Page 54 of Beautiful Trauma (The Irish Rogues #5)

O ne Year Later

I paced anxiously as I watched the delivery men setting up the enormous telescope on the balcony.

It was an anniversary gift for Mila. Our first year together had gone by in a blur.

It seemed like yesterday we’d exchanged vows at the altar of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

We’d spent a glorious honeymoon in Bora Bora before settling back into life.

To ensure I could surprise Mila with the telescope, I’d had my sisters-in-law take her for a spa day. It had taken me months to find the damn thing. I’d tried to find one similar to the one her mother had, but that was harder than I’d thought.

I just hoped that she would like the one I got, especially since it took up a chunk of the balcony. After glancing at my watch, I had a message saying Mila was on her way back from the spa. “Shit!”

Throwing open the terrace door, I asked, “How’s it coming?”

“We’re finished,” one of them said.

“Good. My wife is on her way home.”

“A surprise gift, huh?”

“Yeah, it’s our first anniversary.”

One of the men shook his head. “It seems like just yesterday it was my first anniversary. Now we’ve been married twenty years.”

The other nodded. “We’re thirty-five.”

“Congratulations. That’s impressive. As much as I would love for you to hang around to give me tips on a long marriage, I’m afraid I need you to get the hell out of here.”

They laughed. “No problem,” one said.

Once I’d got the men out, I finished throwing some clothes in my suitcase. We were leaving for New York on an evening flight.

At the sound of the door opening, I came into the living room. “Hey, my love.”

Mila smiled. “Hello to you.”

“How was your spa day?”

She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. “Pure bliss.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

“Are we still going to New York today?”

“Yep. The jet’s ready when you are.”

Lust burned in Mila’s eyes. “And we’re going to check out Inferno?”

“We sure as hell are.”

She moaned. “I can’t wait.”

“Well, before we go, I wanted to give you one of my gifts.”

Mila’s eyes lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “You did?”

“It wasn’t practical to travel with it.”

“Ooh, it must be that painting I’ve been wanting.”

Fuck. I didn’t know she wanted a painting. She hadn’t mentioned it. Or maybe I hadn’t been listening. “Sorry to disappoint you, but it doesn’t hang on the wall.”

Thankfully, she didn’t seem too upset. “Then where is it?”

Taking her by the hand, I led her to the terrace door. After opening it, I pulled her outside with me. At the sight of the telescope, Mila actually screamed. “No, you didn’t!”

“I did.”

“I can’t believe it.” She hurried over to the telescope. Her hand reverently traced the black lettering on it. “It’s so beautiful.”

“I tried to find one like your mother’s. I even asked Dima for help, but we couldn’t find it.”

She turned back to me with a smile. “I don’t care about any of that. I love this one just as much.”

“You do?”

She nodded emphatically. “This is the best gift anyone could have ever gotten me.” She came back over to me. Kissing my cheek, she said, “Thank you, Kellan.”

“You’re welcome, love.”

As she stared intently at me, Mila said, “I think I’ll give you one of my gifts now, too.”

I grinned. “Is it lingerie?”

She smacked my chest. “No, horndog it isn’t.”

“Pity,” I mused.

She went over to her purse. When she came back, she had a long white box in her hand. “Happy Anniversary, Kellan.”

I took the box from her. When I opened the lid, I expected to find a watch or maybe cuff links. But nothing could’ve prepared me for what I saw.

It was a pregnancy test.

And it was positive.

I tore my gaze from the test to Mila. “But you have an IUD.”

“I had it taken out,” she replied softly.

“What?”

Mila placed her hand on my cheek. “I know how much you want a family. You were so patient to say you’d wait for me to be ready.

And for a while, I was okay with that. But then I’d watch you with all your nieces and nephews.

The longing in your eyes broke my heart.

So, I decided to have my IUD taken out.”

When I remained speechless, Mila stared at me in panic. “Oh God, I did the wrong thing. I’m sorry. I thought–”

I crushed my lips against hers. I poured everything that I couldn't say into that kiss. When I finally pulled away, I cupped her cheeks in my hands. “This is the greatest gift anyone has ever given me or could ever give me.”

Her face lit up. “You mean it?”

“I do.”

“You’re not going to be weird about taking me to Inferno because I’m pregnant, are you?”

I laughed. “As far as I know, nothing there is off limits. At least in Heaven.”

“I’ll take it.”

As I leaned my forehead against hers, I sighed in absolute contentment. “I’m finally going to be a dad.”

“And you’re going to be amazing at it.”

“I hope so.”

“I know so, and we both know I’m never wrong.”

Grinning, I replied, “Just because you’re pregnant, it doesn’t mean I won’t spank you for being a cheeky lass.”

“You better. I”m not going to be one of those pregnant women put on a pedestal.”

“Oh yes, you fucking are.”

“Kellan,” she groaned.

“I can put you on a pedestal and still spank you and fuck you in a sex club.”

Mila laughed. “I think I can handle that.”

“Good.” I kissed her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you more.”

Squatting down, I kissed her flat stomach. “And I love you .”

After all the trauma, life was so fucking beautiful.