Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I stare at her again.
“Is it Rev’s child?” I ask in a low voice.
Again, Cat’s face crumples and her voice is broken when she answers.
“I don’t know,” she repeats. “I genuinely don’t know, and I don’t know how we can find out either. I looked it up online in the car here. There are DNA tests, but they can’t distinguish between identical twins because you and Rev share the same DNA. So I don’t think we’ll ever know whether this child is yours or Rev’s. But I couldn’t lead you on knowing that there’s a chance that he or she was fathered by your brother, because the guilt would hang over my head forever. I’m sorry, Reed,” she says in a broken whisper. “I never wanted this to happen.”
Again, I don’t know what to think. My girlfriend is pregnant, but the baby could be mine, or it could be my brother’s. In fact, there is no way to tell because as identical twins, Rev and I share the same genetic make-up. What the hell? This is a hopelessly confusing situation, and I’m stunned and don’t know what to think.
But one thing is definite: I love this woman, no matter what. Her baby could be mine, or it could be my brother’s. If it’s mine, then there are no problems whatsoever. But if we never know, am I okay with that ambiguity? Can I let my love for this woman overcome my doubts, and lead us into a natural, peaceful existence?
Suddenly, I know the right answer and fall to one knee beside her. Catherine stares at me with surprise in her eyes, and her pretty pink pout parts into an “O.”
“Reed?” she begins in a trembling voice. “Is everything okay?”
I take her small hands into my big ones and look deep into those cornflower blue eyes. My heart is racing and my pulse pounds in my temples, but I know this is the right thing to do.
“Sweetheart, I love you,” I begin. “There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The day you walked into my life is the day that I changed forever. I became a better man, and I looked at the world with new eyes. I was blind before, but now I can see.”
Her own eyes begin to water, but she waits, still trembling on the couch.
“I guess what I’m saying is something I’ve had on my mind for the past few weeks. I want you to marry me, Catherine Strong. You are beautiful, lush, kind, curvy, and everything that I’m looking for in a woman. You would make a wonderful wife, and an even better mommy to our children.”
She lets out a small gasp then, but her words are halting.
“But that’s the problem, Reed. What if this baby isn’t yours? Can you live with that? What if he or she is actually your brother’s child?”
I shake my head, and my blue gaze is fierce.
“If that’s the case, then I will love this child as if he’s my own. He is born of the love between you and me no matter what, and I look forward to being his father.”
Cat stares at me with tears in her eyes.
“Do you really mean it?” she whispers. “Are you ready to be a daddy to a baby who might not be yours genetically?”
I throw my head back and laugh then, displaying even white teeth.
“But there you have it, honey. He or she is mine genetically because the child shares my genes. We will never know if Rev sired him, or if I did. Plus, I appreciate y0ur honesty, Cat. Because there are no genetic tests that can establish paternity for certain, you didn’t have to say a word, and I would never have known. But you are honest, sweetheart, and that only makes me want to marry you even more.”
Catherine breaks down then, letting out heartfelt sobs as I gather her into my arms while pressing kisses to her soft blonde hair.
“Sweetheart, don’t cry,” I murmur. “There’s no reason to cry.”
She lifts her head and sniffles then while shooting me a teary look.
“No, there is, Reed. I never expected such generosity on your part. I never thought that a man would willingly raise a child, knowing that the baby could be his twin’s. You are a king of kings, Reed, and I’m so lucky to be with you.”
Our lips meet in a heartfelt kiss then before I pull back, my eyes dancing with need and passion.
“Yes, but baby, you still haven’t answered my question. Will you be my wife, Catherine Elizabeth Strong? I love you more than anything in the world, and I’d be so happy if you’d make this poor fool an honest man.”
Cat laughs then and dissolves into teary giggles in my arms.
“Yes, of course, Reed. I’d love to become Mrs. Randler.”