Authors: Michelle Lynn,Nevaeh Lee

Collaboration (34 page)

Tomorrow and yesterday

I want forever, ever

Cause you’re the one

Yeah, you are made for me

I promise you’re the only one

Girl, you’re made for me

Now I laugh because Taryn looks like she can’t tell if she wants to kiss me or punch me. I knew choosing this song and not saying the words she expected to hear would drive her crazy. Before I lose my nerve and she actually does punch me, I pull the small velvet pouch from my other pocket and her beautiful eyes immediately widen.

“Taryn, baby, I don’t want to live day of my life without you by my side. You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that we are meant to be there together, forever and always. I love you, Peaches…will you marry me?”

Before the last word of the proposal that I’ve practiced for weeks is out of my mouth, she throws her arms around me and seals her lips to mine, leaving no doubt as to what her answer is. I gently pull back though and nose to nose, I say, “Although I like that answer, I need to hear you say it, sweetheart.” She laughs, obviously recalling the exact words I spoke a year to this day, right before we made love for the first time.

“Yes, dammit, I’ll marry you,” she says through a smile and tears, and I remove the ring from its pouch and slip it on her finger. I notice her hands are shaking and I look up to see tears flowing down her face. Knowing it’s not because of the size of the colossal rock I just placed on her hand, I pull her in for a hug and ask, “What’s wrong sweetheart? You’re happy, right?”

She begins shaking and this time, I can tell she’s laughing and now I’m the one who is confused. “Babe?” I ask. She pulls away from me and reaches into her purse, pulling out a slip of paper.

With the same nervous look she wore before we arrived at our picnic spot, she says, “I actually wrote something for you too. But before I do, I was wondering…you didn’t happen to talk to my dad, did you?”

“Actually, I did,” I reply, proud of myself for remembering to ask her father’s permission, as is customary, especially in the South.

“And?”

“He said, ‘when are ya gonna bring my daughter back to Texas?’” I tell her and she laughs.

“Sounds about right. Thanks for doing that,” she says sincerely.

“Taryn, I would do anything for you, never doubt that,” I say, with equal sincerity.

“I’m glad to hear you say that,” she responds, and then opens up the folded piece of paper. “Now don’t judge, I just wrote this today.” Before I can ask why she wrote a song for me today, she begins to sing…well, rap. Sort of.

We’ve been through so much, it’s never been easy

When we first met, I thought you were sleazy

Got to know you better and saw I was wrong

All started with that very first song

Yeah you took my heart, I gave you my body

‘Cause you’re you and it helps that you’re a hottie

I can’t help rolling my eyes, but I’m also laughing, primarily at my country girl’s attempt at rapping. She definitely should not quit her day job.

You’re the yin to my yang

The icing on my cake

The song in my heart

You’re the one that makes my knees shake

You think of me in everything that you do

When I want to talk

You’re the one I always turn to

You give me everything I need

And you always make my day

When the going’s gotten rough

You’ve never walked away

What I’m trying to convey

But I really don’t know how

Is that I’m carrying your child

Right her and right now

Not sure how it happened

Or exactly which day

But you’re going to be a dad

Trace, what do you say?

I’m not laughing now…I’m fucking speechless. Say what? Here I was, trying to surprise the hell out of her, and now I’m the one completely floored. “Trace?” she asks, sounding anxious again.

“You’re having my baby?” I ask and put both of my hands on her stomach. She nods, biting her lower lip. I immediately capture those lips and kiss her, not caring that we’re in a public park, not worrying about who might see, not thinking about anything or anyone except my soon-to-be wife who is going to be the mother of my child.

If I thought my life was complete before, I had no fucking idea. Even the prospect of becoming a father just elevated my happiness to a whole new level and I feel like I’m floating above the earth, with nothing that could ever bring me back down.

“Oh, and Trace?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?” I ask, though my head is definitely still somewhere in the clouds.

“Thought you might want to know…the doctor determined that I’m already a couple of months along. Oh, and he saw two heartbeats,” she adds, swiftly bringing me back to ground-level. “Looks like we’ve had more than one highly successful
collaboration
.”

The End

Acknowledgements

Nevaeh Lee

To my husband, who has always provided for our family, enabling me to do crazy things like get a master’s degree I’ll probably never use and really crazy things like write a book

To my children, who will never, ever read this ;) I love you more than any words I could ever express

To my family back home and in heaven. I miss you every day we’re not together and I love you all so very much

To the authors of the books I edit—you know who you are. Thanks for encouraging me in my writing ventures and making what I do every day such a blast. I consider each of you a friend and look forward to the day when we can meet in “real life.” This is
my
opportunity to thank
you
.

To my co-author, Michelle, whose constant encouragement is the reason I was able to complete my first book. I couldn’t have done this without you—literally—and wouldn’t have wanted to. Knowing you were waiting on me to finish my parts is what kept me going and I thank you for being the most unbelievably patient person I’ve ever met. Looking forward to future
collaborations
;)

Michelle Lynn

To my husband and children and family. Thank you for being understanding about my long hours and time away. You are my life and I love you so very much.

To all my friends on Facebook, some of whom I’ve never met face to face. Each one of you makes my job as an author more enjoyable. Your friendships mean the world to me.

Thank you to my street team. You are an amazing group with who I’d be nowhere without your belief and support in my books. I appreciate each and every one of you.

To my co-author, Nevaeh, who came up with this amazing story and offered me to come along for the ride. We’ve learned some lessons along the way, but it’s been a fun journey all in all and I’m happy I experienced it with you. Here’s to many more stories to come.

From Both of Us

First of all we would like to thank our beta readers. Annie Trembley, Danielle Allen, Michelle Hereford, Melissa Rolka, Elizabeth Aguilar, Danielle LeFave, Sarah Darlington, Beckie Stevenson, and Kelley R. Martin. Your insight into the story helped us revise and polish it, making a stronger and much more enjoyable read.

To our Blog Organizers, Heather Davenport with Book Plug Promotions and Nicole Andrews with Stories and Swag. Thank you for taking over the planning of our cover reveal, release day blitz, and blog tour. All those extra minutes you freed up for us were used in getting the story in tip-top shape.

To all the Bloggers who have signed up for our promotional events, thank you for taking on
Collaboration
and helping us spread the word among readers.

Most of all, thank you to all the readers who take a chance on indie authors everyday—this book would have most likely never been written much less published if it weren’t for you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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