On the Plus Side (33 page)

“Oh, your necklace came back in. I meant to call you and let you know, but things got crazy around here.”

She pulled out a little box.

“My necklace?”

I had no idea what the hell she was talking about.

“Yes. Is says here you put in the order for it to be engraved a little over a month ago,” she said as she looked over an order form.

She laid it on the table and walked out front when the doorbell rang.

I pulled open the little box and inside was the locket Devin had purchased the first day I met him.
Lilly
was engraved on the outside of the sterling silver cover. I cleared my throat and swallowed hard. I was afraid to read what was on the inside—afraid of more lies.

I pushed on the side of the locket and it popped open. The engraved script jumped out at me and my eyes pooled with tears.

You will forever be priceless to me.

I love you

I felt myself fall into an old desk chair as the tears fell harder. I held the necklace in my hands and replayed the first day I had seen his face. I considered it one of the best days of my life.

I read the inside of the locket again and it hurt. It was a lie, too.  I wasn’t priceless to him.

“You are.” I heard Devin whisper as if he’d heard my thoughts.

I looked up to find him standing in front of me with a look of sheer worry etched into his face. He looked as though he hadn’t slept and his eyes were puffy and red. It was weird to see him that way since he was usually so calm and collected.

He dropped down to his knees in front of me and cupped my hands. I wanted push him away. I wanted to run out, but I was so weak. The parts of me that were drawn to him, the parts in love with him, were so much stronger than my will to leave.

“I was just coming to get this,” he ran his ringer over the chain of the locket. “So I could bring it to you. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see your car parked out front.” He took a deep breath and his face crumbled before my eyes. “I know about the baby.”

I knew he’d find out once I realized I’d accidently dropped my ultrasound picture at his house. After thinking it over all night, I’d decided that I’d tell him anyway. Dad and Jenny wouldn’t want to miss out on the baby’s life and I wanted them to be a part of it.

“I came to tell you about her yesterday. I didn’t lie to you, Devin. I was told I couldn’t have kids. I’d never try to trap you that way, and I won’t ask you for anything, I promise.”

“Her.” He dropped his head at the word before looking up with tears in his eyes. “I want to be there. Please, let me be there for her… and you.”

“I’d like for the baby to be a part of your family,” I said.

I watched as his shoulders visibly relaxed a bit.

“And you?” he whispered. “Will you be a part of my family, too?”

“I don’t know. Did you even care about me at all, Devin, or was it all because of the money?” I stared into his eyes and prayed that I would see honesty.

His eyes fluttered closed for a brief minute before he matched my stare. “Before I met you, I only barely existed. After my mom left, I spent every day of my life feeling like I’d never see the light again and like every part of me was going in a million different directions at once. Then I met you, and everything inside of me balanced out. You’re the light in every dark part of my soul and I’m drawn to your warmth. I was so broken before you and somehow you put me back together. Maybe I should, but I don’t regret taking your mom’s offer. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I can’t bring myself to regret it.” He dropped his head into my lap and cried. “I just know I’m sorry I hurt you and if I have to spend the rest of my life making up for it I will. Anything I have to do just to be close to you, I’ll do it. Because honestly, when I’m not near you I feel like I’m going to fall apart again.”

“And the money?” I croaked.

“What about the money? I don’t give a damn about your money. Not even thirty minutes ago I was ripping up a check for fifty thousand dollars and ready to live on the streets. I only care about you and the baby. I’ve worked since I was thirteen and I’ll work for the rest of my life. I just
wanna take care of you and our baby.” He softly laid his hand over my stomach. “Please give me another chance, baby. I love you so much.”

His love filled me, and for some crazy reason that I didn’t understand, I believed every word. Maybe I was an idiot, maybe I’d kick myself in the ass in the years to come, but I loved Devin and I wanted to feel the way he made me feel for the rest of my life.

“I love you, too, Devin.”

I reached out and wiped the single tear that fell down his cheek and he wrapped his arms around me and stuck his face into my neck.

“I almost lost you,” he whispered.

“Almost, but now you’re stuck with me. I’ll be all pregnant and cranky and you’ll love it.”

He tearfully smiled back at me.

“Sounds perfect,” he leaned in and kissed my stomach before coming up and kissing me softly on the lips.

Epilogue

I worked late at the garage with Dad. We were swamped at the shop and since Jenny was coming home from school for a few days, we needed to get everything done. By the time I got home, all the lights in the house were out and I knew everyone inside was asleep.

I pulled into the driveway of our three bedroom house and felt pure happiness for being home with my family. I made sure to quietly shut the front door since the last thing I wanted to do was wake up Emma.

I crept into our bedroom, and, without turning the lights on, I made my way through the dark bedroom and into the shower.

After my shower, I slipped through the bedroom to my side of the bed and turned on the lamp. The dim light illuminated a small portion of the bed, but it was enough to see my beautiful wife sleeping. Her dark hair spilled over her pillow and a light flush made her soft cheeks pink.

Instead of being in her toddler bed in her room, Emma was balled up next to her mother’s pregnant stomach, her tiny three-year-old fist balled up under her chin.

It was such a beautiful sight that I didn’t want to move them over to make room for myself. Lilly’s eyes popped open when she felt me adjusting Emma’s small frame.

“Hey, baby.” She flashed me a sleepy smile. “Sorry, she had a bad dream.” She ran her fingers through Emma’s hair.

“It’s OK, sweetie.” I leaned in and gave her a tiny kiss. “Go back to sleep. You need all the rest you can get, baby.”

She turned on her side facing me and tucked her arm under her pillow.

“Mom stopped by today.” She rested her other hand across her stomach and smirked. “She took Emma to the park for few hours. When they came back, Mom had mud all over her pants. It was so funny.”

“Your poor mom doesn’t stand a chance with Emma. She’s so much like Jenny.” I reached out and ran my fingers over Emma’s soft cheek before settling my hand on Lilly’s stomach.

I felt a small bump against my palm and smirked.

Lilly hissed a little then shook her head. “He’s been doing that all day. I think he’s ready to come out.” She softly rubbed her stomach.

“He’s gonna be a hard ass like his daddy.” I smiled proudly.

“Yeah, like I can handle a mini you running around,” she laughed.

I loved her laugh. I loved everything about her. I tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear.

“You’re the only person in the world who knows how to handle me.” I leaned in and gave her a kiss.

“Imagine what the world would be like if I weren’t here to keep you tame. That makes me a valuable commodity to the community,” she giggled.

“No, baby, that makes you priceless.”

Acknowledgements

For me, this is the hardest part of writing a book. Telling a story is the easy part, but sitting down and trying to thank the people who have supported you is very difficult, especially when you have lived a full life filled with wonderful people. That being said, I’ll give it a shot.

This may sound weird, but I’d first like to thank any person who ever said a rude thing to me about my weight. There’s never been a point in my life that I wasn’t overweight, so this happened a lot in my world. At the time, the things you said were very hurtful, but looking back now, I’m glad you said them. You single-handedly fueled this story. You planted the idea in my brain and watered it every time you said a hurtful thing to me. So, thank you.

Secondly, I’d like to thank my Beta readers, Mary Smith, Melissa Andrea, Ruthi Kight, and Katy Austin. You ladies are amazing, and I appreciate the late night messages and your honest opinions. I’m very blessed to have met such wonderful people throughout the entire publishing process. I’m amazed by the amount of support I receive from people I’ve never met in person. Again, I thank you guys.

To every blogger who jumped on The Fat Bitches Blog Tour and to every single person near and far who have helped to promote or supported my work. I love you all more than you could ever know.

To Tabitha Short, thank you for picking through and finding every missing word or comma. Also, thank you for helping me find new names for the female pleasure point. You’re awesome, chick!

To Regina
Wamba, for being so freaking amazing with cover art. Everything you touch becomes visually stunning and I’m so glad to have your lovely name attached to my work. Thank you for my beautiful cover!

Last by not least, to my wonderful husband
, Matthew.  You took the insecure girl I used to be and turned her into the confident woman that I am today. Thank you for telling me I’m beautiful every day for the last eleven years of my life and thank you even more for meaning it. The love that you have shown me over the years has nourished me and helped me blossom. I love you, baby.