HIS PRETENSE BRIDE

EPILOGUE

NINE MONTHS LATER

ALEXA

Today is Xander's birthday but I'm the one getting surprised. I don't understand the reasoning behind it and when I try to ask him, he says he's gotten enough gifts to last him a lifetime. 

I understand him though. I really do. He's gotten all he's ever asked for, the messages from his mom. He has them and I couldn't be more happy for him. Eva on the other hand got more than what was coming for her. 

Thankfully, after a series of investigations, her hospital wasn't shut down but she was banned from operating, and the establishments were taken from her. She is nothing now. Owns nothing too. 

Over the past few months, with me and Xander traveling across the world, she's tried to reach us but Xander has made that impossible for her. I don't pity her and I don't think I ever will.

A smile tugs at my cheeks as I rub my stomach in the mirror. I'm pregnant and I only just found out a few days ago. Xander doesn't know yet which makes it the perfect birthday gift for him. Well, asides the pancakes and waffles breakfast in bed, numerous gifts and surprises I've given him.

Telling him I'm pregnant would be the biggest one.

I grin as I walk out of the closet to the room. Xander is sitting on the bed, waiting for me as always. I don't think he will ever get tired of waiting for me to finish dressing up.

“Ready?” He asks me, face brightening up with excitement as he stands up from the bed.

“This is ridiculous, absurd. It's your birthday. You are supposed to be the one getting surprised.” I tell him. 

Xander shakes his head as he walks up to me, looking very good. He kisses my cheeks appraising me with a doting look. “Don't try to start up an argument, pretty woman. This is what I want to do for my birthday. We already discussed that, haven't we?” He asks.

I roll my eyes. “Just saying it's absurd.”

“It's definitely not. And you look as gorgeous as ever,” he adds, looking me off.

Heat crawls up my cheeks and I brush. Xander takes my hand in his and tugs me with him down the stairs. Doris smiles at us as we walk past her and I grin back. Xander and Mr relationship isn't the only thing that has changed. I've made some provisions in the lives of our staff and I've encouraged them to come forth with their needs.

They try their best.

“Where are we going again?” I ask Xander as we settle in the cat. He rolls his eyes at my persistent attempts to know where we are going. 

“You will see,” he tells me. 

So, I keep quiet and don't say a word, bringing out my kindle to continue reading the book I was reading. An hour later, the car stops in front of a building I've never been to.

“Where is this place?” I ask Xander as we step down from the car. 

“Patience, pretty woman. We are almost there,” he smirks at me and takes my hand again. 

I shrug and allow him to lead me into the place. The moment we stepped into the unidentified building, I gasp loudly. This place...it's stunning.

I can't help myself as I gaze around the restaurant like a fish out of water. It's so different from the regular NY restaurant scene. So different. It has the kind of vibes I would go for if I were to own a restaurant. It's exactly what I would go for, the designs, impeccable.  It's…

I stop as I look around the place. It's not open yet. There are no staff in sight. And no one else in sight.

I take a step back, my fingers shaking with disbelief. It can't be. It can't be mine. It's not mine.

“But it's yours,” Xander says from behind me as he wraps his hand around my waist, making me know that I said the words out loud. “It's yours, pretty woman. I built it for you.”

“No,” I gasp.

“Yes,” he says, nodding against me.

It hit me all at once and I let out an ear-splitting scream, turning around to throw my hands around his neck in a hug. I can't help myself. I don't want to help myself as I continue to scream, unable to contain my joy.

“Now, this, this is my gift. Seeing this beautiful smile on your face is worth nothing else,” Xander says to me when I pull back, crying and laughing at the same time.

“Well, that makes both of us because someone else is saying hi,” I say as I pull back, a shit-eating grin on my face while I rub my stomach. 

He doesn't get it at first and I see it on his face that he doesn't get it. So, I take his hand and gently place it on my stomach while looking at me. Xander's gasp fills the room, his eyes doubling to the size of saucers.

“You're kidding,” he says with disbelief.

“I'm not,” I tell him with a smile. “We are having a baby, Mr. Gold. In nine months, we will have a child.”

A sound tears through his lips at my revelation and Xander closes the gap between us and picks me off my feet with his ease, hugging me with all his excitement. When he screams, I laugh out loud.

“This is the best gift anyone can give me, pretty woman.” He tells me, rubbing my stomach. I enjoy the soothing feeling.

“I know,” I say. “It's my best gift too.” 

Xander smiles and puts me down. I look up at him, my fingers flexing on his arm. He leans down and captures my lips with his. And I feel everything, how lucky I am to be among the people fortunate to experience this. Fortunate to be among the women to experience this kind of love.

So, when he pulls away, I don't mince words. “I love you,” I say to him.

Xanders gaze softens, eyes welling with tears. “I love you too, pretty woman. Always and forever.” 

And because I know he means it, my heart becomes full as the rest of me. I truly am fortunate to experience this. And I'm even more fortunate that I get to experience it with my soulmate; Mr. Xander Gold. 

THE END!