Page 25 of Jealous Bodyguard

I’ve never agreed to anything so fast in my life, and the word ‘yes’ from my lips is like fireworks under both my parents, but better than that, it means I don’t have to try and hide anything when he lifts me out of my seat, kissing me as my husband-to-be for the first time.

“Yes,” I whisper in his ear between his kisses. “You know the answer is always yes for you, Steve...”

“I- I love you, Stacey.”

“I love you more,” I gasp. Reeling from his proposal as well as my daddy’s sneaky ways. I am more grateful than ever for the perfect life I have, which just got around six foot something better.

EPILOGUE

STEVE

Six Months Later

Sol Shulton surprised me, caught me off guard more than once. Least of all, in his daughter’s bedroom that fateful day that changed all our lives for the better.

But he never stops surprising me, or Stacey. Insisting on a swift wedding and a honeymoon of our own. Trying to refuse him buying us a house bigger than his was pointless too.

But his biggest gift? The one both Stacey and I know means how much he loves and trusts us?

Angel.

At least that's what we call him around Sol, and it turned out Chloe is allergic to dog hair. No point ruining it for him after his prized pooch had to come stay with us. ‘Angel’ kept him company for so long, but ‘Angelo’ to those in the know is much better behaved now.

Stacey got word a friend who breeds Shih Tzu dogs was after a pedigree male for the afternoon. To breed from with her own.

It kinda sounded eerily familiar, so Stacey and I readily agreed. Since that day, Angelo really has been an angel.

She catches me telling Angelo just that, coming into the kitchen as I brush him after his walk.

“I was just thinking… Maybe Angelo was the little bitch getting bred from that note after all,” I start to chuckle.

But Stacey’s face is ashen. Her lower lip quivering.

I didn't think my comment was in that poor a taste.

I’m at her side in seconds. “Stacey? What is it?! What’s happened?!”

I can’t tell whether she's trying to laugh, cry, or tell me something. Maybe it’s all three. Holding her by the shoulders, I look into her face, my own anxiety at seeing her like this off the charts.

Please god... don’t let anything be wrong with her...

And some prayers? They really are answered so quickly.

Stacey holds up the pregnancy test. The bright blue of a plus sign that makes my heart explode in my chest.

We’ve been trying. God knows we’ve been trying for a child, but as long as I’ve waited. As long as I’ve hoped and prayed for a baby, I need to know Stacey’s fine more than anything.

“Just… Just tell me you’re okay,” I gasp, grabbing her close and feeling her hands wrap around me. I can sense her nodding, whispering to me that she’s fine too.

“I just thought it was all that cannoli you’ve been feeding me,” she sniffs.

I can’t help but chuckle to myself. If anything, Stacey could gain a few more pounds.

“I’ve been feeding you more than cannoli,” I remind her, taking her chin in my fingers and bringing my face down to hers.

“I love you, Stacey. This is just… Isn’t it just the best news ever?!”

She kisses me in reply, “It’s not too soon though? I mean… Ababy…”

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