If You Only Knew (And Then Came Love Book 1) (41 page)

It is our understanding you are about to become a mother and thus, will be unavailable to work for at least six weeks. Please contact our organization at your earliest convenience and advise us of your interest.  Congratulations on the birth of your child. I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards, Petur K. Muller, M.D”

Liza dropped the letter on the bed. A job. A full-time job.

“You’re going to take it, right?” Julian smiled at her.

“I’d love to, but I don’t want to leave Abigail with a sitter.”

“A sitter? I’m home all day. I can take care of her. You can come home at lunch to nurse and if things get a little rough, Grandma’s a phone call away.” Julian pulled the chair next to the bed and took her hand.

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “I have a feeling if you contact Dr. Muller he’ll be willing to work with you. They were pretty interested in getting you back with the company. I guess some of your clients threw a fit when you left.” Julian brought her hand to his lips.

“Why do I think you had something to do with this job offer?” Liza cocked her head to the side.

“I think it was more Dr. Marcus. He knew about your job and that the Clinical Director position was still open. Once he saw you in action — doing what you did to get me out of jail -- he went to bat and called Dr. Muller.”

“I guess I can’t really pass up this opportunity.” Liza found her eyes drifting closed again.

Julian kissed her forehead. “You get some rest. I’m sure he’ll wait to hear from you tomorrow.”

Liza smiled as she drifted off into a peaceful and contented sleep.

Epilogue

December 21
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Julian sat in the living room reading over a couple papers he needed to return to Vince.

Liza came in the room and collapsed on the couch. “She’s asleep, but who knows for how long.” Her eyes drifted closed as she curled up.

Julian put the papers down and stood. He covered her with a blanket and kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

Abigail cried. He heard it over the baby monitor. Grabbing it, he turned it down, so she didn’t wake Liza. Julian headed upstairs and into the nursery.

Julian lifted Abigail out of her bassinet, cradling her in his arms. One of their maternity pictures from his homecoming hung on the wall.

Every two hours like clockwork, Abigail was awake to eat. It took its toll on Liza.

He bounced Abigail gently in his arms as he walked across the room, trying to sooth her to sleep. Sitting down in Gramps’ rocking chair, he rocked her back and forth.

She grasped a hold of his finger as she snuggled against his chest.

“Abby, you and your mother are the most important people in my life right now.” He brushed his fingers over her dark hair. “I’m going to ask your mother to marry me today. She’s already given me the greatest gift a woman can give to a man. I’m hoping she’ll say yes.”

The door opened and his parents snuck in the room.

“We would have rang the bell, but didn’t want to wake anyone,” Everett said.

They walked over to where he sat.

Julian passed Abigail to his mother.

She stretched and then snuggled in against Jackie’s chest, her thumb in her mouth. “Aww, she’s a thumb sucker.”

Julian laughed. “Yeah the hospital gave us a pacifier, but she didn’t want any part of that.” He pushed himself out of the chair.

“How’s Liza holding up?” Everett gave his son a hug.

“Exhausted, but she’s making it.” Julian rubbed his tired eyes. “This whole being a parent thing kind of takes its toll.”

“Try having ten of them.” Everett chuckled and clapped Julian on the back.

The three of them headed down the steps, Jackie carefully carrying Abigail.

“And how are you doing?” Everett stopped at the bottom of the stairs and faced Julian. “I know this is a lot of stress you’re not used to.”

“I’m holding in there. Some days it’s harder than others, but I’m taking it one day at a time.”

“Good.” Everett nodded.

The door opened and Sally and Rick came in followed by Gramps and Gram.

Gramps came over to give him a hug. “Holding up well?”

“Doing the best I can, and loving every minute of it.”

She stirred on the couch, her eyes opening. “Why didn’t you tell me we had company?” Sitting up, she yanked the blanket off her, and stood up.

Julian kissed her cheek.

“I’m exhausted,” she whispered. She tried to smooth her messy hair and looked down at her sweatpants and t-shirt. “I look like crap and I’m not going to be great company.”

“You’re beautiful.” Julian pressed a kiss to her lips and tugged her into his arms. “If I told you that you had a nice body would you hold it against me?”

Liza laughed and smacked his chest playfully, before wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Now that’s the proper response to that question.”

The door opened again and Drew and Ava came through.

Ava waved and smiled at Liza, but the two of them stayed by the back wall, holding hands.

Liza turned to Julian and buried her head against his chest. She spoke quietly, “Please tell me this is the last of them, I don’t think I could deal with any more company.”

Julian chuckled. “This is it. They’re here, because I invited them to share in a pretty important event.”

“What’s that?”

Julian got down on one knee as he pulled Grams ring from his pocket. “I talked it over with your folks, and they gave me their blessing. Liza would you do me the honor of being my wife?”

“Seriously?” Liza’s hands flew to her mouth. She smiled as she held out her hand to him.

He brought the ring to her finger.

She snatched it away. “What about the whole no third ex-wife rule?”

“There won’t be a third ex-wife, Liza. Only one wife, for the rest of our lives . . . together.”

Liza beamed and held out her hand to him again.

He caught it, this time he wasn’t letting go. Slipping the ring on her finger, he kissed her hand before he stood, and hauled her into his arms. “I love you, Liza.”

“And I love you.”

Stay Tuned for Trevor’s book:

Play It Again

Anticipated release date: August 7
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