Epilogue
I watched my reflection in the mirror with a smile on my face. It was a serene smile, but the woman who stared back at me wasn't just at ease with herself; she was happy. Almost giddy.
This was it. The day I'd been looking forward to for the past four months.
My skin was paler than usual from spending so much time indoors, but it was crystal clear and damn near glowing.
Hot pink cheeks and clear honey-brown eyes stared back at me.
My face was slightly fuller than usual, but I still felt beautiful.
The new bra made my boobs look amazing as I held my belly preciously.
"Hey, babe." Xavier stood in the doorway, a wide smile on his face as he looked at me in nothing but my underwear. "Lookin' good. Really good. You wanna fool around before everyone gets here?" He wiggled his brows, making me laugh.
I rolled my eyes. "I always want to fool around with you, my sexy mountain man.
" That much was true. In fact, it was exactly how I'd gotten into this position, fooling around with my sexy husband-to-be.
"But do we have time?" I pretended to peek over his shoulder even though there was nothing to be seen; I knew guests had been arriving for close to an hour.
He shrugged. "Mom showed up early with a brand-new dress for Violet, who's wandering around like the world's prettiest princess.
She's bossing everyone around—Mom, not Violet—so yeah, I'd say we have time.
" He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing that sensitive spot on my neck that I loved so much, the spot that drove me absolutely wild.
"Mmm," I moaned. "Are you trying to make me crazy?"
"Hell yes, I am. You're so damn beautiful, I can't help myself." He kissed me again, slowly, as his mouth tortured my neck and collarbone, the spot between my neck and shoulder.
"Xavier."
"That's exactly what I want to hear," he growled as one hand slid down into the waistband of my panties. His fingers brushed over my clit before dipping inside where I was hot and wet. Hungry for him.
"Babe, yes." My hips jerked up to meet his touch. "Yes."
"Whatever you kids are up to can wait!" Xavier's mother pounded on the bedroom door, her voice as effective as a fire hose.
My shoulders fell and so did his as simultaneous groans escaped us. "She has impeccable timing."
A laugh escaped me. "I guess we'll have to wait until the shower is over."
Xavier groaned and held me close before removing his hand from my panties. "Later, then." He slipped those same two fingers into his mouth and groaned as he licked his lips.
"Such a naughty boy."
He chuckled. "Come on, babe. We have a lot to celebrate."
My hand instinctively went to my belly with a smile before we got dressed and headed out to the backyard, where our friends and family waited for the party to begin.
My pale green dress fluttered in the breeze as I welcomed our guests to our home.
My friends from Elite Nanny Service were all there.
Toni sat beside her husband, Brady, along with their new baby, Michael, who was being held by his sister Layla, who wore a loving look.
Molly and Colton hugged each other while Hunter ran around the yard laughing.
Their youngest was inside with Cathy and another nanny who were in charge of watching the littlest ones for the day.
Sasha and Alex were there, laughing and dancing even though no music was playing, probably giddy to have a few hours of freedom from Dixie and her younger sister, Pepper.
And Lucy and Dante sat with their heads together while Lena looked adorable in her dress as she skipped around the yard singing to herself.
Even Serenity had shown up with a handsome, bearded man who looked as if he spent most of his days outdoors like Xavier.
"Ladies, you all look beautiful! Thank you so much for coming to celebrate with us. "
Toni laughed. "Are you kidding? A chance to say I told you so and drink booze on someone else's dime sounds like my kind of party. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thank you." My cheeks turned pink at her words, and all the women laughed.
"Don't let Toni razz you," Lucy said with a smile. "We're all here and happy with our babies because we fell for sexy single fathers. Embrace it. You're getting your happy ending, right?"
I nodded. "Definitely." My gaze found Xavier chatting with Nate, who doted adorably on Violet. The way his family had embraced her and me was a beautiful thing, and it made me feel as if I belonged. Like I was a part of a family again.
Xavier's gaze landed on mine, and a beautiful smile lit his face as he made his way to me.
It was time to welcome our guests. "Everyone," he called out and then whistled.
"Ah, okay. Thank you all for coming to celebrate this momentous occasion with us.
" He wrapped an arm around me. "I met this gorgeous woman because my baby girl landed on my doorstep, and now we're here to welcome two more little additions to our family.
Soon." His big hand landed on my belly, and his eyes widened when one of the twins kicked. "Feisty."
"Anyway, we have food and booze, enough to feed you all for as long as you want to stay. But first, we have a special surprise."
I held my breath as the justice of the peace stepped out and our loved ones gasped and murmured among themselves.
"What? You're getting married today and you didn't tell me!" Xavier's mother was equal parts outraged and excited.
"I don't want a spectacle, Mom. I just want Rosalee to be my wife." He looked down at me and kissed my cheek. "You ready?" he asked softly in my ear.
"I've been ready for months." That was the truth. I loved Xavier, and I wanted to marry him very badly, but he wanted to plan something special, and I couldn't refuse him anything. "In a few minutes, there will be no backing out."
He chuckled softly. "Remember that when Mom and Nate start to get on your nerves."
"You're worth it," I replied with a happy smile.
Ten minutes later, I was Mrs. Rosalee Holloway, and right there on the mountaintop, I kissed my grumpy mountain man with everything I had while our babies danced between us.
It was the happiest moment of my life, not just because I'd found the man of my dreams, but because the road we took to get here was bumpy with lots of twists and turns.
We earned this happy ending, and that made it all the sweeter. "I love you, Rosalee."
"I love you too, Xavier. More than I can say at the moment."
"That's okay. You can show me later."
I laughed and wrapped my arms around him, kissing him again as if this were any other day, as if we were completely alone on our mountain with the wind brushing against us and the birds singing above us.
It was everything I ever wanted: a good man to love, a sweet little girl, and two little babies on the way.
This was my life.
And it was perfect.
The End