Epilogue
VERITY
Christmas dawned bright and beautiful, and I heard the patter of feet on the wood floor. Nudging my husband, I said. “Looks like Santa came. Let’s see what he brought.”
“Right,” he murmured sleepily. “Can I get my present now?” He slipped his hand up my naked body. It seemed that I was naked all the time now, which was wonderful, since my muscled hottie of a man was also quite gloriously naked.
“Look at that,” I said. “I don’t even have to unwrap you.”
He chuckled, slapped me on the butt, which made me yelp and jump, then swung out of bed taking his impressive morning wood with him.
He gave me a completely wicked grin, “Later. We’ve got some kids who are beside themselves.”
“Right. Kids.” I said focusing on his face again, and he laughed and pulled on a pair of sweatpants, leaving his chest bare. I dressed and glanced at the closed bathroom door.
“He’s fine. I checked him in the middle of the night.”
I smiled and opened the bedroom door. Duel plowed into me, and it was a good thing Boone was right at my back. That kid packed a wallop.
“Santa came! Santa came!”
“Wow!” I said as I pulled him into my arms, giving him a morning kiss. Henry was right behind him, trying to be a mature eight-year-old, but his eyes were dancing.
Boone swung him up into his arms. “First presents, then Christmas brunch with everyone,” Boone said as I followed him out to the living room.
Our kids—God it felt so good to say that—tore into the presents, Duel jumping up and down about his big wheel.
Our presents littered the coffee table, and wrapping paper was scattered all over the floor. I looked around, acting confused.
“Boone,” I said, “I think there are a couple missing.”
“Really,” he acted surprised and dismayed. “Let me look.”
As he left, I said, “Come here, you two.”
They settled next to me on the sofa. “Boone? Did you find it,” I called.
“Yeah, I got it.”
He came around the corner holding Bonkers in his arms. “Pretty doggy!”
“Gentle,” he said as Duel reached out his hand.
Henry sat next to me, and I looked down at him. He swallowed hard. I wrapped my arm around him. “Go on, Henry. He’s going to be okay.”
Henry hugged me hard around the waist before jumping up and dashing over.
He went to his knees, and Bonkers, still recovering padded slowly over to Henry.
When Henry picked him up, his little pink tongue came out and licked his face.
“Doggie kisses for Christmas are the best,” he whispered as tears tracked down his face.
Henry set the dog down, scrambled across the floor and wrapped his arms around Boone’s neck. Boone closed his eyes and held the little boy he’d forged a special bond with almost two years ago.
“Can I call you Daddy?” Henry asked, his voice hushed.
Boone looked over at me, and I smiled while our gazes held. “Yes,” he said as his eyes stayed on mine. He rose with Henry in his arms. Reaching for an envelope on the mantel, he handed it to Henry. “In fact, it’s official. You’re now our son.”
Henry took the envelope and pulled out the papers.
Obviously he couldn’t really understand all the legal mumbo-jumbo, but his little index finger trailed over our signatures.
He looked over at me with so much joy in his eyes.
“I had a mom and she was the best,” he said.
“But, I think you’re pretty close. Can I call you V-mom? ”
I laughed as Bonkers shuffled around Boone’s feet and Duel laughed at his antics.
I rose and went to them, picked up Bonkers who licked my face and wiggled to get closer to Henry.
I leaned over and he got my kisses and Bonker’s as a bonus.
“Of course you can. I would be so honored to be considered in the same vein as your mom. We love you, Henry.”
Miracles, indeed.
***
BOONE
Bourbon Street was jumping, with music and laughter spilling out of doorways, rippling up and down the street. The six of us had hit just about every bar, and all of us were a bit woozy from Hurricanes. I certainly wasn’t feeling any pain.
Henry was thriving. There was a nightmare here and there, but he was weathering the changes in his life like a trooper. I made a silent promise to Sharon that we would raise her son as our own. We would make sure he was loved every day.
Verity had her surgery scheduled in two weeks, and Breebree’s IVF was scheduled right before Duel’s birthday. We sure would have something to celebrate.
Verity looked crazy beautiful in that white two-piece dress, and I couldn’t wait to get it off her.
So later after the festivities were over and midnight had come, along with plenty of kisses, we sneaked out to Aubree and Booker’s grassy courtyard and lay in the grass looking up at the stars.
Fireworks were still lighting up the sky.
I sat up, and she rolled to her stomach. Her hands across my lap, her delectable shoulder only inches from my mouth. I grabbed the strap and pulled it down while I said, “You are so goddamned beautiful. I want to do you under the stars.”
She threw her head back and laughed, her smile wide, beautiful, and breathtaking. “You are such a wicked and dangerous Outlaw.”
I grinned. “I know.” I kissed her shoulder.
Narrowing her eyes at me, she crooked her finger.
Curious to know what she had up her…proverbial sleeve, I complied. Finding her mouth, I gave her a long, wet kiss. “Hey, babe. Wanna go for a ride?”
She laughed against my mouth, giving my hair a sharp tug. “I’m on to your little swoon tricks, mister.”
I trailed my tongue across her bottom lip. “You like ’em. You gave me riding leathers for Christmas.”
“Yes I do, and I did.”
Drawing a full breath around the renewed warmth in my chest, I whispered against her mouth. “I love you, Verity.” Not giving her a chance to respond, I just kissed her again, sliding my hand under her tutu, stroking her inner thigh. “So, stars? Doing you? What do you say?”
She ran her hands over my hair while peeking at me through her lashes. Then she gave me a hard hug, tipping her head back and watching me, laughter and love shining in her eyes. “Do I get the wheel?”
I laughed and rested my forehead against hers. “Somebody better take the damn wheel. You’re gunning my engine.”
Verity ran her hands up my back, then shifted so she was straddling my legs.
Taking my face between her hands, she lowered her head and gave me a kiss that sent my heart into overdrive.
“Then hang on, sugar,” she said, her voice husky.
“We’re going to find out how fast you can get from zero to sixty. ”
I laughed against her mouth. “Hell, happy freaking New Year to me.”
And we started it off right, the beginning of something so amazing. It would be a hell of a ride, and I’d hang onto this woman for dear life all the way to the end of the road.
********
The stories in Hope Parish continue with Braxton Outlaw and River Pearl Sutton as they struggle with finding the right timing in a busy life and a surprise River Pearl discovers that could change everything.
Is Braxton really worried about making sure everything is perfect or is there something holding him back from popping the question?
You’re invited to maybe not something exactly perfect, but to the start of something big.
Come back to Hope Parish for the conclusion of this novella trilogy with the release of A Perfect Question !
Thank you!
Thanks for reading A Perfect Holiday . I hope you enjoyed it!