Epilogue
Willow
Two weeks later
“You sure you don’t want me to get you a patched cut?” Haze raises a brow. “Property of—”
I put my hand over his mouth. “Don’t even say it.”
He grins beneath my palm, his other hand rises to cup one side of my face. “Don’t even think about gettin’ off that couch.”
I huff. He’s had me holed up here at his place, on the couch, surfing Netflix, but apparently there’s only so much chilling you can do. “You’re so bossy.”
“I have to be. If you had your way, you’d be back at work in two seconds flat, injuries and all.”
Well, there is that. My knee needed reconstructive surgery, and my collarbone is still healing, but the bruises are fading every day. And I have Haze by my side.
I smile. “Did I tell you how much I love you today?”
“Uh oh. You been internet shoppin’ again?”
I snort. I hate shopping, but he likes to wind me up.
He leans in to kiss me, but Crunch blocks him, shifting from my belly to sit on my neck. He’s needy like that.
“Cock-blocked by my own son,” Haze murmurs. “Shoulda left you in your cage so Mommy and Daddy can make out.”
I snort because he’s kidding. I still have my knee plastered up, and my arm in a sling, so I’m not exactly the sexiest woman on the planet. “Right, I know you really mean making me cups of tea and bringing me food.” He’s a wonderful maid.
Being with Haze at home has been nice, though. He’s very attentive and fusses over me a lot — something I’m told I have to get used to.
“A man can dream.”
In actual fact, Haze has been the one avoiding even kissing me at first. He didn’t want to hurt me, not that he ever could, but it’s hard to get intimate when you have broken bones.
“Yes, he can. Since my mom, Mitch and Bongo are staying at my place, I thought we could at least—”
“Don’t even think about it, not till you’re healed. I know I joke, but that’s all it is. Don’t want you havin’ to go back to the hospital.”
My mom flew in the day after I was taken to the hospital with Mitch and Bongo.
It’s been wonderful catching up with them and meeting their gorgeous Puppy.
I know it’s gonna take some time, but I have realized a lot about myself these last few weeks.
I had always blamed her for leaving, but now I get why.
Do I hate my dad? Sometimes I wish I could, but we’re taking things one day at a time.
Haze reminded me I can cut toxic people out of my life, and he’s right. I know I can. But seeing my dad so choked up at the hospital changed something in both of us…
“I’m gonna make things right from now on. I promise,” he says, his eyes watering. “I’m so sorry. For all of this.”
“You need to make amends with Mom. Say you’re sorry and mean it. She left us because of the trauma you put her through.” Even though my mom had some mental issues she was dealing with at the time, Dad certainly didn’t help.
He nods slowly. “I never meant to be an asshole. It’s how I was raised, and I know that’s no excuse. I will speak to her, not that it’ll do any good because I don’t deserve forgiveness.”
At least he’s sorry. I’m not a fool to believe a leopard can change its spots, but there is always hope.
If I have to cut him out for good, then that’s what I’ll do. I’ve been so busy trying to fit into my father’s mold of what I should be, I’ve lost sight of what I truly want.
I never thought I’d have kids, but when my life almost got taken away from me, it changes you.
I can see little monsters running around the house, chasing each other as I scream at them to stop and Haze laughing because there is no way he could discipline them.
I kinda love that about him. How playful he is.
I’m not saying we’re gonna do that, but maybe.
“You don’t, but at least you’re not running away this time,” I say. “I know we’re never gonna be the Brady Bunch, but surely we can put the past behind us?”
He nods.
“And that means Haze,” I go on. “We’re together, Dad, and I’m not going to put up with you berating him and saying things about him. I know he punched you, but frankly, you deserved it because of what you said to Max, and that’s another thing—”
He holds up a hand. “You really are your father’s daughter,” he says, a small smile on his lips. “Me and Max will work on things. I promise.”
“Dad, your promises don’t mean much until we see some actual action.”
“I know that.” He pulls me into a hug. “I never want to see anything happen to you, or to Max. I wanted you to be the best you could be, and in doing that, I pushed both of you away.”
“You did,” I whisper. “I only ever wanted to make you proud.”
He pulls back. “I am proud. Did you really think I wasn’t?”
I shrug. “You’ve never said those words to me, ever.”
An understanding passes between us. I don’t know if he will really change, but time will tell. There are no more second chances.
“I’ll do better, Willow. I’m sorry.”
I sigh. Things have been better since that day, and while Dad is never gonna be a regular dad, he’s trying.
He flew home a few days ago, after having coffee with my mom, and the conversation went well.
I’m glad he’s keeping his promises, but I have no illusions that things will be rosy.
Time heals all wounds, I guess. And as for me and Haze? We’ve never been stronger.
Haze boops me on the nose. “Lost you there for a second.”
I smile softly. “Just thinking about my mom and dad, wow, that was kinda out of the blue.”
“Shit yeah. I guess them having coffee at Muso means your mom has the protection of the MC. It was good of her to agree to sitting down with him. She’s a very brave woman.”
“She is,” I say. “I’m so proud of her. It’s also helped me heal a little from the resentment I held over her leaving. Now I get it more than she could ever know.”
“You think your dad will really change?”
“Time will tell,” I say, kissing Crunch on the head. “We all have our crosses to bear.”
“As long as you’re not crossin’ them with me.” He kisses my nose softly. “I never want you out of my sight ever again, Little One. I don’t know what I’d do if anythin’ happened to you like that again.”
“I guess a desk job isn’t looking so glum after all?” I will be returning to work, I hope, in a month’s time, if my knee heals like it’s supposed to. Until then, it’s house duties only.
“No, it isn’t, neither does moving in with me here.”
I cup his face with one hand. “What about my place?”
He humphs. “Not livin’ in a fuckin’ hotel. Anyway, when you’re better, you can sort out that garden you’re always complainin’ about.”
“Did I tell you today how much I love you?”
“Nope. I don’t recall that you did.”
“Well, I do.” I lean forward so my lips meet his. “So much.”
“I love you, too, but if you keep tryin’ to seduce me, you’re gonna have to watch me whack off again.”
“That was rather pleasant.”
He grins. “I’ll give you pleasant on that cute little ass as soon as I’m able to spank it again.”
“Do you promise?”
“Oh, yeah.”
I could get used to this. Him, me and Crunch. Taking one day at a time.
And that’s exactly what I plan to do.
Haze
Two months later
“So what do you think about me datin’ Nova?” Sawyer asks out of nowhere.
I grunt. “Now I know you’re seriously not askin’ me that.”
“Well, she’s on datin’ apps, that’s all I’m sayin’. I couldn’t be worse than some random fuckwit, surely.”
I frown at him. “How do you know she’s on datin’ apps?”
“We’re friends.” He shrugs. “She shows me some of the messages she gets.”
When the fuck did this ‘friendship’ go down?
I frown a whole lot more. “You fuckin’ her? For real?”
“Nope. Not even close, but some of the fuckin’ creeps she tells me about. Wow. It’d make your head spin.”
“Jesus. H. Christ. Need to put a trackin’ device on her, too,” I mutter.
“Well, you could always plant one on her, not that she ever remembers her purse.”
“Does she ever go meet any of these men?”
“Sometimes. For a drink. No hook ups.”
Somehow, that’s a relief.
“Right, just a drink.”
“That’s what she says. She’s looking for the one.”
I snort. “Oh, and you think you’re it?”
“Didn’t say that, but she’s cool, ya know. She’s not like other chicks.”
“I’m warnin’ you now, since you’re friends — Nova finds trouble like she finds the cookie jar every mornin’ in the lunchroom.”
“It’s okay. Sometimes she lets me tag along.”
“To her date?”
He shrugs. “Well, you can’t be too careful these days.”
“How does that work exactly? You sit in the back while she makes out with some stranger?”
“No, they don’t make out. I just make sure she’s safe.”
I rub my chin. Sawyer wouldn’t be bad for Nova, but I know she can’t stick to anything. Granted, she’s done well staying in New Orleans as long as she has, but by the look on Sawyer’s face, I’d say he’s pretty smitten.
“Well, just keep doin’ that, just don’t get your hand caught in the cookie jar.”
“What if I did, though? Some of these fuckin’ assholes are unbelievable. She has no clue about how a real man should treat her.”
I study him for a second, his face serious as he contemplates his own words. I pat him on the back hard. “Got my blessin’, Brew, though? They’ve always been close, so don’t expect a parade in your honor.”
I don’t like the idea of some weird guy and my cousin, even if she is a grown woman. Women aren’t safe these days, and that’s just a sad fact.
After all the shit that went down with Willow, the compound was raided.
They found lots of illegal shit like cigars, weapons and drugs.
The vehicle that was meant to show up for Willow never came, so we’re still looking into The Directors.
As for Connor? He ended up making it, and was exonerated for the murders Clare/Jane set him up for.
I actually ended up feeling pretty sorry for the dude.
He always came across so shady, aside from being an annoying little prick who wouldn’t leave Willow alone, he was as clean as a whistle.
It took a few months of recovery with Willow’s knee reconstruction, and it’ll never work quite as well as it did before, but she’s back moving around. It could be a year until it’s fully healed, but she’s on light duties at work, and that makes me feel a little bitter. For now.
“Hey,” Willow says from the doorway.
I look up from the desk. “Hey, what are you doin’ here?”
“Hi, Sawyer.”
“Hi, Buttercup.” He stands. “And that’s my cue to leave.”
Sawyer shuts the door behind him.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Willow says, then reaches into the box she’s holding. “Look!”
I stand, walking over to her and peer inside it. Then I look up at her. “A friend for Crunch?”
“Yep!”
“Please tell me it’s not a girl, we don’t want a hundred bunnies hoppin’ around the house.”
“It’s not, silly,” she laughs. “Luna called and said they needed urgent care. Another rescue due for the meat farm. God, people are so disgusting, they’ll eat anything.”
I carefully reach my hand in and pull him out. He’s white with gray markings. He wiggles his little nose, and I pull him to my chest. “He’s sweet.”
“He’s scared. Luna said he doesn’t mind being picked up, but on his terms. It looks like he kinda likes you, though.”
“Crunch is gonna love it,” I say, bending down to kiss her. “You did good.”
“Well, he’s not out of the woods yet. I think a gentle introduction might be better.”
“Whatever you say, boss lady.”
She reaches up onto her tippy toes to kiss me again. “I knew you’d love him.”
“We need to think of a name.”
“I already thought of one,” she says, clearing her throat. “What about Munch?”
I pop a brow. “Munch? So we’d have Munch and Crunch?”
“What? That’s so cute.”
“If that’s what makes you happy, Mrs. Dawson.”
“Shut up and kiss me, Mr. Dawson.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Her lips are soft, sensual, beautiful.
We’ve been in a bit of a love bubble now for quite a while, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Back together, where we belong.
It’s the only place I ever want to be.