Page 81 of Legacy

“That’s why I’m drinking now. Duh.”

“You’re trying to get pregnant,” I hiss.

“Our baby will like beer. Obviously, Aara, look at my husband,” she jokes, shrugging. “I have my period. Maybe next month.” Her face falls, and I see the pain in her eyes. It’s been almost a year and they haven’t had any luck with fertility treatments. I grab a beer from the box on the counter, open it, and toast her.

“To next month.”

Her smile is sad as she clinks my bottle. Luke walks into the kitchen with a big box. Way larger than I was thinking it would be. Luke Hart likes to give me baubles that come in small boxes or cars. There’s no in between. He pushes it on the counter.

“I’ve been trying to make up for this for a really long time, Aara. And I have to admit, I did have to take a page from the Liam Dempsey playbook, because he is a legend, but it’s taken a long time and I hope you like it. Happy Birthday, baby. I love you.” He pauses, then says, “Open it now. I can’t stand the anticipation for another second.”

My cheeks feel flush as I smile at my thoughtful husband and pull the heavy box toward me. I gently pull off the dark red bow tied with perfect precision. The gold wrapping exposes the box and I lift the lid and push away the tissue paper on the top.

Tears immediately spring to my eyes when I see my gift. I pull out the book on top and open to the first page.

To Aara, Phoenixes will always rise from ashes. Love, B. Madison.

The whole series is in the box. Luke coughs. “I had to ask your dad how to go about getting something like this for you. When the fire destroyed everything in your condo, I knew they’d be the thing you missed the most. I know how much they meant to you, and I also know that the books were something that belonged to you and Liam. I hope you don’t mind, but I wanted you to have them back.” He approaches me slowly. “I want to read them to our child one day.”

I kiss him while tears leak down my face. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I let the world around us fade. Not only does this man guard my heart, he knows it like his own. Broken hearts are a dime a dozen. Whole, complete, and treasured hearts are worth more than anything else in the world. They’re priceless.

Fight for them.

Against all odds.

Beyond logic.

Wage a fierce war and create a legacy of your own choosing.

THE END