Melody
Two YearsLater
Twenty books later,and I’m finished with my first Cozy Mystery series. Today is release day, and I’m looking forward to a long, lengthy vacation with my family. My gorgeous husband grabs a bottle of sparkling grape juice from the fridge and sets out three glasses on the kitchen table.
As if on cue, Isaac barrels down the hallway. One look at the sweet, bubbly beverage being poured, and his blue-green eyes light up. I muss his hair and remind him to go wash his hands before he’s allowed to eat any of the cupcakes set up on the platter.
He pouts—a typical five-year-old—but does what I ask. I’m not used to this kind of attention, but I can’t say I mind it. When it’s just the three of us, it feels like I’ve won the freaking jackpot.
Our fingers graze when Creed hands me my glass. It’s amazing how his touch still sends shivers down my spine. “I’m so proud of you, baby.” He presses a soft kiss to my lips, and I can’t help but melt into him.
“Thank you,” I say, feeling the heat burning in my cheeks.
“How do you feel?”
“Relieved.” I wrap my free arm around his waist. “And a little sad. It’s kind of like saying goodbye to old friends.”
“You could always write more. Your agent said they’re interested in continuing the—”
“No.” I cut off his words. I need a break and then a new series to sink my teeth into. “I might try my hand at writing a romance this time?”
“Whatever you want.”
Creed’s support never ceases to amaze me, though it definitely works both ways. Six months after we got together, we started prepping for his court date in an attempt to gain joint custody of Isaac. We were married right before the hearing, and I’m certain that it helped Creed look more stable than he had before. The judge saw no reason for us not to share custody of Isaac, who’s become the light of my life.
We moved to a bigger house closer to downtown Thunder, where Isaac could have his own room, and I got the office of my dreams. It overlooks a running creek with enough wildlife for Esme to sit on the windowsill and dream of maiming anything in sight. I finished my final book in that room, the words flew out of me so quickly and easily; that it almost felt like magic. I think having Creed and Isaac around, subtly forcing me out of my introverted comfort zone, has made a world of difference.
Isaac rushes into the room, tongue hanging out from the side of his mouth, and reaches for a cupcake.
“Hey.” Creed’s low voice stops him. “We toast first, you little heathen.”
Isaac sets the cupcake down, and my husband winks at him when he hands him a glass. He lifts Isaac off of his feet and whispers into his little ear. “What should we toast to?”
“Um, Smelly’s book?”
I cover my mouth to hide my giggle. He’s probably going to need speech therapy, but right now, it’s the cutest thing that he can’t say my name.
“Melody.” Creed corrects him.
“Smelly,” Isaac says, and then glances at me. For the first time, it occurs to me that he might be doing it on purpose, which makes me laugh even harder.
“A toast to our writer in residence,” my husband says, meeting my eyes. The room grows suddenly still. “The woman who’s changed my life…our life.” He plants a sweet kiss on Isaac’s soft cheek.
My eyes burn as I hold back tears. I never imagined my life could be this good. To think that tattooed neighbor of mine is now my husband, well, it blows my mind on a regular basis.
We all clink glasses and grab our respective cupcakes. An hour later, we head out for pizza because in this house, we don’t have any restrictions on eating dessert first.
Isaac falls asleep on the car ride home. Creed shuffles him into his strong arms and carries him to bed. Nothing warms my heart more than watching him with his son. He’s the best dad, caring, and always down for an adventure. I can’t imagine what he was like before, and the truth is that I don’t want to.
“Well, what do you want to do now, Mrs. Asher?” Creed meets me in the bedroom and wraps his arms around me from behind.
“I don’t know,” I tease, “fall asleep?”
“Wrong answer.” He spins me around and kisses me deeply. My arms fly around his strong shoulders, and I let him lead me to our bed. When I look up into his bright blue-green eyes, I know that no matter what the next chapter of my writing career looks like, I’ve found my main character in Creed, and I’m the one who’s guaranteed a happily ever after.