When Sparks Fly (66 page)

October 9, 2014

Three months later…

While getting ready, it hit me and hit me hard, over the last few months, since the Independence Day celebration and my crazy stalker meeting his end; I have fallen head over heels for this man. Throughout everything he has stayed by my side and supported me in any and every way possible. Thanks to him, my nightmares are gone and I’m able to feel safe coming and going around the city again. Drew has practically moved in with me since the crazy fiasco occurred. Tonight I agreed to go on a date with him which works out perfect since I need to talk to him. It’s a breezy night, but it will be cold soon so he wants to take advantage of the pleasant weather and enjoy the night.

I have no clue how he is going to react to the news I have for him. I’m over the moon excited, but that doesn’t mean he will be when he learns we are going to be having a little bundle of joy in six months. Having just found out early today when I went in for a follow up visit with my doctor.

Standing here on the Riverwalk—looking out over the water, I can’t help but to smile as a sense of peace washes over me. Drew pulls me to him and places a kiss on the top of my head causing me to look up into his eyes.

I hear him clear his throat once before taking a step back from me. The peace I just felt turns into a cold chill. I’m instantly filled with fear that this is what I have been waiting for—the bad news is fixing to come. Things have been too perfect and I knew it couldn’t last long. I start to tremble. I start to shake my head when he notices I must have gotten the wrong impression of what is happening. He engulfs my hands in his and gives me a earth shattering smile.

Smiling even wider now, I notice he raises his left eyebrow before shaking his head at me. “Please, tell me you didn’t think I was ending our relationship?” He asks me now with the most serious look I have ever seen grace his gorgeous face.

“Well…” I start to say while looking down because I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze. I’m scared if I do, the tears will start to fall. I know without a shadow of a doubt I can’t lose this man. He has in such a short period of time come to mean the world to me.

“Ivy,” He says cutting me off from saying more. I’m still looking down trying to compose myself when he lets go of one of my hand to bring it up to my cheek. Forcing me to look up and meet his eyes, he leans down placing a sweet kiss to my lips before saying more. “I don’t know how you think I could give you up or even would for that matter. In my line on work things can get dark and dreary. Before you I could have been outside on the brightest day, and I would still feel consumed by the darkness. When you came into my life, I finally came alive. You are my light in the darkness. I almost lost you not too long ago and it was the worst experience in my life. All I knew was some psycho had kidnapped the only woman I have ever loved. So many things ran through my head during those hours you were gone, but most of all I realized I never want to know what it’s like to not have you in my life.”

I can’t contain the tears from falling down from my eyes and down my cheeks as his words affect me in a way nothing has in a long time. “Drew, I love you. You know that, and…”

Cutting me off before I could finish my sentence, he placed a finger to my lips. “Hush, woman and let me finish what I am trying really hard to say, Or well in this case ask you. I know you love me. I see it in the way you react to me. I love the effect I have on you and the effect you have on me too.” He shakes his head once. “I’m veering off topic here. What I’m trying and failing to ask you is will you marry me?”

Left speechless it takes me a moment to let what he just asked me sink in. “What did you just say?” I sputter out.

He smiles at me and takes both of my hands in his before dropping to his left knee. “I asked if you will marry me, pretty girl. Marry me and make me the happiest man in New Orleans or hell the world for that matter. I don’t want to spend another moment without making you my wife and spending the rest of my life with you. You are my future.”

“Yes. A thousand times yes.” I can’t contain the happiness I am currently bubbling over with. I launch myself into his arms. He leans in and kisses me until we are both breathless. “Well I guess it’s a good thing I let you go first. It will make my news a ton easier.” I look up into his loving eyes and smile. “I hope you are as happy about this as I am. I found out after the examination the other day. The reason I have been so sick is… Well we are going to be having a baby in six months.” I tell him.

Now it’s his turn to look shocked, but I don’t expect his reaction when a huge smile crosses his face. “We’re pregnant?”

I giggle at his expression—an equal mixture of shock and awe. “Technically, I’m the one pregnant. However, yes, we are going to be parents. Are you okay with this?”

Oblivious to the world around us, he swoops in and picks me up spinning me in a circle. “Am I okay with this? I honestly wasn’t expecting to hear this, but I’m ecstatic with this news. I can’t wait to start our family together. I thought we would have a little more time of just you and me enjoying each other, but this is great. You have made me even happier than I thought I could be.” He says before pulling me into another kiss.

I can safely say there isn’t a when to the sparks flying with this man. The feelings and sensations that this man cause to affect my body far exceeds any sparks I have read about in romance books. He ignites something inside me I thought was long dead, and his mere presence consumes me. I am irrevocably in love with him. The knowledge that this man is mine, just makes me the happiest I have ever been. The fact that I am pregnant with his child and will soon be his wife is a bonus. I now know something great is in the mix for us.

This isn’t the end. This is the beginning to a beautiful and happy future.

The End

First off, I would like to say I am extremely grateful to the people in my life who have helped me make this dream into a reality.

To my fellow authors in the box set When Sparks Fly for where this novella was originally published—Kristine Raymond, Andrea Michelle, Maryann Jordan, J.M. Nash, Grace Augustine, and Anne L. Parks thank you for including me in this wonderful set. I am beyond thankful I have had the pleasure to work with you guys.

To my readers, THANK YOU. You all are amazing. To all the bloggers thank you for sharing and helping spread the word about me and my book.

To my husband, Trey Maddox and our wonderful daughters, Zoey and Phoebe, thank you for supporting me on this incredible journey. Thank you for always being there and I couldn’t imagine my life without y’all. I love y’all to the moon and back.

To my amazing friend and fellow author, Savannah Stewart, thank you for everything. Thank you for continuing to encourage me to follow my dreams and making sure I complete any project I’m working on. I have said it before you came into my life at just the right time. You are an amazing woman, and I am beyond grateful to call you a friend. I can safely say this would not be a reality without you. Love you girl. I can’t wait to read your newest and upcoming book.

To my parents, thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me to always finish what I start. I am beyond blessed to have y’all in my corner and always there when I need y’all. I love y’all and am thankful for everything y’all have ever done for me.

To my wonderful friend, Leanne Windham, I see you almost every day at work and you are constantly supporting me in one way or another. I am beyond blessed to have you in my life and to call you a friend.

To my wonderful friend and fellow author, Kristine Raymond, I don’t even know where to begin. Thank you for letting me continue to bounce my ideas around with you. I love you and am grateful for having you in my life. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

To my friend, Lindsey Walker, I’m glad we met when we did. Work would be a dull place without you.

To my amazing friend, Alicia Marietta, words cannot express how grateful I am for everything you have done for me. Thank you for believing in me and standing by me throughout this journey.

To my wonderful friends—Kristen Cecil, Delia Steele, Casey Harvell, Grace Augustine, Shweta Choudhary, Casey Peeler, Chelly Peeler, Amber Nation, J.M. Nash, Carol Ann Kauffman, and Kay Manis, thank you all for supporting me in one way or another. Thank you all for helping me make my dream come true and encouraging me to finish this book. I love you all. You are my rock stars.

Phoenix Inc Series

Forgiven Love – Book #1 – January 2015

Forbidden Love – Book #2 – TBA

Forgotten Love – Book #3 – TBA

Gaining Independence – 2015

Something in the Mix – June 2015 (When Sparks Fly Anthology)

You can find B. Maddox on

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www.facebook.com/authorbmaddox

Twitter:

@authorbmaddox

Email:

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Title Page

Copyright Page

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

by
J.M. Nash

Copyright © 2015 J.M. Nash

First Edition

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author / publisher.

These books are works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Editor: Lori Ross

Cover Design: Cover It up Designs by Beth Maddox

To my readers… Thank you for this incredible journey. Hope you fall in love with Kennedy and Tucker like I did!

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Prologue