Right as reign, p.51
Right as Reign, page 51
Chase reached his hand out for hers. She crossed the area and took it. He placed a kiss right beside her ring. “Well, how about we both sit down and finish that movie that we started last night,” he suggested.
Reign nodded. “Sure.” She put a finger up. “But before we do that, I have something that I want to show you.”
Chase watched with curiosity as Reign made a beeline for her purse; it was on an accent chair in the living room.
“Oh?” Chase questioned, following her.
“Yes.” Reign retrieved her notepad, then pointed to the couch. “Have a seat.”
Chase’s curiosity was quickly turning to worry. Raising an eyebrow, he complied. He held a steady gaze on Reign as she joined him on the couch.
She held the pad tight, glancing down at it. “I journaled something today—while you were in the pastry shop, and I think that you should read it.”
Chase’s gaze had yet to waiver. “Now?”
Reign nodded, “Yes.”
Chase swallowed hard. “Oh, okay…”
Reign flipped to a page, then looked at her husband. Noticing the worry on his face, she snickered. “Baby, why do you look scared?”
“You seem so serious,” he explained. “Like something is wrong.”
Reign planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “I’m sorry. It’s not bad, I promise.” She handed him the notepad. “Here. What I want you to read, is circled.”
Holding the pad in his hand, Chase adjusted his position in his seat. Hesitating for a moment, Chase cleared his throat, then looked down at the paper. Reading the two words, enclosed in a circle, Chase’s eyes widened:
I’m pregnant.
His gaze shot up, meeting Reign’s. She was smiling back at him. He pointed to the paper. “Wait…you’re serious?”
Reign nodded. “Yes,” she confirmed, almost breathless. “I received the voicemail confirmation from my doctor earlier today.”
Holding a loving gaze on his wife, Chase smiled bright. “Wow,” he breathed.
“Are you happy?”
“Absolutely.” He touched her face with his free hand. “Are you?”
Reign crinkled her nose. “Absolutely.”
Setting the notepad on the coffee table, Chase leaned in and placed a sensual kiss to Reign’s lips, enveloping her in an embrace. “I love you so much.”
She held him tight. “I love you too.”
Reign sat in her favorite spot on the floor by the fireplace, writing in her notebook. The last page had been filled.
Reign finally looked up, letting her eyes roam the space. The house was quiet—Chase had retreated for bed a few hours ago. Reign’s eyes were beginning to get heavy too. She paused short of closing her book, eyeing the last words she’d just written:
A few years ago, I asked myself if it was possible to be completely happy. If one could be content in every aspect of their life—love life, family, friendships, career—I wondered if true happiness was attainable.
I didn’t have the answer then—I didn’t want to know the answer then.
But…I have it now.
Yes, it’s possible.
How do I know?... I’m living proof of that truth.
I, Reign Price-Williams, am completely and utterly happy in every single aspect of my life.
Reign held her left hand up, eyeing the diamond wedding band that rested beneath her engagement ring. Smiling to herself, she took the same hand and placed it on her stomach, giving it a slight rub.
Finally closing her book, Reign stood from her spot. Turning the fireplace off, she paused, lingering on a picture frame sitting atop the mantel—the wedding photo of her and Chase. The memories of her beautiful outdoor, destination wedding flooded back to her.
The next frame beside it was Sierra’s baby picture. She would never forget the day she’d brought her daughter into the world. Holding the life that she and Chase had created in her arms for the first time was one of the best days of her life. She was looking forward to experiencing it again with their second child.
Tucking the notebook under her arm, Reign turned the lights off and headed upstairs.
She stopped at her daughter’s room first. Approaching her bed, Reign lingered over her sleeping child, adjusting the cover over Sierra while watching her dream.
As Reign planted a soft kiss to the little girl’s forehead, she made a promise to herself that she would instill in her children: the ability to express themselves without fear. It was something that Reign had to learn the hard way.
Leaving the room, Reign made another pit stop to her home office. Turning the lamp on, she headed for her closet. Pulling the notebook from under her arm, Reign removed the lid from a bin. She tossed the completed book inside, and closed the bin tight, pushing it back in place before stepping out of the closet.
Reign turned around, glancing back at the space that had become a vault—holding her inner most thoughts—Reign smiled to herself yet again, before closing the door.
Acknowledgements
This story and its characters hit me like a ton of bricks out of nowhere during one of the toughest years of my life. Somehow, between everything that was going on, including working on the final book of my college life series, I was able to write this novel. Writing this book gave me something to be excited about. It brought back the joy of starting something new. I didn’t think that I would or could write a new book so soon after completing my series, but I did. I absolutely love this story, and I am grateful to everyone who supported me through this process.
My family, I am thankful for each and every one of you. Your love and support mean the world to me. I wouldn’t be who I am without you.
A big thank you to my husband, Stephen. Being a writer often includes long nights, much-needed space, and when paired with the publishing process—a bit of crankiness. You’ve been supportive through all of it. I love and appreciate you.
A special shout out to my biggest supporter. My sister, Jawhara. Thank you for the constant encouragement, your listening ear, always having my back, and for staying on me about the “documents.” You already know.
My beta readers, Jawhara, Nikki, and Aja, thank you for reading my rough, unedited work and providing not only your feedback, but your hilarious commentary. Oh, and even though I complained about how much you rushed me for these chapters, I loved the enthusiasm.
A huge thank you to my editor, Suzanne L. You are amazing at what you do. You not only did a tremendous job, you pushed me to dig deeper in certain areas. Which only made this book that much better. You totally get my way of storytelling, and it’s always a joy working with you.
Last but certainly not least, I’m truly thankful for my readers. Thank you for not only buying and reading my books, but for recommending them to others, posting about them, etc. Your messages, reviews, comments, and overall support mean the world to me. I appreciate each and every one of you.
Also by J.B. Vample
New Adult Fiction
The College Life Series
College Life 101: Freshman Orientation
College Life 102: Social Learning
College Life 201: Sophomore Studies
College Life 202: Core Principles
College Life 301: Junior Seminar
College Life 302: Advanced Placement
College Life 401: Senior Experience
College Life 402: Undergrad Completion
College Life 501: Post-Grad Management
About the Author
J.B. Vample is an author who fell in love with the written word at a young age. While in her final year of high school, she came up with the concept of her new adult fiction series The College Life Series. After years of writing only for herself, J.B. published her debut novel College Life 101: Freshman Orientation in 2015. Since then, she has written and published the other eight installments of TCLS. Currently residing in Philadelphia, J.B. continues to write while managing her career as an indie author. Right as Reign is her tenth novel.
J.B. Vample, Right as Reign
