Epilogue
“You may kiss the bride.”
Emmerson took his wife into his arms and placed a wet, passionate kiss on her sweet lips.
It had been a small ceremony at his mother’s house. Family only. They hadn’t wanted a big wedding. Nor had they wanted to take the time to plan one as they only got engaged two weeks ago. But neither one of them wanted to wait. They didn’t see the point. Kind of like how Rumor never moved back into the pool house.
They fit together and their love for one another was as strong as ever.
“Yay, Uncle Emmerson!” his little niece Ally yelled.
A few more shouts and cheers erupted.
He was married.
To Rumor.
The woman who had captured his heart and become his partner. She was perfect and she looked beautiful in an ankle-length off-white dress with skinny straps that hugged her body.
“Save it for the honeymoon,” his father shouted.
Reluctantly, he broke off the kiss and gazed into Rumor’s adoring eyes. “Are you happy?”
“That is absolutely the dumbest question you have ever asked me.”
He laughed. “Come on. Let’s get a glass of champagne.” He took his wife’s hand and strolled proudly across the pool deck. A couple of his brothers slapped him on his back, congratulating him while a few of his nieces and nephews tossed confetti at him and his bride.
It was truly the single most joyous occasion of his life. He wasn’t sure if life could get any better.
He stopped at the bar and lifted two flutes.
“Water for me,” Rumor said. “I’m parched.”
“Come on, babe. We need to celebrate. It’s not every day I get married, and honestly, it won’t ever happen again. You’re it for me.”
“I better be.” She poked him in the chest.
“Ouch.” He set one of the glasses down and handed her a water bottle.
His mother, father, and Steve approached. “He still hasn’t figured it out yet, has he,” his mother said with a smirk.
“Nope. For a smart man, sometimes he’s as dumb as a doornail.” Rumor twisted the cap off the water bottle and chugged.
“I take offense to that statement.” He took a sip of champagne and glared at his parents, who smiled as if they harbored some giant secret.
Steve too.
Emmett sauntered over, carrying six-month-old Leslie. She stretched out her pudgy little arms, wiggling her fingers. “This one loves her uncle Emmerson.”
“I love her right back.” Emmerson took the little girl into his arms and blew raspberries on her cheek.
She full-on belly laughed, nuzzling her face in his neck. The final adoption papers had come through, and this little angel was officially the newest member of the family.
“You tell him yet?” Emmett asked.
“I’ve been playing the hinting game, but he hasn’t figured it out,” Rumor said.
“Seriously? What have you tried?” Emmett asked.
“I’m so lost in this conversation, it’s beyond frustrating,” Emmerson mumbled.
Rumor had become a member of the family long before he started shopping for an engagement ring. Her bond with his parents, his brothers and their wives and their children was unbreakable, and for that he was truly grateful. But sometimes, when they had their little private sidebars, it annoyed him, especially when it involved him.
“Well. Let’s see. This morning it started with asking for crackers when we woke up.” Rumor made a face at Leslie and tickled her belly. “Not only that, but I actually got sick.”
“You were nervous,” Emmerson said. “But I was a little worried she was getting cold feet.”
“About marrying you? Are you nuts? I know a good thing when I see it.” She shook her head. “Then I asked for flat soda. After that I bitched about how my dress was too tight and my boobs were getting bigger.”
Emmerson sighed. “Can we please not talk about your girly parts with my family.” He leaned closer. “And your boobs are fine. I didn’t notice anything all that different.”
“I better take this one back.” Emmett took his daughter from Emmerson’s hands. “Because when he does finally figure this out, he’s either going to end up in the pool or on his ass. Either way, I don’t want that happening with precious cargo in his arms.”
“Oh my God. Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on? You all know I hate this kind of bullshit,” Emmerson said. “Especially on my wedding day.”
“Here’s the best part. I left the test on the bathroom sink. He just threw it in the trash.” Rumor took his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Without even asking me what it was. For a cop, and a detective, he wasn’t being very observant.”
“What test? What did I throw away?” The entire discussion had thrown Emmerson off-kilter.
“Jesus. I honestly can’t believe you’re my son,” his father said.
“Really? Because four of seven times I had to practically beat you over the head with the concept.” His mother planted her right hand on her hip and cocked her head.
“Four out of seven,” Emmerson mumbled. “No champagne.” He glanced from Rumor’s smiling face with a single tear rolling down her cheek to his hand covering her belly. “Crackers. Soda. A long stick with a plus…” In a flash it all registered. A thick lump formed in his throat. “I think I need to sit down.”
Steve shoved a stool under his ass.
“Oh, someone push him in the pool. He deserves it.” Emmett walked away, laughing his ass off. His father followed.
“Come on, honey, let’s give these two a little breathing room.” Steve looped an arm around his mom and strolled across the pool deck.
“Are you okay?” Rumor eased between his legs, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
He rested his hands on her hips, gripping on for dear life. He stared into her eyes and swallowed. Hard. Unable to form words.
“You did say you wanted to start a family,” she said softly.
“I did,” he managed to croak out.
“We agreed I’d go off birth control.”
“That was only two months ago.”
She smiled brightly. “And I’m about two months pregnant. Go figure.”
He raised his hands, cupping her sweet, beautiful face. He would never tire of loving this woman. Ever. “A baby? We’re going to have a baby?”
“Are you happy?”
“Now who’s asking dumb questions.” He kissed her in such a way that in the background, he heard some of the youngsters yell, “Ew, gross!”
“What a wedding present,” he whispered. “And here, all I got you was a new car.”
“At least you bought an SUV. That will come in handy when little Saucy is born.” She cringed. “Yep. I heard that. Never again will I say it.”
“I hope she has your eyes.”
“I hope he has your sense of honor, but not your facial hair.”
“Oh, that’s mean.” He kissed her nose. “I can’t believe you told my entire family before me.”
“For the record, that wasn’t completely on purpose. I ran into your mother at the drugstore when I was buying the pregnancy test. She was with Trinity and Brie. It snowballed from there and I honestly thought you’d figure it out this morning. I hope you’re not mad.”
“Not even a little,” he said. “I love you with everything I am and I will do my best to be a good father.”
“You’re going to be a great dad. It’s me we need to worry about. Have you seen me try to change Leslie’s diaper? What a mess.”
“She’s a little wiggle worm.” Emmerson pulled his wife close, wrapping his arms tightly around the woman he loved. “You’re going to be a wonderful mother.”
“Emmerson?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve made every fantasy I’ve ever dreamed about come true. I love you.”
He would never get sick of hearing her say those words.
She was his to love.
His to cherish.
His to hold.
“Except one.” She waggled her brows.
He covered her mouth. “Babe. I’ve done a few things with you against my better judgment. Sex in the patrol car, which if my mother knew, she’d fire me for it. Sex on the pool deck. We don’t have a cage. Sex a few other places and some other things that has made this old man blush. But the handcuff thing is never going to happen as a matter of principle, so stop asking.” Only, he was warming to the idea.