Fulfillment by Golland, M. (best large ebook reader .txt) 📕

you have to ignore the morality of theproblem that faces you and go with your heart. Because at the endof the day, your heart is what truly makes you happy. And Alexis ismy heart, entirely.”

The room wascompletely silent, but the loud thudding noise my heart was makingas it pounded in my chest was deafening. I had tears streaming downmy face as I looked up at the man who fulfilled every part of mybeing.

He noticed mecrying and gently wiped away the salty menaces that were tricklingdown my cheeks. I helped him rid my face of the moisture and chokedback anymore tears that threatened to fall. I looked out over theroom of smiling faces, some of which were even crying—my mother andsister being two of them—and some were playfully scoffing atBryce’s romantic declaration—my brother and Derek being two ofthose.

I cleared mythroat. “Wow! I can’t really top that ca—”

“Yes you can,”he interrupted, smiling at me.

I knew exactlywhat he meant. “Actually, yes I can.” I took in a deep breath andfelt my face stretch into an enormous grin. “Tomorrow I turn 36years of age, and during those 36 years I have experienceda lot. I have learned what it is to be adaughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother. I have learned whatentails commitment, devotion, loyalty, love, hurt, and loss. But Ithink what I have learned most of all in my life’s journey, is thatno matter what difficult situation you face, there is alwaysreprieve, always a light at the end of the tunnel. Even if at firstthat light seems dim and not worth trying to reach, there is alight and it is worth reaching. It’s worth grasping and doingeverything you can to brighten it. All of you—my friends andfamily—are my light, and I truly appreciate having you all in mylife.”

I placed myhand around Bryce’s hip and leaned in to his shoulder. “As most ofyou are aware, I have recently had to fight for reprieve during avery wounding, lightless time in my life, but it was a fight worthwinning because the path that lies ahead of me now at age 36 is themost exciting path I will ever walk. It’s a path I plan on takingwith all of you, with my two beautiful children, with thiswonderful amazing man who I now know to be my soul mate, and withour precious little miracle that is growing strong as each day goesby.” I gently caressed my stomach.

There weregasps around the room and a couple of people even clapped. I sobbeda little and continued. “Yes, Bryce and I are expecting a baby andwe couldn’t be happier.” I looked up at him, but he did not give metime to focus before his lips were touching mine. I placed my handon the side of his face and savoured his embrace.

“Geezus, youtwo. There’s already a bun in the oven, no need to try and makeanother one.” My brother’s voice cut through the room, forcing alaugh from everyone, including me and Bryce. We broke apart.

“I’m gonna bea dad,” Bryce said to the room. He picked up Charli and sat her onhis hip, and I reached for Nate who was standing not too far frommy side. “We are going to be a family.” Bryce raised his glass tothe room. “To a life of fulfillment.” Everyone raised their glassesand said cheers.

A waitress litthe candles on my cake and everyone started singing happy birthday.Bryce placed Charli on the ground next to me, so I knelt down toher height and kissed her on the cheek. As I looked through thecandle flames out into the room, I spotted Gareth standing next toSam, his look eerily unreadable, and for the first time in a whileI had a chill go up my spine.

CHAPTER TWELVE

I shook the eerie feelingGareth’s obscure expression had given me and focused on the rest ofour guests.

Lucy was thefirst to greet us after our announcement. “I knew it! A little bitof wind, my arse,” she exclaimed. I momentarily looked at herdumbfounded then remembered my morbidly embarrassing cover up onEaster night.

“I’m sosorry,” I laughed, “I had to fake it. We wanted it to be asurprise. I would never have forgiven myself if I ruined it byadmitting I was pregnant to you that night. Oh my God, ‘wind’ wasthe first thing that came to my mind.”

Lucy shook herhead in amusement. “I didn’t buy it, you know.”

“Shit! I feltawful. You had just finished opening your heart to me, and there Iwas pronouncing I had wind.” I put my head in my hand. “Kill menow.”

Bryce and Nicboth shrugged their shoulders, having no idea what Lucy and I werebabbling on about.

“On thatEaster night, Alexis not so subtly caressed her tummy when she andI were making coffee and talking,” she explained to Bryce and Nic.“I knew straight away she was pregnant, but she tried playing itdown to having wind. It was hilarious watching her face turn ashade of pink.”

Lucy grabbedher brother and hugged him tightly, saying something quietly intohis ear. I couldn’t hear it. He nodded his head at her, anexpression of triumph and self-satisfaction on his face andanswering her with a ‘thanks’.

“Congratulations! You both deserve to be happy...and Alexanderdeserves a cousin his age to play with.” She bounced baby Alexanderon her hip. “How does that sound? A cousin to boss around,” shesaid, in playful tone to her son.

Bryce smiledas he let his nephew grip his finger. “Speaking of cousins, whereis ours?”

We all turnedour heads, scanning the room looking for Gareth. “He was here amoment ago. I spotted him during our announcement.” I answered,concerned for where he was at that moment, and even more concernedas to his frame of mind.

“How did heseem?” Bryce asked.

I didn’t knowwhether to say good or not good. To be honest, I didn’t know if hisexpression was in fact bad. It looked it though, and it had left mefeeling unsettled, like it used to months ago. “Honestly, I’m notsure. He didn’t seem overly happy for us, but he didn’t seemheartbroken either.”

“I probablyshould’ve told him in private, like you did for Rick.” He lookedout over the room again