Epilogue
Penelope
Iwash the last of the dishes from dinner last night while watching the ocean roll from our kitchen window. Beyond a stretch of parted palm trees and sand dunes, frothy white caps crash against the beach, where families chase their giggling little ones.
Smiling down at my slightly distended belly, I place one soapy hand where I felt several fluttering thumps just moments ago. “I can’t wait to meet you guys.”
I talk to them a lot, although I’m still getting used to the them part. Not Logan, though. He couldn’t be more obnoxiously proud.
So excited, in fact, I had to tell him to stop telling every stranger we passed on our way out of the doctor’s office that day that we had ‘won the baby jackpot.’
“Hey, sunshine,” Logan says from behind me.
“Ah!” I jump, nearly slicing my finger open on the tip of the knife I was rinsing. “Don’t you know you shouldn’t sneak up on people when they’re holding sharp objects?”
His answering chuckle tickles my bare shoulder as he takes the blade from my hand and places it on the other side of the sink. “I’ve been standing here for at least two minutes, wife.”
This last year has been nothing short of a whirlwind. And yes, finding out I was pregnant on our wedding day five months ago was a bit of a doozy, but I’m loving my new nickname.
Hell, I’m loving my new life.
When he reaches around me to shut the water off, I groan when I feel him press against my ass, already half erect. He’s irresistible in a plain T-shirt and relaxed, faded jeans, and he knows it.
“You know you can stop trying to get me pregnant now, right?”
My hands find his, splayed across my lower abdomen. A wave of tickling kicks and jabs greet him as he nuzzles the side of my neck. “I can’t keep my hands off you when you’re so fucking sexy with this bump.” His palms glide upward to cup my swelling breasts. “These are definitely a bonus, too.”
My sensitive nipples harden beneath his kneading touch. I relax my head against his chest as he explores my body, lighting a burning trail between my legs only he can cure. “If only we had time…”
A rumble vibrates from his chest when his fingers slip inside the stretchy band of my shorts, finding my panties damp. But what does he expect? I stay ready for this man.
“I think, since we’re the owners, we’re allowed to be late,” he says, palming my ass while grinding into me. “It’s just a ribbon cutting ceremony. Surely our guests won’t mind.”
“There was a time when you hated being late,” I tease.
Logan hugs his arms around me lovingly, and in the peace and quiet of our dream home, he murmurs, “I’m a changed man.”
A smile tips my lips. “I hate to admit that I miss your suits.”
When I tilt my face toward him, he’s arching a brow. “I’ll put one on right now if you’ll let me get you naked.”
“You’re impossible.” I snort a laugh that makes him grin adorably. “Did you get the rest of the supplies to finish the nursery?”
Fixing up this stilted, cozy beach house was another one of our endless projects. The moment I saw its cozy front porch, open living area, and the view from the second-floor balcony, I was sold.
“Don’t worry, I crossed everything off your list. Purple paint for our girl, and yellow for our boy. Trust me, these babies are going to have the best damn nursery in the harbor.” Placing a warm, lingering kiss below my ear, he reaches for his back pocket. “Got you these, too.”
I’m drooling before I even turn to snatch the box of chewy lemon candies out of his hand. I tear it open, drop several in my palm, and then stuff them into my mouth.
“Prafnancy is soo werrd,” I mumble around the treats.
Logan watches me in that way of his, like every minute we spend together is bright, shiny, and new. “Never thought I’d see the day you hated cinnamon.”
I pause mid-chew to scrunch my face, then swallow. “Don’t even say the word.”
He tips my chin up with his knuckle. “I love you, beautiful.”
My heart pitter-patters as I gaze up at my husband, my life, my entire world. “I love you, too. But if we don’t leave now, we’re for sure going to be late.”
Bringing his mouth to mine, he whispers, “Fine. But I’m only agreeing because it turns me on when you’re bossy.”
I kiss the smile on his lips. “Everything turns you on, Logan.”
It’s not long after I’m finished getting ready that Javier pulls into the drive.
He’s practically beaming when he scurries to open the door for me. “Penelope,” he says, taking a peek at my belly, “and company.”
Javier grunts when I attack him with a big hug, and when he wraps his arms awkwardly around me, I feel a sense of victory.
As independent as I am, I wasn’t keen on keeping a driver. But putting Javier out of work didn’t sit well with us, either.
Now he’s like family, and I’m whittling away that boss-employee barrier he’s held on to one hug at a time.
He guides us through coastal neighborhoods and winding roads until we arrive at the gorgeous, two-story house where the group home once resided.
“Are you ready for this?” Logan asks when we reach Seaside Avenue.
Since the start of our massive development, we’ve spent countless hours with the locals, making designs for this residential area that they would be satisfied with and, most importantly, could afford.
As planned, we gutted the group home and turned the surrounding row houses into quaint, colorful beach-style homes that are only a short walk from the strip.
The front door flies open the second we step foot on the porch, and Mable comes barreling out to meet us.
“Nellie!” She snuggles into me, flashing a couple of new, big girl teeth. “Look what Grandpa got me.”
My parents trail behind her, and Dad’s grinning from ear to ear when she struts around, showing off a pair of sparkly purple sandals.
Logan scoops her up, cradling her giggly form to his chest as we ooh and aww.
“These shoes sure are pretty, but I think they need the official twirl test.” She squeals, kissing his cheek before he sets her down and she spins in a little circle of chaos.
His fingers briefly touch his lips, followed by a subtle smack. “Perfection.”
I watch them laugh together, and just like the day we adopted her, tears build in the back of my throat. They share such a special bond, and I can’t wait for both of them to love our twins as much as they love each other.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Dad says, bringing me in for a hug.
His cologne tickles my nose, and I hold on to him for a second longer than usual, needing the extra support. “Thanks for hanging out with Mable, you guys. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course, honey.” Mom squeezes my arm before tugging me into her embrace next.
They’ve spent the last week in town, helping us prepare for the grand opening of the pier we’ve been working on for months. It’s nice being able to spend so much time with them, especially after hiring Mom on to help me and Declan with all the design work.
We’ve been video chatting almost daily, and she travels back and forth to help me furnish the homes we’re still remodeling, while Dad’s taken to his honorary title as best-friend-grandpa and the important duty of keeping Mable entertained.
Dorthea and Ricardo gather their newest batch of kiddos before locking the door behind them.
She huffs strands of wild hair off her forehead. “Thanks for waiting. You know how hard it is to wrangle them.”
I grab her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze, and smile when Ricardo lovingly pats my shoulder. “No worries. We’ve got time. They can’t start without us.”
My heart pinches when I crouch inside a circle of wiggly arms and bright, smiling faces. Tarra’s off pursuing her cosmetology license, and the others have found their forever homes all across the island. And while I’m utterly ecstatic that we’re able to help the new children, I miss them all fiercely.
Mom takes Mable’s hand, pointing at the far end of the avenue. “Look. They must know we’re on our way.”
A Ferris wheel flashes abruptly, drawing our attention to its green, yellow, and purple lights.
“Guess we better get going,” Logan says, placing a hand on my lower back.
“Think we’ll find Ida at the bakery?”
“After being told twice to close up early?” He grins. “Undoubtedly.”
And sure enough, as we walk down the strip toward Sweet Ida’s, we open the glass door to find her and two others still piping away at the cupcakes for our guests.
“Ida,” Logan complains.
She whips around with streaks of flour and icing covering her apron.
“What?” she asks, the picture of grandmotherly innocence. “We’re just about finished. Grab Agán and the girls from next door, and we’ll meet you at the pier.”
Logan shakes his head as the rest of our crew shuffles down the street toward the ceremony. Now that the sun’s setting, the twinkle lights strung between the buildings illuminate Seaside in a cozy glow.
I stop to wave at Mr. Chavez, with his fried fish cart set up across the way, and suddenly, I’m overwhelmed with emotion.
We’re not finished with Seaside—not by a long shot—but already, it’s flourishing.
Just last week, a new seafood restaurant and barber shop opened up next to the park Ellen insisted we build in place of a vacant parking garage. It’s been the perfect place for local bands to come and play their shows, and we’ve even hosted a couple of weddings.
Logan took a huge risk for me when he left Summit Estates. He took a chance on our dreams, knowing there was a possibility we could fail. But for all the elation I have that we didn’t, there’s a bit of residual heartache.
“What’s wrong?” he asks.
When his fingers brush my cheek, I close my eyes and lean into the warmth of his palm. “We had a vision that we’ve worked our asses off for, and now that it’s coming true, I’m feeling some kind of way about it all, I guess.”
When our gazes touch, his is soft and tender. “Good feelings, I hope?”
“Yes. Amazing feelings.” My hand clasps his wrist, but my lips tremble as I try to hold back tears.
“You seem to forget that I know when my wife’s upset,” Logan tsks.
I wish I could find an ounce of amusement to offer him, but I sigh instead.
“It’s just that my family is here, and yours isn’t. I know we’re better off without him, but I… Sometimes I wish things would have worked out differently with your dad—” My words hitch in my throat. “Even though I hate the bastard, I wish he could have come through for you.”
The petition we put into motion has done its job of keeping Silas from fulfilling his mass expansion, but at the price of severing every tie Logan had with his parents.
Part of me thought with time, Silas might come around, but he hasn’t, and I ache for my husband and his loss.
Silas has missed so many milestones in his son’s life, and it’s difficult knowing how hard Logan’s worked to make this place beautiful and special for the people in the harbor, and that our kids will grow up with estranged grandparents who have no desire to know who they are.
“Your family became my family the day I married you.” He presses a delicate kiss to my lips. “You, Mable, and these precious souls you’re protecting are all I need, Pen. And no part of me regrets that decision.”
Tears track down my cheeks as his eyes scour my face. “You’re my heart, my future, and everything in between. We’ve earned this happiness. We deserve this life we’re building for ourselves, and no one can ever take that away from us again.”
I bob my head, sniffling, before he brings his lips to mine.
He kisses me in the middle of the sidewalk with his fingers wound in my unruly hair—more curly than ever with the pregnancy hormones—and he doesn’t care who’s watching.
A breeze winds around us, carrying with it the sweet scent of sugar, street foods, and a subtle dash of salt from the bay. And all the while, my heart blooms for him.
This is right where we belong.
“Hey, you two.” Agán swaggers out of the bar beside Ida’s shop with a gorgeous woman strapped to his side, and a group of Ida’s friends on his heels. “Don’t you have a ribbon to cut?”
Logan takes my hand, kissing my knuckles before gifting me a playful wink. “What do you say, sunshine?”
I slip my arm around his waist while he tucks his behind my neck. “Wherever you lead, I’ll follow.”
“Well then,” he says, lifting his chin toward the dusky sky painted an array of pink and orange hues, “into forever we go.”