Epilogue
Rachel
The cool Alaskan breeze whipped my hair as I leaned against the railing of the cruise ship, watching glaciers drift by in the distance.
"Earth to Rachel." My mom's voice broke through my peaceful reverie. "Are you coming to trivia or what?"
I turned and my mom was grinning at me, Brad hovering just behind her shoulder. They'd been doing that a lot lately, orbiting each other like shy teenagers. Maybe I was a chip off the old block. Mom was almost fifteen years older than him. I held back a laugh at the thought.
How freaking weird would it be if my adopted mother and my bio father got together? I shook my head. It was equal parts adorable and nauseating.
"Wouldn't miss it," I said, linking arms with her. "Someone's gotta keep Brad from showing off all his useless knowledge."
Brad clutched his chest in mock offense. "Useless? Knowing all those national parks came in handy. It won you a ride in a glass-bottom kayak at yesterday's trivia challenge."
As we made our way to the lounge, I marveled at the unlikely family we'd cobbled together on this trip. Lulu and her father, my uncle, were already at a table, deep in conversation with Hao.
He'd really made an effort and had even gone to a couple of football games with Brad. The sight of the unlikely pair bonding over football stats and betting odds still threw me for a loop sometimes. If only they could've found something in common all those years ago, maybe things would've been different.
"You see the Hail Mary? In fourth quarter?" Hao was saying as we approached.
Brad's eyes lit up. "Yes! They nailed it!"
My mom rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Here we go again."
A whirlwind of energy descended upon us in the form of Derrick and his family. Both his parents came, as well as Valeria, Frankie, Maria, her husband, and all their kids.
"There you are!" his mom exclaimed, his father walking to the bar with Derrick in tow.
Ever since Derrick and I officially became a couple, she'd been sweet and gracious to me. It also helped that I might give her another grandchild. Not yet! But I knew it was her secret desire, and it was my desire too. One day.
"I've been looking everywhere for you. We need to discuss hashtags for Valeria and Frankie's wedding. I'm thinking hashtag FrankriaForever. What do you think?"
I shot a helpless look at my mom, who just smirked before turning her attention back to Brad. As soon as Frankie and Valeria announced their engagement, Derrick's mom turned her full attention on their wedding, and never once had she said anything against it.
Maybe her near-death experience made her appreciate what was really important in life. She hadn't said it, but there’d definitely been a shift since her health scare.
"Um, why don't we talk about it later?" I suggested. "After dinner."
Derrick walked up to me, slipped an arm around my waist, and pulled me aside.
"Do you think we can disappear for a bit?" he whispered.
"Why?" I asked. "We're meant to do the trivia thing."
"I'm not feeling too great."
I turned to him, concerned. "What's wrong?"
A mischievous twinkle entered his eyes. "Actually, I think I need a checkup. From my favorite nurse."
I fell into his side, heat rising in my cheeks. "Right now?"
He grinned, unrepentant. "I really need some medical attention."
I leaned in close, lowering my voice to a whisper. "God, we're turning into Eva and Ethan. They love to cosplay."
"Did you bring it?" he asked, undeterred, referring to my little nurse's outfit.
I bit my lip and then nodded. "Of course."
Derrick's eyes darkened with desire. "Well then, I think my condition just got a lot more serious. We should probably head back to our cabin."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You're a bad boy."
"You love it," he retorted. "And I brought my cuffs."
I faltered, desire rushing between my thighs. It had been nine months, and I still couldn't get enough of this man.
We walked out and hurried towards our suite (because, of course, Derrick had upgraded everyone to suites, and paid for all the tickets, the wonderful show-off). I couldn't help but marvel that this incredible person was mine.
Everything in my life was a total boss. My job at Coding for Change kicked ass. It was so fun working with Eva every day. It didn't even feel like work. And I'd started helping with the junior Roller Derby league, teaching grade school kids the game, which had been exhausting and amazing.
As soon as our cabin door closed behind us, Derrick pulled me close, his lips finding mine in a heated kiss.
"You know," I said, trailing a finger down his chest, "if we're going to play doctor, we really should get some new instruments. Maybe something that vibrates? Or that thing called The Rose that's meant to make me come in ten seconds flat."
Derrick laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. "That's too much to live up to. Isn't my instrument enough?"
"More than enough," I teased, pulling us onto the bed in a tangle of arms and legs as I snuggled into his chest.
"What are you thinking about?" Derrick murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
I turned to face him, tracing his beard with my fingertips. "Just how lucky I am."
He caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. "I know the feeling."
I wiggled my eyebrows playfully. "It's almost too perfect. You're not hiding any earth-shattering secrets, are you? No secret love child or anything?"
Derrick laughed. "No secret children, I promise. Isn't one enough in the relationship? Although…there is something I want to ask you." He trailed off, a flicker of something—nervousness? excitement?—passing over his face.
I propped myself up on an elbow. "Omg, you're not gonna ask me to marry you, are you?"
He took a deep breath. "Would you say yes?"
I squealed. "Don't tease me, Derrick Jacques. If you're gonna make a grand gesture on this trip, tell me now."
His eyes lit with panic.
"You are?!" I screamed and hugged him. "Yes, I say yes!"
Derrick laughed, burying his face in my hair. "I haven't asked you yet."
I reeled back. "But you're going to, right?"
He rolled his eyes. "Fuck, Rach. I wanted it to be a surprise."
I shot to my knees and bounced up and down on the mattress. "It will be. Whatever you're planning. But just know, I'll say yes. Are you going to do it tonight?"
"Let me at least have one surprise." He kissed me and then pulled back down. "But there is something else I was going to ask you first before you jumped ahead."
My heart skipped a beat. "What?"
"Move in with me when we get back."
I relaxed into his arms. "It's about damn time."
He laughed—half exasperation, half amusement. "So that's a yes?"
"A double yes. I'll move in and marry you. Do you know how much rent is in Manhattan? And you have a fucking townhouse. You do not need all that space. And—"I pressed my lips to his and held his bearded face—"I hate being away from you. If I could, I'd crawl inside you and make a home."
Derrick smiled, a mix of relief and excitement in his features. "You're crazy, you know that?"
"Yep, and that's why you love me." I gripped his wrists and slid his arms above his head. Before he realized what I was doing, I expertly cuffed his hands like he taught me. Having an ex-detective as your boyfriend had its perks in more than one way.
"Rachel," he said. A warning.
"Don't look at me like that. You know you love it." I smiled faux-innocently, unbuttoning his trousers and tugging them down his legs, his large, beautiful cock on full display.
"Rach…"
"Shhh." I slid my hand over his mouth and he bit the fleshy skin playfully. "It's time to play the quiet game."
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