Ashes Drift Past Tomorrow by Xavin Dusk 30

Chapter 30 

Danielle 

Two years later… 

29% 

I STOOD AT the bathroom counter staring down at the little blue stick I’d just peed on. Austin and I had been married for twenty–three months, six days, and nineteen hours, and I’d been feeling nauseous and tired for about a week. 

I was alone in the Naito condo that we now shared as a married couple and expected him home any minute. I was officially on dinner duty, but the smell of meat turned my stomach, so I was going to have to figure something else out. 

As I waited for the results of my pregnancy test, I thought back to our blissful engagement, quick marriage, and perfect extended honeymoon. True to his word, he’d gotten romantic and proposed to me in the middle of Portland’s Saturday market with most of his club, all of my family, and Kim in attendance. He’d even gotten down on one knee and slipped the biggest frickin‘ diamond I’d ever seen on my finger. 

I stared at it now as I tapped my foot and checked the stick. Nothing. 

My ring sparkled back at me, the six–carat diamond and matching diamond wedding band proof that I was married to the hottest guy on the planet. 

We’d gotten married in my parents‘ back yard, and Kim and Emily had outdone themselves. I’d chosen an off–white Vera Wang gown that hugged every curve perfectly and made me feel like a princess. Austin had worn an Armani tux that had literally been made for him, while Mack stood as his best man and Kim stood as my maid of honor. 

My father walked me down the aisle, his eyes glistening with tears as he kissed me and told me how proud of me he was, and how happy he and Mom were of my choice. Austin had woven himself so well into my family it was like he’d been there forever. 

Our wedding night at the Hotel Monaco in Portland was filled with love, sex, and an envelope holding the money Austin had recovered from my ex. Austin had put it into a secure account in my married name with alerts aplenty should anyone else try to access it but me. Then he’d whisked me off to Maine where we stayed at a tiny little remote cabin by the water and gorged ourselves on fresh crab and lobster. I don’t recall getting dressed most of the trip, declaring that naked lobster–fests needed to be a regular occurrence. He’d agreed and we’d spent another sexy week in Maine for our one–year–anniversary. 

I was coming up on the end of another school year and trying to decide if I was going to continue teaching or do something else. If this test was positive, it would make my decision easier. 

“Babe?” Austin called. 

“Bedroom.” 

I met him in the hallway, the pregnancy test behind my back, and stood on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Hi. 

“Hi, baby. You okay?” 

“Unbelievably okay.” 

He chuckled. “Oh yeah?” 

I pulled the stick from behind my back and held it up. “You’re gonna be a daddy.” 

“What?” he whispered and took the test from me, staring down it. “Fuck me.” 

I giggled. “Yeah, that’s generally how it happens.” 

“Baby!” He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, his hand going to my neck as he laughed against my lips. “Holy shit, I’m gonna be a dad.” 

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17:07 Sat, Jan 17 DDM. 

Chapter 30 

I grinned. “I know. It’s so awesome,” 

50 vouchers 

Lifting me so I could wrap my legs around his waist, he carried me back into our bedroom. “I wondered why your tits were 

twice the size.” 

“They are not,” I argued. 

“You don’t think?” 

I glanced down at my chest. “No.” 

He dropped the stick on the floor (and me onto the bed) and tugged off my T–shirt. “I think I need to investigate closer.” 

“I haven’t figured out dinner,” I warned. 

“I’m gonna eat you, baby, then we’ll sort something else out.” 

I licked my lips as he ripped off his clothes and pulled me close. I love you, baby.” 

“Love you too, honey.” 

My husband made love to me all night, our dinner of choice, pizza delivered within thirty minutes. 

My world was complete and my life secure. Nothing could be better. 

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