“Well, if we could decide on something, I wouldn’t have to bring it up. I think Alice is a nice name.”
“Ew, hell no,” Audrey said as they reached a black iron gate. Tate took a deep frustrated breath before pulling the gate open and bringing her inside. He didn’t say anything else as they made their way through the graveyard to three large tombstones covered in fresh flowers. Tate smiled, crouching down and running his fingers over each of the names. He looked up at Audrey and brought her down beside him. She laid down the flowers they had brought with them on each grave and leaned over to kiss his cheek just so he knew she was there for him.
He had done so well the last couple months. His anxiety was getting better. He didn’t freak out as much and he seemed to finally be recovering. She knew it wasn’t going to be quick and easy but was proud of what he had accomplished so far. Now, he didn’t even freak out when she drove and sang in the car, so that was a big plus in her book.
Not looking at her, he said, “Mom, Dad, Matilda, this is my love, Audrey Parker.” He looked back at her and she smiled as he went on, saying, “She is my world, my everything, and she is pregnant with our first child. We call her Chicken right now because we cannot decide on a name.”
Audrey giggled as she rolled her eyes. “It will come to us,” she said, looking at the tombstones. “It’s nice to meet you.” She gazed up at the sky and smiled before looking back at the tombs and rereading their names once again, one at a time. When she came to Matilda’s, she paused.
Matilda Penelope Odder.
What a beautiful name, she thought.
“Penelope Ryane Odder.”
She hadn’t realized she had said it out loud until Tate looked over at her and said, “What?”
“Penelope Ryane Odder. Both our sisters’ middle names! They go together fantastically! I love it. We could call her Penny!”
“Penelope Rayne,” he said, testing the words. When he flashed her a bright, happy grin, she about screamed as she wrapped her arms around him, then fell on top of him and kissed him senseless.
“Told you it would come to us!” she exclaimed against his lips.
Tate smiled, holding her close as he dusted her jaw with kisses. “You were right, I should have known. Which reminds me,” he said, digging into his pocket. “Mom would want me to do this here.” He took her hand and held it out in front of them, then slid the most gorgeous ring Audrey had ever seen onto her finger. It took her breath away. It looked like a bloomed tulip with diamonds encrusting the sides. In the middle of the tulip, a large diamond sparkled in the bright sun. “It was my mom’s,” he whispered.
“Oh my God, it’s gorgeous. Thank you, I love it.”
“Good, because I love you.”
Tears spilled over her cheeks as she whispered back, “I love you more.”
This book is for anyone who needs
that reassurance that your Happily Ever After is out there.
It will happen.
Don’t give up.
Acknowledgments
Why do I always want to cry when I start these things?
First, and always, my thanks and love go to my amazing, breathtaking, perfect husband, Michael. I love you more than anything in this whole world and I couldn’t do any of this without you. You are my rock when I’m sad. You are there when I need to complain about bad reviews and no matter what, you love me. You give me everything I want and need, and I couldn’t have done this for a third time without your love and support. I love you, so much.
Second, my little bits, Mikey and Alyssa. You two are my world, my heart and soul. I know love because I am loved by you two and your father. I love you two so much. My world wouldn’t be right without my little booger and princess.
Nick, I love you and thanks for the support.