Epilogue
LILY
After months of work, several setbacks, and lots of screaming, mostly by Jerry Lee, which has nothing to do with the actual salon construction—but I do know my mom will not be sad to see him go back to his home—the grooming salon is finally ready to be opened again.
Everyone is here for my Aunt Trish’s grand reopening.
By everyone I mean all our family and friends. Which includes everyone at the fire station as well.
“Who’s ready to see it?” Trish asks with Jerry Lee on her shoulder.
“Bitch! Jizz! Hot guy Jameson!”
I roll my lips together to hold back my laughter.
I look over at Sutton who’s so focused on holding her little baby boy in her arms that I don’t think she even paid attention to what Jerry Lee yelled.
Jameson has his arms around his family, and I smile at the sight.
I rest my hand on my own growing stomach as I think about that being us in just a couple more months.
Parker wraps his arms around my middle and rests his head on my shoulder as I lean back into him. He went back to work a little over a month ago, and even though it scares the shit out of me after what happened, I knew he would. He loves what he does and there’s no way I could suggest he stop.
We all wait as Trish unlocks the door to let everyone in. I’ve tried to see the place a few times, but she’s kept it extremely under wraps. As far as I know no one has seen it other than her and the people she hired to work on it.
I turn my head, and joke, “Should we have invited Aaron to see this?”
Parker tickles my side, and I squeal. He growls lowly, “Don’t even start.”
Trish opens the door inviting everyone in. We all file inside; I notice Wes and Bailey hang back, letting everyone else go ahead of them. I wave in their direction because I know groups of people aren’t their favorite.
Bailey smiles, waving back and leans against Wes.
Parker and I walk inside and the place looks gorgeous. In the entryway there’s a desk for checking dogs in when they arrive, and behind that is a large custom cage for Jerry Lee I know he’s going to enjoy.
The rooms are separated for everyone to have their own station to work in. There are three rooms with a grooming table, a vanity for tools, and space to make it their own. The bathing room is completely upgraded from how it was before; there’s two bathtubs and a section for drying.
“Damn Trish, maybe I should come back and work here,” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “No, you’re saving lives, kicking ass and taking names.”
“I’d hardly say I’m doing all that,” I grumble. “Plus, I like the view here.”
I nod toward the large, picturesque window that looks over at the fire station just like it used to.
“Well, I had to keep that,” she jokes.
“And I know which room is mine,” Sutton announces, looking around while bouncing her son in her arms.
“We all know how much you like to stare at me,” Jameson teases.
“Hot guy Jameson!” Jerry Lee squawks. “Hunky Parker!”
“Damn right,” Parker agrees and I just shake my head.
Wes and Bailey walk in, looking around. “This looks great,” Bailey compliments.
“Thank you!”
“When can we make an appointment? Bruno stinks,” Wes grunts.
“Oh, Tulips too,” I add. “She got into something in the yard and it’s bad.” I scrunch my nose at the thought. Parker told me it’s not that bad, but I swear I can smell everything. Which has been a blessing and a curse. The bad smells almost take me out.
But the good ones, like Parker just existing, that has me feral.
Trish waves us all to the front to get put on the schedule since it’s going to be just her working for a little until Sutton comes back.
After looking around a little more we leave. The fall air is getting colder; I wrap my sweater around myself as the wind sweeps through.
“Are you okay?” Parker asks.
“Of course, just a little chilly.”
“Let’s go back home so you can get warmed up, then.”
“Wait, I thought everyone was coming over to our house,” Sutton says.
“Oh yeah.” I look up to Parker because I think I forgot to tell him that Sutton invited all of us over. “Is that okay?”
“Of course, whatever you want to do, I’m right there with you.”
Smiling, I rise up on my tiptoes and press a chaste kiss to his lips. “Have I told you I love you, recently?”
“Yes, but you could tell me a million times a day and I’d still want to hear it even more.”
I smile, pulling him down for another kiss.
“Aw.” Sutton’s voice breaks through our moment. “I remember when you hardly wanted to be in the same room together.”
Parker pulls me against him. “I’ve always wanted to be near her.”
“I’m stubborn, what can I say?” I shrug. “What about Wes and Bailey, remember those days? Because I do.”
Sutton nods, but I continue.
“I remember when you guys came over to help with my car and Bailey you were not happy about it.”
Bailey shrugs.
“And I remember I told you that he looks like he knows his way around a cl—”
Parker’s hand covers my mouth. “We’ll see you guys there.”
I mumble against his palm how rude he is, and that I wasn’t saying anything I haven’t said to our friends before. I’m laughing when Parker removes his hand from my mouth. “I could’ve said something so much worse, you know?” I tease as we get into his truck.
“Oh, I know you could have. I was just protecting the little ears that were around.”
I scoff. “Ethan’s heard what I say before, and little Miles is too young to understand.”
“What about our little one.” He nods to my stomach. We have yet to come up with a name for him yet. We haven’t even told everyone we’re having a boy.
“He will definitely hear worse from me.” I chuckle.
“I have a feeling he’s going to be just like you,” Parker beams.
“Sounds like you’re going to have your hands full then.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Me either.” I smile. Though, I really hope he ends up being just like his dad. Brave, smart, and caring.
“You know,” I start when he turns the truck on and starts to back up out of the parking spot. “I could’ve mentioned the time I suggested we play duck, duck, dick.”
Parker throws his head back on a laugh. “I fucking love you, don’t ever change.”
I smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
We have our whole lives together. My favorite part is the memories we have yet to make are going to be the best ones yet.
The End