Chapter 37 – Epilogue – Clay
A few months later...
“Congratulations, Uncle Clay.”
“Thanks, Wilder,” I reply with a grin.
“You think it’ll be twins?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Hopefully not. I don’t think the world’s ready for another Cody and Wilder Cameron duo.”
Wilder chuckles, then leans in slightly. “You know, she was my first crush.”
“Maggie?” I raise an eyebrow.
He nods, a nostalgic smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah. I always thought she was the coolest babysitter. She somehow put up with me, Cody, and Georgia, and still managed to keep us in line. I think she’s going to be an amazing mom.”
I smile, warmth spreading in my chest. “I think so too. Enjoy the party—I’m gonna go find her.”
Wilder flashes a grin before heading off toward the pool, diving in to join his friends.
I scan the backyard of Ashwood Ranch until my eyes land on Maggie.
She’s over by the table near the firepit, loading up on snacks that have been keeping the morning sickness at bay, looking effortlessly breathtaking in a simple summer dress.
But it doesn’t matter what she wears—she’ll always be the most beautiful woman in the room to me.
I close the distance between us, the space feeling like too much, as if I’m still not quite worthy of it. But when I reach her, all that fades away.
“Let’s get out of here...” I murmur into Maggie’s ear as I wrap my hands around her waist protectively, pressing her closer to my body.
“Already? The twin’s fourteenth birthday party just started.”
I shake my head, looking around at the mess of teenagers jumping off the ledge of the pool at Ashwood ranch while they dance to upbeat rock music.
“I mean out of here.”
She turns to face me and raises a brow, “What?”
“Let’s leave town. This town has been good to us, sure, but it’s also full of a lifetime that I don’t identify with anymore.”
She bites down on her bottom lip. “It brought us together...”
“Yes, but I want to make new memories with you, Maggie. If you want to stay, I’ll stay here too, but don’t stay for me.
I see how the women in this town whisper.
I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks about me and my past, but I don’t want you to ever feel uncomfortable being with me, and I sure as hell don’t want our child to grow up feeling out of place because of it.
Yeah, I had my wild days, but those days are gone.
We can always come back to Lonestar Junction when our kids are older.
But don’t you want to explore the world together first?
Make new memories in a place that doesn't know us?”
She nods her head slowly, taking in my words. “You said our kids. Plural.”
I rub her small belly, soaking in the way it curves gently in my palms and the firm kicks of our unborn child. “I like you pregnant. I’d like to keep you pregnant for the next few years, if that’s what you want too.”
She nods her head, chewing on her bottom lip deep in thought. “How do you feel about moving eastward? I’ve heard they pay better than Texas and techs are always in demand...”
I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her waist and nuzzling into her neck. “I’ve always loved the East Coast. Where were you thinking?”
“I’ve heard Georgia is beautiful. Maybe we could settle somewhere along the coastline, like Charleston. Do you think you could find work with the fire department there?”
I smile against her skin, tightening my hold on her. “Baby, it doesn’t matter what I do for work. As long as I’m with you, I’ll always be happy.”
THE END