Extra Epilogue
CLEO
The days of Rigby being grumpy were long past, but the mischief gleaming in his blue eyes wasn’t usual for him. My gaze darted to the zipped suitcase at his feet, the one that had been open on the closet floor of my old childhood bedroom when I woke up this morning. “What’re you up to?”
“Anniversary surprise.” He flashed me a rare, boyish grin that still made my pulse skip after fifteen years. “Kid-free weekend.”
“My parents are going to watch Ryan and Clara?” I closed the distance between us and looped my arms around his neck. “What are we going to do with all that private time?”
“Patience, baby.” His lips brushed my ear, his voice dropping to that deep rasp that always unraveled me. “You’ll see when we get there.”
Our destination turned out to be a log cabin in a small town a little north of Madison, Wisconsin.
Rigby’s hand stayed on my thigh the entire drive, his thumb tracing slow circles that sent heat directly to my core.
We spent the time chatting about anything and everything.
We laughed about our first meeting, remembering how I’d barely recognized him as a pro athlete because I had been too distracted by his tattoos and that impossible jawline.
We also talked about how Ryan was turning out to be a not-so mini version of his dad now that he’d gotten into weightlifting shortly before his first season of high school football started a few months ago.
How my mom was going to have Clara help her paint some stencils in the guest bedroom she’d claimed for our visits.
The set I was going to start designing for a Broadway production at the start of the new year.
And how nice it was for our schedule not to revolve around the football league ever since Rigby retired a couple years ago.
Especially since it allowed him to help coach Ryan’s team this year.
When we pulled up to a secluded cabin tucked beside a mirror-still lake, my breath caught. It was pure serenity surrounded by pine trees dusted with early frost, with smoke curling from the chimney, and a view that begged you to stay awhile.
“Wow,” I breathed, my eyes widening.
Rigby climbed out of the rental SUV and circled around to open my door. “Happy anniversary.”
“Thank you.” I climbed out and went on my toes for a kiss. “Love you.”
“Love you too, baby.”
When we headed inside, I found that he’d had someone stock the kitchen for us in advance. I peeked in the fridge and spotted ingredients for chicken stir-fry and cookie dough—the same dinner I’d been planning the night we met.
Laughter bubbled out of me. “You’re too much.”
He just shrugged. “You started it. I’m just keeping the tradition alive.”
We cooked together, though cooked might be a generous description.
Even though we put the big bed to good use, the stir-fry burned while we got distracted kissing, but at least the cookies came out warm and gooey.
After dinner, we bundled up and walked the narrow trail through the woods.
Rigby carried me over a muddy patch without breaking stride, and I laughed into his shoulder.
The quiet between us was easy, content. The kind that only comes from building a life together.
But beneath that peace, my stomach was doing cartwheels. The very best kind.
When we returned to the cabin, Rigby built a fire while I slipped into the bedroom to grab a little pink box I’d bought this morning while I did a little Black Friday shopping.
Holding it behind my back, I padded back into the living room and found Rigby sprawled on the rug, shirtless, with that lazy grin that always undid me.
“C’mere, baby.”
He patted his lap, and I settled there, pressing against him as his mouth found mine. But I didn’t let him kiss me breathless this time. Instead, I pulled back and whispered, “I need to tell you something.”
He froze instantly, eyes scanning my face. “What’s wrong?”
My fingers trembled as I pulled out the box. “I think I’m pregnant.”
A wide grin split his handsome face. “Fuck, Cleo, that’s the best news I’ve ever heard since we had Clara.”
“Are you sure?” Tears blurred my vision. “It’s going to be a big adjustment with Ryan in high school, Clara in middle school, and a newborn.”
“Our life has always been chaotic, Cleo.” He tilted my chin until I met his gaze. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ll figure it out, like we always have.”
I sniffled. “Yeah, we really do.”
“And this time, I’ll be able to help a fuck of a lot more. Even with dirty diapers that require a gas mask.”
A shaky laugh escaped me. “You can have all of those.”
“Whatever you need, baby.” He brushed his lips against mine. “I’ll give it to you.”
I wiggled the box. “Then I guess we should find out for sure.”
He stood, lifting me with ease, and carried me to the bathroom. Moments later, two pink lines stared up at us from the counter.
“Fuck yeah,” he murmured, his large palm cupping my flat belly.
I beamed a smile up at him, happy tears streaming down my cheeks. This pregnancy would shake up our lives, but it was utterly perfect.