Eraser Platinum (13 page)

“Oh, I know it.”  She smiled and he relaxed his tight hold. “But the man I went home with that very first night?  He’s not who you are now.”

He stared at her for a long while.  He stroked her hair tenderly, then kissed her on the lips.  “That’s because you erased him, Mack,” he whispered.  “You are my beginning and my end.”

Nate flicked through the photo album in his lap.  His finger trailed the side of her cheek in the photograph.  He looked at the enchanting woman with a mixture of sadness and joy.  Sad that he couldn’t experience that time again; the day Mackenzie was the most stunningly beautiful bride on the planet.  He exhaled loudly, flicking to the next page where Andrea had captured a private moment between him and his new wife, one where they were oblivious to the camera.  Mackenzie’s jade eyes were focused on Nate’s brown ones, they both wore the biggest smiles as they gazed at one another adoringly.

They had been so in love, everything that day had been perfect.  They had the ceremony in the garden under their tree and the reception on the back deck.  A temporary dance floor covered the pool so they could take in the views of sunset over the lake, while they danced.  It had been a small wedding and held in secret; the press only found out weeks later.  Only their closest family and friends were present. Carol and Lincoln had welcomed Mackenzie into their family with open arms, treated her as their long lost daughter, and Mackenzie loved them as if she were, even going as far as to call them Mom and Dad.  Mackenzie’s real mother had made an appearance, though strained.  Alex had given her away that day as he was the closest thing she had to a brother and her father was nowhere to be seen.  Mackenzie never let it phase her though. 
Always so strong, my papillon.

He flipped to the next page.  Mackenzie was laughing in that shot as she danced with Henry, her long white gown trailing the makeshift dance floor. In the next photo Nate and Mackenzie stood side by side carving their initials into the tree with a big ‘4’ in between; a permanent marker of their union.  Then he turned the page to view his favorite photo – Mackenzie as she walked toward him, right before they said ‘I do’.  She held gloriosas in her hands, of course, as well as his heart.

If only he’d known then how much things would change once they got married.

“What are you doing?”

The sudden voice made him jump.  He hadn’t heard her enter the room.  He closed the photo album and placed it on the bed beside him.  She came closer and put her hand on his shoulder.

“Oh, I see.” She eyed the album. “It was a beautiful day, Nate.”  She sat down next to him on the bed, one arm resting around his shoulders, the other on his chest, taking a moment to reminisce.

And then she shoved him, pushing his chest until he was flat on his back.  She climbed onto his lap and gave him a smile that didn’t give him the same pleasure as it used to.

It gave him more.

It was their one year wedding anniversary and it had been the best year of his life.

“I was just thinking about how I love you more and more every day,” Nate said, beaming at her.  Life had changed since that day one year ago, it had only gotten better.  “If I could relive that day every year I would.  I want to marry you again and again.”

“Really?  Well I’d like to relive the honeymoon part.”  Mackenzie said, rocking on him.

“That can be arranged.”  He rolled them both so she was underneath him.  Then he stretched his arms out, pushing himself back so that he could take in her outfit.  “Do you like it?” he asked, eyeing her up and down.  She was dressed in the new black see-through negligee he’d bought for her – an anniversary present.

“I love it.”  She smiled up at him.  He licked his lips in anticipation, leaning forward to give her a kiss.  “Present first.”  She ducked under his arm.

She sat up on the side of the bed and reached into the nightstand to retrieve the small, long white box.  Mackenzie was nervous.  She wasn’t sure what his reaction would be.  She passed the gift to him apprehensively.

“A pen?”

She shook her head.  “Open it.”

He removed the silver bow and lifted the lid.

“What?  Is this a ...?”

He met her watery gaze, she nodded her head in confirmation, a tear falling down her cheek.  “I'm pregnant.”  She smiled cautiously at him.

“But how?”  His expression remained blank.

“I went off the pill a few months back.”  She was met with silence.

He looked back down at the positive pregnancy test in his hand.  “You mean … you want this?”

“Yes,” she replied softly.

He wouldn't lift his head, he was showing no emotion in his voice and Mackenzie had no clue what he was thinking.  All of her worst fears came to mind. 
To surprise him was a stupid idea.  What was I thinking?  I should never have gone behind his back on this.
His shoulders started shaking, his body still slumped.  She was getting scared.  “Please say something.” 

Then he finally looked up.  Tears streamed down his face, past the widest grin he'd ever given her.

“I'm going to be a dad?”  He cried.  All she could do was nod as her own tears rolled down her cheeks.  Relief flooded her.  “Come here.”

He pulled her into his arms and she curled up against him.  His hand found its way to rest on her belly.

“You’ve given me absolutely everything I could have dreamed of, papillon.  Thank you.”

“I love you, Nate.”

Even though the series has come to an end for you, I hope you will still try to keep HIS name out of any comments and/or reviews (which I really love to read, by the way).  I’d love for new readers to learn Sir’s name the same way you did.  Thank you so much!

Thank YOU for sticking this series out.  I hope the ending is all YOU hoped it would be.  Thanks for putting up with my cliffhangers and teasers, and for taking Mack and Sir’s story into your hearts.  I have loved all of the interactions that this series has provoked – even the threats of violence if I didn’t give these two their happy ending or hurry up with the next instalment!  I love it!  Thank you to anyone that has ever taken the time to write a review, comment or message.  It really means so much and makes me so very happy!

The biggest thanks, of course … again … goes to Renee Kubisch, my partner in crime.  This series would not have been the same without you.  The amount of time you’ve given up for me and my characters is phenomenal.  I’m so glad we stumbled upon one another, Renee.  You just get me!  I love your persistence and the way you push me to do my best.  You know all the different scenarios that got scrapped, so you know how much of an influence you have – I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel so blessed to have you in my life.

My favourite Canadaland chick, April Wells, your friendship means so much to me!  Thank you for all of your support and for the crazy messages about the most random of things.  Thank you for the awesome pressies you send to the underworld to brighten my day.  You know that I may never have done Eraser v2.0 if it weren’t for you, which would have meant no 3, 4, 5, or 6.  I’m sorry I had to draw the line there (no not really, you need to move on.  I have more plans to make you cry in the future LOL).  Thank you also for beta reading this baby!

A big thank you to Tami Norman and Carrie Klein for beta reading this series.  I really appreciate you both taking the time.  Particularly when I put the pressure on because I take too long to get it to you.

Kelly Donegan and Anna Smith – thanks for your encouragement to continue with Eraser and turn it into a series.  I’m so glad I listened!

To my beautiful author friend AJ Summer – thank you for your friendship.  I love your work and I’m so glad you enjoy mine.  Thanks again for the gorgeous Eraser poem, I love it and I’m so honoured to have your words on my pages.  I look forward to reading what you write next.

Megan’s Minions – you girls are awesome!  Thank you for pimping me.  Thanks for the fun times and the laughs.  In particular thanks to the ones that go the extra mile, you know who you are, I really appreciate it.

Big thanks to the bloggers that take the time to review my books and share my teasers, sales, etc.  There are so many that have assisted me since I started this writing caper, too many to mention, so I’m going to just note the ones that have helped me most recently, with the Eraser series … Marina & Irene at MI Bookshelf, Erin Daniels at Read and Ramble, Kristine Barakat at Glass Paper Ink Bookblog, April & Jenn at Read and Share Book Reviews, Gillian Grybas at A is for Alpha B is for Books, Carol Fenton at Books Laid Bare, Tash Mann at Confessions From Romaholics, Claire Richards at Hot BBR, Mandie Edwards at Foxylutely Books, Lori & Lee Ann at Hopelessly Hooked on Books, Melissa Prentiss at Bodacious Book Blog, Donna Montville at The Whispering Pages Book Blog, Maimeo’s Angels at Jezabell Girl & Friends, Helena Cole at Book Hooked, Amanda Ivy Valori at Sas’n Book Reviews and Ramblings, Daisy Zorman at Crazy Daisy Book Whore, Amber McCarty at Imaginative Dreams, Kat Smith at Kat’s Book Promotions, Lori, Jen & Vanessa at Just One More Page, Marlene Warner at Somertime Book Blog, Linda & Julie at Sassy Southern Book Blog, Catarina Swartz at 50 Shades of SAS and Amanda Reel at Reel Ladys Love Smut. Phew!  That’s still a lot. Thank you!