31. Epilogue
Two Months Later
Ambrose
T he number of times I’d regretted agreeing to a housewarming party was in the hundreds, probably the thousands, but the entire downstairs was finished, plus one of the upstairs bedrooms. There was even some landscaping done out back, including the start of a garden that we could see from the back parlor.
The porch had a swing as well as chairs, and the place was starting to look like it had in the pictures my uncle had shown me from its glory days.
I was excited for everyone to see the house.
I just hoped I’d be able to get them all to leave at a reasonable time.
I wanted to show off the work Eric and I had accomplished.
I wanted my family to see the two of us were happy out here even if Eric had never imagined being somewhere remote like this, but there was only so much of my family I could take, and Eric’s family was coming too.
I’d worried I needed to invite them to stay here, but he’d assured me they understood my need for privacy, and his mother and sister would have no desire to spend a long weekend in the middle of a bayou.
I stepped out onto the porch and looked toward the trees as I listened to the sound of the water just beyond them.
Being outside always calmed me, but nothing was going to take away my anxiety over all the people coming to see the house.
There was a breeze, and I could almost pretend it was refreshing.
At least it cut down on the number of mosquitoes buzzing around.
I hadn’t shared my miracle repellent with everyone.
I was fairly sure most of them wouldn’t be willing to try it once they heard the ingredient list. Eric had been wise to say he didn’t want to know.
Eric joined me a few moments later. He stood behind me and began to massage my shoulders. “We don’t have to do this if it’s too hard for you.”
“That’s stupid. It’s just my family and yours.”
“You don’t like a lot of people in a confined space. It’s okay to have difficulty with that.”
“We’ve already invited everyone. Your parents and sister flew all the way here to see you.”
“To see us.”
“That makes me even more committed.”
“We can have my family over first, then yours can come later.”
“No. We’re doing it the way we planned. We have the food, and I’m not going to be able to convince myself to do this again on another day. Besides, I thought I’d tell Dax today.”
“Tell him what?”
“About what happened when… What made me leave the army.”
“I think that’s a great idea.” He deepened the massage, and I groaned, dropping my head forward and enjoying the way he worked at the knots my tension had created.
“You’ve worked so hard on this house and preparing for this party. Everyone is going to be impressed. I just wish I thought I could impress your aunt and uncle.”
I smiled as I turned in Eric’s arms and looped mine around his neck. “Uncle Bébe and Aunt Marjorie are going to adore you.”
“I don’t think I’m exactly the new family member they were looking for.”
“They weren’t expecting me to end up with anyone. They’ve always known I make my own choices, and after I came back… Well, you know I didn’t want to see anyone. The fact that you make me happy is enough. Uncle Bébe might try to size you up, but my aunt will set him straight if he does.”
“I can handle it. Your aunt doesn’t have to save me. I’m just not looking forward to it.”
“You know how Remington likes to be in charge and tries to come off all scary?”
“I do.”
“He’s just like his father. My uncle has a big heart. He wouldn’t have raised his boys and me and my brother to be the men we are if he didn’t. Just remember that no matter what bullshit he tries to pull.”
“You know my parents are going to adore you, right?”
“That’s different. I’m…”
“They’re only going to know you as the man I fell for, the one who makes me happy, and even if you told them everything about your background, they would love you. They are truly two of the least judgmental people around. How my sister came from them, I’ll never know.”
“At least I already have her approval.”
“And that’s no easy task.”
Eric
A few hours later, most of the guests had arrived.
We showed them around the house in groups and answered a lot of questions about how we’d managed all the work on our own.
I reminded people that Ambrose had done the vast majority of it.
I’d only been helping for a few months, and I wasn’t there every day.
My work with New Life for Vets was going well.
I’d been able to use resources from my days in law enforcement as well as the resources of the Theriots to assist several veterans in finding housing and jobs.
I knew there was so much more I could do, and I was excited to be bringing justice to people in a different way.
I left Ambrose to refresh my drink, and when I returned to the back parlor where everyone was gathered, I found him talking with my parents.
“The work the two of you have done is amazing,” my mother said when I joined them. “I need you to come do some work on our house.”
“We’ve still got loads to do on this one, and Ambrose has truly done most of it, including all of the design.”
“And you’re just working from pictures of how the house used to look?” my dad asked.
“Pictures and stories from my uncle,” Ambrose said.
My dad smiled. “My son has certainly found a smart and creative man.”
Those weren’t usually the characteristics people saw in Ambrose, and I loved seeing his cheeks turn pink at the compliment.
“He is very impressive,” I agreed.
Ambrose bumped his shoulder into mine. “Like you’re not?”
“Of course Eric is impressive as well,” my mom said. “That’s part of what makes you a perfect couple.”
I put my arm around Ambrose and gave him a light squeeze. He turned to me, and I saw how relieved he was that my prediction had been right. My parents loved him.
I wanted a moment to talk to Lance’s boyfriend, Julian, because I’d only met him briefly.
He was out in the garden talking to Corbin.
As I crossed the room to the French doors, Dax and Travis’s dog raced past being chased by Tony.
Hopefully, they wouldn’t tear anything up.
I wanted to convince Ambrose that we also needed a dog and maybe another cat too.
I doubted Tubby would mind since he was so easygoing.
Before I could open the door to step outside, Ambrose’s aunt put her hand on my arm. “Do you have a moment to come and talk with me and my husband?”
I could hardly say no, but it was the last thing I wanted to do.
When they had arrived and we’d given them a tour of the house, Ambrose’s uncle had barely spoken a word to me.
He simply scowled and continued to look me up and down like I wasn’t up to snuff.
I knew Ambrose would still love me whether his uncle approved or not, but I would much rather have all the Theriots’ blessings.
I followed Marjorie into the kitchen where Bébe stood at the counter, making a plate from the buffet. “I found him sweetheart,” Marjorie said.
The intimidating man set down his plate and held out his hand. I grasped it firmly, and we shook. I held eye contact the whole time, knowing the last thing I wanted to do was appear weak in front of the man. He might look like a mild-mannered grandfather, but I knew his history.
“I never thought I’d be welcoming a cop into the family.”
I didn’t respond since he hadn’t asked a direct question. At least he’d use the word welcoming .
“My wife tells me I was rude earlier during the tour. The truth is, my back has been giving me more and more trouble lately, and I was uncomfortable.”
Wow. The last thing I’d expected from him was an acknowledgment of his rudeness or anything that resembled an apology and, least of all, an admission of any kind of vulnerability. “That’s understandable. The steps in this place are definitely not friendly to anyone with back trouble.”
“Just don’t tell my sons I said that. They’re constantly wanting me to see doctor after doctor. I’m fine. I’ve got some pains, but I’m still healthy as a horse in general.”
I smiled. “I’m sure you are.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You better not be patronizing me, son.”
“Not at all. I’m impressed with everything you’ve accomplished in your life.”
“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard a cop say that.” He laughed, and I laughed with him because he truly looked happy.
“You’re not what I expected for Ambrose, but you’ve pulled him out of his shell and made him look alive again. For that, I will always be grateful.”
“Thank you. It means the world to me that you approve. I know how much he looks up to you.”
Bébe snorted. “He sure has a strange way of showing it. He hardly talks to me and that was before his time in the army, but he’s a good man. One of the best.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“Now go on back to whatever my wife took you away from.” He waved toward the door. “I’m going to eat.”
“You enjoy that. I’ll see you later.”
I chatted with Julian and Corbin about our plans for the garden.
While I was outside, I saw Ambrose and Dax disappearing down the trail that led to the water.
Later, when I noticed them returning, their arms were slung around each other, and they were smiling.
I knew Ambrose had finally told his brother about that awful day in his past, and Dax had responded with love, not judgment.
During the afternoon, I managed to check in at least briefly with every member of Ambrose’s family while also taking time to visit with my parents and sister.
I’d be spending the afternoon and evening with them the next day, but I was glad to have time to show them the house and explain how much I truly loved living there.
After making sure Ambrose wasn’t nearby, I told them about my plans to convince him to get some more animals.
“I’m not sure I can imagine Ambrose agreeing to that,” my sister said.
“He’s got a pet alligator. That’s a start.” My family stared at me, and I could tell they weren’t sure if I was joking. I decided they didn’t need to know.
Overall, the afternoon went more perfectly than I could have imagined.
But with so many people there—plus a dog and a monkey—it got chaotic.
Ambrose had to retreat upstairs a few times.
I was glad we had decided to keep everyone downstairs after briefly showing them the rooms up there that had been renovated.
As afternoon turned into evening, Ambrose tapped a spoon on a mason jar of moonshine to get everyone’s attention. “Thank you all for coming today. It’s been good to see everyone and to show off the house, but the party’s over now, so get moving.”
I’d explained to my parents and sister that Ambrose would decide when the party ended. They found it humorous, and they weren’t at all offended. My sister said I’d clearly gotten what I deserved in Ambrose. She might be right, but I was one lucky man.
Once all the guests had departed, I gave Ambrose some time on his own, then joined him with a plate of snacks and a couple of beers on the screened-in back porch.
I settled into the chair next to him and took in the sights and sounds of dusk. “I could spend all night sitting here with you,” I said. “Or doing more than sitting.”
It wouldn’t be the first time we’d fucked on the porch. Ambrose had tried to convince me to fuck him outside, but I wasn’t sure I could do that out where the gators could sneak up on us. The screened-in porch was a good compromise.
“That sounds very tempting,” Ambrose said, “but don’t you have to go to work tomorrow?”
I pulled him onto my lap before responding. “I have to finalize the arrangements for Sean to join the crew at The Ranch. Are you sure I’m doing the right thing sending him there?”
“I’m sure. I’ve not met the man who runs the place, but he had a good reputation in the marines, and if X vouches for him, he’s trustworthy.”
Ambrose had finally told me who X was, and like he’d assumed, I had heard of the mysterious man’s alter ego.
I’d always thought there was more to him than there appeared to be, and I was thrilled to know his secret now.
I also knew he’d done a lot of excellent charitable work, and if all the Theriots trusted him, I supposed I should too.
The Ranch was still a bit of a mystery to me.
When I’d asked about visiting it, I’d been told that wasn’t allowed.
I might never fully understand how the place functioned as a horse ranch and a safe house for people deep in hiding, but it did sound like the perfect place for the former marine I’d been helping.
“You know,” Ambrose said, shifting position so he was straddling me. “You must have spent a lot of sleepless nights as a cop. I’m sure you worked long shifts and couldn’t just leave work when the clock hit five.”
I frowned at him, not sure why he was bringing that up. “That’s true. I’ve done my share of all-night stakeouts and working crime scenes until the wee hours.”
“Then I don’t suppose you really need much sleep tonight just to drive into New Orleans and do some paperwork and talking.”
“I’m going to be showing my parents and sister around the city.”
Ambrose waved that off as if it were nothing. “I think maybe we should try it.”
“Try what?”
“Staying out here all night. How many times do you think you could get me off?”
I raised my brows and met his eyes. “Do you really want to find out? I thought you planned to work more on the upstairs tomorrow.”
He grinned. “That can wait.”
“You know what? It sure as hell can.” I kissed him as I began to catalog all the different ways I wanted to have him that night. And every night thereafter.
Thank you for reading The Theriot Family series.