Epilogue
One Year Later
“Dance with me?” Walker whispers in my ear as he slides his warm hands around my waist and pulls me close. He knows I will always say yes to being in his arms and I love slow dancing with him, especially in our new kitchen as the large windows allow the final whispers of the day to flood the room while the sun sets. Freshly showered, I can smell his intoxicating body wash, and he sends shivers down my spine as he softly kisses me just below my ear, igniting a fire of desire within me.
“As long as there’s enough room for all of us.” I turn in his arms and slide my hands up his chest, locking them behind his neck. The tenderness and love reflected in his eyes only solidifies how cherished this man makes me feel every single day. I now crave his unwavering and steady love in my life as much as I require oxygen to breathe.
My ever-expanding belly has reached the point in pregnancy where the babies require extra room, but my husband is more than happy to accommodate space for his growing sons.
Walker and I never had the conversation officially defining the relationship. We didn’t need one when we both were completely consumed with one another. The two of us just kept dating and spending time together, knowing we belonged to each other .
Five months after our first official date at his house, he decided it was time to move to Forrest Falls instead of us going back and forth between here and Nashville. The timing was kismet—the day he officially put his Nashville house on the market was the same day I discovered my stomach bug was actually morning sickness. I should have paid closer attention in health class; the antibiotics I took the month before nullified my birth control and gave us quite the surprise.
When I told him that evening, he immediately dropped to one knee, pulled a small black box out of his pocket and proposed. He intended to propose when he arrived with the last of his moving boxes, but I believe everything worked out perfectly. The pregnancy also put our plans of building on a fast-track. Thankfully my brother Finn was well-prepared to handle my requests and demands, and maybe a hormonal-fueled melt down or two when certain building materials wouldn’t be available to meet our schedule.
A few weeks later, my doctor confirmed the pregnancy, and after she delivered another surprise by telling us we were having twins, we decided neither of us needed a big, fancy wedding.
We flew my family and best friends out to Walker’s family ranch in Texas. As the sun set on a Sunday evening, we were married at Walker’s favorite’s spot on a hill overlooking his family’s land. I knew we would likely stay in Tennessee, so getting married in Texas felt like a nice way to include his side, and the perfect place to intertwine our families while making vows to one another about our future. Walker hopes Eloise will consider his family’s land in Texas a second home, and we will eventually build a house near his brothers’ places. We were surrounded by our favorite people and so much love that even months later, it still overwhelms me, but I can in part blame the pregnancy hormones for the happy tears .
Finn was able to complete building our new home in under six months, and tonight marks three weeks in our new home. We didn’t build right next to Daddy’s house, but we did create a paved walkway the quarter mile between our two homes for frequent visits. When we moved in, Daddy gifted us a golf cart to make it even easier to visit him, especially with my pregnancy. Walker’s brothers gave Eloise a miniature pink four-wheeler for Christmas, and she loves to drive it next to us when we make the quick trip to my childhood home. Come springtime, Walker’s brothers will transport a few of their family’s horses from Texas to our land and they will be able to run alongside the walking path.
“How many times did you have to read the fairytale tonight, Prince Charming?” I nuzzle into Walker’s neck, inhaling deeply. The scent of his intoxicating body wash envelops me, triggering a flood of memories of our shared moments in the shower together.
Kissing my forehead, Walker gently spins me before pulling me close again. “Technically only once, but full disclosure, she made me read two other books after it.”
“You are such a sucker for her.” And I love that he is one too.
“Unapologetically. She’s the mini version of my obsession.” His eyes roam over my body and I know exactly where this evening is headed, and I’m here for it.
“You’re the very best, Walker. Which reminds me, I have a surprise for you.” I step out of his arms as he grumbles at the loss of me and grab the manilla envelope on the counter. “Consider it a delayed wedding present slash housewarming gift from your wife.”
Arching an eyebrow, he takes the envelope and reads the first page of the legal documents before a soft, audible gasp escapes his lips. His eyes shoot up to me. “Viv, baby, we talked about this. We don’t have to do this. Are you sure? ”
“Unapologetically.” The tears slide down my cheeks as he drops the papers on the counter and hauls me in for a breathtaking kiss. Slightly pulling back, he leans his forehead down against mine.
“Sugar, I love you so much. This is the best gift you could ever give me. Are you sure it’s okay?” Walker’s arms tighten slightly, as if I would ever say no to this and our family.
Trying to swipe away my tears that are now cascading, I nod. “Before the lawyer drafted any documents, I talked about it with Eloise. But this should also be something special for the two of you. Maybe you can ask her in your own way or do something to let her know you want the same thing.”
“She really wants me to adopt her?”
“You’re already the best daddy to her, and she wants the same last name her baby brothers will have. I know I hyphenated for her, but I will gladly drop the Stone from my name as well once we are all Bennetts.”
Walker gazes upward, inhales deeply, then directs his piercing gaze towards me. I’m a little surprised by the tears in his eyes, but I also know how much he loves my—our girl. He hugs me as tight as the babies will allow and I close my eyes, loving how it feels when he holds me.
“Baby, this is the best gift ever. She’s already mine, but I’d be so honored to say she’s legally my daughter and give her my name.” Walker’s voice is thick with emotion as he exhales a big breath. Pressing my face into his chest, I know he’s trying to control his emotions. He pulls back slightly, sliding one of his hands along my jaw, before leaning in and kissing me so deeply he would have knocked me off my feet if he weren’t holding me up with his other arm.
“Bennett family of five has a nice ring to it.” I wink at him.
“For now, but Sugar, we built a pretty big house so that number may grow as long as you’re willing to give me more babies.”
“Are we talking about having our own baseball team here or what?” He can’t seriously want nine kids, right?
“I would be okay with that, but I would also be happy with our own basketball team.”
“Five is more realistic than nine children, but how about we take it one at a time and go from there. You gave me so much, Walker. I want everything with you, especially anything that could bring even a fraction of how much happiness you’ve brought into our lives. Thank you for catching me when I fell hard and fast for you, honey.”
As our baby boys gently kick away inside my belly, my husband starts to sway again with me to our favorite song. In the comfort of Walker’s embrace, I know I am completely loved and safe, and it doesn’t matter where we are, as long as I’m in his arms, I’m home.
“Thank you for letting go and being willing to fall with me. I’ll catch you every single time, Sugar. You and our three babies are my world, and Viv, my gut says the best is yet to come.”
It’s a good thing my man’s gut is always right.
THE END