Epilogue
Chassie
Two Years Later….
“Hey, baby. Have you seen my other house slipper?”
I look to Peanut who’s munching on it like a toy, pulling tufts of wool off the front. I can’t help but laugh. Preacher’s slippers are Peanut’s favorite chew toys. He must go through a pair a week. I’m always going to the store to replace them. Lately, I’ve been buying a few extra to have on hand.
“Yep. Looking at it right now.”
“No!” I hear him shout from the other room before he comes stalking into the kitchen.
“Those are my favorite pair. Bad dog!” he scolds him with his puppy voice.
That’s why Peanut doesn’t listen. He always scoops him up when he’s being naughty and gives him cuddles instead of bopping him on the nose.
It has to be the most adorable thing. My big strong man, being all cute and playful.
“And there you are just letting him do it?” He turns a frustrated glare on me.
“But he loves it so much.” I grab the slipper and hand it back to him as Preacher puts him down. He just shakes his head, giving me that crooked smile. I’ve got another pair for him hidden in the closet.
“Damn, our kids are going to be spoiled as fuck.” He watches Peanut destroy his favorite slipper.
“Speaking of kids,” I say. “I was wondering if we could start trying for one?”
His head jerks up. “You serious, babe?”
“Yes.” I smile. “I think it’s time to expand our family, don’t you?”
He’s on me so fast, I don’t even have time to blink.
“I’m going to get you pregnant right now.”
I shake my head, giggling, as he carries me down the hallway to our room.
“That’s not how it works, honey. It doesn’t always happen on the first try. Sometimes it can take months to get pregnant.”
“Oh, it’s happening.”
“You want a bet?” I laugh as he drops me onto the bed then starts tearing off his clothes.
“I sure as hell do. If I win, I get to choose the name. If I lose, you get to choose.”
I think it over and decide that there’s no way in hell I’m taking that bet. My husband has never lost a single wager since the night he proposed. I’d be a fool to bet against him. Though, I am curious.
“What would you name our baby if it were up to you?”
“If we have a girl…” He climbs over me, looking down with those amber eyes, burning me up with those orange flames. “I’d name her Sarah after my mother. And if we have a boy, I’d name him Peter after my dad.”
Win or lose, he’s going to get his wish. His parents gave me the greatest gift I could’ve ever asked for, and I’d love nothing more than to honor them in their death with that gift. I’d love nothing more than to honor my husband and show him how grateful I am for his love.
“You’ve got a bet.” I nod, holding out my hand for him to shake.
And I hope more than anything that he wins—so in nine months, we’ll meet our little one.
Another dream come true.
Another promise this man has kept.
Another beautiful expansion of the love we share.
What started as a bet… has become the greatest wager of my life.