Epilogue
Good things come to those who wait
As soon as I say it, I know I’ve f*cked up. “Should you be eating that?”
Her face falls and she throws the donut aside.
Great work, ass.
I quickly amend what I said, “No, no! I meant are you allowed to eat that?”
Nat looks at me through wide eyes and mouths, “What is wrong with you?”
Fix this, quick!
Walking over to the box, I pick out two new donuts and bring them over to Tina. I tell her, “Here, I know you like the glazed ones.”
She smiles up at me and cups my cheek, “Ghost, honey, you don’t need to watch me like a hawk. I’m not ill. And it’s kinda creepy.”
But I want to watch her!
Playing it cool, I utter, “I know but I just want to make sure you’re comfortable.”
Tina throws me a sweet smile, “Ash, are- are you nervous?”
F*ck yeah, I am.
I scoff, “What? No. You’re crazy.”
Nat sighs, “Well, I’m nervous. When is Nik coming home?”
Tina explains, “He called, he has to meet us there. So we can leave anytime you like.”
We make a move out to Nat’s car and I help Tina sit. When I try to buckle her in, she slaps my hands away, glares at me and says in warning, “No.”
Commence project drive like an old lady.
Nat says, “Babe, I think you can go a little faster than this.”
Tina agrees, “Yeah, you can at least go the speed limit, honey.”
I ignore them both. I’m driving, therefore, my rules.
We finally arrive at the big white building and I spot Nik out front waiting on us. He comes over to me and says, “Nervous, bro?”
Yep. So much that I might just barf.
I wave him off and utter, “No way. Let’s do this.”
When I reach for Tina’s arm to escort her in, she karate chops me and scowls at me. I throw my arms up in defeat and back away.
Okay. I get it. Overkill.
Nat walks next to me and says out of the side of her mouth, “Calm the f*ck down, ass.”
Nat and Tina are escorted into a room leaving me and Nik out in the hall. Nik says reassuringly, “This is all procedure. Just the way it goes, man. You’ll see, everything’s fine.”
Ten minutes pass and I’m officially anxious as f*ck. I’m ready to knock down the door, throw Tina over my shoulder and run like the wind. Just as I say, “What the f*ck’s taking so long?” the door opens and Tanya steps out. Smiling, she says, “Come on in guys, we’re ready for you.”
Nik and I follow her in to find Tina lying on a reclined medical chair with her belly showing. Nat stands next to her holding her hand.
Okay. More like squeezing the shit out of it.
Tanya squirts some lube-looking goop onto Tina’s belly and swirls around a microphone looking device onto it. I watch Tanya’s face. She searches for a while before she smiles. And that’s all I need.
Relief settles through me.
I know everything’s okay.
Tanya looks around at everyone and smiles, “Wanna see?”
Nat squeaks, “Yes!”
Tina laughs and squeezes her hand. Tanya turns to me and I respond hoarsely, “Yeah.” Nik’s hand squeezes my shoulder in a show of brotherly support.
She brings up a static-looking screen and says softly, “There they are.” Pointing to what looks like bits of nothing.
Leaning closer, I frown, “Where?”
Tanya points out two little spots and almost whispers, “Right there.”
Wait.
I rear back. Turning to face Tanya, I query, “They? Two? There are two babies?”
Tanya chuckles and nods. And I suddenly want to do a nudie run down the halls in triumph.
Raising both my hands to my head, I grip my hair and mutter, “Two. Instant family.”
Turning to a smiling Nat, I see her shake her head at me. I move forward and take her mouth in a deep kiss. She chuckles against my mouth. Tina smiles up at me and I lower myself to kiss her forehead. I whisper, “Thank you. So much.”
Tina cups my cheek and says, “Ghost, you’re gonna make me cry. Stop.”
Nik smiles at me and I almost jump on him. I wrap my arms around him and lift him. He laughs, “Take it easy, bro. You’re gonna tear something if you don’t calm down.”
Standing back, I look at everyone through wide eyes and shout, “This is the best day of my life!”
Then I pass out.
***
I watch Ash fall back onto the floor in a dead faint.
Everyone watches him closely for a second and when it’s clear he’s not waking anytime soon, I wave a hand at him and tell Tanya, “Show me more!”
Tina and Nik chuckle at me and Tanya says through a choked laugh, “How about I print off all the photos I have and make you an album.”
My throat clogs with emotion. I whisper, “I’d love that. Thank you.”
Tanya steps over Ash as she exits the room and I turn to Nik and Tina. Unsure where to start, I blurt out, “You’re making my dreams come true.”
Tina squeezes my hand and says, “No. We’re not.” Pointing to her belly, she goes on, “This. This is you and Ash. Just call me an oven.”
Nik comes forwards and kisses my forehead. He says, “Good things come to those who wait, babe.”
I look over at my husband on the floor. He’s waited his whole life for happiness.
He deserves this.
I deserve this.
A large smile spreads across my mouth. I tell my friends, “I love you both, and I’m going to love these babies like no one else could. I will cherish and protect them. And Ash is going to be a great daddy to them. We’re finally going to be a family.”
Warmth spreads through my belly.
My family is almost complete.
And my happy has returned to stay.
The End
***The Friend-Zoned series will continue with the story of Max and Helena***
Read on for a note from the author as well as a teaser to Belle’s upcoming novel,
Willing Captive.
Hi guys,
Here is a sneak peek of Willing Captive which will be out later this year. Thank you for reading Love Thy Neighbor. Your love and support mean everything to me.
Belle xx
***
Hours of sitting in this awful chair is starting to numb my ass. I move from side to side, wriggling until one of my captors sighs loudly and runs a hand through his hair.
It’s the hot one. Of course.
I look him in his icy blue eyes and beg softly, "Please. I don't know what you want from me but I’ll do anything, I’ll give anything for you to just let me the f*ck go. I never saw you. I'll never speak a word of this to anyone." I duck my chin, my voice trembles as I whisper, "Please."
My head remains lowered and I watch in slow motion as a tear drop falls into my lap.
I hear my captor’s chuckle and devastation breaks my resolve. I burst into sobs and my captors laugh louder.
I lose it.
"You f*cking a*sholes! Getting off on a petrified girl? What kind of men are you? I'll tell you what kind of men! The kind that no one likes so they have to stick together or they'll be left at the bottom of the food chain to fend for themselves like rabid f*cking dogs!" My chest heaves with rage. Both men have stopped laughing and wear matching scowls. I look the hot one in his hard cold eyes and screech, "You are lower than scum and I f*cking hate you!"
I realize I’m hysterical and burst into laughter. Laughing hard, I yell, "I'm locked away in a shithole!" I laugh so hard I’m wheezing. "No one knows where I am!" I snort through my chuckles. "I'm going to die alone!"
Laughter forces its way out of me for a good minute slowly fading out until I finally stop.
I'm hollow. Empty. And numb.
The mocha skinned man asks, "Feeling better now?"
I don't look at him. I keep my eyes averted and shake my head once. I whisper, "No. Not at all." I finally look up at him. "How would you feel if you'd been kidnapped?"
His lip twitches and he looks over at hottie commando. Hottie commando’s eyes meet mine. "You tied to a chair?"
I look down at my bare wrists and shake my head.
He fires another question. "You been slapped around?"
I look him in the eye and shake my head. He nods in agreement.
I blurt out a meek, "I just wanna go home."
He raises his brows. "You're so f*cking annoying that there is nothing more I want to do than to let you go right now...but I can’t." I fight the urge to call him a motherf*cking douche canoe and glare down at his shoes, lip curling. He leans back in his chair and states, "You haven't been kidnapped, Delilah."
Eyes wide, I lift my face to look into his and ask, "Who are you?"
Hottie commando's lip twitches. "The person who just saved your life, baby."
What the mother f*ck?
-Willing Captive, late 2013