Reaching Out for You (32 page)

After all the
festivities are over and the pictures have been taken, we all head to
Giovanni’s
for dinner. It feels so great to have everyone
together again. My dad,
Lydia
, and Frank can’t stop taking pictures of
us. Adam has his arm protectively around me while I get closer to him. I look
over at Connor and Erin and we smile at one another. The feeling of fear has
gone away as I sit here with my family and the love of my life. The dinner goes
by smoothly as we talk about our upcoming plans. I listen to everyone talk and
feel content. Dinner goes by and before long, it is time to say goodnight.

“Wait before we
all leave.” Adam starts to say. “I just want everyone to know how much we all
appreciate everything you’ve done for us.” He lifts up his wine glass and
continues. “None of us would be here if it weren’t for all of you, so thank
you.”

“
Aww
… Adam how sweet of you to say,”
Lydia
says.

Frank stands up
and lifts his glass to Adam, “Here
here
son.”

We all raise our
glass and cheer one another. “Now, before we head out there is just one more
thing I need to do.” Adam looks at me and reaches out his hand. I grab it and
am unsure what he is doing. As I stand, he smiles and has tears in his eyes.
“Sophia,” He starts to say. “I love you with my heart and soul. You make me
feel alive and you’re my life.” He gets down on one knee and I gasp. I cannot
believe he is doing this. “I’ve loved you my whole life and I promise to love
you for as long as I live. You are my always and I am your forever. Will you do
me the honor of becoming my wife?” He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a
small box. When he opens the box, there is a beautiful diamond ring sparkling
back at me. Adam takes out the ring and slips it on my left ring finger. I
cannot help but smile and start crying.

“Yes! Yes I will
marry you.” Adam starts laughing and picks me up into his arms. Everyone is
cheering for us and our lips meet once again.

Erin
and Sarah run up to me and we all start
jumping. “You’re getting married.”
Erin
shouts.

“I’m getting
married!” I yell.

Adam shakes
hands with my dad and
Lydia
gives me a hug.

“Finally, I will
have my daughter.” She says to me.

Connor takes me
in his arms and spins me around. “Finally
Soph
, it is
about time!”

We say our
goodbyes to everyone and start walking back to the apartment. My arm is looped
with Adam’s as I rest my head on his arm. This is the happiest moment of my
life and I cannot believe we are getting married! “So let’s get married
tomorrow.” Adam says.

I laugh and look
at him. “I wish!
Hmm…maybe in six months!”

“I can’t wait to
have you as my wife. I love you baby.”

“I love you
too.” The love I feel for him will never die. Adam’s my husband.

Before we get to
the apartment, that fear comes back. I feel someone following closely and hold
on to Adam tighter. “Baby, what is wrong?”

“Come on hurry
up.” I pull on Adam’s arm trying to get him to go faster.

“Sophia.” That
evil voice comes back to haunt me. I freeze and feel paralyzed. Adam turns
around while keeping me behind him.

“Kyle, what the
hell do you want?” Adam’s tone is fierce.

Kyle stares at
me with malicious and darkness. “I told you, no one will have you Sophia. I
love you and if I can’t have you, no one will.” He reaches in his jacket and
pulls out a gun. He is pointing it at Adam and without thinking; I push Adam to
the ground. I feel an instant pain in my chest and start to feel dizzy.
Everything is getting blurry as I feel my legs give out.

“Sophia no, baby
no!” Adam pulls me in his arms and rocks me. “You can’t leave me now.” I hear
his voice breaking as he holds my chest. My breathing becomes shallow and
everything is spinning.

“Adam.” I
whisper. “I love you.” It is getting hard to talk. “Please don’t forget me.” I
hear voices all around me but it is so faint. I drift in and out until my eyes
finally close and all I see is the darkness taking me over.

3 months later

I am lying down
in the doctor’s office with
Erin
. I look around the room and start
getting nervous. I’m thankful for everything and I don’t regret anything.

So much has
happened in the past few months, Kyle’s capture and arrest. He pled guilty and
his sentence was twenty-five years to life in jail, without a chance of parole.
I was in a coma for a few days. The bullet went through and through my
shoulder. There is a scar where the bullet hit me, each time Adam sees the
scar; he cries and holds me tight. It was scary for a while, the doctors told
me I am lucky to be alive and they are right-
I am lucky.

I look down at
my left ring finger and see my beautiful two karat diamond ring and wedding
band. Mrs. Sophia Simpson sounds perfect. As soon as I woke up from my coma and
released from the hospital, Adam and I got married. It was a small but
beautiful ceremony with our friends and family. We got married in
Miami
on the beach.
Erin
was my maid of honor and Connor was the
best man. Walking down the aisle to my future was the most magical feeling. We
wrote our own vows. I close my eyes and remember his words.

“Sophia, I have
loved you my whole life. I never thought we would be here today, right in this
moment with our closest family and friends. You are my life and I promise to spend
each day making you feel special. You have my heart and soul. I hope I can make
you happy. I want to grow old with you. I want to have a family with you. It is
you and me, forever, pretty girl.”

I open my eyes
and feel the tears come down my face. I touch my stomach and look over at the
monitor, patiently waiting to hear the news. I missed my period and started to
feel sick. Adam thought I was coming down with the flu and I missed my period,
with stress from work. However, I knew.

“Oh my God,
Soph
,”
Erin
cries, “I cannot believe you might be a
mom!”

A tear comes
down my cheek. I took a few at home tests and they all came back positive. I
did not tell Adam yet because I do not want him to freak out. “I know! I’m so
nervous!”

The doctor opens
the door and comes in. “Good morning Mrs. Simpson. How are you today?” The
doctor smiles at me and takes a seat.

“Hi Dr. Morgan,
I’m ok, but nervous.” I take
Erin
’s hand and she gives it a squeeze.

Dr. Morgan
starts to laugh and she looks through my file. “Well,” she starts to say,
“Congratulations Mrs. Simpson, you are pregnant. It looks like you are about
five weeks along. See? This is your baby growing inside of you.” She points at
the screen and I cover my mouth, my little baby, I love you already.

I’m pregnant
. I touch my stomach again and start
crying. Adam and I are going to be parents. I am carrying our child. I am
already in love with my son/daughter and I’m so happy. “Oh my God, I’m
pregnant!” Erin and I start cheering. I cannot wait to tell Adam.

Dr. Morgan
prescribes me pre-natal vitamins and we schedule a follow-up appointment. I’m
still early, five weeks along. When we get outside and walk to
Erin
’s car, I breathe in the summer air and
smile. I settle into the passenger side and put on my seat belt. “Can you drop
me off at the office? I want to see Adam and tell him the good news.”

Erin
smiles, “Of course doll.”

We take the
quick drive to
Optimax
and she drops me off. I give
her a quick hug and get out of the car. I’m nervous; I don’t know how he is
going to react. I hope that he is happy like I am. I give Liz a smile and head
to the elevators. My palms get clammy and my head is spinning. I don’t know
what I’ll do if he gets mad. The elevator dings letting me know I reached the
floor I need. I slowly get off and head to Adam’s office. It is pretty quiet
right now. Adam’s door is slightly open. I take in a deep breath and walk-in.
Adam is on the computer with head phones on. Connor has been in
California
for the past month figuring out the
plans. I see him on the monitor and wave. Adam quickly turns around and smiles.
He takes off the headset and Connor’s face disappears.

“Hi babe, sorry
if I’m bothering you.” I lean against his desk already winded.

He takes my hand
into his. “Nonsense sweetheart, how are you? You look tired.”

I brush my bangs
out of my eyes. “No, no I’m fine. Can we sit down together?” I take his hand
and lead him to the sofa. This is going to be harder than I thought. “Adam,” I
stroke his hand, “I have something to tell you.” His expression turns from
happy to tense. I do not want him thinking this is bad news so I blurt it out,
“We’re pregnant Adam!” I look at him and he doesn’t say anything. I touch his
face and squeeze his hand, “Babe?” All of a sudden, Adam falls to the ground. I
start laughing and lean back on the sofa. I look down and he is out cold. I pat
my stomach, “Yep, that’s your daddy baby.”

* * * * *

After one of the
best nights of lovemaking, I look up into my husband’s beautiful face and feel
nothing but happiness. He places his hand on my belly and smiles. “I can’t wait
to meet her.”

“How do you know
we’re going to have a girl?” I giggle.

“It is just a
feeling.” Adam bends his head down to my belly and kisses it. “Hey baby this is
your dad. I can’t wait to meet you.”

My heart melts.
He is so happy that we are going to have a baby. I pat his head and lean back
on my pillow. Life is tricky sometimes. It leads you down an unknown path but
with faith and love, it will lead you to your bright future.

Writing
Reaching
Out For
You
has been an unbelievable journey. When I first started thinking about
the concepts, I was scared and hesitant but with the support from my family I
decided it was time for people to meet Adam and Sophia. I have loved each and
every moment from the brainstorming to the editing.
Priceless
memories.
There are so many people to thank and I hope you know how much
you all mean to me.

For my husband,
Kevin, thank you for being there for me through the smiles and tears. It was your
words and encouragement that helped me finish this book and to continue on with
my dreams. I love you always and forever.

To all of my
family and friends, thank you so much. Words cannot begin to describe my
appreciation but just know I love you all so much. You never left my side and
all the encouraging words have brought me here today.

Jennifer, I
don’t know where I’d be without you. Your constant push helped me realized my
potential. It means so much that you never gave up on me. Thank you for everything.
I love you! Thanks for being a great
BETA
and friend.

Dawn, you crazy
girl! Your support is amazing. Thank you for everything and for always staying
true. You never held back and always made sure to check up on me. I love our
talks! I don’t know what else to say other than I couldn’t ask for a great
BETA
and friend.

Sandi, thank you
for everything! You have truly been such a wonderful inspiration and I am so
thankful for you. Thank you for making time to always help me.

Terry, I
honestly don’t know where to start. Thank you for taking me on! Thank you so
much for ensuring my book is perfect. Your hard work means so much to me and I
never could have done this without you.

To my lovely
ladies! Glenna,
Nickie
, Carey, Melissa, Michele,
Antoinette, Ana, Suzanne, Louise,
Chelle
, Megan,
Rachel, Liz, Samantha, Tracie, Julie, Patricia, A.L., and Mindy, thank you so
much for your friendship and love. You ladies are amazing and words cannot ever
express my adoration and appreciation.