Bellevue Bullies: Hooked By Love Part 73

She has Avery's eyes.

My nose and chin.

And a head full of dark hair.

Ashlyn Joy is here.

As my arms hold her tight, with Avery's chin on my shoulder, I'm pretty sure I'm going to drown in the love I have for this child. For nine months, I watched her grow in my wife, I felt her kick, I prayed for her to be healthy. But nothing prepared me for this overwhelming feeling of love.

"I love her."

Avery nods, her eyes watery as she looks down at Ashlyn's beautiful little red face. "She's perfect."

I look at my wife, and I can't believe what she endured. Hours of labor that ended in a C-section, and still, she's smiling. I've never been so scared in my life, and I threw up way more than I'd like to admit. I also almost pa.s.sed out but Avery, man, she was ready. To this day, she still blows me away. The tables were turned during the birth of this angel, and I was the one freaking out while she held me together. That's how we work, though. We take turns holding up the other.

My love.

My girls.

Leaning toward Avery, I kiss her nose before leaning my head to hers. "I don't think you realize how happy I am," I whisper and she grins.

"Sure, I do."

"Yeah?"

With a nod, she moves her finger along Ashlyn's face and smiles. "I've felt that way every day since I met you. It's just a million times better now."

"That we are complete?" I supply, and a tear rolls down her face.

"Exactly."

Sucking in a breath, I whisper, "I love you, Avery."

Kissing my jaw, she pulls back. "I love you."

As she looks down at our baby, her fingers moving along her sweet cheeks, she starts to sing Ashlyn's song. A lump forms in my throat as I watch her sing so sweetly to our baby. Looking down at our bundle of joy, I can't believe the whirlwind we've been through, our lows and our highs, but I wouldn't change anything. None of it, because the end game-me holding my daughter and telling my wife I love her-is completely perfect.

Everything I ever wanted.

And we aren't even done.

Nope, our love song is just starting.

And I can't wait to listen to it over and over again.

Read other books by Toni Aleo So this is the end.

Wow.

I can't believe my Sinclair boys are over. Can you? I think I might cry.

Ack.

Well, before I can do that, let me just say, I am so freaking proud of this book. I love it. I know it was long, and I know it was hard to read at times, but I love it. I love Avery, and I love Jace. I really just love everyone in this book!

You know, depression and anxiety are such scary mental diseases. Finally, people are shining a light on them, learning more about these illnesses, working to better themselves, and I couldn't be happier. I deal with my own issues, and knowing that I'm not alone is very rea.s.suring, because it's scary.

This story is based off true events. When I found out about the girl who this happened to, I was stunned. She was such a happy girl who got involved with a guy, and it ruined her. Soon she was cutting, and then she tried to kill herself. It was so sad and so scary, and her grandma knew nothing about it. None of us did. So when I started this book, I always knew that Avery was gonna have the same backstory. I talked to this girl and asked if I could use some of her story. She agreed because she wants people to know that this thing can happen to anyone. And it can. She was such a sweet, smart girl, but she wasn't loved the way she should have been and that one bad breakup ruined her. Thankfully though, she is off to college, living her dreams now, and she doesn't even look back. For that, I'm proud. I truly believe every scar she has is a reminder to keep fighting.

I hope I did the story justice, and I hope you enjoyed it. I know I enjoyed writing it. Was it hard at times? Yeah. I cried a lot, but I wouldn't change a single word in this book. I love it.

Thank you to my family, my friends, my editor, and my betas for all their love and support.

Thank you to you, for supporting me, loving me, and for reading this. I wouldn't be who I am without your love! SO, THANK YOU!

Now, I also hope you loved Lucy Sinclair, because she is crossing on over to the a.s.sa.s.sins and will be the heroine in Rushing the Goal, a.s.sa.s.sins 8. I. Can. Not. Wait! I am so excited to write this book, and I hope you are excited to read it.

EEK! So yay! Thanks! And until next time, keeping fighting, okay?

Love, Toni.

Copyright 2015 by Toni Aleo.

The Bellevue Bullies Series.

Boarded by Love.

Clipped by Love Hooked by Love.

The a.s.sa.s.sins Series.

Taking Shots.

Trying to Score Empty Net Falling for the Backup.

Blue Lines Breaking Away Laces and Lace.

A Very Merry Hockey Holiday Overtime.

Standalone Let it be Me.

Taking Risks Series.

Whiskey Prince.

Becoming the Whiskey Princess.