Epilogue
ELSIE
By the time Beckett and I finally manage to get out of the house, the bedroom looks like a tornado rolled through it, and I look like I threw myself together last minute after Beckett blew my mind. Exactly what happened.
So much for making a good impression.
Beckett’s completely chill about it, of course.
He drives one-handed, eyes on the road, and the other hand anchored on my thigh like he’s twenty percent focused on brunch and eighty percent thinking about peeling me out of these clothes as soon as we get back home.
The man is unshakeable. Meanwhile, I’m a nervous wreck.
I stare down at my hand, the monster diamond Beckett just put there nearly blinding me and making my stomach do backflips.
I’m barely hanging on, trying not to hyperventilate or have a heart attack before I even meet his family.
By the time Beckett parks the truck in front of his parents’ place, I’m about to crawl out of my skin. He just grins at me as he kills the ignition, completely calm.
“Ready?” Beckett asks, squeezing my thigh.
“Nope.” I blow out a shaky breath and nod anyway. “God. Talk about being in the hot seat.” My pulse pounds into overdrive.
He leans over, stealing a kiss that’s barely safe for public consumption, and whispers against my lips, “Stop stressing, Hot Doc. They’re going to love you as much as I do.”
Debra Hot herself sweeps into the entryway, all grace and perfect hair, with a smile so bright it blinds me. “There you are!” she beams, arms wide. “Come in, come in! I was about to send out a search party!”
She barely glances at Beckett before laser-focusing on me. Or, more accurately, on the diamond ring on my left hand.
For a second, it’s like everything freezes. Debra’s jaw actually drops, which is wildly satisfying. Then she erupts.
“Oh my God! OH! MY! GOD!” Debra shrieks loud enough to rattle the windows, launching herself at me.
I barely squeak before she’s got me in a bear hug so fierce it should come with a danger warning. I lose all oxygen. I lose basic motor function. I lose about half the feeling in my fingers.
She grabs my cheeks and drags me in for a giant, teary kiss on the forehead. "Let me see it!" she demands, grabbing my hand and holding it up for inspection. "Oh, honey, look at that! It’s gorgeous! You’re gorgeous! I can’t believe it—I have another daughter!"
Suddenly, the rest of the Hot family materializes from the dining room and swarms around us.
I barely have time to blink before a wall of Hot brothers descends on me, each one bigger and more intimidating than the last. Beckett wraps a steadying arm around me, pride lighting up his face.
“Elsie, meet my brothers and their wives.”
Atlas is the first to reach us, grinning like a wolf.
His wife, Eloise, is right beside him, gorgeous and clearly used to this madness.
“Congrats, sis!” Atlas bellows, pulling me into a one-armed hug that nearly cracks my ribs.
Next is Dawson, who tips me a wink and introduces his wife, Isla, who’s already tearing up and hugging me like we’re long-lost best friends.
Ian and Sage round out the pack, both of them smiling so wide I wonder if their faces hurt.
It’s an instant avalanche of congratulations, handshakes, and hugs.
I’m on hug number four when a deep voice booms over the chaos, “Hey now, don’t forget about me!” Everyone stops mid-squeeze, and the sea of Hot brothers parts for their dad.
Beckett’s father is tall, broad, and has that whole ‘silver fox with an intimidating cop vibe’ going on.
“Welcome to the family, Elsie.” He grins, then pulls me in for a dad-hug that’s somehow equal parts professional and weirdly comforting. I barely manage not to squeak as my cheek gets mashed into his chest.
“Thank you,” I stammer, voice totally gone. I must look like I’m about to faint because Beckett slips an arm around my waist and plants a kiss in my hair. I might actually die from happiness.
“So, where are the babies?” Debra demands, slicing straight through the noise with her eyes locked on Beckett.
He shrugs, somehow managing to radiate both regret and pride. “We left them at home with Mr. Snugglebutt. Figured the first brunch should be just us.”
“Absolutely not.” Debra plants both hands on her hips in perfect mom-mode. “You bring those babies next Sunday. I want all three of them here.”
Atlas cackles. “And make sure they’re wearing matching outfits.”
Sage perks up, outrageously excited. “That would be so cute!”
I have found my family. It takes everything I have not to burst into tears right there in the middle of the dining room.
Seriously, I’m on the verge of a full ugly cry, but I keep my shit together because Beckett’s hand is firm on my waist and his mom is already plotting matching dog-and-cat sweaters for next Sunday. These people are unhinged, and I love them.
Beckett’s lips brush my ear, low enough so only I can hear him. “You okay, Hot Doc?”
Okay? I’m one emotional hiccup away from melting into a puddle on the floor, but in the best possible way. “Yeah,” I manage, voice barely above a whisper. “I just… I’ve never had this before.”
His hand slides up my back, all heat and reassurance, his calloused firefighter's palm leaving a trail of warmth through the thin fabric of my blouse.
"You do now. You have all of it. You have me, and I'll love you until my last breath," he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling against my ear, sending shivers down to my toes.
God. My heart detonates in my chest.
Dawson fake gags, and his wedding band catches the light as he dramatically clutches his throat. "Stop all the gooey stuff before I lose my appetite."
"Shut up, asshole," Beckett growls back, his arm tightening protectively around my waist, muscles flexing beneath his rolled-up shirt sleeve.
"Fu—" Dawson's growl is cut off by his father's steel-blue glare, the same one that probably stopped a thousand teenage arguments in this very room.
For the first time in my entire life, I realize I’m not on the outside looking in anymore. I’m right in the thick of it. The loud, messy, overwhelming heart of this family.
“Are you okay, honey?” Debra squeezes my hand, her smile warm enough to melt every doubt I ever had.
I nod, fighting back tears of my own. “I’m more than okay. I think I just… found my home.”
Beckett hears me. I can feel him smiling at my side, so big and proud and happy it practically rearranges all my internal organs.
He leans close, voice so low only I can hear it. “Told you.”
He was right.
It’s fast, it’s overwhelming, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
I’m a Hot, and these crazy people are my tribe.
Bring on the chaos. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.