“Yeah,” he answered nonchalantly. “My place is too small, and you said you liked it up here. Found out this place was on the market and bought it.”
“Without even mentioning it to me?”
He shrugged, flashing his baby blues at me. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“Well, it’s certainly that.” I looked back at the house again, and I had to admit, it was beautiful. There were huge trees in the front yard with flowers everywhere, and the front entry couldn’t have been more perfect. Old lanterns lit up the walkway that led to inviting double front doors with ornate scrolling down the center. It was two stories, more than likely a four-bedroom cabin, and a full garage to the left. Noah had done an amazing job finding this house. It was everything I’d always wanted and more. “It’s incredible, Noah.”
“I don’t have the keys yet, so I can’t show you inside. But I’ll warn you now, it’s like my place. It’s going to need some work.”
“I’m okay with that.” I stepped over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’ve seen your handy work. I’m sure you’ll make it look amazing.”
“I’ll do my best.”
As I glanced back at the house, I told him, “I can’t believe you did this.”
“Figured you knew this by now, but I’ll spend the rest of my life doing everything in my power to make you happy. A house. A car. Kids. No kids. Whatever you want, as long as you’re mine.”
“As long as I have you, I already have everything I want or need.” I leaned up and kissed him long and hard. When we finally came up for air, I giggled as I told him, “Well, I am going to want kids. Two. Maybe three. And I want them to have your eyes.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“I love you, Noah. I really, really do.”
“That’s good, ’cause you’re stuck with me.” He motioned his head behind us. “And the house.”
“I’m good with that.”
He kissed me once more, showing me in the best way he knew how much he loved me, and I knew without a doubt in my mind he would stay true to his word. He’d do everything in his power to make me happy, and I’d do the same for him.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
Shotgun
After spending most of the morning preparing for the guys to come over for a cookout, I went inside to help Remington finish things up in the kitchen. We’d just finished a second remodel of the place, adding in new countertops and a different paint color, and Remington was putting it all to good use. She’d cooked up quite the spread. Hell, she’d baked three kinds of pies, made potato salad, homemade dips, and her mom’s famous baked beans, and she’d done it all while keeping an eye on our two boys—Colt and Tyler. That was no small feat. Our four-year-old twins were a handful and always getting into something—just like they had earlier today. While Remington was trying to get the potatoes peeled, the boys started fussing over some game they were playing.
Remington and I were busy getting things ready, so instead of stopping to make sure they both understood “the importance of sharing” and all that bullshit, we sent them up to their bedrooms to think about things on their own. Normally, they would’ve just gone up to their room, and after pouting for a bit, they’d be back at it again. I was just about to go check on them when there was a knock at the door. Knowing the brothers were here, Remington looked over to me with wide eyes and said, “They’re early!”
“It’s all good. We have everything ready.”
“But I just put the beans in. It’ll be at least forty-five minutes before they’re done.”
“Don’t have to worry about that. There’s plenty of beer in the cooler. That’ll keep them entertained until everything’s ready.”
I walked through the foyer and opened the door to find Rafe and Country standing on the porch, each with an additional twelve-pack in their hands. “Looks like y’all are ready for some football.”
“Hell yeah, we are, but first...” Rafe gave me an odd look as he asked, “You got any idea where your boys are?”
“Yeah, they’re upstairs in their rooms. Why?”
“Ummm...You might want to come outside.”
“Oh, fuck,” I groaned. “What is it now?”
Rafe chuckled. “Just come out here, brother. Trust me, you’re gonna wanna see this for yourself.”
When I stepped outside, I found Viper, Axel, and Widow standing in the front yard. Each of them were snickering back and forth as they looked up at my roof. I knew then I wasn’t going to like what I was about to see. With great apprehension, I stepped out into the yard next to my brothers, and when I looked up on the roof, I spotted Colt racing from his bedroom window over to his brother’s. He had no idea we were all out there watching him skirt across the shingles like a tiny ninja. Nor did he seem to know how dangerous it was for him to be up there. Fearing he might fall, I decided not to draw his attention down to us. Instead, I raced inside.