Halo

HALO GREY HUFFINGTON TRIGGER WARNING PLEASE READ THIS SECTION! Seeing this note means the book that you are about to read could contain triggering situations or actions. This book is subject to one or more of the triggers listed below. Please note that this a universal trigger warning page that is included in Grey Huffington books and is not specified for any paticular set of characters, book, couple, etc. This book does not contain all the warnings listed. It is simply a way to warn you that this particular book contains things/a thing that may be triggering for some. This is simply my way of recognizing the reality and life experiences of my tribe and making sure that I properly prepare you for what is to unfold within the pages of this book. violence sexual assualt drug addiction suicide homicide miscarriage/child loss child abuse emotional abuse Copyright 2022 Grey Huffington All rights reserved. The content of this book must not be reproduced, duplicated or shared in any manner without written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations or samples in a book review, blog, podcast, or social media post without harmful or infringement intent. In the event that this work of fiction contains similarities to real locations, people, events, or situations, it is unintentional unless otherwise expressed by the author. instagram.com/greyhuffington CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 More from Grey Huffington 1 Long, slim fingers stretched across my belly, waking me on contact. Sensitive to his touch, I was. Vulnerable, even, and that was being a bit generous in expressing exactly what happened within me the moment our skin collided. My person. My body wilted from our connection. It moved me in more ways than I could ever verbalize. There was a stirring in my chest and a rumbling of my soul. My person. Emotions welled in my eyes before I got the chance to open them. What have I done to deserve him? The question surfaced. Waking up to Ledge was a privilege that I didn’t take for granted. He was the epitome of God’s grace and mercy for me. In this lifetime, I could never begin to dream of a man so generous, kind, devoted, and true to me. “Good morning, pretty lady,” he sang in my ear. “Still, I can’t wrap my head around it,” I winced, the realization of his existence in my life smacking me in the center of my chest causing irreparable damage. The good kind. The kind that alters you completely and leaves you better than it found you. The kind that ripped away all the hardened parts of you, softening them for their pleasure and yours. The kind that tore down the walls you built. The kind that made every bad thing that happened to you feel a bit more real, but only because it brought so much good into your life. The difference between the two was immeasurable. “It’s a big ass head, so tell me exactly what you can’t get it around.” I smiled through the pain, but the features of my face contorted again, shortly after. “How you love me so much… How I get you in this lifetime… How blessed I am to get to call you mine.” “And vice versa. Watching you here, talking to me with your screwed-up ass face and twisted lips, growing belly, and smelly breath… I’m thinking, you really did your big shit with this one, God.” My eyes sprung open and cocked to the left where Ledge sat on side of the bed with wide nostrils that told a story I was far too familiar with. “You’re laughing?” I questioned, already knowing what was next. He chortled, trying to hold it inside while plugging his nose with his free hand. “Is it that bad?” I cringed. “It’s all good, pretty lady,” he lied. “Oh, yeah. It’s bad.” I placed a hand in front of my mouth and blew slightly. The fire that my breath immediately started left the tip of my nose a shade darker and my eyes watery. Without hesitation, I flung the covers from my lower body and stretched my arms in the air. Falling into our routine, he reached over and pulled me forward. At six and a half months, I was as big as I was with Lailah during the final month. I could only imagine the ninth month of this pregnancy. “Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes,” he announced as he rounded the bed and met me on the other side. When he leaned forward and kissed my forehead, the sides of my lips rose naturally. I wasn’t surprised one bit when he dropped to his knees before me and rested his face against my belly. This was habitual and it was easily my favorite part of the morning. “You good in there?” he asked, “Comfy?” “With as much room as they have, I’m sure,” I chuckled, making my belly rise and fall. I didn’t think that pregnancy could get more beautiful than the one I’d experienced with Lailah, but I was wrong. Completely wrong. Having Ledge at my side from the start was such a drastic change and a much-needed one, too. Us watching my belly grow together had been the highlight of the last five months. We discovered I was four weeks along at our first appointment with Dr. Sanders, meaning Lailah was barely six weeks when we conceived. “I’m going to grab baby girl and get her morning started while you take a little minute to yourself.” Seriously, what did I ever do to deserve this man. Internally, I whimpered. “I’d like to wake her this morning,” I admitted, steering away from our morning routine. Ledge was always kind enough to give me the first few minutes after I woke up to myself, that’s if his head or his insanely good centerpiece wasn’t planted between my legs. This morning, though,