be a mother again, and now I get to do it with my husband.”

We stop jumping. Facing one another, we have our hands grasped between us. “Beckett’s happy?”

“Ecstatic!”

“He’s going to be a great dad.”

“I think so, too. Also, this doesn’t mean you’re any less important to me.”

“No,” I huff out an exaggerated groan. “Don’t even start.”

“I just want you to know how much I love you.”

I pull her into another embrace. “I know how much you love me. You being happy and having a kid with your husband will not change anything between us. It will just give us someone else to love. This is going to be great. So, so great.”

She holds me tight, and we rock from side to side. “I never thought this level of happiness was in the cards for me, you know? I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, but Beckett promises it won’t.”

“Believe him, Ma. You deserve to be this happy. If anyone does, it’s you.”

“Thank you, my love.”

We compose ourselves and sit back on the couch. I can’t stop smiling. “I can’t wait. When are you due? Are you going to find out if it’s a boy or a girl?”

“June and no. I want it to be a surprise.”

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