Authors: Guilliams,A.M.
Desolate (18 page)
We picked up Liam from daycare and spent the rest of the afternoon sitting on the floor with him playing, eating when we needed to, but not speaking a word about the appointment.
I’d bathed Liam and rocked him to sleep, something I rarely ever did and went off in search of my husband to find out what he’d been so quiet for today.
I found him lying in the bed with some files in his lap, but the second he saw me he scooped them up and placed them in his briefcase, laying it in the floor beside the bed. I quickly got undressed and crawled into bed beside him, still feeling like this was all so surreal. I couldn’t believe that I had my family back. That they’d never left in the first place.
He lay back on the bed and pulled me over to him before I could even attempt to get comfortable. I followed his lead and rested my head on his shoulder after I scooted down far enough to fit against his side.
Before I could even speak, he beat me to the punch.
“I never knew your fears were that bad. That you felt so deeply that you’d lose us. Part of me wants to be jealous that you experienced this dream with another man. That he’s the one who helped you see the light, so to speak, but I just can’t. I know it wasn’t real. I know that it was all a figment of your imagination; therefore, I’m just thankful that you can finally see what I’ve been telling you all along. You were never cursed, Mags. Bad shit happens to good people. That’s the only explanation I can give to you, but I firmly believe that you’ve experienced your fair share. From here on out your life is going to be so full of happiness you won’t be able to contain it all. You wanna know why I believe that?” he asked as he kissed the side of my head.
“Why’s that?”
“Because I refuse to let you go through anything bad again. If it’s in my power to prevent it or shield you from it, I will. You’re too damn important to me and too beautiful a person to ever go through any of that ever again,” he replied, completely melting my heart the way he’d always done.
Without any other major speeches or any other affirmations, we drifted off in a peaceful sleep, blissfully wrapped in each other’s arms.
Six months later
“
S
wings
, Mommy,” Liam screamed as his little legs ran across the park the second I put him down. I tried my hardest to keep up with him, but he had way too much energy for me. Thankfully Andrew noticed my struggle with carrying the picnic basket and diaper bag that he took off after the three-year-old terror.
His laughter as his father pushed him on the swing was all I heard as I lay the blanket down on the ground and spread out the items within the basket. Just as I placed the last container of fruit out on the ground, I heard our other guests arrive.
“Lena,” Grace squealed as she ran over to me and all but tackled me to the ground as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I pulled her in close to me and rocked her side to side as I squeezed her back.
A few weeks after my appointment and once I felt like everything was back to normal, I talked with Andrew about reaching out to Weston. I firmly believed in fate and for some reason she wanted us to meet so that we could see the error of our ways. I was nervous at first, but after that initial phone call and awkward discussion, it was like we picked back up where we left off from our dream. Like we’d known each other for months when we’d technically only had two brief encounters. At first it was weird for everyone involved, but once Andrew realized that our connection was merely that of friends he relaxed and became friends with Weston as well. They’d even had a few nights out with just the guys together.
“How is my sweet Grace today?” I asked when she pulled away from me and sat in my lap.
“Happy. We at the park and I can swide,” she squealed as she clapped her hands together.
“Well then. What are you waiting for? Go slide. Andrew and Liam are already over there,” I enthusiastically replied, making her jump off my lap and scream across the park as she ran.
“Ever such the diva,” I replied to Weston as he sat down beside me and laid out the chips and dip spread that he brought.
“Don’t you know it. You’ll never guess what happened this week?”
“And what’s that?” I asked as I popped a grape into my mouth.
“I met someone and she’s amazing.” The happiness showing in the smile that crossed his lips when he was finished.
“It’s about damn time. You know that even though we dreamed everything, I was still holding you to that promise, right?” I couldn’t continue with the awkwardness and neither could he so we made jokes out of everything that we did, but really didn’t experience.
“Yeah you mention all the damn time. How was I going to forget?” he replied as he rolled his eyes and laughed.
“You know they’ll end up sticking like that one day if you don’t watch it,” I replied as I bit down on a strawberry.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he stated, rolling his eyes yet again.
The kids finished their tirades on the swing set, running over to the blanket. We sat them down so we could attempt to feed them and enjoy the rest of the picnic. The weather was just perfect for today. Not too hot with a light breeze. It’s amazing how in just a few short months, I’d finally been able to freely live my life without cringing at every possible outcome of every situation I put myself in or Andrew and Liam were involved with. There was less stress and anxiety and more happiness and crazy antics. The way we all should’ve been living all along. There was also a plus to the happenstance meeting that occurred that fateful day my tire went flat. I’d met an amazing man and through our fears we bonded, and now had a great friendship to show for it. Better yet, we’d made up our own little family. One that I’d cherish instead of fearing I’d lose.
T
hank
you so much for reading Desolate and for your continued love and support. If you’d like to keep up with all news regarding upcoming releases, but sure to sign up for my newsletter. As a subscriber, you’ll receive access to exclusives, giveaways, and much more.
T
ed
, the most amazing husband a woman could ever ask for. Thank you for supporting me through everything and being my rock, for believing in me and my characters. But most of all, thank you for loving me no matter what.
My children, you are the reason for everything that I do. I love you with everything that I am.
My beta readers, Annelle, Amy, and Kelly. Thank you ladies for all of your help in getting Desolate where it needed to be. Thank you for loving Magdalena and Weston’s story and all of your encouragement along the way.
Claire, your continued support will forever be in my heart. I’m so happy we found each other almost three years ago. One day I will make it across the pond to see you!
Silla Webb, thank you for all of your editing expertise and polishing Desolate. Your kind words and advice will always be remembered.
Cassy Roop, thank you for the amazing picture and cover design. I absolutely love your creation. The meaning behind the flowers and the feel of the cover match the novel beautifully.
Ena and Amanda with Enticing Journey Promotions, thank you so much for taking on a new to you author and promoting Desolate. You’re very organized and a pleasure to work with. I look forward to working with you on future projects.
All of the bloggers who’ve helped me along the way, thank you for sharing and tweeting my stories and for all of your support along the way. It means the world to me.
Last but certainly not least, my readers. Thank you for believing in me and my stories. I love and appreciate you all.
A
.M
. Guilliams is a romantic suspense and women’s fiction author who currently resides in Virginia with her husband, three children, and fur babies. Books, flip flops, coffee, chocolate, The Walking Dead, and Chicago Fire are just a few of her obsessions. Her love of books began with novels by Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, and the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. When she’s not writing, you can find her down by the river with her family, curled up on the couch with a good book, or watching her favorite movies and television shows.
