Epilogue One
Jules
Two years later
Our boys, Nate and Jake, just celebrated their second birthday. Yes, I said boys, as in plural, as in twin boys. Who knew I’d be a mother of twin boys? Somewhere along the way, twins must have been in our family gene pool. Hudson and I joked that it would be awesome if they were identical, but I’m thankful every day that they aren’t. If they were, I think they’d try the switcharoo a lot. As it is, they’re both bundles of energy. It’s getting to the point where I can’t take them to the shop, and my heart aches at that.
Hudson offered to keep the boys while I work at the shop, but then I feel like I’ll be missing out on everything when I could be enjoying making memories with my boys. Hudson doesn’t know it yet, but I think I came up with the perfect solution.
“Hey, honey?” I call, and Hudson comes into the living room. The boys are playing with the play grill set and workbench we got them for their presents. They are both so much like Hudson; he gives them one on one playtime when he can.
It gives us both a short reprieve, even when we all miss each other while we’re apart.
“Hey, gorgeous, you want a glass of wine?”
I shake my head no, taking his hand in mine, settling it on my stomach. “I won’t be drinking for the next year or so.” I think back to the night Hudson suggested throwing away my birth control because he was ready for us to add more to our family. This time, hopefully, a little girl that looks just like me is in the cards.
“Boys, it’s an early bedtime for you two tonight,” Hudson says with a chuckle. Both Nate and Jake look at him with a mischievous glint in their eyes. “I can’t believe you’re pregnant. Think we’ll have twins again?”
“I love our boys, but I’d settle for just one this time. My recovery time will be the same, and we’ll have the boys. It’s not going to be easy for either of us. I’m actually kind of worried, Hudson,” I tell him honestly. I don’t know how we’re going to manage.
“I’ll see if Cora and Judd can help us from time to time, and if not, there’s always Ophelia and Braden. Sure, it’ll be hard, but we’ll get through this. I promise you.” He kisses my forehead and pulls away. Beau jumps up on the couch, wanting to celebrate with us, which makes the boys come running, too.
“I’m so happy, Hudson. I’m not sure I could be any happier, or I’d be bursting at the seams.” I nuzzle into his neck, and we wrap our arms around our little family.
“I’m glad, gorgeous, because you guys light up my life.”
We sit here on the couch until Nate and Jake fall asleep. Hudson moves them into their room as I pick up the boys’ toys from today.
Who knew loving the mountain man would amount to me living on top of the world? But I’m so happy it does.
Epilogue Two
Hudson
Five years later
I walk inside the front door, and the house is quiet. We usually have four rowdy boys running around, playing. We tried—hell, did we try—but after boy number four, Jules was tired. Her body went through three c-sections. I did what only a man should and could do; I had a vasectomy. A lesser man would have had his wife get a tubal ligation, but no way in hell was I allowing Jules to go through even more pain. I don’t care if they could do it after Cole was born.
We now have Jake and Nate, twin boys that are seven years old. Will is five years old, and Cole just turned three. All of them are rambunctious, and I’m not sure how Jules and I keep up with them throughout the day, but somehow, we manage. She brought in part-time employees to help with her store, and I take care of the boys while she’s gone. We usually fish at the pond or go for a short swim at the hot springs, or they sometimes help me tinker in the workshop.
That’s why I’m surprised when I walk in the house today, and it’s completely quiet and the sparkling clean. I offered to help with the cleaning, but Jules wasn’t having any of that.
Walking around the downstairs, I don’t see anyone. “Damn, I wasn’t gone that long. What could they have gotten into?” I murmur to myself as I head up the stairs. The twins’ room is empty. We asked if they wanted to have their own rooms, but they were content where they were. I walk to Will’s room and see his room is empty, too. My heartbeat starts to quicken. Jules’ Suburban is sitting in the driveway, so she has to be home, but where the hell are the boys? I walk toward Cole’s room, sneaking a peek in there. “Thank Christ.” His thumb is in his mouth, his little butt is up in the air, and he’s fast asleep. Not to mention, Beau is lying beside him in his bed. That dog may be small, but he loves our boys. Wherever the boys are, you can usually find him with them. I close his door and walk to the master bedroom. “Maybe Judd and Cora have the boys.” Sometimes they’ll come and take them for a day so they can play with their kids and we’ll do the same when they want an evening out.