Epilogue
Two Years and Some Change
“Give me the baby. They’re waiting for you to speak.” Alisha attempted to lift our daughter from my arms, but I turned away, delivering a few more kisses on her fat cheeks before I handed her over. Immediately, her lips puffed into a cute little pout because she wanted to stay with me.
“Your mama has to go and be great. Let Auntie Lish have you just for a little while, pretty girl.”
“Where’s your mini-me?”
I frowned after raking my fingers through my hair, which I decided to wear straight for today.
Once I rechecked the light makeup I wore, I smoothed my hands down my wine-colored dress, removing imaginary wrinkles.
The dress hugged my frame so tightly that none existed.
I was close to changing only minutes ago, but Kincaid insisted it was appropriate for the event, although I was sure he was biased.
I’d gained a few pounds since the birth of our daughter and I think he became even more obsessed with my body than he had been before.
Either way, I was religiously popping my birth control pills because having a toddler and an infant proved to be quite a hassle.
I refused to add a third child to this chaos.
Our first anniversary was celebrated in Tulum at the same villa we visited for our honeymoon.
I learned Kincaid had purchased it a few months later once we realized our time at the villa left us with yet another unexpected pregnancy.
The place was now sentimental to us both because it was where our children’s journey began.
“She’s with her dad. You know that damn girl thinks she owns Darius. I have to fight for space in his life now.” She rolled her eyes, smiling at the same time.
“You love it.”
“I do, but I also hate it. She clings to him, hollering ‘mine’ when she sees me coming, and he eats it up.”
“Trust me, I get it, but it’s Kincaid hollering ‘mine’ when he sees me coming. I swear she has him wrapped around those fat little fingers and I’m just a close second when it comes to the two of them.”
“Blame yourself. She looks just like you, so how could I not fall in love?” That deep tenor had my stomach taking flight.
I lifted my eyes to find the man who stole my heart and turned my life upside down standing in the doorway.
The sleek black suit he wore was devilishly tempting the way it fit perfectly on his tall frame.
The wine tie he paired it with matched my dress perfectly, adding just a tiny splash of color.
My hungry eyes traveled up the length of him until I reached his mouth, which had me pressing a hand to my stomach when his teeth raked across his bottom lip.
My uterus was reacting, and as if he sensed it, I noticed that subtle shift happening behind his eyes before his beautiful smile surfaced.
I quickly dropped my hand and he laughed.
“They’re waiting for you, sweetheart.”
“I’m coming.”
“I’m going to head out,” Alisha tossed over her shoulder, and with a dip of his chin, he reached for our daughter, who already had her arms extended toward him.
“Nuh-uh, buddy. She’s all mine right now. You’re on wife duty.”
Alisha whisked away from him, holding our daughter protectively so he didn’t have access. Kincaid closed the space between us, stopping behind me, and we stared at each other in the mirror. He kept his hands to himself for a few minutes longer, but he placed a kiss on my neck.
“You’re beautiful.”
“So are you.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Thank goodness I wasn’t fishing for a compliment because that damn sure isn’t it.”
His arms encircled my waist and his hands pressed firmly against my stomach. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were thinking about giving me another baby.”
“I damn sure was not and don’t you even get that thought in your head.”
His smile expanded before he created a trail of kisses down my neck. “You sure about that?”
“Absolutely positive.”
“We’ll revisit the topic later, but for now, you go handle your business. You look amazing.”
“Thank you, but you’re just a tad bit biased.”
“I am, but I also don’t lie.”
“Is my mother here yet?”
“She is. They just arrived.”
I inhaled and released it slowly. “I guess it’s showtime.”
“It is.” I turned to Kincaid, who kissed my cheek before extending a hand to escort me downstairs to our guests. We traveled through our home and stepped out back to where everyone was enjoying drinks and the delicacies being passed around on trays.
Not long after, I had everyone’s attention and began my speech about accepting donations and volunteers for my foundation.
Tonight was a celebration of the completion of my second year and the opening of my third location.
I had just over six hundred participants signed up for our programs, whether for temporary housing, assistance with college tuition, or just mentoring so they were better prepared to take on the world.
Our guests would be a valued resource through donations and volunteer work.
I never imagined something so simple to be such a valuable resource for so many people.
Once I finished my spiel, the crowd offered their congratulations with promises to assist in any way they could. My smile was wide as I looked out and saw the faces of those who meant the most to me. Family.
Cast attended with his friend, who, after two years, was still around. Alisha and Darius were watching the kids; even Nic and Troy had flown in for the occasion and were spending the weekend with us.
My mother stood next to Abisai, who had his hand protectively resting at the small of her back.
They had been going strong, and although he was ready to move forward, she was enjoying the space they were in.
My mother wasn’t sure when or if she would accept his offer of marriage.
Although it was unofficial, we all knew it was simply that way because he was giving her space and time to decide.
He would have gladly given her his last name the day they met. I was sure of it.
“You were amazing.” His cologne tickled my nose before I felt his body brush against the back of mine. Kincaid leaned into me but kept his hands submerged in his pockets.
“Let’s hope it’s amazing enough for them to cut the big checks.”
“If they don’t, I will, but I’m positive you’ll get what you need.” He kissed my cheek.
“It defeats the purpose if we’re the ones funding this.”
“I thought the purpose was to provide the resources. It doesn’t matter where the money comes from, agreed?”
“Agreed, but I don’t want—”
“Sweetheart, relax and enjoy the moment. You’re doing good things. The support will be there. How about we focus on our own growth.”
I felt him hard against my back, but I wasn’t falling for that. “We can practice all you want, but I’m not having any more babies any time soon.”
“Then I suppose I’ll take what I can get.”
“You’re damn right because we’ve got our hands full with those two.” I motioned to our son, who was running after Darius and Alisha’s daughter. His little legs could barely hold him steady as he smiled wide, his arms extended, chubby fingers opening and closing as he tried his best to grab her.
“I think he has a little crush.” Kincaid’s tone was light with amusement.
“Oh, I know he has a crush. If she’s around, he’s right up under her, trying to plant those little lips of his on her face.”
Kincaid chuckled. “He takes after his daddy.”
“Which is definitely not going to play out well. He’s too little to be chasing girls.”
“It’s innocent.”
“For now, but that’s how it starts, and it only gets worse.”
“It’s inevitable, sweetheart. He’s an Akel. There’s no denying his charm. It’s how I managed to win the heart of his mother.” Kincaid stepped in front of me. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Jury’s still out on that one, but I won’t deny that the Akel men are indeed charming.”
He leaned in for a kiss that snatched my entire soul.
“Now, let’s go mingle so we can get these people out of here. I have a date with my wife to practice making a baby.”
I laughed, rolling my eyes as he placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the crowd. That was one request I didn’t mind agreeing to . . .
Ever!
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and who was I to deny this man the ability to be at his best, especially when I was the one who was technically benefiting?