Tangled Desires (Wattle Creek #3)

Epilogue

1 year later – November

Love Me For The Both Of Us - CJ Fam

J oseph’s a walking, babbling menace in a chubby, cute disguise. Pint-sized Imogen through and through—except the temper. That’s coming, mark my words. God help me when we have a daughter.

Imogen’s waiting at the door when I pull up, looking like trouble wrapped in sunshine. I hop out, grab Joseph from her arms, and plant a quick kiss on her lips.

“Get in,” I say, smacking her ass lightly as she passes. Joseph’s wriggling, full of energy, kicking his little legs like he’s practising for the Olympics.

“Pain, Dada!” he babbles again, his face lighting up. Plane . His favourite—and only—word this week.

“Yeah, champ, the plane. We’re going to see it soon,” I say in my best goofy voice, strapping him into his seat. He giggles like I’m some kind of comedy genius, and yeah, I’ll take it.

Kid’s got the best laugh. I turn back to grab the bags. Jesus Christ.

I strain, grunting as I lift up Imogen’s suitcase. “What the fuck do you have in here, Immy?” I grunt. “A fucking body? Shit . How much stuff do you need for two weeks in Fiji?”

“It’s called being prepared. Try it sometime.”

“Prepared for what? A fucking apocalypse? You could survive two months with what’s in here.”

“Or two weeks in Fiji with a toddler.” Fair point. I slam the boot shut, wiping imaginary sweat off my brow, like I’ve just conquered Everest.

“Good thing I bought this car, then. The Tiguan handles your overpacking like a champ.”

“Sure, let’s pretend you didn’t get it because you hated me squished into that tiny Polo.”

Guilty, but I’m not giving her the satisfaction. Room for four more kids, seven seats, extra boot space— fucking beauty. I just nod. “Mhm.”

I slide into the driver’s seat, and Imogen doesn’t waste any time. Her hand’s already at the back of my neck, pulling me toward her for a kiss. It’s hungry, but gentle, like she’s been starved for it all day. I don’t need any more invitations—my lips are on hers in a heartbeat. She pulls back just as quick. “I missed you today. So much.”

“You missed me?” I ask, dumbfounded.

Like, for real? The kind of missed-me-that-means-something kind of way?

“That’s what I said, yes. Now give me a kiss,” she says, like it’s nothing. But me? I can’t move. My brain’s a mess, like a bloody storm’s gone off inside my head. When was the last time anyone ever said they missed me? And actually meant it? Fucked if I know. Never, maybe. It doesn’t seem possible.

It can’t be real.

Imogen’s watching me now, her brows furrowed. “What?”

“I’ve never had anyone say they missed me before.”

Her gaze softens. “What do you mean, never?”

“Never. Not like this,” I smile, but it feels… vulnerable.

“Are you being for real?”

“Yeah.” I run a hand through my hair, then let it drop, unsure how to say the rest. “Makes me feel...” I trail off, and for once, I don’t have the words. What does it make me feel? Seen. Worth something. It’s the only thing that fits, but it feels bigger than that.

“Feel what?” she presses.

“Important.” The word barely leaves my lips.

“You are important, you big dummy.” In seconds, her lips are on mine again, her hands grabbing from over the console, squeezing me. I can’t stop kissing her—her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, and her lips. I could do this all day, every day.

“Alright, alright,” she giggles, trying to push me away, but her smile is wide, and her laughter is like music. It makes me smile harder, but I don’t stop. I can’t. Joseph starts giggling, too, like he’s in on the joke, and I can’t help but laugh with him. I pull back, catch my breath, and reverse out of the driveway.

“You really are important, Harrison,” Imogen murmurs softly. “To everyone, but most importantly, to me. To Joseph. I’ll love you enough for the both of us.”

I glance at her, a soft chuckle escaping my lips. “Impossible.”

“What? Why?”

My chest tightens. “Because no one could ever love you more than I do, Immy. And ‘enough’—fuck that. That’s not good enough. I don’t need you to love me enough for both of us. What I need is for you to know that words can’t even come close to how much I love you. There’s no measuring it. It’s more than enough, and it always will be.”

She pauses, a smirk tugging at her lips. “Since when did you get so good with words?”

I lean in, matching her grin. “I’m just full of surprises.”

You’re Still the One - Teddy Swims Life at First Sight - Alexander Stewart

The resort— Paradise Cove —is like stepping into a dream. Bright blue skies, the ocean so clear you can see the coral, and the kind of heat that clings to your skin. Everything smells like salt and flowers, and the air is so still it feels like the whole world’s holding its breath.

I’m standing in this room decked out in floral wreaths and candles, trying not to sweat through my shirt. Joseph’s perched on my hip, babbling nonsense, tugging at my collar, like he knows I’m on the verge of losing it. My heart’s hammering—hell, it’s not just hammering, it’s trying to break out of my chest.

I don’t know why I’m so fucking nervous. Or maybe I do. It’s excitement, panic, love— all of it, crashing into me at once. I keep glancing at the door, my throat tight like I’ve swallowed a rock. This moment… It’s bigger than me. Bigger than anything I’ve ever done.

The music kicks in— You’re Still the One by Teddy Swims—and my brain just... short circuits. Chest tight. Knees wobbly. I’m trying to focus, but all I’m seeing is white. Lots of it. Long. Tight.

Then her. Imogen.

My Immy-girl.

She’s walking toward me, and everything else just fades. Her dress hugs her like it was made for her. And that neckline? Yeah, breathing’s officially optional. Her hair’s loose, catching the light, golden curls bouncing with every step. And her eyes—locked right on me like I’m the only one here. My knees nearly buckle. She’s so fucking gorgeous I can’t think straight. My thoughts scatter.

Focus, Harrison.

Breathe in, breathe out. Nope. Not working.

My heart’s sprinting like it’s trying to win a marathon. I flex my hands, then shake them out because they won’t stop fidgeting. She’s so fucking beautiful I can’t think straight. I’m standing here, seconds away from marrying the woman of my dreams, and I’m already a goner.

The tears hit before I can even stop them. Just sliding down my face, heavy and fast, like they’ve been waiting for this exact moment. And honestly? I don’t care.

Joseph’s the first to notice, little dude reaching up from my hip, his tiny fingers poking at my face like it’s the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. He giggles—this soft sound—and something inside me cracks wide open. Imogen catches on next. Her steps falter, her eyes locking on me.

“Oh my God,” she whispers, shaking her head. “You’re gonna make me cry. Stop it. ”

I wipe at my face, but my hands won’t stop shaking. “I can’t help it. You’re a fucking vision, Immy.”

Her face softens, lips curving in that smile that wrecks me every time. She dabs at her eyes, muttering about how I’m impossible, but I can tell she’s barely holding it together. The celebrant starts talking, his voice low and steady, but my brain’s going a mile a minute. Hands fidgeting with the hem of my jacket, tapping my foot, I’m trying to focus, but all I can see is her. It’s just us, the way we planned. No crowd, no chaos. Just Imogen, me, and Joseph, with the waves as backup music. Selfish? Maybe. Perfect?

Absolutely.

The vows come quicker than I expect. Imogen looks at me, her eyes bright with unshed tears, and takes a breath. “I didn’t plan for you, Harrison. Didn’t want to. You were loud, annoying, and always in my space. You drove me crazy.” Her lips twitch like she’s trying not to smile. “But somehow, you snuck in. With that stupid grin and a heart so big, it shouldn’t fit in one person. And now? I can’t picture my life without you. You’re chaos, comfort, and everything in between.”

She pauses, shaking her head like she can’t believe it herself. “You make me feel safe. You make me laugh. You make me want things I thought I’d never need.” Her smirk breaks through the tears. “I promise to never stop teasing you, never stop loving you, and never let you forget how lucky you are to have me.” I snort, wiping at my eyes, and she raises a brow, daring me to disagree.

God, I love her. I really do.

Imogen slides the gold ring onto my finger, the one we picked out together. Simple, with our initials engraved inside. Hers matches mine perfectly. My heart kicks up like I’ve had too much caffeine. I take a breath to settle my nerves, knowing it’s my turn now, but it doesn’t help.

“You’re my first,” I say, but my voice cracks, and I stop, rubbing the back of my neck. “Not my first kiss, or my first girlfriend—” I flinch when she arches a brow, and Joseph babbles, like he’s siding with her and I tsk. “All of a sudden, I’m not good with my words. You jinxed me.”

“Keep going,” she mouths.

I blow out a breath, shifting on my feet. Focus. “Imogen, you’re the first person who has ever made me feel good enough. Ever . You showed me what true, deep love really looks like. Messy, maddening, perfect love. You’re my first, and you’re my last. You’re it for me. You and Joseph, this little family of ours? This is all I’ve ever wanted. All I’ll ever want. I promise to love you, annoy you and spend the rest of my life proving that you’re my everything.” I pull the ring from my pocket—an emerald-cut sapphire with a pear-shaped diamond, catching the light like her eyes. She gasps, tears falling freely now. So do mine. No point holding them back.

Joseph, done with our moment, tugs at my tie—one tiny hand on my tie and the other reaching for Imogen. She takes him, settling him against her hip just as he sneezes—loud and wet—straight onto her dress.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” she mutters, laughing as she dabs at the mess with her bouquet.

The celebrant smiles. “By the power vested in me…”

Yeah, no chance I’m waiting.

The words husband and wife barely hit the air before I pull her in, kissing her fiercely, unapologetically. Imogen melts into me, and for a second, the whole world fades. I catch a glimpse of the photographer’s flashes, hear the faint clicks of the camera, but it’s all background noise.

Joseph, squished between us, babbles in protest, his tiny legs kicking against my chest. Imogen pulls back, laughing breathlessly. “Looks like someone’s not a fan of sharing.”

“Well, he’s gonna have to learn,” I murmur against her lips. “Because you were mine first.”

Joseph claps his hands, his eyes wide with excitement. “L-uv… Mama. Dada!”

Everything stops. My heart. My breath. Time itself. It’s the first time he’s said it— love —and it’s here, now, in this moment. Imogen’s eyes lock with mine, both of us frozen in the same stunned disbelief, like the air’s been knocked out of us.

We move at the same time, pressing kisses to each of his chubby cheeks. He giggles, a full-body laugh that shakes his tiny frame, his hands clapping in pure delight. And just like that, this is everything. Our little family. Our whole messy, chaotic, beautiful world. So perfect it hurts.

So perfect I can’t fucking breathe.