Two weeks after purchasing the house, they had Logan officially adopted. Norman took as much time away from the office as he could. Sasha went to the office between school hours, completing his work for him. He didn't want her to hire anyone else. Another two weeks after they had Logan, their house was available, and they moved in on that weekend. Her parents came to help as much as they could.
They looked after Logan while she and Norman organized movers. They had her mother's slow-cooked pulled pork for dinner rather than have takeout.For an entire weekend, they got the house exactly as they wanted, starting with the bedrooms, and bathroom. Time seemed to move quickly but smoothly where life just played out.Logan came out of his shell, and completely animated their lives. She loved him like he was her own son. He talked constantly about what he loved, which bands he enjoyed listening to. It was fun getting to find out what food he liked as well. He didn't like broccoli, which was fine, as neither did Norman.After a little time, life seemed to slow down, and Sasha found herself more and more loving every second of it. There were times before where she'd wish for a day to be over, or a moment to pass. Now she found herself wishing the moments were longer. Family was something she always wanted, but she didn't realize how much until she finally did have it. She loved Norman, Logan, and her life.They had been moved in for a month when she started to vomit every single morning. Her stomach turned at the scent of coffee, and she struggled with certain smells. At first, she thought she had a touch of food poisoning or the flu, not really putting it down to anything else.Only, Norman and Logan had eaten the same as she had, and they weren't sick. After she threw she'd be fine, and then she'd find herself getting tired throughout the day.Late Sunday morning when she'd rushed to the toilet Norman came to her, pulling her hair out of the way. "I think it's time we took a pregnancy test.""Ugh, I think you might be right." She got to her feet and brushed her teeth. Sitting on the toilet, she reached into a drawer, and pulled one out. "I bought them when we first moved in. They were on sale, and I love bargains." She forced a smile to her lips. "Seems silly now. ""It's not silly."She took a breath. "This could be it. We could be having a baby." Opening the test, she read the instructions. "Do you want to give me some privacy?"He covered her hand."Before we do this, there is something that I want to say."Sasha bit her lip, staring into his dark eyes."I love you. I've never known what love is, and I honestly didn't think I'd ever feel it, but with you, I do. This is love. I love you, Sasha.""You love me.""Yeah. Even if you're not pregnant, I don't care. I only care about you. I want you. This pregnancy, it's something I want, but it's you.""I love you," she said, tears filling her eyes. I've known for a while, but I was scared to tell you. I didn't know if you'd like me to be that honest or not. We're so different, and I didn't know what to say, or what to do."He slammed his lips down on hers, taking away all protest or fear. "Hiring you was the best thing I ever did. It took us some time but we're together now, and that's all I care about."Holding on to him, she was the happiest she had ever been."Let's see what the news is.""If you're not pregnant, we're going to the hospital."She smiled. "I can't pee on this thing with you looking.""I'll give you some privacy."He left the bathroom, and she couldn't stop smiling. Taking a deep breath, she read the instructions again, and peed on the stick."We have two minutes, and we'll know the truth," she said, opening the door.Norman took her hand, and for two minutes he stared at his clock. Two minutes when waiting for an answer, were the longest two minutes ever.Sasha stared at them. He moved behind her, keeping his gaze on his watch, as he wrapped his arms around her."It's time."Stepping toward the stick, she picked it up, and they both screamed their excitement. She was pregnant. They were both pregnant.A knock on their bedroom door, had them both rushing forward. Logan was rubbing his eyes. "What's wrong?""I'm so sorry, sweetie," Sasha said, going to her knees, she pulled him close, kissing his cheek. "We have some good news.""You're going to be a big brother, Logan. We're going to have a baby."Logan smiled.When they had first told him that they were planning to have more children, babies, he'd been worried that they would send him back to the foster home.They had told him that no matter what, he was their son, and they wouldn't be giving him back.He hugged her tightly and giggled.They were all laughing and enjoying the moment. Norman couldn't stop kissing her. He spoke to her stomach, kissing her, and telling their baby that he or she was going to be loved so, so much.They had a small family now. The penthouse in the city he kept for late nights at the office. If he wasn't going to make it home, Sasha traveled with Logan for them to spend time with him. She didn't want them to be apart, or to miss any chance of them being together."What do you say to huge stacks of pancakes?" she asked."Yes!" Logan said, screaming.He rushed outside of their bedroom. Sasha made to follow, but Norman caught her arm, pulling her back."What is it?" she asked."Nothing."He pulled her to him, and claimed her lips, the passion shocking her, the love delighting her."I feel I need to wake up.""Why?""I never thought I could be this happy," she said."Me neither. I used to dream of these moments. Of being close to someone and finding someone who'd want the same things that I did.""Nothing is going to change." She cupped his cheek."I'll always be yours.""I know."She closed her eyes, resting her head against his, knowing in her heart that she had fallen in love with a man that would love her for the rest of her life.The weeks passed, and after confirmation from the doctor, they set to work decorating one of the rooms into a nursery. They went for neutral colors and gave Logan free rein to help them decorate. He had an artistic eye, and Norman loved seeing the boy come out of his shell. During the decorating of the nursery, it sank in that he was going to have a baby.They were going to have a tiny little life in their hands. It wasn't about being a father, or for Sasha a mother, as they already felt that way for Logan. He'd spoken with Sasha about it, and she had the same thoughts and fears as he did.Norman knew he hadn't made a mistake with Sasha. Not only did he love her, but she was a fantastic mom, and she knew exactly what to say and do to help Logan along the way. Therewere moments, late at night, where he'd still have nightmares.She never once shouted at him. Instead, she'd nurture him, and love him.Once the nursery was complete, they went shopping, letting Logan pick some of the stuff
"Heartiest Congratulations, Shawn."The woman in front of me smiles from ear to ear, her thin, scarlet lips the same shade as the nails pressed against her glass of champagne.Sabrina Roth. Olympic figure skater turned CEO of a global cosmetics company. Younger sister of the Governor of Connecticut. Divorced.It's funny. I was told this party was only for family and stockholders, and she isn't either one — at least, not the last time I checked. Yet here she is.Someone sneaked her name onto the guest list, and I know exactly who."Thank you," I answer politely.Regardless of whether or not I was expecting to see her, she's a guest of the Colbys now. And we always treat our guests well.She touches my arm. "So how does it feel to finally be the man running the show? I bet it must feel good to be free of Daddy's shadow,"If only that were true."He's still on the board so he'll still have a say in things," I reply as I glance at the man with the salt and pepper hair chatting with a coup
"That's unfair," Ryker speaks up without taking his eyes off his phone. "Parents shouldn't tell their children what to do with their lives. They should just give them the best chance to live their lives."Words of wisdom from my baby brother. Of course, he's not a baby anymore — he's nearly as tall as I am - but a part of me will always see him as that teeny human in diapers and blue socks that Mom brought home from the hospital when I was six."Also..." He puts his phone away. "It's just wrong to marry a woman because you hope she'll give you a child to carry your family name. You're not Henry VIII. Marriage should be about love, or at least mutual respect and trust. And sex should be something you do not just for fleeting pleasure or procreation but because you want to connect more deeply with someone."Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself."Wow." Even Asher looks impressed. "Is that why you haven't done it with anyone, little brother?"He picks up his refilled glass and g
"Well," Dad drawls as he consults his watch. "I've got some important guests to see so I'll leave her in your hands now." He pats my back before walking away.I notice Felicity's eyes following his back like she's wishing he hadn't left us alone. Again, she fidgets with her sleeve."Would you like a drink?" I ask her. Maybe a drink will help her loosen up."No, thank you," Felicity answers. "I still have work to do after this.""What work if I may ask?""Stuff to read. Files to organize. I also have to unpack my stuff. I've just moved in from New York.""Really? Well, I think you'll love it here in Chicago."Felicity nods. "I do like it already.""What do you love to eat?" I ask her.She touches the nape of her neck. "I like Asian food just like you. Thai. Vietnamese.""Good. I'll give you a list of my favorite restaurants.""Um, I actually have it already. Cindy, your old assistant, gave it to me."Of course she did. I suddenly wonder why Dad didn't just promote Cindy. She must be pi
Two years later."You've got to be kidding me," I groan after I turn the page of the book I'm reading to find the next one blank except for the words To be continued...For a moment, I just stare at the paper with eyes and mouth wide, part of me hoping that more words will magically appear like the details of a Polaroid picture exposed to light and air. When they don't, I accept my defeat with a sigh. I close the book and hug it to my chest as I sink into the heap of pillows on my bed.I can't believe the author ended the book just like that, with the revelation of a shocking secret that I never saw coming, and which now changes everything. I don't even know how the main characters are going to end up together now, and I'll be heartbroken if they don't. It's just so mean. And yet, I have to admit it's also pure genius. It's just like when you're watching a movie, and you hate the villain but then you're also in awe of the actor because he played his role so well and made you hate him
I stop writing as heat flows from my fingertips to my toes, turning into an ache as it fills my breasts and then an inch as it settles between my legs. I can't ignore it.I put my pen and my journal down. Then I close my eyes and lie back.I lift the hem of my oversize shirt all the way to my armpits. I trap it between my teeth before pushing the waistband of my underwear down to my knees.I raise my knees and slip my hand between my legs. My fingers search for my nub and find it in seconds. As I stroke it, I touch my breast with my other hand. I pinch the nipple gently, then start to rub it.My hands in place, I let my imagination wander. I've never had sex before. Never had time for romance except for the one I had in high school which, thankfully, didn't get physical, because that guy was a jerk. So, I simply conjure the sex acts from the memories of the books I've read, pretending I'm the heroine.I think about the book I just read, about that scene in the orchard. I pretend I'm l
"Thank goodness. Such a close call." I let out a sigh of relief after getting off the phone.I managed to get in touch with the tailor in Switzerland. Thank goodness he was already awake. I've just sent him payment from the digital wallet set up on my office computer and told him to deliver the suits to the hotel as soon as he's finished with them.In short, I've managed to prevent a disaster. Now, Shawn is all set for Switzerland.And I can go home.My lonely flat.I glance at the door to his office as I gather my things. I can see the sliver of light beneath it so I know he's still inside. I should get home before he knows I'm here and —I gasp as I see the leather-bound journal inside my purse.What?I pick it up and flip through the pages just to make sure it is what I think it is. It's my journal, alright. I must have accidentally shoved it inside my purse along with my other things while I was panicking over my mistake.Oh, Felicity, you can be so stupid sometimes.I'm about to
Strange, I think as I watch Felicity disappear behind the elevator doors. I feel like the woman I've just spoken to is completely different from the one I've been working closely with for the past two years.It's not just because Felicity looked different. I've only ever seen her in stiff dresses or colored silk blouses and tight-fitting skirts, but tonight she was wearing pants and a white top that seemed to hang from her shoulders. The topmost button was left undone, too, and though her cleavage remained concealed, I could see her black bra through the thin fabric. I had to keep myself from staring at it, in fact. Then there's her hair.Apart from that first time I met her, I've always seen her with her cappuccino mane all combed back and tied up, which is attractive enough, but nothing compared to when she has her hair down. There's just something sensual about a woman whose shiny locks are flowing freely past her shoulders, like they're inviting me to run my fingers through them.