Epilogue
FALLON
MANY YEARS LATER…
“I think I might miss this the most.” I motion to all the food laid out. At these events, they always lay out a giant spread in Rich’s marked-off area.
“It’s the cheese, isn’t it?” Willa picks up a piece and pops it into her mouth.
“You all know I could make this, right?” Teddy’s brows pull together.
“It’s different when it’s here. You know, like those nuts you eat on a plane.” Both Teddy and Willa turn to look at each other before coming back to me.
“When were you on a commercial flight where you got peanuts?” Willa asks as Teddy holds back a laugh.
“Well, I saw it on television.” I laugh with them. “I’m sorry that I’m spoiled.”
“I’m not.” Willa pops another piece into her mouth.
The Velcro sound from the doctor pulling off the blood pressure pump from around Rich’s giant bicep is loud. He’s getting a final check-over before he can go out for his fight. I make my way over to him. Rich appears to be in deep conversation.
“But is there a time you can give me? Minutes?” I hear Rich ask as I approach.
“It depends. If you notice swelling, then it would be best to sit down and elevate the feet.” What the heck are they talking about?
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“How are your feet?” Rich drops down onto his haunches.
“Rich!” I bat him away. The doctor only shakes his head before walking away. “Are you really asking him about my feet?” I don’t even know why I asked that. I shouldn’t be the least surprised that Rich is being over the top ridiculous.
“Last time they were killing you.” He stands back up.
“I’m barely pregnant. I’m fine.”
“You can’t have that.” He takes the OJ I picked up.
“Hey!”
“Citrus always gives you heartburn.” I roll my eyes at him. “Only looking out for you, dollface.”
“I’m fine!” I repeat for the millionth time.
"This is preventive." I don't know whether I should smack him or kiss him. I wish I could get mad at him, but I have to admit that although his overbearing tendencies are too much at times, they are also endearing. The man is forever fussing over me. He always has and always will want what's best for me.
My first pregnancy was rough, but I don't think it was abnormal. Of course my feet got swollen, and I had heartburn. It was the throwing up that drove me insane the first four months, and I'm not sure if it was the nausea that drove me bonkers or my husband swearing I wasn't getting enough food. Luckily, this time there has been no vomiting, and I'm three months in. That, however, hasn't stopped Rich.
"Let's focus on your fight, and then we'll focus on me."
"Are you okay?" His big hands cup my cheeks, his eyes searching my face.
"What?"
"You just said I can focus on you after. When was my focus never not on you?" I snort a laugh, making him smirk.
"Fair point." I lift up on my toes to press my mouth to his.
It's crazy this will be his last fight. Rich is retiring early from his MMA career. He's damn talented at it, but he's over it. Tonight, all of his proceeds from the fight are going to a charity. One I have become highly involved with over the years.
Going to all the different fights, you meet all kinds of people. One of the coaches I met runs an after-school training program for boys. All the boys in the program were part of the foster system. The program is similar to Big Brothers, but it is centered around the sport of MMA. It keeps the participants off the streets and their focus elsewhere.
I got involved more when I noticed one of the boys’ sisters would always come with him and just watch. I started to slowly get to know her and even teach her things my Rich had taught me. Then she brought a friend, and it grew from there.
I know when Rich first taught me how to defend and protect myself, it gave me inner strength. It helped me come out of my shell more, and I want to give that to other girls out there that need it. Both Rich and I have become deeply involved in the program, and we want to expand it, but it takes a lot of attention and time. It’s another one of the reasons Rich decided to retire.
“The sooner you get the KO, the sooner all of your focus can once again be on me.” Behind me I hear his manager say it’s time to go. I can hear people already chanting his name.
Rich gives me a kiss before hugging Teddy and Willa. The men bump fists. King’s hand comes down on Rich’s shoulder as he leans in and talks to him. Rich nods, taking in whatever he is saying.
After that night Rich had slipped out of bed and returned early the next morning, things had shifted. The men were closer and not at each other's throats anymore. Over the years, everyone has settled in. It’s difficult not to when everyone is now having babies. It has knitted us together in ways I didn’t know were possible.
My whole life I hated my father, but in the end he was the one that had indirectly led me here. I jumped off that boat and right into Rich’s arms. That man catches me every time. There is such freedom in knowing the people around you love you. That you don’t have to worry about each word you say or the things you do. In the end, we’re all still there for each other. We are family by choice.
I pull the hood over Rich’s head before he takes me by the hand to lead me down the tunnel. When I hear a roar from the crowd, I know the cameras are on us. At the end of the tunnel, Rich stops, and I push his hood back off before he leans down and kisses me.
I smile against his mouth when I hear the roar from the crowd again, only this time they’re shouting Dolly . It’s what everyone started to call me when Rich’s MMA career blew up. It only took them once to overhear him call me dollface, and it grew from there.
Rich runs toward the ring as the rest of the family follows to join me. We are led to an area for all of us to hang out. I sit down between Willa and Teddy. No matter how many of these fights I have been to, I still get nervous.
Teddy reaches over and slides her hand into mine, giving me a reassuring smile.
“He’s got this.” Willa bumps her shoulder with mine. I nod in agreement with her. Even King leans over and gives my shoulder a squeeze.
The bell rings, and off they go. Rich’s manager asked him if he could give it a few rounds, wanting to give the crowd a show. This is pay-per-view, and people paid money to watch the fight. It was a stupid question for him to ask. Rich isn’t here to put on a show like a lot of the other fighters. A lot don’t even do the smack talk with him anymore at weigh-ins.
Not after the time one of them made a remark about me. That ended up being Rich’s longest fight to date. Rich had toyed with him in the ring a few rounds before he knocked him out. I think he might have broken a few things on him as well. He wasn't letting the man off easy. Since then, no one says anything about me.
It doesn’t take long before Rich’s opponent is down for the count. We’re all on our feet cheering and jumping around. The arena booms with cheers, making me smile. I glance around at all the people.
Years ago this would have sent me into a panic. It’s amazing what time and love can do for you and your soul. All of us are hugging each other.
When I turn back, I almost run right into Rich. “What are you doing?” I laugh. He swings me up into his arms.
“Why are you jumping all around?” He doesn’t look happy even though he just won.
“Shut up and kiss me,” I order him.
Rich lays claim to my mouth in a deep kiss before carrying me out. He takes me back to our marked-off area where Eden and Jack are now with all of our little ones. Rich puts me back onto my feet.
“Daddy wins!” Our daughter claps, running toward us. Rich scoops her up into his arms.
I watch everyone talking and teasing each other. Our kids are running around playing together. They are more like brothers and sisters than cousins.
“You’re going out undefeated,” King says, and I can see how proud he is of Rich.
“All I do is win, win, win no matter what,” Willa sings, the kids joining in, making everyone laugh.
Willa isn’t wrong. We all won in the end. If there is one thing we can all agree on, it is this: Family is our every reason.
* * *
I hope you loved the third and final book in the Lighthouse Landing Series. Curious about Willa and King? Read their story, You Know I Love You , available now!
Have you read my Untouchables Mafia Series? Keep scrolling to get a sneak peak of book one, Born Into Sin , available now.