Epilogue
It was all Paradise could do to keep a straight face. This surprise would blow Blake’s mind. Hez and Savannah were primed
and ready for picture taking. Paradise sneaked a glance across the truck at the strong planes and angles of Blake’s face and
the way his cowlick, just like Levi’s, stood up at his crown. Being married to him was the best.
The past four months of marriage had been, well, bliss. After all they’d been through, she knew him well, and he accepted
all her quirks without complaint—except for the way she left her hair ties strewn around the small apartment above Pawsome
Pets.
The cats played with them and left them in strange places—like his shoes. She was working on trying to remember to put them
in the bathroom drawer. The new primary bath had drawers with little compartments for everything. It had been the perfect
workaround—if she remembered. She’d had to adjust to how early he got up even when he didn’t have to work. She was becoming
just like him—up at five with her Bible on her lap. It wasn’t a bad thing.
Blake pulled into the newly blacktopped driveway and parked in front of the garage. “It’s all ours, per Frank. The last paint touch-ups are even finished. Ready, babe?”
“More than ready.” They’d been waiting for this moment since the wedding, and the best part was, they’d be able to have Christmas
in their new place.
They walked hand in hand to the front door, and she admired the lines of the home and the metal roof. “It’s so perfect, Blake.”
“You’re perfect.” He punched in the lock code, then pushed the door open wide.
Before she could react he swept her into his arms and carried her into the house. The scent of recently installed floors and
fresh paint swirled around them. She clung to his neck and her eyes burned with thankful tears as she stared into his blue
eyes. This moment was the culmination of all their dreams.
They were in their new home, planned from the ground up, but even more than that, she had something important to tell him.
He kissed her, and she clung to him a long moment before he set her on her feet. She held his hand and gazed at the high ceilings
and the tasteful greige wall color. Abby had helped her pick out the furniture, and light oak floors contrasted beautifully
with the area rug. And though it was everything she’d dreamed, Paradise would live with Blake in a barn at The Sanctuary.
They walked through the house, exclaiming over all the touches. The kitchen with its gray cabinets and mostly white granite
counters was even more beautiful than she’d hoped. They’d sleep here tonight for the first time, but there was one room she
couldn’t wait to show him.
“We haven’t seen the guest rooms. I want to see if they feel as large and comfortable with furniture in them as I’d hoped.”
He came along agreeably, and she strained to hear past the shut door ahead. Was that a giggle? The sound stopped, and she quickly started pointing out the beautiful woodwork and numerous outlets.
Her heart raced when she touched the doorknob to the smallest of the bedrooms. “Let’s start here.” She swung open the door
to a room filled with family and friends—Jenna and Frank, the boys, Drew, Clark, Abby, Hez and Savannah, Simon, and Mason
with his father. Hez was busy snapping pictures by the baby bed that Abby and Drew had erected for the surprise. The two of
them were still together and talking marriage, and Frank had already proposed and been accepted by Jenna. Paradise’s heart
was full with all the family and extended family.
Drew was settled into his new job at the Bon Secour sheriff’s substation, and he’d quickly found out his father’s side of
his family tree wasn’t much interested in a relationship beyond a distant one. His sister and brothers, as well as his grandparents,
blamed him for Bear’s prison sentence. Drew didn’t seem to care. He had Abby and Quinn now, and contentment oozed off him.
Plus one more.
Isaac sprang forward and launched himself against Blake’s legs. “Blake, you’re going to be a daddy!”
Blake gasped and stared at Paradise. “W-what? Are you . . . are we—?”
She motioned to Levi, who ran to give Blake a positive pregnancy test. Blake lost his color before it came surging back. He
whooped and scooped her up to swing her around. “A baby! We’re having a baby!”
Tears spilled onto her cheeks even as she laughed so hard her stomach hurt. “We’re due really close to our first anniversary.”
He set her down and stared around at all the ones who loved them so much. He walked over and touched the baby bed with a reverent
hand. “The oak will work for a boy or a girl.”
“It’s a girl,” Isaac announced. “I already know.”
Blake touched his brother on the head. “I hope so, buddy.”
“I want a nephew,” Levi said. “I can teach him how to climb trees.”
“I’ll teach him,” Isaac said. “I can climb better than you.”
“But we aren’t changing diapers,” Levi said.
Isaac nodded vigorously. “Uncles don’t do that.”
Paradise picked him up. “You’re going to be the best uncles in the world.”
“Okay, well, maybe I’ll change the diapers.” Isaac buried his face in her hair and ran his fingers through the long locks. “Will you still love
us when you have your own baby?”
“Even more,” she promised. She set him down and linked arms with Blake. “I think we pulled off the best surprise in the world.”
He took her in his arms. “The very best. And let me say I didn’t know I could love you any more, but I think I do.” Blake
pulled back and tenderly cradled her belly. “And our baby.”
Love nearly exploded her chest. She’d look back at this moment when things got hard as they always did in life. Everything
had been worth it.