Epilogue
Forrest never dropped Jordana’s hand even when Rowan, Gavin, and the hospital’s doctor and nurse Jen examined him, took blood, and brought in a portable X-ray machine to verify that all still looked well.
Jordana held his hand through physical therapy.
Through Peter and Karri’s wedding, which they watched from his hospital bed as his family video-called him so Forrest could feel part of it.
Through the sleepless nights in the hospital, through more walks up and down the hall than he could count, and then she held his hand as they walked back into their home over a week later.
A home filled with all the people he loved.
However, he wasn’t the only Townsend with news.
Granger and Olivia glowed with their pregnancy news.
Food was served, drinks were flowing, and congratulations were given.
It felt surreal to Forrest. He’d fallen in love, died, and had been brought back so that he could love his future wife and family.
He didn’t care that he was still in pain or that it hurt like the devil when he coughed.
None of that mattered. The only things that mattered were the people in this house right now.
“Jordana,” Rowan said, joining them. “Can I borrow my brother for a moment?”
Jordana looked over to Forrest and he nodded with a smile as his sisters-in-law swooped in and hugged Jordana.
Forrest didn’t say anything as they walked out back of the house. “Wow,” Forrest said, looking around the goat kingdom. “The guys have been busy. A tall privacy fence was now surrounding the backyard and Blackbeard had a palace of a goathouse to climb, jump, and sleep in.
“Yeah, the guys did it as an engagement gift,” Rowan told him.
“Damn,” Forrest said, taking a deep breath. “I think I’ve cried more in the past week than my entire life.”
“There’s life and death—you’ve been through both in the past week. But, I got it.”
Forrest perked up. “The exact one?”
“Yup.”
Forrest could barely contain his excitement as Rowan pulled the ring box from his pocket and handed it to him.
Forrest had seen the ring as he shopped for one online when Miss Ruby and Miss Winnie had forced Jordana to go home to shower and eat.
The ring was from a local jeweler. He knew it was meant for Jordana the second he’d seen it.
Forrest opened the box and Blackbeard screamed. Or it might have been Forrest. He didn’t know. Either way, both he and the goat were happy.
“Thank you, Ro. I only hope you find this feeling.”
Forrest closed the lid and headed back inside. Now that he had the ring, he couldn’t wait to put it on Jordana’s finger. A finger that still wore the medical tape ring. Forrest rejoined Jordana and slipped his hand into hers. “Let’s thank everyone,” he whispered to her.
Jordana nodded and told her soon-to-be family she’d be right back. Forrest tried to act casual as they walked to the edge of the living room. He didn’t know if he pulled it off since Jordana kept casting him strange glances.
“Excuse me.” Forrest waited for the crowd to settle down before he began. “Thank you all for taking care of me, for saving my life, for helping Pedro take down a huge crime organization, and for taking care of Jordana while I’ve been in the hospital.”
Pedro smiled and nodded as well. He might not have been in Brazil, but he’d spearheaded the raids and takedowns from the Bells’ house.
Hunter had particularly enjoyed helping out.
Also, it shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise, but Miss Mitzi had a deviously talented mind for military campaigns.
Plus, she always came with food, so it was a win-win for Pedro.
Pedro had sent in a group of aides to check on Tuka and his village. They were almost finished repairing the water equipment and had three leaders from their closest tribal neighbors with them to teach them how to build their own.
“But most of all, I want to thank Jordana.” Everyone clapped and cheered. Jordana wrinkled her nose, even as she smiled at him. “For waiting for me to finally make her a proper fiancée.”
It wasn’t smooth and it wasn’t without pain, but Forrest managed to get down on one knee and hold up the ring. “Jordana Alves, will you still marry me?”
Her hands cupped his face as she smiled with all her love at him. “You can ask me every day and every day the answer will be yes.”
Damon smiled as he watched Forrest slip the ring he and Rowan had gone and picked up onto Jordana’s finger.
He’d dropped some hints to Rowan that maybe he too should be looking at rings.
But just like the rest of Damon’s siblings, Rowan thought he knew better.
When would they learn that Damon was always right?
“He’s so happy,” Rowan told him as he handed Damon a glass of Barrel Creek Bourbon.
“He is. And so is she. It’s because of you, Rowan. You saved him. You know that, right? It wasn’t Jordana hooked up to him donating blood. It wasn’t Gavin. It wasn’t Kenzie. It was you. You saved him.”
Rowan took a sip of his favorite bourbon. “I guess it’s a good thing you helped me pay for medical school.”
“Worth every cent. And you’re worth it too, Rowan.
You take too much on yourself. While I appreciate and can’t even begin to explain how much it means that you saved Forrest, you can’t save everyone.
You’re a brilliant surgeon, but you need to take a step back before you burn out.
You can’t help anyone if you’re not in good shape. ”
“Could you say no to a parent begging you to try to save their child’s life when you know that you are literally their last resort?”
“I know it’s hard, Rowan. But if you’re not rested you can’t help anyone, including those parents.”
Rowan shot back the last of his bourbon. “I’m going to go give my congratulations to the happy couple.”
“A wife would give you a center and a home to come back to after a hard day. Love has a way to heal, even when you’re not the one hurt.”
“Hey, Damon,” Rowan said, turning back to him. “I’m going to say this as nicely as possible because I love you. But, fu—” Blackbeard screamed from the top of his castle so Damon couldn’t hear for a second. “Off.”
Damon took another sip of bourbon and shook his head. He turned to Blackbeard and shook his head. “He’ll learn sooner rather than later that I’m always right,” he told the goat from where he stood at the open back door.
Damon tossed back the rest of the bourbon and watched the celebration.
“You look like you want to murder someone,” Stone said as he saddled up next to him.
“I’m thrilled to become an uncle,” Damon told him. “But I also know how I became one. The asshole slept with our sister.”
Stone chuckled. “He’s supposed to, you know. He is married to her.”
Damon grumbled again.
“You missed the news,” Stone said, redirecting the conversation away from their new roles as uncles-to-be.
“Pedro is staying in the United States. President Vara appointed him to be Brazil’s representative to the United Nations.
Tuka—the next leader of the tribe Forrest stayed with—well, he’s going to come to the UN and speak about the and the effects of illegal activity in the and tell them about Forrest’s invention. ”
That was news that made him smile. “Good. I like Pedro as much as Jordana. And Forrest deserves recognition for his work.”
“You liked that Pedro was impressed with your ability to break Afonso’s neck.”
“We all have our talents.” Damon paused and then glanced at Liv and Jordana. “Did you hear that the pharmaceutical companies are in a bidding war over Jordana’s new medication? Liv is negotiating it,” Damon said proudly.
“I did. It’s truly life-changing in more ways than one.” Stone was quiet for a moment. “Have you heard from Pen? Natalie talked to her after Forrest’s surgery and said she sounded relieved, but melancholy. Nat thinks we were too hard on Nico.”
“I will always do what’s best for my family, even if they don’t realize it or appreciate it.” Damon looked at Rowan and sighed.
“Yeah, I agree with that one. But what about Pen?” Stone asked again.
“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Damon nodded his chin to the newcomer currently gently hugging Forrest and being introduced to her new sister.
A huge smile broke out on Stone’s face as he rushed over with the rest of the family to welcome Penelope back.
It took a while, but eventually Pen made her way over to him.
Damon opened his arms and Pen stepped into them, burying her head against his chest as he hugged her.
“Thanks for sending me the plane ticket. I was just going to video call, but the ticket had nonrefundable stamped on it. I didn’t want to waste your money.
Plus, it does feel good to see everyone. ”
“I’m glad you came too, Pen. How are you? Still mad at me?” Damon asked, ready to take whatever abuse she was going to throw his way.
“No. I understand why you did what you did. Plus, if he really wants me, he could find me. I want a man who isn’t afraid of my big brother.
Like Granger wasn’t.” Pen’s shoulder shrugged.
“I guess Nico wasn’t the man I thought he was.
” Pen looked back into the room. “Forrest seems happy. Jordana is lovely. Her smile just makes me smile. Plus, Jordana is gorgeous, inside and out. We’re going to have the cutest nieces and nephews.
I can’t wait to be Aunt Pen. Oh, I wanted to suggest a baby name to Liv.
” Pen raised up on tiptoe with a smile and kissed his cheek just like she used to when she was little.
However, she wasn’t little anymore. She was strong enough to laugh and celebrate with a broken heart. He’d never been prouder of her.
“I hear you’re going to New York next week.” Pedro, now on a walker, joined him. He’d be up and moving without aid soon.
Damon stopped scowling. He liked Pedro. A lot. “I am. I’m going to my shop to work on a custom bike for a couple of weeks.”
“Want a ride? The president is chartering a private plane to take me to my new home in New York. I thought you could show me around and we could have dinner,” Pedro said it as if it were a suggestion, but the fact that it was an order just made Damon’s lips twitch with amusement and respect.
“I’d like that, Pedro. I can show you my shop if you want.”
Pedro made a dismissive sound. “You are my son’s brother. Do you know what that makes you?”
“Your in-law to-be?”
“Bah, it makes you my son too. Overnight I went from only having Jordana to having Forrest and all you Townsends as my family. So, stop with this Pedro stuff. Call me Papai.”
Damon was touched, truly, but that was a hard no. “I am not calling you Daddy.”
Pedro smirked with amusement. “You should have seen Forrest trying to respectfully decline. Made my whole day. But, Damon, even if you won’t call me papai, know that you can call me anytime you need help.
It’s hard always being so in control. Trust me, I know.
I wasn’t lying that I think of you now as all my sons and daughters.
I hope you know you can turn to me for help and I’ll always be there.
Even if it’s to drink away the fact that your youngest sister is in love with a ‘former’ mafia boss. ”
“Wow, you really are already part of the family.”
“Kane talks a lot.”
Damon laughed and Forrest caught his eye and smiled. He lifted his glass in a silent salute and Damon returned it. His eyes traveled to Rowan, who was talking to Granger, Liv, and Pen. “Hey, Pedro, what advice do you have to get that one married off?”
Pedro followed Damon’s line of sight and smiled. “He’s a stubborn one. With that one, I would tell him not to get married.”
“Hmm,” Damon thought. “You might be onto something.” Damon held up his glass of bourbon and clinked the glass Pedro was holding. “To Rowan not getting married.”
Damon smirked and Pedro shook his head. “It’s a good thing you’re my son now or I’d be scared.”
“Rowan isn’t the only Townsend who is stubborn. It’s about time he remembered he learned everything from me.”
Pedro chuckled and together they looked out over the Townsends, the Faulkners, the Langstons, the women from the weapons class, the way Reverend Winston and Melinda were now holding hands, and the way Mary still hadn’t left Shadows Landing.
Instead, she and Skeeter were leading a lively talk about ghost stories with the Langston kids.
Damon had never thought he’d find a home in a small town founded by pirates, but here he was.
Soon Rowan would find love and soon Pen would be brought back to Shadows Landing permanently.
Not that any man was good enough for her, but that didn’t mean Damon didn’t have plans to bring her here anyway.
Not all of his siblings needed to marry, but they did need to be together.
Maybe he could bring back spinster aunts.
Either way, soon Damon would have his whole family happily settled in Shadows Landing, and that deserved a cheers.
Damon held up his glass to toast himself. Blackbeard screamed.
THE END