Epilogue
Carson felt up to driving them to Santa Barbara the following Sunday. The previous weekend, Carson had enjoyed seeing Ty play hockey for the first time. Ty had been practicing his pop-ups in the backyard every night after dinner and was definitely getting the hang of it.
Due to the kidnapping and the fact that Marlon had fired first, the LAPD had declined to file charges against Carson for shooting Marlon. They’d returned his Glock to him the day before. It was locked in the glove box in case he needed it, but hopefully he’d never have to shoot anyone again.
In the back seat, Spencer was teaching Ty how to play gin rummy.
“It’s all about collecting books of four, my friend.”
“What does that mean?”
Spencer patiently explained the rules of the game and suggested they play a round, showing their cards so Spence could coach him.
Ty took to it quickly, and by the time they reached Santa Barbara, he was up three games to one.
“His points count toward my score,” Carson said.
“You wish, chump. This young man is a quick learner.”
“My mom says I always have been.”
“That’s a good way to be. Write down the score, and we’ll keep track over time the way I do with Carson. I’m ahead of him by nineteen hundred and twenty-two points.”
Ty cracked up laughing. “You stink at this game, Carson.”
“He really does,” Spencer said with a guffaw. “I play with him anyway, but only because I have to, as he’s my grandson and all that.”
“Haha,” Carson said as Cresley giggled in the passenger seat. “You’d be very sad if I quit our weekly game and stopped bringing you milkshakes from In-N-Out.”
“I love In-N-Out, but Mom says I can only have it once in a while.”
“Your mom is very wise, and you should listen to her, but if you wanted to come with Carson on Wednesdays, I could make him get some In-N-Out for you, too. But don’t tell your mom.”
“I can hear you, Spencer Remington.”
“Ma’am? What did you say? I’m a little deaf, so you need to speak up.”
“He’s not at all deaf, so don’t let him fool you,” Carson said.
Ty’s laughter had become one of Carson’s favorite things. “If Carson is my dad now, what does that make you?”
Cresley gave Carson’s hand a squeeze as he tried to control his emotional reaction to the sweet, innocent question. His emotions had been ramped up to the highest setting since he nearly died, making him feel more alive than ever.
“Your great-grandfather, which makes me sound really old.”
“But aren’t you…”
“Don’t you dare say it.”
Ty laughed again. “Isn’t ninety-four kinda old?”
“I’m ninety-three for a little while longer, so watch your mouth, smarty-pants.”
Spencer hadn’t lost his touch with kids, Carson thought as he listened to the two of them go from strangers to best pals in the span of two hours in the car.
He was so delighted by them that he hadn’t taken the time to feel nervous or uneasy about a big family get-together with his recently reconciled parents.
Several of his siblings had told him that his two recent brushes with death had been a reminder that life was short and it might be time to mend some of the broken fences in their family.
Not that anyone was prepared to completely forgive and forget, but as far as Carson knew, they were all coming to Santa Barbara for the day, even Roman, who’d been home in LA for the weekend.
“What should I expect at this family thing?” Spencer asked.
“I believe my mother promised food and swimming.”
“Do you swim, Grandpa Spencer?” Ty asked.
“I haven’t in a while.”
“I could remind you of how to do it if you want.”
“I may take you up on that. It’s been a minute since I went swimming.”
“I’ll help you.”
“This is a very fine young man you’ve chosen for a son, Carson.”
“I think so, too, Gramps,” Carson said with a smile in the mirror.
“I’ve never really had a dad before, and Carson’s pretty cool. He’s teaching me to surf. So far, we’ve just been practicing in the yard on the same board he learned on, but as soon as he’s feeling all better, we’ll go to the beach, and I’ll get to wear my new wet suit.”
“He’s a very good surfer. I’m sure you’ll be riding the waves in no time.”
“I can’t wait for that.”
They arrived at Kate’s house to see a driveway and street full of familiar cars.
“Looks like the band’s all here,” Spencer said.
“First time in two decades we’ve hung out with the parents just because,” Carson said.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Spencer said. “If nothing else, your mom will have cooked up a feast.”
“That’s true,” Carson said. “I’m starving.”
“When are you not starving, Carson?” Ty asked.
“Almost never.”
“Did he tell you about the time he ate the worm in the backyard?” Spencer asked.
As Carson and Cresley moaned, Ty said, “That’s sick! I want to eat a worm.”
“No!” they said together.
“If Carson did it, I want to do it, too.”
“Loose lips sink ships, Gramps,” Carson said as he helped Spence out of the SUV.
“That’s my saying, and you’re not allowed to use it without my permission.”
Since they could hear voices coming from the backyard, they went through the fence gate with Carson escorting Spencer while Cresley carried a bag with bathing suits and towels and a bowl of fruit salad.
Ty ran ahead of them and went straight for Theo and Mila, who squealed with excitement when they saw him coming. The three of them were delighted by his mother’s dog, Snowball, who ran through their legs in wild circles, making the kids laugh as they tried to catch her.
Kate came to hug them and welcomed them to her home. Her blonde hair had been captured into a bun that poked through the open top of her straw hat.
“This is beautiful,” Cresley said, taking in the gardens that Carson had told her Kate tended to herself as a way of decompressing from the workweek.
“Thank you. It’s so nice to have you here, and good to see you up and around, Carson.”
“Good to be upright. Thanks for having us, Mom.”
“Oh, honey,” she said tearfully, “it’s entirely my pleasure. That fruit salad is gorgeous, Cresley. Thank you for bringing it.”
“Of course. Ty, wait for me before you swim.”
“I’m okay, Mom.”
“Wait or else, mister.”
“Fine.”
“You have to come meet Hadley Jane,” Kate said. “She’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”
“Wow, that’s hurtful,” Carson said.
“Everyone knows that grandchildren are cuter than children,” Spencer said. “Duh.”
“Spence.” Kate hugged her former father-in-law. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Thanks for having me.”
Kate hooked her hand through his arm. “Come meet your great-granddaughter.”
“Ty, come see the baby before we swim,” Cresley said.
He made a face to express his displeasure but still came with them to a shady corner of the patio, where Griffin held a truly gorgeous baby girl while a pretty woman sat next to them, keeping watch.
They’d postponed the earlier plan for everyone to meet Hadley because McKenna had had an asthma attack that had left her drained.
“Hadley,” Griffin said, “this is your great-grandpa Spence, your uncle Carson and his friends Cresley and Ty. Can you say hello?” Griffin raised her little arm in a wave that seemed to bring him great delight. “And this is McKenna.”
“Nice to meet you,” McKenna said. “I’m trying to remember everyone’s name, but I make no promises, except for you, of course, Cresley.”
Carson shook her hand. “No worries. The Remingtons are a gaggle. It’s great to finally meet you and Hadley. She’s adorable, guys. Well done. And I hope you’re feeling better.”
“Much better, thank you.”
Seeing his brother holding a baby was truly surreal, but Carson had to admit he’d never seen Griff look happier.
“Isn’t she something?” Corbin asked when he joined them.
“She sure is, Gramps.”
Corbin winced. “That’ll take some getting used to.”
“It’s the best title you’ll ever have, so don’t be weird about it,” Spencer said.
“Leave it to my dad to cut to the chase,” Corbin said.
“That’s what I’m here for.” Spence took a seat next to Griffin. “Now, let me hold that baby while McKenna tells me everything about herself.”
“Wait a second,” Griff said as he transferred the baby to Spencer’s waiting arms. “She doesn’t have to tell you everything.”
“Of course she does.”
McKenna laughed at their banter. “Move, Griffin. I want to sit next to your grandfather and spill the tea.”
“Oh, I like this young lady. I like her very much.”
“How’d I lose control of this situation?” Griffin asked Carson, who laughed.
“None of us stand a chance against Gramps and his charm.”
“Cresley, come join us and help me get to know McKenna.”
She smiled at Carson. “I’d love to, Spencer.”
“Damn, he’s smooth,” Carson said.
“Buzz off, boys. The ladies and I have tea to spill.”
“Let’s get a drink, fellas,” Corbin said, leading them to a bar set up on the covered patio. After he’d gotten Griffin a beer and Carson a seltzer with lemon, he said, “Thanks a lot for coming today. Means the world to us.”
“Glad to be here,” Griffin said. “Thanks for having us.”
“Dad, could I have a word?” Carson asked.
“Sure, let’s go inside.”
“Griff, will you watch Ty in the pool?”
“Yep, I got him.”
“Thanks.”
“Look at you doing the dad thing,” Corbin said as they stepped into the house.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“This sounds serious.”
“It’s serious in the sense that I’ve had to do some pretty heavy lifting with Ty lately, and I wanted you to know… I had the words I needed because of you and how you always had the words we needed. And I thought you might like to know that.”
He was shocked to see tears in Corbin’s eyes. “You’ll never know how much that means to me, son.”
“It wasn’t all bad.”
“No, it wasn’t, and I’m thankful that you remember it that way.”
“I do. I think most of us do. The good got overshadowed, but it was there.”
Corbin hugged him carefully. “Thanks for not dying. That would’ve ruined my life and your mother’s and everyone else’s, too.”
“I’m grateful to have this second chance, and I intend to make the most of it.”
“With Cresley and Ty?”
“To start with. We’ll see who else comes along.”
Corbin stepped back from him and placed his hand on Carson’s shoulder. “I couldn’t be happier for you. I’m looking forward to getting to know them both.”
“Me, too. Now I need to go rescue my lady from Gramps before he makes off with her.”
“Good idea.”
The family ate the delicious meal Kate had prepared, swam in the pool and sang along to Julian and his guitar by the fire Corbin set in the firepit as the sun began to dip toward the horizon.
“Did anyone hear from Ethan?” Kate asked.
“He’s not responding to texts,” Kaidan said.
“Well,” Kate said, “eight out of nine isn’t bad for the first time in a while.” Roman had left an hour ago to drive back to Stanford. “This has been the happiest day I’ve had in years. I hope we can do it again soon.”
“Ditto to what Mom said,” Corbin added as he kept an arm around Kate.
“This was a lot of fun,” Gillian said. “Thanks for having us. It’s nice to be together this way.”
Carson realized it didn’t seem weird anymore to see his parents together.
He’d no sooner had that somewhat major revelation than Ethan walked through the gate, hand in hand with…
Marlene.
Holy. Shit.
Preorder FEROCIOUS, Griffin’s story, coming in April 2027!
That’s a wrap on CONTENTIOUS. I hope you enjoyed Carson and Cresley’s story and catching up with the Remingtons once again.
I’m really enjoying writing this family and watching them fall in love despite their fervent desire to remain single and unencumbered.
I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am!