Nessa (Broken Sisters #1) (22 page)

"We're having a baby and giving us a go. I'm going to make you my wife and you're moving in with me end of." Oh hell no.

"You better take that back. When I get asked to be your wife during a romantic proposal then maybe I'll think about it. You better take that back now." At least he looks ashamed.

"I'm sorry baby. You're right but it doesn't mean you won't be my wife so please move in with me. I have been hiding you away for too long. I need you with me, please."

Awe shit. I can't say no to that now can I? I turn to Stacey but she puts her hand up.

"Yeah, yeah he wins," she says and rolls her eyes.

"I'll send someone to pick up your stuff from your apartment. Stacey you know you can come over anytime." He smiles in victory.

"Like you could stop me," she scoffs.

Once we get everything we need from the doctor we head to Taylor's. I decide I want to flake on the coach for the day. I still can't do much with the stiches.

"Do you want anything babe?"

Yeah you! I feel like shouting. Having him around all the time is making me horny damn pregnancy hormones but he won't touch me and I don't want to make the first move.

"No, I'm fine." I reply.

"I told everyone to give you a few days to get settled before they visit."

I know it's terrible but thank God. Everyone has been by my side for the last few days and it's been great, but just me and my sex God for a while will be grand.

When my Dad, Sally, and Colleen came in I thought maybe it would be awkward with me and Taylor but they were delighted and I loved feeling like part of the family. I know there is a long way to go before I feel comfortable but now I feel I can get there.

The girls have been wonderful apart from Jess. She hasn't been around at all. Stacey tells me she's been working but something's up. I still need to find out, I told Sam it's bullshit and she needs to pay her a visit and she promised me she would. Ray has also came by. He always cheers me right up.

Brandon has been charged with attempted murder and we're awaiting a trial date. Taylor is dealing with all of that. He has the best solicitors who are making sure Brandon does full time.

SIXTEEN

Me and Taylor slip into a good routine. He's going back to work today. He doesn't want to though. I've only been here two days. He thinks I still need to be looked after. I know he'll probably ring someone to come sit with me. He means well. I know I'm going to miss him something terrible. I'm fine, my stitches are healing good and the baby is doing fine.

He still hasn't touched me and it's driving me a little crazy. I know he's waiting till I'm fully healed, he told me this but seriously sleeping next to him is so hard.

When he heads off to work I get bored and start going through the boxes Taylor got from Stacey's. I haven't even touched half of them. When I walk into the spare room they're scattered all round. Ugh, there is loads of them. I didn't even think I had this much stuff. Just as I open the first box my phone rings.

"Hello."

"Hey baby, you ok?" Seriously, this man. He's only been gone a few hours.

"I'm fine, just sorting through the boxes."

"Leave them, we can do them later. Will you have lunch with me today?"

"Sure. Will I bring it to you?" Oh I could go down there naked only wearing a jacket…

"No its fine I'll pick you up. I have a surprise for you so I'll drive."

"My surprise better come in the form of a big hard cock." he laughs down the phone line.

Oh fuck! "Did I say that out loud?" I cringe and he just keeps laughing.

"Yes you did. Is my baby feeling needy?"

The jackass. "Your baby? I'm beyond needy," I growl into the phone.

"Ok I will get right on it once you heal. Be ready at one." He just hangs up. I must sit there just staring phone. I'm going to kill him.

I put my phone down and decide to let Taylor help me later with the boxes. As I close the one I opened, I spot my mam's letter in it.

Shit. I need to face this so I pick it up. I sit there for over a half hour but I can't open it. I need to be close to her so I check the time it's only half past eleven.

I jump up, grab my coat and head to Mount Drone, where my am is buried. When I get near her grave I panic. I haven't visited since I buried her. I just left her because I thought she'd abandoned me so I just left her.

I manage to compose myself and make the final steps. I'm shocked when I see her grave is done up with lovely windmills and fresh flowers. Who did this? I sit down at the side of her headstone and look around. I see a best friend plaque and know my Dad must have kept the grave nice over the years. That warms my heart, he must have truly loved her. I take the letter from my pocket and open it.

To my darling daughter,

If you're reading this two things have happened: one being that I have died and the other that you have met your father. I realise these are two major things to happen and I can only hope the strength you have always shown gets you through this. I'm so sorry for the way I had to leave you, I just couldn't go through all that sickness with my precious little angel being dragged down with me. You deserved better than that. If I had of told you I had cancer you would have given up your life for me and I couldn't have that baby, I just couldn't. I know you will be angry but I hope one day you can forgive me for my decisions. I'm not proud of myself for them but it's what I felt was best. One day when you have some beautiful children of your own running round you will give up the world to make them happy. Please don't be too hard on your dad, it's mostly my fault he wasn't around. Give him and Sally a chance. She's a lovely woman who had her own issues. I'm sad I won't be around to see you go to college, get your first boyfriend, get married or have children but know that every step you take I'm there with you. I have left your aunt as guardian. I know she isn't the nicest but I knew if your dad stayed away you would get to stay with your friends. I'm so very sorry. I love you baby girl. Always and forever. Be the best version of you that you can be.

Love, Mam

I'm full on sobbing as I look up to her grave. "I'm so sorry Mam. I'm so fucking sorry. I wish you didn't feel like you had to do that alone. I miss you so much. I wish you were here…"

I can't finish I so I just sit there and cry till I feel strong arms come around me.

"Shh baby. It's ok. It's going to be ok, I got you."

I'm so thankful for Taylor's strength right now. I take it in and I manage to stop crying after a few minutes.

"Thank you," I tell Taylor.

"Don't you dare say thank you. I love you. I will always be here for you."

I hug him tighter.

"You know the worst part of all of this? When I came in and went to my room. I didn't know where she was and I was thinking God I'm so hungry, where is she?" I laugh. "It's mad. I rang her because I was hungry and she was dead in the bath."

Taylor squeezes me tighter. "Please don't talk like that. You did what you would do any normal day. You didn't know, how could you? Please don't punish yourself."

I know he's right. I just fucking miss her and wish I had seen a sign of what had happened that day.

I look up to Taylor. "How did you know where I was?" I ask him because no one would ever have guessed I was here.

"Eh well… You know after the whole kidnapping thing… I may have had your phone placed with a tracker. When Ray got to the house and you didn't answer he freaked and rang me and I tracked you to here."

I kind of want to throttle him but then again I know it's for my benefit and safety and I really don't have the fucking energy.

"You're lucky I'm feeling nice right now," I say smiling and he lets out the breath he was holding.

"Oh good. How about that surprise now or would you rather go home?"

"No, it's fine. I'd like to see it now." He helps me up and I feel lighter after coming here and being with my mam. Taylor tells me I have to leave my car and he will have someone pick it up later.

When we get in the car I ask where we are going but he's not telling me. Maybe I don't like surprises after. We pull into a private housing estate in Templeogue. It's really nice.

"Why are we here?" I question.

"No patience." He tsks. "But I suppose I could tell you. You see that house over there." He points to a big house with a lovely garden. "Yeah," I tell him slowly.

"Well that's our new home. Do you want to go see it?" he says smugly.

Oh my God can he be serious. I don't even answer him, I jump straight out of the car.

"I will take that as a yes then." He laughs and walks up behind me.

When we get to the door he opens it and I walk in. It's so beautiful and big. I'm wowed.

"So what do you think, good family home?" he asks and I jump up and hug him.

"Easy tiger. Stiches remember." I do because it actually hurt a little but I don't care.

"I know, I just love it. Thank you!" I say and tears once again make an appearance. I'm such a cry baby.

"One more thing before we go," he says taking a step back from me.

"Oh yeah, what's that?" I ask curiously.

He pulls a box out of his pocket and gets down on one knee, which only sets my tears off more. He just smiles at me.

"This is going to be our new home and I wanted to start it off with a good memory. Nessa when I first met you I knew no matter how hard I wanted to deny it that you were going to be it for me. I love you with every fiber of my soul. Will you, my beautiful, do me the honour of being my wife?" His voice is shaky and I can see my hot billionaire is scared.

"Will you fuck me right now if I yes?" I smirk. I shouldn't joke with him right now.

"Nessa," he growls. God I love it when he does that.

"Taylor it's simple." I smile, he's weakening.

"Fine, just answer the damn question."

"Yes Taylor, I will marry you."

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To write and self-publish was a pretty hard job. One that without the help of so many great people helping me along the way wouldn’t have been possible.

First I’d like to thank my family—especially my sisters Ciara and Samantha, who encouraged me all the way to the end.

Thanks to my friends Laura and Sarah, who read Nessa for me and helped me see what I needed to add and take away. The hardest part of this whole writing process for me was writing my synopsis and Laura help with that a great amount. I’m pretty sure without her I’d still be sitting in front of my computer trying to deciding what to use. To my beta reader and new friend, Sarah Honey, who has encouraged and guided me through Nessa’s book, thank you.

While writing this book I must have tormented my sister’s friend, author L.A. Casey, with a million questions. All of which she happily answered and for that I will always be grateful.

When Nessa was done and it was time for me to turn to an editor I’m glad I chose Jen from Gypsy Heart Editing. She is absolutely amazing. She went above and beyond in helping make my book perfect. She was the most helpful person for me in all this and she is amazing at her job. Not only did she edit my book, she spent time talking me through it. So a big thanks to her! Without her help I'm not sure how I would have coped with the editing process.

My lovely cover was done by LJ over at Mayhem Cover Creations. I thought I’d be picky and unsure of what to choose but once got the links, I found a picture I loved and was amazed at what they did with it. I absolutely love my cover. The service was great and they answered my never ending questions. A big thank you to them as well!

To you, my readers, thank you for buying my book. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Without everyone here, I wouldn’t have made it through my first book and I will always be thankful to each of you for helping me along my journey to self-publishing.

ABOUT M. BRENNAN

I’m a Mom to a wonderful son and a native of Dublin, Ireland. I come from a big family with five younger sisters and one younger brother (I know, the poor lad). I have worked as a barmaid for over ten years now and I love it. Working with the public, talking with them, and getting to know new people is what I love most. On a normal day I can usually be found with my nose in a book or chasing my son.