The Chase is Over (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 5)

“They want me to travel with the Hamilton show, but three of the actors are returning, so I don’t know. Then I got offered Lola in Kinky Boots, but I don’t really want to break an ankle,” I say as a joke, but when he doesn’t laugh, I start to become self-conscious. “The last is a part in Moulin Rouge as the lead, which would be pretty fantastic.”

“I mean, you’ve got ‘Come What May’ on lock.”

“Agreed,” I say slowly, and his eyes are killing me. He wants to be supportive, but he also wants me home. “Problem is, I think I want to take on another role instead. Actually, I don’t have—or want—a choice.”

His brows pull in. “Huh? What role?”

Tears rush to my eyes as I get lost in his. “As a mother.”

Chills rush through me as I watch emotions play across his face like a moving picture. “What?”

“I’m pregnant, Aiden.”

His eyes widen, and like he did on our wedding day, he covers his mouth in shock. “No way,” he says behind his hand, and I nod. “But you’re on birth control.”

“I forget to take it sometimes. And then you came with my parents and yours, and that night, after that really good loving you put down, you knocked me up.”

“I knocked you up?”

“You knocked me up,” I say, grinning at him. “So, what do you think? Want to be my costar and raise us a baby?”

His silence catches me off guard, but then he wraps his arm around my neck, pulling me in. “This is the role I’ve wanted for you since the day you agreed to marry me, right here, in New York.”

“It’s not home, but it’s a part of our story, so I had to tell you here. Now.”

“You leave me in awe, Shelli Grace. I love you.”

I laugh in relief as our lips meet in a lavish kiss. When we part, his hand comes to my stomach, and I can feel him shaking.

“Really, a baby?”

I nod. “Our baby,” I promise, my eyes swimming in tears.

He pulls me in ever so tightly, and looking deep into my eyes, he says, “I swear you continue to make me the happiest man on earth.”

I wink, grinning up at him as I cup his jaw. “I’m just getting started.”

Snow continues to fall around us as his love envelops me and our growing child, his eyes so full of emotion. Fear, excitement, nervousness, everything. All for me. For our future. He drops his lips to mine, but he doesn’t kiss me. Instead, he says, “I love you… Jesus, so much. I do. You’ve got to know that.”

“I do,” I promise, running my fingers up into his hair. “And I love you just the same, if not more.”

He grins, our noses touching. “Our baby.”

“Ours.”

He laughs before his lips capture mine, and as he kisses me, emotion fills my soul. But then he tears his lips from mine. “Shit, your dad might come after me with a Zamboni. He’ll know for sure we’re having sex now!”

My laughter rings over the bustle of New York as our lips meet once more, marking the moment our new adventure starts. Our future, our unknown, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Because I get to do it all with Aiden Brooks.

The one I always knew was my forever.

A+S 4Ever.