She wraps her legs around my waist and Micah touches her belly, his dark eyes alight with so much love it’s dizzying.
“Not until you’re out of here, man.”
“Fuckers! I’m the one who’s injured.”
“Yep. And until you’re out of this hospital and off the injured list, no touching.”
“That is fucking wrong. Even injured guys need love too,” he pouts.
“You’re not opening up one fucking stitch so get used to being lonely until you’re all better,” Micah grunts.
“Fine. But when I’m better, I’m gonna make you pay for this, Devin. So hard you won’t be able to sit for a month.”
“I didn’t say it, they did.”
“Too fucking bad. I can’t paddle their ass so I guess I’ll keep it all for you.”
She laughs and then dances across the room to plop lightly onto the hospital bed, her fingers lacing with his. He groans when she leans over to kiss him on the lips briefly.
I sit down beside her and Micah growls, running his hands up and down her back, always watching out for her, protecting her, touching her.
That’s our job. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to all of us and there’s nothing on god’s green earth that will keep us from her side. It took a bullet to put Jude down but it won’t have him out for long. He’s a tough motherfucker. They’re two of the best men I’ve ever met in my life and it’s an honor and a privilege to share the future with them and this wonderful, sparkling nymph of a woman.
“I love you, baby girl,” I whisper into her ear.
Her smile widens, radiating love and joy. Like a goddamned angel walking this earth she’s effervescent light and love.
She flips her hair over her shoulder and smiles at each one of us. “I never thought I could ever be happy again. Not until I found myself under the control of you three. Then I realized that all I needed was what we have. My three guardian angels to keep me safe and happy for the rest of my life.” Tears spill over onto her pale cheeks and I groan.
“Oh, god! Don’t cry, baby. You know it messes me up when you fucking cry.”
“I can’t help it, I’m just so happy,” she sobs quietly.
All three of us groan and wrap around her. Or at least Micah and I do. Jude’s hand stays locked in hers.
“Baby, if ever there was an angel that fell to earth, it’s you. We’re the fucking lucky bastards that found her. Our love might be a little unusual but it doesn’t change what it is,” Micah says. “Perfect.”
Wrapped around her, we accept her tears and happiness for what they are. The love of a fucking goddess.
Our goddess. Until the fucking end of time.
Epilogue Two: Devin
I sighand roll my shoulders, my body protesting. The late night last night and then chasing the kids around all day is really taking its toll.
“Merry and Noel? Come on, get out here and pick up your things!” I holler.
Our five year old twins duck and run, giggling, around the corner. I growl under my breath and push my straggly hair off my forehead.
“Leave it to me.” I hear Judas come home and give chase, catching each one of the girls under his massive arms. His green eyes dance but he growls and pretends to toss them up in the air.
“Jesus!” I clutch my chest. “Don’t do that! You know that scares me.” He stomps past me and winks, leaning over to kiss my cheek.
“Baby, you know damn well that I would never let the girls get hurt.”
“I know that. But they’re just so wiggly. It would be so easy to slip out of your arms.”
Both girls wrap their arms around his broad shoulders. He lifts Merry up and his biceps curl. “These arms? You think they can wiggle out of these arms?”