Forbidden With Me - Leigh Lennon Page 0,82

by baby, in dah trees tops,” Lilly begins when her sister tries to help her.

“I do dis, too,” Vi insists, and for once, they’re not fighting.

“Okay, guys.” I grab the diaper bag and a backpack Malia had put together with snacks and sippy cups for the girls. “Remember, today is very special for Mommy.”

“Yay, we have party aftaward with Unca Matt’s family?” Lilly asks.

“Yes, but we have to be on our best behavior, okay? It’s not every day Mommy graduates with her master’s degree.” Along with having twins and another baby, she never gave up on her dream and is receiving her degree in industrial design.

“Mommy gaduate, right. She get special piece of paepa.” I laugh at Lilly who always has to know the facts.

“Yes, something like that, Lil.” And she doesn’t mind when I shorten her name.

“Now all we need is Mommy, and we can leave.” I call up the stairs in our house. We never moved because we loved our little house so much, but with some help, we added a whole new story onto our home, giving up all the bedrooms downstairs, opening up the kitchen and the living room.

She doesn’t answer. Twisting my watch to the side, I see we’re going to run into traffic if we don’t leave now.

“Hey, girls, let me turn on some television for you while I go help Mommy.” Sesame Street is still a tried and true favorite in our home, and both girls settle in on the couch when I grab Martin in his carrier to find Mal.

“Let’s see what’s taking Mommy so long.” Opening the door to our new upstairs master, Malia is sitting at the window seat I’d had installed for her. “Hey, sweetheart, what’s up?”

She’s cradling a picture frame in her hand, a couple of tears rolling down her face. Putting Martin’s carrier on the floor near us, I kneel before her, my eyes falling on the last picture of her with her family.

“Oh, sweetheart,” I begin and pull her free hand in with mine.

“These aren’t tears of sadness, but tears of joy. Sure, I’ll forever miss them, but I’ve made them proud. I’ve done what I set out to. I have my own family, I’ve met my goals, and I’m not even finished, not in the least.”

On the other side of her, she pulls out what looks like a thermometer, but when it comes into view, I realize it’s not a thermometer.

“I guess I can get pregnant breastfeeding, after all,” she adds, flipping her feet from the window seat and throwing her arms around me.

“I guess you can,” I say because I’m speechless but happy along with so many more emotions. “Come here.” I pull her up as I stand, too.

“Do you know what, Mrs. Shanahan?” I ask.

“What is that, Mr. Shanahan?” she inquires, standing on her tiptoes as she always does next to me.

“I knew you were trouble the minute you walked through my door.” I kiss the bridge of her nose.

“But the best kind of trouble,” she says in return.

“Yes, you’re the best kind of trouble in the whole wide world.” And when my lips crash to hers, more trouble bursts through the door, one twin jumping on me and the other jumping on her mother. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The With Me in Seattle Universe

To learn more about The With Me in Seattle Universe, click here:

https://www.ladybosspress.com/with-me-in-seattle

About the Author

Leigh Lennon is mother, veteran and a wife of a cancer survivor. Originally with a degree in education, she started writing as an outlet that has led to a deep passion. She lugs her computer with her as she crafts her next story. Her imaginary friends become real on her pages as she creates a world for them. She loves pretty nails, spikey hair and large earrings. Leigh can be found drinking coffee or wine, depending on the time of the day.

Please stalk Leigh Lennon on Social Media

Facebook group Page:

Succulent and Sassy Reads

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=succulent%20and%20sassy%20reads

Website:

Authorleighlennon.com

What I learned along the way

I grew up in Washington State. Most of my childhood was spent on the other side of the state, in Eastern Washington, where it looks like a nuclear bomb was detonated. It’s so different from the western side of the state, where Seattle is located. I loved growing up in Eastern Washington, don’t get me wrong and it holds many memories.

I moved over to the western side, when I was a teenager. We lived an hour from Seattle and I spent quite a bit of time in the city, however, I’ve lived outside of Washington for many years now. I loved getting reacquainted with the state while writing this book.

When I wrote about Wells and Malia’s trip to Deception Pass, I was back in my teen years, as I’d often drive there for the day and spend it at the beach. I’ve been across the bridge many times, but I wanted Malia to be that walking Encyclopedia Britannica of information. I had no idea there was a song named “Deception Pass” or that a music video was shot there.

For a state I felt I knew pretty well (and will always consider my home) this book taught me more. And I had to break out the map and at one point I had called my sister for directions in certain areas of the city. But, it only makes me more excited to get back to Seattle one day to visit all the city has to offer.

Until the next book,

~Leigh

Acknowledgments

It Takes a Village!

First and foremost, to the women who take the very rough draft of my words in the most raw form and treat it with the utmost care and respect. I can’t thank my beta readers enough! Nancy and Megan, I could not do this without you! You all amaze me with what you do for me.

Thank-you so much Ashley. You are far more than a content reader, you are one of my cheerleaders who always knows how to help me and encourage me.

Auden, what can I say, we’ve made it this far and I count my lucky stars to call you my friend.

Amie, I adore you so much. You make me laugh and have become a true gem of a friend in my life.

Thanks so much, to Kristen Proby and Lori Francis. It’s been an honor to work with the both of you. Kristen, your books mean the world to me and they are such an inspiration to many readers. Thank-you for opening your world to other writers.

Julie Deaton—you rock and are truly such a gem in this indie community! Thank you for all you do for me!

Kelly Green—Man, I hit the jackpot with you! You are honestly, such a godsend in my life and the best PA this crazy person could ask for.

Jenny Sims—Thanks for helping my words make sense. You are truly a wonder to work with!

Thanks to my dear friend, Elizabeth, who listens to my stories over and over again as if she’s heard them for the first time, which she hasn’t! I treasure you more than I have the words to articulate.

Dawn—Who knew after twenty-nine plus years ago, we’d still be best friends after all this time. You are such a bright spot in my life.

I can’t say enough to my Facebook group page; Succulent and Sassy Reads! You all are so awesome and I am humbled you follow me and encourage me to continue writing.

Thanks so much to my wonderful beta readers and my incredible arc team and to everyone who read an advance copy and posted a review! You ladies are so valuable to me!

I want to thank my readers because without you, this would not be possible!

Of course, none of this would be a possibility without the Hubs and our little ones that call me mom! I love you more than I can express.

Also By Leigh Lennon

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The Jake Davis Novella Series

The Holiday Package and The Sweetest Package Box Set in the Complete Package: https://amzn.to/2Nfc3J4

The Power of Three Love Series

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