Chapter 25%
“Close your eyes, Preston said, his voice soft but firm as he guided me down the hallway.
“Preston,” I laughed, trying to peek. “What are you doing?”
“No pecking” he said, his hand gently covering my eyes. I mean it.“)
I sighed, letting him lead me blindly, my curiosity growing by the second. The sound of soft music drifted through the air, and the faint scent of candles tickled my nose &
Finally, he stopped and moved behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders. 8
“Okay,” he said. “You can open them now
I opened my eyes and gasped.X
The dining room had been transformed. Fairy lights draped across the ceiling, casting a warm golden glow. A table for two sat in the center of the room, adomed with candles and roses. Soft music played in the background, and the atmosphere felt like something out of
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“Preston,” I whispered, turning to him.
He smiled, his eyes full of warmth. “Do you like it?”
“It’s perfect,” I said, tears welling in my eyes.
He pulled out a chair for me, gesturing for me to sit. “I wanted to do something special for you. For us I’m sorry for forgetting you, but swear my heart will never forget about you.“8
The dinner was intimate and perfect.
We laughed and talked, sharing stones and memories that felt even sweeter now that Preston had regained his. He leaned in often, his hand brushing against mine, his gaze never leaving my face.
As the night wore on, the mood turned more serious.
Tve been thinking a lot about the baby we lost, Preston said softly, his voice heavy with emotion.
I reached across the table, taking his hand in mine. “Preston, I think about it too. But we can’t change what happened. What matters is that we’re here now, together”
He nodded, squeezing my hand. “You’re right. And I promise, Zoe–whatever happens next, Пl be here. I won’t let anything happen to us.” That night, as we lay in bed, I turned to Preston, my heart full.
He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering against my cheek
“I don’t think I’ve ever loved anyone the way I love you,” he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
I smiled, leaning into his touch. “You’ve made me feel loved in ways I never thought possible”
He kissed me then, slow and tender, his hands roaming down my back as he pulled me closer.
The world melted away as we lost ourselves in each other, our love reaffirmed with every touch and whisper.
The next moming, I woke to the feeling of Preston’s arms around me.8
“Good morning,” he murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.
“Good morning,” I replied, turning to face him
He smiled, brushing his lips against my forehead. “How do you feel?7
“Happy” I said simply
His grin widened, and he kissed me again, lingering for a moment before finally getting out of bed.
Later that afternoon, we received a call from Alestair
“You’re not going to believe this,” he said, excitement lacing his voicell
“What is it?” Preston asked, putting the call on speaker so I could hear
“I found her,” Alestair said. “The woman who ran the orphanage where I grew up. She remembered everything. Preston. Turns out, we were separated because our parents had a fight. They gave me up, and they never came back. It’s sad but at least, I have you now.”
Preston was quiet for a moment, processing the information until finally he spoke I’m sorry you have to live like that but it’s okay now, we’ll make up for lost time, Alestair. I promise.”
A week later, we attended Alestair and Candice’s wedding.
The ceremony was beautiful, filled with joy and laughter, Watching Preston and Alestair together, I felt a sense of peace knowing they had finally found each other!!
“You know,” I said to Preston as we danced under the stars, “you’re a really good brother.”
He grinned. “And you’re a pretty great wife.”
The happiness didn’t end there.
We received word that Madison had been transferred to a mental health facility instead of staying in prison. Her mind had unraveled completely after everything she had done.
“I don’t feel sorry for her,” Preston admitted when we heard the news.X
Neither do I said honestly. “But I feel at peace knowing she can’t hurt us anymore.”
12:33 PM
He nodded, pulling me into his arms, “We’re finally free, Zoe ”
me in waves.!
A few weeks later, I woke up feeling strange. My stomach chumed, and I rushed to the bathroom, nausea hitting me
Preston found me there. “Zoe, are you okay?“!
I nodded slowly, a realization dawning on me.
“Preston,” I said, looking up at him. “I think… I think I’m pregnant.“”
His eyes widened, and a smile broke across his face. “Are you serous?‘
I nodded, tears streaming down my cheeks.
This tin
Preston knelt in front of me, his hands resting on my stomach. “This time,” he said softly, “I promise our baby will be safe. I won’t let anything happen to you or them“}
I smiled through my tears, knowing deep in my heart that this time, everything would be okay.
12:33 PM C
Book 2–The End:
“Zoe, are you comfortable?” Preston’s voice broke through my thoughts as I sat on the couch, surrounded by pillows.
I looked up from the book I was pretending to read and smiled. “I’m fine, Preston.”
He stood nearby, holding a tray with a glass of water, some fruit, and a small stack of crackers. “Are you sure? You haven’t moved for an hour. Should I get another pillow? Maybe you need-”
“Preston.” I interupted, laughing softly. T’m okay Really.”
He set the tray down on the table in front of me and sat beside me, his hand instinctively resting on my growing belly.
“I just want to make sure everything is perfect,” he said, his tone softening.
“You’re spoiling me.” I teased, leaning into him.
He smiled, pressing a kiss to my temple. “You deserve it.”
Preston had been nothing short of amazing throughout the pregnancy.
From the moment we found out I was expecting, he had thrown himself into the role of doting husband and father–to–be. He attended every doctor’s appointment, asked a million questions, and even read parenting books late into the night.
“You know,” I said one evening as he read aloud from What to Expect When You’re Expecting, “you’re going to know more about this than I do soon.”
He grinned, flipping the page. “Good. That way, I can help you through it.“)
I couldn’t help but fall in love with him all over again.
Candice was also pregnant, and her due date wasn’t far from mine.!
It was almost comical watching Preston and Alestair navigate the chaos together.
“I don’t understand why she suddenly wants pickles and chocolate ice cream at two in the morning.” Alestair groaned one day as we all sat together for lunch.
Preston chuckled. “Just wait. It gets more unpredictable.”
The two of them had grown close in the months since they’d reunited. It was heartwarming to see them bond as brothers, sharing laughs and stories as if they hadn’t spent decades apart.
As my belly grew, so did our excitement.
Preston insisted on turning one of the guest rooms into the nursery himself. I watched from a chair in the comer as he painted the walls a soft cream color and assembled cribs with meticulous care.
“You don’t have to do everything yourself,” I said, smiling as he stood back to admire his work
1 want to,” he replied, wiping his hands on a rag want them to know from the very beginning how much they’re loved”
Tears pricked my eyes at his words
When the day finally came, it was as if time stopped.
The labor was long and exhausting, but Preston never left my side. He held my hand, whispered encouragement, and stayed calm even when I wasn’LL
“You’re doing amazing, Zoe,” he said.
And then, after what felt like an eternity, we heard the first cries.
“it’s a boy!” the doctor announced, holding up our son,
Moments later, a second cry filled the room.
“And a girl!”
Tears streamed down my face as I held them for the first time. Tiny, perfect, and ours.
Preston leaned over, kissing my forehead. “You’re incredible,” he whispered. “Thank you for giving me this.“2
The weeks that followed were a whirlwind of sleepless nights and overwhelming joy.
We named our son Liam and our daughter Lila. From the moment they came into our lives, they become the center of our world. Preston was a natural with them, changing diapers, rocking them to sleep, and even singing lullabies in a soft, off key voice that made me smile every time ||
“You’re good at this,” I said one night as I watched him hold Lila, her tiny hand wrapped around his finger. He looked up at me, his eyes full of love. “It’s easy when you love them this much”
As the months passed, Liam and Lila grew quickly, their personalities already beginning to shine.
s, on the other hand, was calm Liam was cunous and adventurous, always reaching for things and babbling with wide–eyed excitement. Lila, and observant, content to watch the world around her with a quiet wisdom that seemed far beyond her age.
Preston adored them both, but I could tell he had a soft spot for his daughter.”
“She’s going to have me wrapped around her little finger,” he said one day as he held her in his arms X “She already does,” I teased, watching as Lila giggled at him.
Candice and Alestair welcomed their baby, a boy named Oliver, a few weeks after Liam and Lila were bom X
The twins‘ band only grew stronger as they navigated fatherhood together, and our families spent countless afternoons together,
12:33 PM ₫
“I never thought life could be like this,” Preston said one evening as we sat on the p porch, watching the sunset while the babies slept
Inside
“Neither did Ladmitted, resting my head on his shoulder
One morning, as I stood in the kitchen preparing breakfast, I felt a wave of nausea hit me.
“Zoe? Preston’s concerned voice came from behind me as I rushed to the sink.
When I turned around, he was already at my side, his hand on my back. “What’s wrong?“”
I took a deep breath, the realization dawning on me.
“I think…” I began, my voice trembling. “I think I’m pregnant again.
Preston’s eyes widened, and then a wide grin spread across his face.b
“Are you serious?” he asked, his voice full of excitement.
I nodded, tears streaming down my chooks.}}
“Oh!” He kissed me. “This is really a happy family, Zoel”
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