Epilogue #4
I scoff, rolling my eyes as I press my fingers into Lily’s soft belly and tickle her until she’s giggling and thrashing in my arms. “Like I would ever let her play football over hockey.”
“Actually, women can do whatever they want, you know. We don’t need a man’s permission,” Kori says pointedly, arching a brow.
I laugh. “Yeah. You’re right. And clearly, you’ve been talking to Cam lately, huh?”
She just shrugs.
Once I set Lily back on her feet and she ambles off toward the living room, Kori gives me a quick hug and a dimpled grin. “Thanks for inviting me today. I missed you guys.”
“Missed you too, kid.” I pat her head gently, and she smiles. “You’re coming to field day with HH, right? Your mom said you were going to come after your spelling bee.”
Kori nods as she takes off after Lily, tossing back over her shoulder, “Yep. See you later, WyWy.”
Those girls.
If they’re any indication of what it’ll be like when we have our own, I’m going to have my hands full as fuck.
But I’ll be stupidly happy.
Even more than I am now.
It feels… full circle.
To have Kori be a part of my life still, to have her running around after my niece, and to have a relationship with Maisie as closely as she does.
When I first started Hawthorne Haven, Maisie reached out to a lot of the parents from the LLI program and gave them the information about our first open house.
And I personally reached out to Ren, Kori’s adoptive mom, and asked her to attend. I wanted to check on Kori, and they’ve both been an incredible addition to the foundation.
Ren adopted Kori, officially, about six months ago. She fostered her for a year and a half before she joined their family forever.
We threw a big party for them, and Maisie got Kori so many new books that it took me and Devereaux both to carry them in.
I almost fucking cried that day.
It’s true… falling in love changes you. Ruined my asshole reputation. Finally.
Doug, Legros, and Devereaux are talking about the latest Hellcats game, so I excuse myself and make my way over to Maisie, giving her a quick kiss before searching for Cam and Brennan.
I find them on the couch in the sunroom, watching Lily and Kori playing with colorful blocks.
“My man,” Brennan says with his signature laid-back grin, offering me his hand to shake. “Thanks for having us. Lily’s living her best life.”
“You three… well, almost four, are always welcome here. That is, as long as Cam can walk.” I shoot my best friend a look.
A deep groan bursts past her lips, and she wobbles forward, her belly nearly taking her to the floor. She’s due in just over a month, and despite the doctor telling her she should probably not travel when she’s about to pop, she said she wasn’t missing Maisie’s graduation for anything… even a baby.
Stubborn, as always.
Thank fuck for that though, or I may not be standing here today. If she hadn’t held on and refused to give up, even when I tried to push her away.
“I’m pretty sure this baby is trying to kill me,” Cam mutters as she rubs a hand over her swollen belly, “by rearranging my organs one at a time.”
Brennan reaches over and brushes her dark hair from her face. “Want some Sprite, love? Will that help? Maybe a little snack?”
Her lip juts out in a pout, but she nods.
“Be right back,” he says, giving me a wink as he walks away.
I sink down beside Cam once he’s gone, and for a second, we sit in silence, watching the girls play, soaking up the laughter and the quiet moment.
Something I try and do often, now that I understand how fleeting they are. How important.
“Bet you never would’ve thought this would be your life, did you?” Cam finally says, and I turn to look at her. She’s smiling, and her eyes, they’re shining with understanding.
We lived the same childhood together, bonding over things no one should ever have to, but in the end, we have each other. She’s the sister I never had and is now a best friend to the love of my life.
I shake my head. “Nah. I thought my life would be much different. Definitely less chaotic.”
“You’ve got that right.” Cam laughs. “It’s a beautiful life though, isn’t it?”
My throat feels tight as I swallow and nod, dropping my gaze to the floor.
Sensing it, Cam places her hand on my arm, so I look back up at her. Her eyes are soft, and they do nothing for the swell of emotion building in my chest. “You made it out, Wilder, and you deserve this. Happiness, stability, safety. You deserve Maisie and all of the love she has to give you.”
I don’t think I’ll ever deserve her, but God, I fucking love her.
She’s in my bones. In the walls of my heart. In every breath that moves through my lungs.
“We both made it out, Cam,” I say, my voice scratchy and hoarse from the emotion tearing inside of it. “We fucking did it.”
“I always knew we would,” Cam says softly.
I force a swallow down my throat that feels impossibly tight and give her a small smile.“Thank you for believing it, even when I couldn’t.”
I catch Maisie walking up out of my peripheral, and she drops herself into my lap, slipping her arms around my neck. “My God, that was the best jambalaya I’ve ever had in my life.”
“Wait.” Cam’s brows meet her hairline, and she pushes herself to the edge of the couch, her gaze darting to Maisie. “There’s jambalaya?”
Maisie nods. “I can’t believe Brennan didn’t get you any.”
“He’s sleeping on the couch,” Cam mutters and tries to stand, but the couch is so damn soft that she sinks back into the cushion. Maisie scrambles from my lap and threads her fingers through Cam’s, helping her up.
“Have I mentioned how much I love you lately?” Cam says as she wraps Maisie up in a hug, which seems real fucking difficult, considering the size of her stomach.
Maisie laughs. “Only like twice today.” Her eyes gleam with amusement, and Cam tosses her head back, laughing too.
“Yeah, that’s not nearly enough. Also, I just wanted to say that the pregnancy pillow you sent? Actual heaven. It’s the only way I’ve been able to get any sleep lately. I owe you, for literally ever. Thank you again.” Cam groans, pulling back and rubbing a hand over her belly.
Of course, my mind flits to the day when I get to see Maisie doing the same thing, but with my baby.
Something possessive and honestly feral blooms inside of me, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from tossing her over my shoulder and carrying her straight to our bedroom.
“It’s nothing. The least I could do since we’re a billion miles away right now.
I wish that I could do more. But I did talk with Wilder about visiting after the baby is born so we can help.
Change diapers, watch him while you sleep, whatever you need,” Maisie says to her, and Cam looks over at me, her brow furrowing.
“Might be stealing this perfect angel from you. Sorry.”
“Yeah, not a chance in hell, Cam,” I retort with a scoff, using the moment to wrap my hand around Maisie’s wrist to tug her back into my lap, where she belongs.
Cam just watches her giggling and smiles. “I’m going for jambalaya before it’s gone, and then I’ll have to get a new husband. Shame. Congratulations on graduating, my love!”
“Thanks, Cam,” Maisie calls between her laughter and trying to suck in air.
The moment Cam’s gone and the girls have trailed behind her at the promise of cookies, it’s just Maisie and me.
I lower my lips to her ear. “I hope you know that I’ve got an insane fucking caveman urge to take you to bed, right now.”
She pulls back to look at me, still breathless. “Mmm, why’s that, Coach?”
“I think I’m turning into one of those guys you read, the ones who are obsessed with getting their girl pregnant,” I finally say, watching her eyes flare with something new.
“That’s called a breeding kink,” she whispers, chewing her lip as she stares at me through her thick, dark lashes.
My shoulder lifts. “I don’t care what it’s called, baby. All I know is that I can’t stop fucking thinking about it.” I slide my hand to her stomach and smirk. “We can practice until you’re ready.”
“Lots of practicing. You know, it’s actually quite hard to get pregnant, so we’ll have to make it count. It’ll take time.” She grins, and I slant my lips over hers, swallowing the breathy little moan that escapes before anyone can hear.
I curve my hand around her face when I finally can tear my lips from hers. “Good thing I’ve got forever.”
Even that doesn’t feel like long enough with her, but I’m going to cherish every second of it.
Because Maisie Delacroix is my entire fucking world.
Now that you’ve finished Maisie and Wilder… want to watch Saint, the broody bad boy, fall for the ultimate good girl, Lennon?
Turn the page to read the first chapter of The Bad Boy Rule, now!