Before A Perfect World: Movie Trilogy, Book Two (The Movie Trilogy) (31 page)

“I’ll be right outside,” Luke said gently.

I nodded, turning my gaze back to the father of my child.

“Keaton,” I whispered, tracing my finger over Charlie’s soft tuft of dark hair. “You’re a daddy.”

The monitor continued with a monotonous beep, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“She has your mouth, not mine, so she’s already in trouble,” I said with a tearful laugh. “
Everything went fine, she’s fine… she’s perfect, Keaton.”

His chest rose and fell in an even pattern, and I reached for his hand.

“Please come home,” I pleaded softly, threading my hand through his. “
Please come home.
”

Charlie stirred in my arms, and I rocked her gently. She didn’t like that at all, and I watched her face slowly turn red as she let out a frustrated, ear-piercing cry.

“
Shh
,” I comforted, not wanting her to shush at all. I wanted her to cry, and move, and do all of the beautiful things that Rory never did. “I’m going to try to feed you, but it’s going to be awkward, and you’re going to make Mommy look stupid. Good job,” I teased, pressing a kiss to her soft forehead.

If there had been bright l
ights, a camera man, and a clapboard, I still wouldn’t have believed the sound that I heard next.

“Vivian?”

I snapped my head his way, gripping Charlie too tightly. She let out another irritated wail, and his eyes blinked as he focused on her.

“
Keaton?” His voice was strained and so dry, and he coughed lightly. “Please don’t go back to sleep,” I rushed, torn between screaming for a nurse and talking to him for as long as I could. “Can you hear me?”

“Yes.” He kept his eyes on Charlie, never looking away. Hi
s body was still but his eyes, his gorgeous gold-and-green eyes, moved to mine. “Our baby?”

“Yes,” I burst, trying like hell to keep from falling apart. “She’s two hours old, Keaton. She’s perfect. Luke,” I cried, as loudly as I could without startling Charlie. “Luke!”

He blinked, and the corner of his mouth curved in just the slightest way.

“No. I’m Keaton.”

I burst out laughing, bringing his hand to my lips as Luke stopped at the doorway.

“
Keat?
Jesus,” he cried, turning to shout down the hall.

Charlie, completely irritated by her uncle’s loud voice, burst into furious tears.

“Don’t go to sleep,” I repeated, and I knew he could barely hear me over Charlie’s howling. “Don’t leave me.”

He blinked slowly, closing his eyes.

I stared at him, holding my breath.

My entire world caved in around me.

I was holding the most perfect part of both of us in my arms, and my heart was breaking with every second that passed.

His eyes remained closed.

I stiffened, closing my own.

And I prayed.

“Tired, kiddo?” he said, and I open my eyes, losing my ability to hold back the tears. I nodded, pressing his hand to my lips again.

“
I love you,
” I managed, over Charlie’s whimpering. “I love you.
Promise
me you won’t leave. Promise me you won’t,” I begged. A doctor hurried into the room, followed by two nurses.

Charlie’s cries
drowned everyone’s voices out but Keaton’s sexy baritone.

His was the only
voice that I could hear.

“I wouldn’t
walk away from you, V,” he managed. I watched him smile for the first time in seven months as I handed my heart over to him.

“
No?
” I whispered, unable to believe he was truly there.

“
No.” His eyes glazed with love. “
Not in a million years.
”

Beyond Hereafter

Movie Trilogy, Book Three

Kimberly Stedronsky

Connect with Kimberly at

www.KimberlyStedronsky.com

Books by

Kimberly Stedronsky

The Movie Trilogy

Below Unforgiven

On Heartbreak Ridge

Before a Perfect World

Beyond Hereafter

The Roam Series

Roam

Fall

Rise

Rush

Rule

West

Reign

The Fire Ballad Series

Eighth Note

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