Epilogue
Lauren couldn’t believe that she and Reed just got married. It had been a whirlwind eight weeks since she and Charlee had been kidnapped by Patrick.
Reed had ended up back in the hospital, as the wounds on his leg and stomach had reopened. They’d been walking out of the cabin after she accepted his proposal when he’d all but collapsed.
Charlee had freaked out when it happened and started sobbing. Lauren wanted to help Reed, but her daughter needed her at that moment and Charlee was her priority. Reed understood, would always understand that sometimes Charlee’s needs came first. While Steve and the others got Reed back to the car, she calmed her daughter and reassured her that Reed would be okay. That they would go to the hospital as well.
Once they arrived at the hospital, Lauren refused to leave his side and Charlee had had to be coerced to leave as well. She loved Reed as much as Reed loved her.
Now, today, they had been united as a family, and she couldn’t wait to get started on their honeymoon. Charlee was happy to go to Tabitha and Steve’s for a few days so that she and Reed could be newlyweds and enjoy their time together.
“You ready to leave Mrs. Bolton?”
“Ready when you are, Mr. Bolton.” Lauren went up on her toes and kissed her husband. She glanced over her new husband’s shoulder and saw a heated exchange happening between Reed’s brother and his fiancée.
Reed noticed it too, hesitating for a second and she knew why. Ben was important to Reed and that meant he was important to Lauren too. “Go, it’s okay.”
He kissed her quickly on the lips. “Thank you.”
“Mummy, are you leaving soon?” Charlee ran up, her fluffy pink dress swirling around her.
“Yes. Are you going to be okay with Tabitha and Steve?” She studied her daughter, checking for any indication that she wasn’t okay with the arrangement.
For a few weeks after the kidnapping, Charlee had nightmares, but they’d since tapered off, with the help of her and Reed along with the therapist Steve had recommended they see. But still Lauren worried that with her and Reed away, it might be a trigger for the nightmares to return.
“I’ll be fine, Mummy.” She was so earnest that Lauren had to believe her.
“Okay, but if you need us,” Lauren squatted so she could look her daughter in the eye, “Reed and I will come back straight away. All you have to do is call.”
“I know you and Daddy will. But I won’t need to call.”
“Daddy?” The word whispered out of her.
“Uh-huh. I asked him today if I could call him that, and he said yes.” She patted Lauren’s cheek gently. “He got teary like you are, Mummy.”
God, her daughter was amazing. She never ceased to surprise her. The subject of calling Reed her dad wasn’t one they’d talked about. Trust Charlee to take charge and do things her way. She gave Charlee a hug before standing. “I’m more than happy about you calling him your dad.”
The one thing they had talked about, with Patrick locked away now and not likely to see the light of day for a long time, was that Reed wanted to adopt Charlee and make her his. Lauren loved the idea and she didn’t doubt Charlee would too. But that was something they could talk about when they returned.
“How are my two girls?” Reed’s arm slid around Lauren’s waist, and she leaned into him.
“We’re good, Daddy. But,” she wiggled her finger for Reed to lean down which he did, “I’m going to miss you.” She placed a big kiss on Reed’s cheek.
Her new husband melted on the spot, and Lauren loved seeing how much of a marshmallow he turned into around Charlee. “I’m going to miss you too, munchkin. We’ll be home before you know it.”
“I know. And I get to eat all the cakes I want. Steve said so,” Charlee said, and skipped off before Lauren had a chance to counter that announcement, while also trying not to feel slighted that her daughter hadn’t kissed her goodbye.
Reed chuckled and pulled her tight. “I’m sure she’ll say goodbye and give you a kiss when we leave.”
“You’re her new favorite, I’m just Mum now,” she grumbled.
Reed nuzzled her neck and spirals of desire darted out, warming her blood. “You’re my favorite.”
His lips found hers and they stood in the middle of the room, lost in each other’s arms. As all newlyweds should.
Cat calls and whistles had them breaking up. “I think that’s our cue to leave,” Reed murmured against her mouth.
“I think so. One last round of goodbyes and then it’s just you and me for the next four nights.”
They were keeping the honeymoon short to rush back to Charlee.
He kissed her one more time. “I can’t wait.”
They made their rounds getting hugs and kisses from their friends. Charlee clung to her as if the realization that her mum was going away for a few days had sunk in.
“I’m going to miss you so much, Mummy,” she whispered.
Lauren was aware of Reed standing behind them, not inserting himself into this moment, just being the silent sentinel he was. “Me too, sweetie, me too. But remember you get to eat some of Tabitha’s yummy cakes while we’re gone.”
She said the one thing she knew would break her daughter out of her sadness. She also knew that Tabitha wouldn’t let Charlee eat too many cakes—Steve on the other hand. But Lauren wasn’t going to worry about it. After not being able to afford cakes and other treats for most of her life, Lauren was happy to let Charlee be indulged.
Seconds later they were out the door and heading toward the car waiting for them. The moment they pulled away, Reed hauled her close. “We may have started out unconventionally, but I can’t imagine my life without you. I love you so much Lauren Bolton.”
Lauren smoothed a hand down Reed’s cheek, still amazed that this man wanted her and was hers. “Being conventional is boring. I love you more than words can say, Reed Bolton.”
They spent the whole drive kissing and touching, and when they got to their suite, Lauren showed Reed just how much she loved him.
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