Page 54 of Twenty Years Later

"Wait a second," Alex interrupted. "You knew on the plane? Like the plane from Miami?"

I pulled on a little thread that was escaping my jeans. "Mm-hmm."

His hand reached to my chin, lifting my gaze back to his. "Jayda, I'm not going to get upset at anything you tell me. I promise. Please believe me."

Those words from him... wow, they were an absolute dream. For six long weeks, I had held in all this worry, all this anxiety, about telling him, about his response. And to have him here reassuring me, acting so sweet, it made me want to cry.

"Do you hear me, sweetheart?"

"I do."

"I'm just shocked you knew on the plane, that's all. Not upset."

I swallowed against the lump in my throat. "I know it's weird. I didn't know for sure. I just had the same little cramps I had with Audrey."

He began to slowly rub my leg. "So you've been worrying about all this for six weeks?"

I nodded, watching him climb up onto the bed to sit next to me, his back against the padded headboard, his big arm coming around me and holding me tight.

He kissed my head as I turned into his side, so grateful for this man beside me. As I inhaled his comforting scent, the emotions swirled around inside me... honestly, so many emotions I couldn't even name them. Except one. One rose up above all others. An emotion so strong it threatened to rock my entire existence.

With Alex's unbelievably sweet and caring reaction, it cemented something I already knew, something I hadn't acknowledged yet and didn't dare think about, something that lurked in the back of my mind that I was afraid to admit to myself because I had no clue what lay in front of us.

After everything I'd been through with losing Blake, I didn't think my heart could hold any more love. But I was wrong. Apparently, my heart was capable of an infinite amount of love... because this man beside me now carried my whole heart in his hands.

I was totally and completely in love with Alex.

Chapter Nineteen

Jayda

Alex reached for my hand with his and lazily traced the lines on my palm with his index finger, giving me tingles all throughout my body.

The love I felt flowed through me. And while it was exhilarating, it also calmed me... which was weird and unexpected because I had no idea how Alex felt, if we even had a future. But I would relish this feeling that I thought I'd never have again.

It had been so incredibly long since I'd felt that rush of a new love. And I never dreamed it'd be possible to actually love a man again.

"Jayda. My sweet, sweet, Jayda," Alex murmured against the top of my head. "I can't believe we're going to have a baby."

Those words, my goodness, they slayed me. "Me neither."

"Have you been to the doctor yet?"

"Yes. I'm sorry. It felt so weird to go without telling you. I'm so sorry."

"Don't be sorry!" He squeezed my hand. "I'm glad you went. And now I know. Now I'll be here for you."

I wasn't sure what to make of that because one thing I really didn't want was for Alex to think he needed to be with me just because of this baby. I wanted him to wantme. I thought so anyway. God, I was so confused right now.

Also clouding everything was the promise I had said to Blake right before he died, and I wondered if that was a promise I could break. Under the circumstances, it certainly seemed like it could be. But I'd think about that later. For now, I'd just soak in this man holding me, offering me his comfort and unbelievable support.

His caresses on my palm continued, and I took a second to admire those strong hands. I had noticed and loved those hands even in high school. There was something about a man's hands that could be so attractive, and Alex's were the most beautiful I'd ever seen.

"I know it's early," he said, interrupting my hand lust. "But what did the doctor say? Was everything okay with you? With the baby?"

Just the way he said that, the kindness in his voice, made me want to cry again. I was an absolute emotional wreck right now.

"Jayda?"

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