Epilogue
NICKEL
“Up, Daddy!”
I look down at Willow Maggie Tin, my three-year-old baby girl. Her long black curls flying loose around a very disgruntled face.
Stooping, I pick her up and settle her on my hip. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“I tired of running.” She yawns, resting her head against my shoulder, her dark lashes fluttering on her cheeks and hiding her grey eyes.
I run a hand up and down her back, chuckling under my breath as I look at the carnage of our water pistol battle. It’s hot as fuck for a UK summer’s day, so Thea manufactured some awesome water guns for the kids and the brothers to have fun with and cool off.
I walk toward the pool, which is shaded by an enormous umbrella with loungers tucked beneath it.
The Queens Wraiths Old Ladies have been downing cocktails like there’s no tomorrow. That they’re feeling ‘happy’ doesn’t begin to cover it. I have a feeling they’ll regret one or two of those cocktails in the morning—my old lady included.
But they’re having fun if their laughter is any indication, particularly Nora, who lets out a sudden burst of laughter.
My lips tilt up in a smile. Ten years and three children later. Willow is our one and only girl. And Nora is still the love of my life.
We moved from the mobile home and built our own house near Coal’s. We’ve seen lots of changes over the past ten years, most of them good—especially the life I’ve built with Nora. I wouldn’t change a minute of it.
As I approach the pool with Willow, my wife rises, water streaming down her bright pink bikini-clad body. She’s all lush, soft, beautiful curves after carrying our three babies, and she still takes my breath away.
Nora looks concerned as I approach. “Is she okay?”
Stopping by the side of the pool, I wrap my arm around my wife’s bare waist and pull her against my body.
“She’s fine, darlin’. Just tired after running around with the big kids.
” I lower my head and nip Nora’s lip, then swipe my tongue across it to take the sting away.
“I’ll put her down on the lounger in the shade. ”
Nora nods and gets out of the pool to follow me as I put Willow down, adjusting the umbrella to shade our baby.
Straightening, I turn to wrap my arm around Nora. I kiss her like I wanted to earlier but couldn’t with our baby in my arms.
“Your mum and dad are taking all the kids tonight,” she tells me when we break apart.
“Really?” I murmur, kissing my way up her neck to the corner of her mouth. “I’ll have to thank them. You know what that means, right?” I ask, nibbling her lips.
“What?”
“I get to make you scream as loud as I want.”
Nora tilts her head back to look at me, eyes heated and hazy with need. “I’ll look forward to it, handsome. Now kiss me like you mean it, so I’ve got something to hold me over until tonight.”
“With pleasure, darlin’,” I respond, bending her over my arm and kissing her as if my life depends on it.
Later that night, I make her scream just like I promised.
The End