Epilogue
THREE YEARS LATER
PORTER
I pause at the cabin door, listening to the soft sound of Reena singing quietly. She glides easily back and forth, swaying with our baby girl Roxanne in her arms.
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
During the week, we stay in town at the home Reena shared with her Uncle Cliff, but we make an effort to come up here on the weekends and enjoy the serenity of the mountain.
Between my work for the resort and the event planning business Reena has built, our lives were busy before our baby arrived, but everything we do has taken on new importance now.
We're building toward something, and my life is so full that it's hard to believe the lonely man I used to be ever existed.
Reena catches sight of me, placing one finger against her lips to tell me our little girl is sleeping. I love these two with everything I have.
My wife slips away, taking our baby into the bedroom to lay her down in the crib, and I carry the bundle of wood over to the fireplace. By the time Reena's returned, I've got the fire started and it's crackling quietly as the sun sinks down behind the peak.
"It's been a good weekend, hasn't it?" Reena sits down beside me on the couch, leaning her head on my shoulder and lacing her fingers with mine.
"It has. Do you feel ready for the fundraiser at the resort? Gloria's art show is really coming together."
She nods. "It is. Her suggestion that we use this as an opportunity to raise money for dementia research seemed like the perfect fit. And all the veterans that have been volunteering at the facility have agreed to bring the residents so they can see the show, too. It's working out well."
"I think having the service animals and their handlers coming to visit the care facility regularly has been something everyone has really benefited from.
And now that you're working with the Rescue and Restoration team on their events, that gives you even more opportunities to have them extend their reach with different groups. "
"It's been fulfilling." Reena doesn't protest when I slide my hands under her legs and pull her into my lap. "Being able to work with these different groups, to make a difference like this, it means so much to me. And it would never have happened without you."
"You'd have made it happen. Whatever you wanted, you'd have done it. I have no doubt about that."
"Have I ever told you that you were the best fake boyfriend I ever had?"
I chuckle, holding her close and relishing the way she melts against me. "I don't do things by half measures, love. It's all or nothing."
Her hands frame my face, and she leans in. "Good. Because I want all of you."
She presses her lips to mine, a kiss that is full of need, desire and love. My hands glide up under her shirt, trailing teasing patterns on her skin until she shivers.
And then I give her exactly what she's asking for. All of me.
All of my heart.