Page 114 of Beautifully Broken Redemption

Cain wrapped an arm around his wife, guiding her to the side of the entryway where Walker stood. “Don’t start in on that now. He hasn’t even asked her yet.”

She smacked his stomach. “She’s one of my best friends. I’m allowed to be emotional.”

“All right.” He brushed his lips across her temple. “Love you.”

Justin and Lyla hurried to stand with me, Lyla shushing everyone. We listened as the voices got closer. My hand tightened around the ring box as the door opened.

“Welcome home!” Justin and Lyla cheered.

Anna’s eyes widened as she took in the group waiting for her. I watched as she read the first banner and then the second. I stepped forward, moving in close. I didn’t drop to one knee—I didn’t want that kind of distance between us. “Anna.”

“Mase,” she whispered.

“I think I loved you from the moment I saw you. Something in me recognized a person who could make my life so muchmore. You amaze me every single day. Your strength and your empathy. Your beauty and kindness. I love you more than I thought possible. Will you make a life with me?”

I opened the ring box. She didn’t even look at it. Her eyes were only on mine. “Nothing would make me happier.”

I slid the ring onto her finger as my lips met hers. “I love you, Anna.”

“I love you, too. You gave me a family I never thought I’d have again.”

Her words burned in my chest, etching themselves into my ribs. “It’s more than I ever could’ve hoped for.”

Epilogue

Anna

The late-spring breeze kicked up,lifting my hair around me as I stared out at the water. Some people would probably think it weird that I found peace here. The same place where I’d almost lost my life nine months ago. But I did.

On this bench that honored my sister. At this lake, where I’d gotten a second chance at life.

“Miss you, Chels. Justin and Lyla are doing so good. Justin’s killing it on the soccer team. He has good friends and loves science. Lyla is this little bundle of energy, hopping from activity to activity. But she loves helping Jensen at her wild horse sanctuary. She’s over there at least three times a week.”

I watched as the wind rippled the water and wanted to believe that it was Chelsea telling me that she was listening. “I’m getting married tomorrow.”

I grinned down at my lap. “I mean, I’m already married, but we’re doing it for real.”

We hadn’t rushed this time. We’d taken our time to make sure the ceremony and celebration would be ours. We’d also taken the time to make Justin and Lyla a part of it all. And to let Juliette come around to the idea.

She wasn’t my best friend by any stretch, but she’d made peace with the fact that her brother and I loved each other. And she was wonderful with Justin and Lyla. That was enough for me.

“There’s something else.” My hand rested on my still-flat belly. “I’m gonna have a baby.”

I still couldn’t quite believe it. Even after three pregnancy tests and a trip to my doctor. But here we were. I’d gone off birth control two months ago, thinking it would take some time to get pregnant. But, apparently, Mason’s sperm was determined.

“I wish you were here.” A couple of stray tears crested my lids and trailed over my cheeks. “For all of it. To stand up with me tomorrow. To be in the delivery room with me.” I hated that Derek had robbed us of that. But Justin and Lyla were little pieces of her that I’d have with me every step of the way.

I turned at the sound of footsteps on gravel. Mason’s broad form stood silhouetted against the sky. “Hi.” I wiped at my cheeks.

He was next to me in a flash, sinking down onto the bench and pulling me against him. “Hey, what’s with the tears?”

“Just talking to Chelsea.”

He pressed his lips to my temple. “I wish she was here for you tomorrow.”

“Me, too.”

“You going to be okay?”

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