“God, let’s hope not. Well, I appreciate the update. Take care of yourself and Kendall,” I tell him.
“Yeah, she’s a fucking trip.” He groans, and I hold back my laughter.
“Good luck,” I say before we end the call.
Cami looks at me as I lower my phone. “So!”
“There’s a huge blizzard in Roxbury, and they’re stranded at the cabin until the snow lets up. Apparently, it’s worse up there, so it might for a while, depending on when the roads clear,” I tell her.
“Yes!” She claps her hands. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?” I ask, tilting my head and watching her excitement.
“That the cabin is lucky and helps people fall in love.” She comes closer and wraps her arms around me.
“You think so, huh?” I ask as we exchange a heated kiss.
“I know so,” she says matter-of-factly. “Look at us. How else do you explain what happened?”
I smirk at her happiness. She does have a point.
CAMERON
6 MONTHS LATER
Eli and I have been married for six months, and it’s been pure bliss. I can’t imagine my life without him, and every day, I’m thankful for what we’ve been through to get where we are today. He’s my best friend, biggest supporter, the voice of reason, and the love of my life. I honestly don’t remember how I survived without him. While the circumstances that brought us together were awful, we were able to find love in the midst of it.
Our wedding ceremony was beautiful, and while my parents wanted it to be an elitist event, I refused and planned it my way instead. We got married in front of close friends and family only. I made them all promise not to leak any of the wedding details to the media because the last thing we need to deal with is the paparazzi following us all day. I got so spoiled living in the country that when I returned to the city, it was a wake-up call for Eli and me. But just as he promised, none of it affected our relationship. If anything, it brought us closer. Honestly, I love seeing the printed pictures of us together because it’s proof to everyone that he’s mine. It also doesn’t hurt that my exes saw too. Eli doesn’t care for the attention and has even come up with creative ways for us to escape without being seen. I have yet to sneak out in a suitcase, though. The thought makes me giggle because who knows, maybe someday I actually will.
I roll over and see the early morning light peeking through the windows, but the side of the bed is empty. Reaching over, I feel the sheets, and they’re cold, which means Eli must be up working. He got promoted in his company and now works mostly from home unless he’s doing showings or meeting with clients over drinks. He’s worked so hard for it, and I’m so incredibly proud of him.
After I go through my morning routine, I put on a fluffy robe and walk into the kitchen where Eli is sitting with his laptop. I study him, admiring how handsome he is with the scruff on his chin before he notices me. As soon as his eyes meet mine, he stops typing, and stands to kiss me good morning.
“Coffee?” he asks with a cheesy grin, pouring me a mug and adding a splash of creamer until it’s the color I like. I take it, then sit at the barstool next to him at the island.
He glances over at me. “Hungry?”
“You should just automatically know the answer to that by now. I will never turn down a meal. Especially from you,” I tell him.
“Breakfast coming up,” he says, pulling food from the fridge. He chops veggies and throws them in the skillet, and when they’re sautéed, he cracks a few eggs on top with cheese. After he plates it and grabs two forks, he brings them over, and I immediately take a bite.
“You didn’t drink your coffee…” He looks at the mug that I haven’t touched, then glances back at me.
I swallow and tuck my bottom lip into my mouth. I can’t hold my secret in much longer, especially when it comes to not drinking caffeine. It’ll be the most suspicious thing about me.
“No. I think I’m going to have to stop drinking it for a while,” I say casually, taking another bite of food with a knowing smirking.
His face contorts. “Why? Are you hopping on some weird no-caffeine trend?”
I laugh because I live off coffee and fashion. “No, just pregnant,” I say it so nonchalantly with a shrug, I wonder if he’ll comprehend it or not.
Eli takes a bite, then hurries, and swallows it down. His eyes go wide as a smile sweeps across his perfect lips. “Wait, what did you say?”
“We’re having a baby.”
He stands so fast the barstool falls over, and I laugh at his excitement. I get up as he wraps his arms around me.
“Wow, babe. This is the best news I’ve ever heard,” he says, and when I pull away, I see tears of joy waiting to spill over, which makes me an emotional mess. I start crying too, and then we’re laughing and hugging and kissing.
“You'll be an amazing dad, you know.” I wipe my cheeks. Considering he never knew his dad, I know he’ll give our baby everything he or she needs along with tons of love.
“I hope so. Either way, I know the kid will be loved unconditionally, and if your parents have any say, completely spoiled rotten.” He grins.
“Very true.”
“Have you told your parents yet? When did you find out?” he asks.
“No, no one. Just you. When you were at the office yesterday, I felt a little weird and realized I was over a month late, so I got a few tests. Each of them were positive. I was shocked, but then was so exhausted and fell asleep before I could tell you.”
He’s grinning from ear to ear. “We’re going to be parents.” Eli kneels in front of me, then lifts my shirt and kisses my stomach.
“I can’t wait to see you barefoot and pregnant.” He winks up at me, and I burst out laughing at the very thing I mocked him for.
“Elijah Ross, we are not having ten babies, though, so get that thought out of your head,” I say firmly.
He winks. “We’ll see.”
Groaning, I shake my head at his stupidly cute smile. “And to think just last year, it was only the two of us,” I say, running my fingers through his hair.
Looking up at me with bright green eyes, he chews on his bottom lip. “And now we’re starting a family. Maybe it’ll be twins.” He waggles his brows.
I snort. “Maybe.”
Eli stands, wraps me in his arms, and slides his lips gently across mine. Even after all this time, my heart gallops when he touches or kisses me. It always feels like the first time with him.
“I love you, Eli,” I tell him.
“I love you too, Cami. So fucking much. You’ve made me the happiest person alive.”
I shake my head and laugh. “Impossible because I’m the happiest person alive, and it’s all because of you.”
Start Ryan & Kendall’s story in The Best of Us! Find out how they survive two weeks alone in the cabin.
Brooke Cumberland and Lyra Parish are a duo of romance authors who teamed up under the USA Today pseudonym, Kennedy Fox. They share a love of Hallmark movies, overpriced coffee, and making TikToks. When they aren’t bonding over romantic comedies, they like to brainstorm new book ideas. One day in 2016, they decided to collaborate under a pseudonym and have some fun creating new characters that’ll make you blush and your heart melt. Happily ever afters guaranteed!