The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (191 page)

Derek and Adam take turns shaking the car and sending it racing around the track.  No batteries needed.  Brilliant.  Eventually, Kai catches on and starts shaking his car, too.  I don’t know who’s having more fun.

Kai is excitedly watching the cars whip around the track.  He gets up and starts to do the jig as he follows the car.  Shea is up and out of her seat immediately.

“Kai, sweetheart, do you need to use the bathroom?” she asks.

He nods, grabbing onto his crotch, suddenly self-aware. 

Shea leans down and holds out her hand.  “Come on, let’s go.”

Kai pulls away from her, “No!  Not you.”  He takes a few steps towards Adam.  “I want Daddy.”  Kai reaches down and yanks on Adam’s hand.  “Daddy take me.”

Adam freezes.  He doesn’t move a muscle.

Slowly, a grin spreads across Shea’s face.  She nods and turns, wiping away a tear.  Derek hops up and rushes to her side.  He escorts her quickly and quietly out of the room.

“Daddy, go now.”  Kai tugs on Adam’s shirt.  Adam jumps to his feet and hurries his son towards the bathroom, leaving the room in confused silence.

“Would someone please explain to me what just happened?” Cole announces.  “Why did Derek and Shea go running out of the room?  And why is she crying?”

Everyone looks to me for an explanation.  “That was the first time Kai called Adam
Daddy
.”  I wipe away a small tear from the corner of my eye.

“Aww!” the girls blurt out in unison.

Reese stands up.  “Emmy, I think this is the perfect time for your little surprise.”  She reaches behind the couch and grabs a shopping bag.

“I don’t know if I can take much more right now,” I admit.

“Bull crap. You had me running around town all day looking for this.”  She raises the bag high into the air.  “This is happening.”  With bag in hand, Reese hurries back towards the bathroom. 

Adam emerges from the hallway just as Shea and Derek rejoin our party.  She’s carrying a tissue, which she occasionally uses to dab her eyes and nose.  She must be filled with mixed emotions.

Shea notices Adam has returned alone.  “Where’s Kai?”

“He’s with Reese,” Adam explains.  “If the two of you don’t mind, why don’t you join us and have a seat on the couch.”  Adam holds out his arm and summons me to join him.  I tuck myself under his strong arm and wrap my arms around his firm middle.  “Emmy and I have an announcement we would like to make.”

Adam looks down at me.  It’s my turn to speak.

“A few weeks ago, I had an ultrasound.  Only two people in the world know the results of that exam – the technician who gave it, and Reese.  We had the results sealed in an envelope and I asked Reese to open the envelope this morning.  And now, today, with all of you present, Adam and I are about to find out if our little Bean is a boy or a girl.”

The girls immediately sit up and are balancing on the edge of their seats.  The boys all stare silently.  None of them are fathers yet, so they do not completely understand the thrill and excitement that the girls are keenly aware of.

Evan, however, understands.  For a week, he thought he was a father – Kai’s father.  He gets it.  His eyes are shining with pride and, I think, just a little bit of envy.

“What was in the bag?” Jette asks excitedly.

“We wanted Kai to be a big part of this.  After all, he’s a part of our family now,” Adam explains.  “You’ll find out soon enough.”

I begin to get excited.  Now that we’re about to find out together, I have to admit, I don’t think I could wait one more day.  I can feel my heart racing, so I clear my throat and pull in a long, deep breath.

Within moments, we hear Reese’s voice.  “Ready?”

Adam looks down at me and I nod.  “Ready!” he calls back.  Adam’s hand is firmly draped around me.  He pulls me in close.

Suddenly, everyone rises to their feet to get a closer look at Kai as he enters the living room.  He comes toddling in with a big smile on his face and the answer to our long awaited question plastered across his chest.

He’s wearing a brand new pink T-shirt that Reese bought for him today with five simple words printed on the front, “I’m getting a baby sister.”

Adam lifts me up off my feet and twirls me in the air.  “It’s a girl,” he whispers against my mouth and pulls me in for a kiss.

Before long, we are mobbed.  Everyone rushes around us, pulling us into hugs, slapping Adam on the back. It’s a blur of smiles and tears and hands and hugs. 

Evan and the boys head back to the bar.  They insist on celebrating the old-fashioned way – with a shot and a beer.

The girls have all huddled around Kai, making a big fuss about him becoming a big brother.  I can’t help but wonder if he even understands what’s happening.

Adam places my feet back on solid ground and looks deep into my eyes.  With his thumb, he wipes away my tears, which are now freely flowing. 

I look up into his endless smoky eyes and see the joy and happiness that reside there.  “God, I love you so much,” I tell him.

“Do you remember the first time I asked you to marry me?” he asks.

“Of course I do.  I remember every single proposal.”

“And you told me that if we make it through this pregnancy and my new job in one piece, you would marry me, right?”

“U-huh.”

“Well, I’m renegotiating the terms of our agreement.  You said you would marry me
after
the baby is born, right?”

“That was the agreement.”

“Then so long as we don’t start planning the wedding until
after
the baby’s born, we won’t be breaking any of your rules.  Agree to marry me and I vow to not discuss any wedding plans, push you to pick a date, or allow anyone to throw us an engagement party.”

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. 

“Emmy, we’re already a family.  Don’t you see it yet?  I can feel it as sure as I’m standing here.”  He pulls out the picture from my ultrasound.  “This is our daughter.  She deserves to enter the world with a stable family that loves her.”

I can’t argue.  Everything he said is true.  Bean deserves the kind of stability and strength that only comes from a commitment.  “You’re right.”

“I am?”

“Yes.”

“So does that mean ...”

“... yes, I’ll marry you.”  I bury my face in his neck and breathe in his sweet scent as I continue to cry tears of joy and hope.  I look up at our friends, all staring at us with a mixture of curiosity and wonder. 

Adam turns to them and announces, “We’re getting married!”

L
isted alphabetically by
first
name

Adam Cooke–
Evan’s best friend

Alex Davenport –
Operations Assistant, NJ Red Hawks

Anthony Romeo Santos –
N.J. Sentinels Tight End

Averee DeVeau –
Evan’s former girlfriend and pop star

Ben Conway –
student at JWU

Blaine –
bartender, Rush Dessert Bar

Brandon Guerra –
Auggie’s boyfriend and interior designer

Brianna –
Anthony Santos’ fiancée

Camilla Ramos –
Marcus' fiancée

Carlo Rivera –
NJ Sentinels Wide Receiver

Caroline Warren (Callie) –
Evan’s sister and floral designer

Christopher O’Rourke –
Wilkinson’s customer known as “the Suit”

Clare Bogan –
bartender at Rush

Cole McGuire –
Evan’s cousin and minor league baseball player

Darryl Hawthorne –
Evan’s Houston Texan’s teammate

David Jorgenson –
Juliette’s college boyfriend

Dean Warren –
Callie’s husband and Evan’s brother-in-law

Delaney – Troy Duffy’s wife

Derek Lattimer –
head bartender at Rush

Emmalyn Akins (Emmy) –
bartender at Rush Dessert Bar

Evan Thomas McGuire –
NJ Sentinels Quarterback

Genevieve Fletcher –
Juliette’s mother

Glenn Deegan –
Auggie’s father

Grant Nichols –
Derek’s roommate

Herbert Bennett –
Point Pleasant Police Chief

Holly Dempsey –
Evan’s former girlfriend and reality show star

Jack DaSilva –
manager, Wilkinson’s

James August Deegan (Auggie) –
Real Estate Agent

Jeremiah Fisher –
pastry chef at Rush

Jill McGuire –
Evan’s Mother

Jocelyn –
Xander Parish’s girlfriend

Joey Griffin – host of “Night After Night”

John McGuire –
Evan’s Father

Juliette Evangeline Fletcher (Jette) –
co-owner of Rush

Kai Cooke –
Adam’s two-year-old son

Kate O’Leary –
JSRG, Kateful Dead

Kayla –
Juliette’s high school classmate

Laci Keilani –
Reporter, Celebrity News Network

Lindsay –
hostess at Rush

Louis Vinciguerra –
Head Coach, N.J. Sentinels

Lucas Luu –
Actor, Auggie’s boyfriend

Lucas Luu –
actor, Auggie’s husband
 

Luke –
fellow BPA student at JWA

Madeira (Maddy) –
mixed breed boxer

Maggie Martin –
Joey Griffin’s wife

Marcus Chase –
General Manager, Rush Dessert Bar

Margie O’Hare –
Adam’s Secretary, NJ Red Hawks

Matt Ortiz –QB for the NJ Sentinels

Nancy Deegan –
Auggie’s mother

Natalie Grecco –
pastry chef, Rush

Nikki Knight –
JSRG, Nikki Knightmare

Olivia Alexander –
Evan’s former girlfriend and cable TV star

Philip Harper –
member of Point Pleasant Police force

Reese Barrett –
Juliette’s college roommate

Regan Felicity Warren –
Caroline and Dean’s daughter

Ryker Donovan –
former US Army soldier and new chef at Rush

Samantha –
Juliette’s high school classmate

Sara Curtis –
Student at JWU

Shaun Marise  –
N.J. Sentinels Halfback

Shea Keilani –
Laci’s sister

Siena Bradley –
former girlfriend of Evan’s and an heiress

Simon –
student at JWU

Theodore Geiselman –
Doctor of Orthopedic Medicine

Thomas Guardino –
police detective

Troy Duffy –
N.J. Sentinels Placekick
er

Walter Falkowski –
counselor

Willow Rivera – Carlo Rivera’s wife

Xander Parish –
N.J. Sentinels Running Back

I
f there was a soundtrack to accompany these book, here are the songs that would be included:

1. “
   The Phoenix
   ” –
   Fall Out Boy
   
2. “
   Mirrors
   ” –
   Justin Timberlake
   
3. “
   Hall of Fame
   ” –
   The Script
   
4. “
   Try
   ” –
   P!nk
   
5. “
   Just Give me a Reason
   ” –
   P!nk
   
6. “
   Radio Active
   ” –
   Imagine Dragons
   
7. “
   Demons
   ” –
   Imagine Dragons
   
8. “
   Love Somebody
   ” – Maroon 5
   
9. “
   Moves Like Jagger
   ” –
   Maroon 5
   
10. “
    We Are Young
    ” –
    Fun.
    
11. “
    Carry On
    ” –
    Fun.
    
12. “
    Titanium
    ” – 
    David Guetta
    
13. “
    Just the Way You Are
    ” –
    Bruno Mars
    
14. “
    When I Was Your Man
    ” –
    Bruno Mars
    
15. “
    Creep
    ” –
    Stone Temple Pilots
    
16. “
    I Hate Myself for Loving You
    ,” –
    Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
    
17. “
    Livin’ on a Prayer
    ” –
    Bon Jovi
    
18. “
    Rosalita
    ” –
    Bruce Springsteen
    
19. “
    Secret Garden
    ” –
    Bruce Springsteen
    
20. “
    Royals
    ” –
    Lorde
    
21. “
    Another Brick in the Wall
    ” –
    Pink Floyd
    
22. “
    Get Lucky
    ” –
    Daft Punk
    
23. “
    Brave
    ” –
    Sara Bareilles
    
24. “
    In the Air Tonight
    ” –
    Phil Collins
    
25. “
    Safe and Sound
    ” –
    Capital Cities
    
26. “
    The Other Side
    ” –
    Jason Derulo
    
27. “
    Lucky Strike
    ” – Maroon 5
    
28. “
    Roar
    ” –
    Katy Perry
    
29. “
    The Fox
    ” –
    Ylvis
    
30. “
    The River
    ” –
    Bruce Springsteen
    
31. “
    All Night
    ” – 
    Icona Pop
    
32. “
    Marry Me
    ” –
    Jason Derulo
    
33. “
    Marry You
    ” –
    Bruno Mars
    
34. “
    Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
    ” –
    AC/DC
    
35. “
    Bohemian Rhapsody
    ,” –
    Queen
    
36. “
    Another Brick in the Wall
    ” –
    Pink Floyd
    
37. “
    Welcome to the Jungle
    ” –
    Guns N’ Roses
    
38. “
    The Best Day of My Life
    ” –
    American Authors
    
39. “
    I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
    ” –
    Aerosmith
    
40. “
    Don’t You Forget About Me
    ” –
    Simple Minds
    
41. “
    Take it Easy
    ” –
    Eagles
    
42. “
    You Shook Me All Night Long
    ” –
    AC/DC
    
43. “
    Love Runs Out
    ” –
    OneRepublic
    
44. “
    Iron Man
    ” –
    Black Sabbath
    
45. “
    Happy
    ” –
    Pharrell Williams
    
46. “
    I Run to You
    ” –
    Lady Antebellum
    
47. “
    Ironic”
    - Alanis Morissette
    
48. “Christmases When You Were Mine”
    – Taylor Swift
    
49. “
    If I Lose Myself
    ” –
    OneRepublic
    
50. “
    Talk Dirty to Me
    ” –
    Jason Derulo
    
51. “
    Timber
    ” –
    Pitbull and Kesha
    
52. “
    Unconditionally
    ” –
    Katy Perry
    
53. “
    Am I Wrong
    ” –
    Nico & Vinz
    
54. “
    Rude
    ” –
    Magic
    !
    
55. “
    Bartender
    ” –
    Lady Antebellum
    
56. “
    Turn Down for What
    ” – Lil Jon & DJ Snake
    
57. “
    Thunder Road
    ” – Bruce Springsteen
    
58. “
    You Are So Beautiful
    ” – Joe Cocker
    
59. “Mirrors”
    – Justin Timberlake