Epilogue 8 Months Later - Daisy
I lay in bed watching Jim coo over the bundle in his arms. Our daughter blinked back at him, staring at her father with newborn confusion.
It had been an emotionally hard pregnancy, but Jim had been there every step of the way. All the appointments, scans, health checks, scares. He’d turned up for anything and everything.
He’d soothed my fears with action. He’d definitely been there for the birth…again. Rubbing my back, encouraging me, soothing me, loving me. Helping me give birth to our big baby girl at full term.
He looked at me with tears in his eyes, and reached out his hand to grasp mine.
“She’s beautiful. A beautiful little princess. Well done, My Queen.”
He gave me a deep kiss and steadied himself around me, then passed her to me. I snuggled her in my arms, and she frowned at me.
“I remember the last time we sat like this,” he rumbled. “He was beautiful too. Absolute perfection. I wonder what he’d think of her.”
I smiled. “He’d love her.”
We gazed at our little Rose Lucille Thorne as she slowly drifted to sleep.
“You’re going to have to update your tattoo,” I told Jim.
He hummed questioningly in response.
“You’re going to have to add Baby James’s name to his birthdate. Maybe when you add Rose,” I elaborated.
“You noticed?” He sounded surprised.
“I trace it every night, didn’t you notice?” I responded.
He rubbed his chin against my ear. “I thought you just like feeling my chest,” he mumbled.
“Oh, I do,” I agreed. “That’s why Rose is here.”
He chuckled.
We sat admiring our daughter for a few minutes, until I felt him take a deep breath.
“What are you stressed about?” I muttered.
“Just wondering,” he replied. “How would you feel if I gave you jewelry?”
I glanced at him. “What jewelry?” I asked suspiciously. He pulled a ring box out of his pocket and opened it. Inside was a gorgeous diamond engagement ring in the shape of a flower.
“I want you to marry me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you. I want to share our fun together, and never miss another moment apart.” He paused. “Please?”
I choked back a sob.
“Daisy?!” He panicked. I lifted my hand and put it on his mouth.
“Shhh, Jim. You have been with me since we met. Even when you weren’t there, I felt your support. I love you, and I trust you…and this ring will never leave my body. I want to marry you too.”
“Is that a yes?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
He grinned and rolled me and Rose into his body to kiss me.
Our wedding was held 6 months later. Bull was standing up for Jim, while Janie was on my side. That meant that all the kids were involved, including Dylan, who had stayed behind to live with Shaquilla when his father handed in his club patch and took off.
Dylan walked down the aisle with D2 on one arm, Stels on the other, looking so proud.
Ring bearer Manny ran down the carpet to his dad, despite being allocated to the flower boys, Horse and Bear.
They had hidden petals in every pocket they could find.
Horse seriously enjoyed the role. Bear still played the straight face, but his grin broke through his gruff exterior as he watched his friend fool around on the carpet.
I followed Janie down the red carpet with Eric carrying Rosie beside me.
It was only right that Eric walked with me.
If he hadn’t jumped in to a fight to save his Granny, I never would have reconnected with Jim.
The sun hit BJs plaque and it glinted perfectly as Jim took my hands as soon as I stepped up beside him, and the celebrant began the ceremony.
“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here to witness the marriage of two wonderful souls. Through hardships, trials, and tribulations, these two have proven their love and devotion. Today, they will promise to stay true to each other, to share their desires, and live forever more in each other’s hearts. ”