Page 35 of Against All Odds (Ember Falls #3)

twenty-six

Violet

I wake up, feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus. Although I’m not really sure what that feels like, I imagine it’s like this.

I’m tired, achy, and dazed.

I stretch and climb out of bed. We got back late last night, and Everett carried me up to my bed and tucked me in like I was a child.

He unfortunately had to go back to his house, check on his mom, and be up super early this morning.

Last night was the scariest one I’ve ever had. I was so worried when I saw blood, so afraid that while this pregnancy wasn’t planned, I was going to lose my baby. Thankfully, that didn’t happen, and, instead, Everett and I got to share a beautiful moment together.

We heard the baby’s heartbeat.

I take a quick shower, get dressed, and then look at the clock. Oh my God, it’s noon.

I can’t remember the last time I slept this late.

My stomach rumbles, and while the idea of eating isn’t all that appealing, I know I need something.

“Violet?” I hear Everett’s voice and then a pounding on the door. Quickly I head down the stairs and pull the door open, revealing a very sexy Everett, who is holding a bouquet of roses, leaning against the door with a grin. “What? I don’t get any Everett, Everett, wherefore art thou, Everett? ”

I snort a laugh. “Oh, now you want to be compared to Romeo?”

“Juliet did die for him.”

“She faked it and then his dumb ass stabbed himself.”

“Because one day on this earth without her was too much. I know the feeling.”

Yes, it was. It hurts and I’ve felt that in the last few weeks while being away from him.

I hold on to the side of the door and let out a long breath. “It is the most tragic love story.”

Everett takes a moment, his dark-brown eyes taking me in. “These are for you.”

I take the flowers and inhale deeply. “Thank you. They’re beautiful. Do you want to come in?”

He nods and I push the door open, then walk into the kitchen to put the flowers in water. Everett comes behind me, placing his hands on my hips. I close my eyes for a heartbeat and let him cocoon me.

All the things we said to each other in the hospital come back. The fact that we both confessed our desires, that he wants the baby and me, that he wants whatever time we can have together.

It warms me.

He presses his lips to my temple. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired, but good.”

“How tired?”

“Well, I woke up about thirty minutes ago.” I lean against his chest, and he moves his arms around my middle.

“Any spotting?” The concern in Everett’s voice is enough to make me cry. The damn hormones and his sweetness.

I shake my head. “No, it stopped.”

“Good. I have a proposition for you?”

Oh, this will be good. I turn my head up to look at him. “And what might that be?”

“Tonight, we’re going on a date. A real one where I come pick you up, we go out, and then maybe you’ll get lucky, if you play your cards right.”

I snort a laugh, and he lets me turn completely to face him. “I think you’re a sure thing.”

“Probably, but I might play hard to get, you never know.”

It’s amazing to me that some woman didn’t come in here and claim his heart. He’s so damn perfect. However, I’m grateful no one did.

“Okay, so a date tonight?” I ask, leaning in closer.

“Yes. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“And what are you thinking for this date? Just so I know how to dress.”

“We’ll start with dinner.” He kisses me. “And then dessert.” Another kiss. “And plan for a sleepover.”

I loop my arms around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss. “I’m not a sleepover kind of girl.”

“I think that’s a lie, but humor me anyway. Give me a chance to show you that there’s a lot more to me than just my hot body and amazing cock.”

I giggle and rub my nose against his. “Oh boy, now I’m intrigued. I didn’t know you were holding out on me.”

Just then my phone rings, breaking the moment, and I sigh. “Ugh! I always have the worst timing. I need to get that. Ana calls me every day at noon. She was late, it seems.”

She was probably doing God knows what with her husband.

He laughs and releases me. “Make sure you get it or she might fly back out here.”

He’s not wrong. I rush over to grab it but miss the call. However, I see that I have six missed calls. I quickly scroll and find that three are from Dylan, two are from my lawyer, and the last one is from Ana.

As I’m looking at the call log, Ana sends a text.

Ana

I called. Are you alive?

Yes, I’m doing great. Everett is here, so let me call you once he’s gone.

Ana

Ohhh be sure to take your time and remember pregnant people can have sex too.

I don’t reply to that one, as my mind is on the fact that Dylan and my lawyer called. I’m assuming he’s made a decision.

“What’s wrong?” Everett asks as he walks toward me.

“Dylan called,” I explain, not sure what exactly the status of our relationship is, but I know that I want to be honest with him always.

“Oh? Did he leave a message?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you want to check? I’m fully aware that Dylan will be a part of our lives if we have a relationship. It’s okay, Violet.”

His voice is even and encouraging. It’s always going to be like this if he wants to be around the baby. He’s right that this will be part of our lives, and Everett is going into this with both eyes open.

I have two voicemails—one is my lawyer and the other is Dylan. I play my lawyer’s first. “Hi, Violet, this is Gail from Riez, Mitchells, and Linde. I wanted to let you know we have officially pulled the paperwork. We can refile as soon as you let us know how you want us to proceed.”

Everett leans against the back of the chair, just watching me, and I feel a sick sense of dread.

I need to explain why we pulled the paperwork and my divorce is not already final.

“Because of the baby, it will be easier to get child support if we don’t have the divorce finalized.

Even though our marriage is more than over. ”

“That makes sense.”

I try to read his emotions, but he’s very calm and collected.

I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

While he isn’t indicating that he’s upset by it, I can feel the tension in the room rise.

I move to stand in front of him. “I’m divorced, Everett.

In every sense of the word, we are. I don’t want him. I want you.”

He pulls me between his legs, his right hand holding my cheek and brushing the skin there. “I don’t doubt that.”

“As soon as I can, I promise, I’m pushing the divorce through.”

“Again, baby, I didn’t say anything. Listen to the other message if you want.”

Right. The thing is, I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to know if this thing that Everett and I are starting already has an end date. It’s better sometimes, the not knowing, the bliss that comes from ignorance.

Unfortunately, there isn’t any room for that now.

I press play and Dylan’s voice echoes. “Violet, I’ve talked to my team, and we’ve decided that at this point in time, a baby would be the absolute worst news to drop.

My lawyer will send you paperwork tomorrow with the details of a temporary agreement regarding a plan.

As for me, personally, I don’t see any way this works out well for either of us.

If you’d like to have the baby, I understand, but I won’t be involved. ”

I’m not surprised, but I am slightly heartbroken, which is stupid because this is exactly what I wanted.

For him to not be around. Then I can stay here. I can be a single mom and have my own life.

Yet, he doesn’t want his baby, and that makes me sad.

I look up at Everett, who is watching me. “Are you okay?”

“Can I say I don’t know? I mean, I’m glad I can be done with him. So fucking glad, but also so confused how someone could just let go of a baby.”

He stands a little taller and rests his head on mine. I hate myself for saying that when Everett has made it clear that he wants this baby. He wants me and whatever comes with that. I never should’ve told him how I felt regarding Dylan.

I quickly move to make it right. “Everett, I didn’t mean ... I know that you’re probably happy and I shouldn’t be sad.”

Everett lifts his head, his eyes finding mine.

“Violet, stop. I already told you that I can’t possibly understand how he let you go.

But any man, no, fuck that, I am the luckiest man in the world because I get to be beside you.

I get to love this baby and when the day comes that he wakes up and sees the mistakes he made, it’ll be too late.

He can’t have you back. I will fight with everything I am to show you that I am the right man for you. ”

“I don’t want him. Ever.”

I know it’s not exactly what he wants to hear right now, but I’m trying.

“Do you want me?”

“Yes,” I say softly, tears filling my eyes.

Everett smiles. “Then go do whatever it is that girls do before a date with the man who plans to give them a night they won’t forget.”

“You still want to go on a date?” I ask hesitantly.

“Don’t you?”

I want that more than anything. I lean my head on his shoulder. “With you? Always.”

“Why is getting an outfit ready so difficult?” I ask as Hazel sits on my bed, eating the cookies I baked.

“I don’t know, but if this teaching thing doesn’t work, please open a bakery.”

I laugh and then pull the dress down, smoothing out the bottom. “What about this?” I ask as I enter the bedroom.

She scrunches up her face and shakes her head. “I was really hoping for a Hollywood-type fashion show. Didn’t your husband buy you all kinds of designer stuff?”

I roll my eyes. “I wasn’t that type of wife. Dylan only outfitted his girlfriend, most likely.”

“You’ve got to have something fit for a first date with your first love!” she says as she hops off the bed. “Seriously, I am always the date friend. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.”

“Do you want to be the bride?” I ask.

She shrugs. “Maybe someday, but I feel like I married the store when I opened it.” Hazel grabs a shirt out of my closet and holds it up. “No, not that.”