Clearing his throat of emotion, he says, “We need another picture.”
Tessie arranges Wilder in her arms so he’s locked tight between them, his small arms looped around both their necks. Solomon raises his phone, soaking up the smile on his wife’s face. His son and Tessie right there in his arms, where they’re supposed to be. Then, on the count of three, he snaps the photo.
After setting Wilder on the sand, Tessie appraises the photo. Turns and palms his dark beard. “If you ask me, the beach looks good on you, Solemn Man.”
He tosses his phone onto a beach towel, turns to Tess. “It looks good on you too, Pregnant Woman.” He glances down at Wilder. “What do you think, little Wild Man? Take your mama for a swim?”
“Don’t you dare!” Tess shrieks, already backing away.
Solomon grins and makes a grab for her.
With a roar that sends Wilder into a frenzy of giggles, Solomon sweeps Tess up in his arms and rushes her down to the shoreline. Wilder runs after them, waving his arms. With Tessie’s laughter ringing in his ears, his son beside him, love as warm as the sun above, Solomon rushes all three of them into the ocean, their laughter breaking up in the waves as they hold tight to each other.
Dear Reader,
I first started writing this story in March 2022 while I was doing pelvic floor exercises to heal my abs and get rid of my tummy’s little pooch. Turns out, I just needed to stop drinking wine. As I breathed deep, I started musing on all the things our body goes through, what we, as women experience during pregnancy and after birth. And like a screeching banshee Tessie and Solomon came flying into my brain. Bickering. Bantering. Kissing. The two of them kept me company in our little workout room while I practiced quick flick Kegels and stayed in the back of my mind until I got them out of it.
Writing this novel has been a cathartic experience. I always wanted to write my birth story, but never had the time and/or was too emotional, so this felt like the next best thing. A bit of fiction, a bit of fact. Reliving and revisiting all the emotions that came with birth and pregnancy was like I ripped out a piece of my childbearing soul and slapped it on the page. Job security. Body insecurity. Wondering if you’re meant to be a mother or a milk box. Trying to be a warrior when all you want to do is weep. And so, this book has a big, whopping piece of my heart in it.
I hope you loved Tessie and Solomon’s sweet, whirlwind love story. Because they’re yours now.
As always, thank you for reading!
XOXO, Ava
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Big thanks and love to. . .
Leni Kauffman for designing an amazing cover and bringing Solomon and Tessie to life. Working with you was an absolute dream.
Beth at VB Edits for your kick-ass edits and laser-sharp eye. See what I did there?
Chelsea, Tammie, and Rachel for being the best betas a girl could ask for. Thank you for your endless support and feedback.
Eve Kasey for being a world-class cheerleader. Your kind words, generous feedback and incredible support mean the world. You are a gem to the writing community.
The Trauma Fiction group on Facebook for their generosity and expertise in all things medical and babies.
My friends and family who put up with me and my writing angst.
And finally, my daughter Scarlett for making me a mama. Thank you for letting me mine your birth for traumatic writing material. See you in therapy. I love you, my wild child.
Ava Hunter is a strong believer in black coffee, red wine, and the there’s-only-one-bed trope. She writes contemporary romance with healthy amounts of angst where the damsels are never quite damsels, but the men they love (good, bad and rugged) are always there for them. Married to her high school sweetheart, Ava loves crafting strong, stubborn women that only make their men fall harder, adores all things pink, and can never ever get enough of protector romance.