Page 137 of Scandalous Secrets

“Be right back. I want cuddles from this guy when I get back,” he said, pointing at the bundle wrapped in blankets in my arms.

“You’ve got it.”

I watched Troy walk out the door and settled back into the hospital bed, getting comfortable as exhaustion joined my feeling of hunger. There was a soft knock at the door. I invited whoever was there into the room, assuming it was one of the nurses. I was happily surprised when I saw Heart standing in the doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers and a plush elephant.

“Heart!” I said in surprise. “How did you…”

“Troy called. He said you would want your best friend here.”

I smiled to myself. Of course, he did.

“Come here. Come meet T.J.” I said, waving her over.

She placed the bouquet and elephant on a nearby table and walked over. She looked down at him and put her hands to her mouth.

“Oh, Monica. He’s perfect.” Her eyes welled with tears.

T.J.’s eyes fluttered open and he looked up at her with his gray eyes. He stretched his legs and arms, but didn’t go back to sleep. I held him up for her to take him, which she did so eagerly. She cradled him in her arms and didn’t tear her eyes away from him for a long few minutes.

“I can’t believe you’re a mom,” she whispered.

“I know.” I shook my head in disbelief.

“And I can’t believe how freaking cute he is.”

“I know.”

“Who would have thought our lives would turn out like this?” she asked, looking at me as she rocked T.J. in her arms.

“Not me.” I laughed softly.

“Bridgette has a playmate now.”

“Or a boyfriend.” I winked.

“Are you already marrying off our son?” asked Troy from the doorway, holding a large tray of food.

We laughed as he brought the food over and set it on the hospital bed. He gave Heart a hug, and I realized they had never officially met until now. It was a special sight to see the man that I loved and my best friend embrace, especially at such a special time in my life.

“Now that you two have officially met…” I smiled between them before looking down at the tray. “What did you get me?”

Troy chuckled as he lifted the silver lids from the plates, revealing a cheeseburger and fries, two slices of pepperoni pizza, and a bowl of spaghetti. My stomach grumbled hungrily at the sight of everything.

“I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I kind of got a little bit of everything.” He shrugged. “There is a chocolate chip cookie buried in there somewhere.”

“This is perfect.”

I picked up a slice of pizza and took a big bite before handing him the other slice. Heart had no problem cradling T.J. while Troy and I scarfed down the entire tray of food. Between bites, we told Heart all about my water breaking and my labor and delivery.

Once we were finished, Heart said her goodbyes. She handed T.J. to Troy, who nuzzled T.J.’s soft head of hair before taking a seat next to me on the bed. I could hardly tear my eyes away from the sight before me. My two boys. They held my whole heart.

“Parenthood looks good on you two,” said Heart with a wink, before walking out the door.

I had to agree.

Epilogue

Troy

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