Page 116 of Tangled Desires

The wordshusband and wifebarely hit the air before I pull her in, kissing her fiercely, unapologetically. Imogen melts into me, and for a second, the whole world fades. I catch a glimpse of the photographer’s flashes, hear the faint clicks of the camera, but it’s all background noise.

Joseph, squished between us, babbles in protest, his tiny legs kicking against my chest. Imogen pulls back, laughing breathlessly. “Looks like someone’s not a fan of sharing.”

“Well, he’s gonna have to learn,” I murmur against her lips. “Because you were mine first.”

Joseph claps his hands, his eyes wide with excitement. “L-uv… Mama. Dada!”

Everything stops. My heart. My breath. Time itself. It’s the first time he’s said it—love—and it’s here, now, in this moment. Imogen’s eyes lock with mine, both of us frozen in the same stunned disbelief, like the air’s been knocked out of us.

We move at the same time, pressing kisses to each of his chubby cheeks. He giggles, a full-body laugh that shakes his tiny frame, his hands clapping in pure delight. And just like that, this is everything. Our little family. Our whole messy, chaotic, beautiful world. So perfect it hurts.

So perfect I can’t fucking breathe.

Extended Epilogue

Wherever This Goes - The Fray

Holy shit. Two pink lines.

I stare at the test in my hand, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it might crack my ribs. Déjà vu crashes over me, pulling me back to that first time. Except now, I’m not terrified. No shaky hands, no tears threatening to spill over. Pregnant. Again.

This time, I’m ready.

Harrison doesn’t even know yet. He’s out at the pool with Joseph, probably charming every stranger within a ten-metre radius and teaching our son how to cannonball. He asked me to come with them this morning, but the second I opened my eyes, I knew something was off.

Second time around, it’s impossible to miss the signs. The sore boobs, the constant trips to the bathroom, the exhaustion that doesn’t let up. It’s all been creeping up on me. I was in denial at first, but thank goodness this hotel has a little chemist downstairs in the lobby.

Hell, it’s practically a full-on shopping centre—gift shops, a grocery store, even a jewellery stand—and, yes, a fully stocked chemist. I didn’t even hesitate. I grabbed a box, paid in cash, and slipped it into my bag like I was carrying state secrets.

And now here I am. Two pink lines staring back at me, changing everything. Once again.

How am I going to tell him? What should I say? I want it to be special, but my brain’s already spiralling. What if he freaks out? Oh, get a grip, Immy. He isnotgoing to freak out. The man’s been not-so-subtly dropping hints about wanting another baby for months.

I exhale shakily, my free hand resting on my stomach, a small, ridiculous smile tugging at my lips. Ready or not, here we go again. At the most perfect timing ever, the door swings open.

“Immyyyy! Where’s my sexy mama?”

I look up, my nerves battling with a smile as goosebumps prickle up my arms. Joseph toddles over, arms outstretched. “Mama, up!”

I scoop him up, pressing a raspberry to his cheek. “How was the pool?”

“Good! There were other kids, but mostly, I thought about my sexy wife sitting here, hopefully naked and thinking about me.” Harrison grins, his hair still damp, his skin glowing like the sun itself blessed him. “Got me so hard I had to wait it out before getting out of the pool. Would’ve been awkward otherwise.”

I snort. “You’re an idiot.”

“A horny idiot.” He leans closer, voice low. “What do you say we—”

“Not happening,” I cut him off with a laugh.

“Why not?” He pouts.

“Because we need to talk. Come here,” I say, motioning toward the small couch in the corner of our villa. The airy room is all white curtains and wicker furniture, the kind of paradise I’ll dream about when we’re back home. I carry Joseph over, patting the seat beside me. Harrison plops down, his grin fading into a more serious look.

“Okay, you’re making me nervous, Immy. Just spit it out.”

“Don’t freak out.”

Harrison freezes, mid-step, eyes narrowing. “You can’t just say that and not expect me to freak the fuck out. What is it? Did something happen?Are you pregnant?”