Epilogue
Four Months Later
It was a backyard barbecue to celebrate the end of the summer season, and the birth of Jianna and Dolton’s son, Gino Giovanni Hill. Like most backyard barbecues, the stage was set for the genders to intermingle with each other. I sat at the table with my sisters and the other women.
“How’s school going?” Jianna asked as she adjusted the blanket before switching baby Gino to the other breast.
“It’s going well. I still like baking, so that’s a win.”
“That’s a huge surprise,” my mother commented. “You never used to stick to anything. I’m so glad you finally found your thing, baby girl.”
I gave her a genuine grin. “Thanks, Mom. Thanks for not giving up on me before I found it.”
“You’re welcome. I have to admit I’m very glad that you’re off my payroll, and on Nico’s.”
Everybody laughed.
“Cold world,” Jia told her.
“That is cold, Mom.” I seconded.
“She does have a point, though,” Ravyn added.
“Oh. So, you were listening?” I asked her. “I’m surprised you could follow the conversation with the way your eyes keep following Dale.”
She blushed deeply.
“Leave her alone,” Natalya Hill chided. “That’s how you act when you’re in love.”
I grinned at my friend. While I was mired down in my grief, Ravyn was pursuing love, and she found it. She met Dale at an entrepreneur’s symposium, and apparently, they’d been stuck like glue ever since. I was pretty sure that Ravyn would announce an engagement soon.
“And you should know with the way you keep peeking over there at Nico.” Jianna called me out.
I sighed because she was right. I was peeking at Nico, but that was because he was so gorgeous. His entire vibe demanded attention.
“Aww, my girl’s in love.” My mom’s voice was sing-songy.
“She’s not alone.” Bianca Russo added from her end of the table. “Nico’s had stars in his eyes since the two of them took up together.”
“What is it about these Outlaw women and these Hill men?” Jia joked.
“They like to be kept in check, and we know how to do it,” Jianna sassed.
“All you do is stay pregnant, sis. Is that how you keep Dolton in check ?” I teased, giving her a small push with my shoulder against hers.
“Maybe.”
“Well, I don’t know what it is, but I’m glad about it,” I admitted, stealing another glance over to where the group of guys were chilling by the grill. This time, when I looked over, Nico caught my eye. He winked then slowly licked his lips.
I giggled. Then my attention was stolen by my youngest niece.
“Ti Ti.” She was the only one who called me that. The other two called me “Auntie.”
I picked her up and settled her in my lap, but she wasn’t having that. She squirmed and squirmed until I put her right back down on the ground again.
“Yes, Ginelle. What can I do for you?”
“You mahry Neeo?”
Her voice went up at the end of the statement, so I knew it was a question. She was almost two, but her speech wasn’t where a childless woman such as myself could understand it.
“What, baby?”
“You mahry Neeo?”
I glanced over at Jianna. It was her daughter, so she should have been able to understand what the baby was saying.
What? I mouthed to her.
Jianna didn’t respond. She arranged Gino on her shoulder to burp him then threw her head in the direction of the grill.
My gaze swung that way, and Nico was walking toward us. My brain was working overtime to decipher what my niece was asking me. When Nico stopped right in front of my chair, it was like the fog lifted. I understood what baby girl had been saying.
“Will I marry Nico?” I repeated.
The women sitting with me all started yapping, cheering, and clapping. The guys were all approaching our table.
“Will you?” Nico asked, and then he was down on one knee.
My eyes filled with tears, so I was blind. My heart began to palpitate, and my throat began to close, so I couldn’t breathe.
He rested his left hand on my right knee. “You’re good, lil bit. Take a deep breath.”
Panic attacks hadn’t become a frequent thing, but I’d gone from never having one in life to having them enough to recognize the onset. Nico and I stared into each other’s eyes, and if the rest of them were talking, I didn’t hear it. All I heard was Nico calmly assuring me that I was good and that was all I needed to do to breathe.
Finally, the tightening of my chest subsided slowly, and airflow resumed. I inhaled deeply. He kissed my lips then slowly slid the emerald-cut diamond surrounded by a halo ring onto my finger.
“So, will you?”
“Definitely,” I promised. “Definitely.”
The End