“I’m not talking about what you have hidden. I’m talking about whatIhave hidden.” I smirk.
His other eyebrow joins the first. “I’m lost.”
“Yeah, and I’m pregnant.” I wait a beat for the realization to dawn on him, and when it does … When it does, he crushes me to his chest and dots my face with kisses, his hands roving my body.
“Really?” he asks between kisses. “Really?”
“Yep. Really.”
“Two kids. Two beautiful children.” The happiness in his voice just might make me melt. “And the most amazing wife.” He kisses my lips, holding me close and telling me secret words about how much this means to him and how he’ll always be so, so grateful.
When he stares into my eyes, I feel whole.
“I’m grateful for you, Diego. Every day of my life, so grateful.”
His eyes water, but he blinks it away and kisses the breath out of me. The way it should be. And the way it always will be.
EPILOGUE 3
BELLS
Christmas 10 Years Later
“What happened?” I peer at the cut on Garrett’s knee.
“Vivian’s still a dick,” he gripes as Barrow walks over and kneels down to check it out.
“That’s a bad scrape, buddy. I may have to amputate.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his knife.
“Daaaaad.” Garrett rolls his eyes. “That hasn’t been funny in forever.”
I laugh and ruffle Garrett’s dark hair. “You know, maybe she picks on you because she likes you.”
Barrow gives me a long look.
“What?” I shrug. “That’s what they used to tell me in school. It seems only fair to flip that script.”
“Of course she likes me.” Garrett stands up and brushes himself off. He’s almost as tall as I am, and he’s only nine. “Everybody likes me.”
“I don’t.” Jude chimes in from his spot in the loft, a book in his lap as he glares down at Garrett.
“Bullshit,” Garrett says. “You love me.”
“Language,” I scold.
“Seeing you every year at Christmas is an acute pain in my ass.” Jude closes his book and jumps down from the loft. “So no, I don’t love you.”
“Lies.” Garrett settles back in what seems like a nonchalant pose, but what I know from watching him spar with Barrow, is actually a fighting stance.
“Boys,” Barrow growls.
“Oh, loosen up Jude.” Garrett punches him lightly in the shoulder.
Jude grabs Garrett’s wrist and tries to get him into some sort of hold, but Garrett spins. Jude counters by dropping and kicking out to trip Garrett.
Barrow grabs both of them by the backs of their sweaters. “Guys, take it outside!”
I point to the tree with the now-wobbling ornaments. “If you knock over Aunt Clover’s Christmas tree, she might have Charles wipe both of you off the map.”