Epilogue
Prophet
While I’m thrilled for my brother and his ol’ lady getting hitched today, I could’ve done without Marnie’s color scheme. Wearing a deep pink shirt is definitely not in my wheelhouse, but when Becca walks up to me and says, “You look so handsome, Prophet,” I decide I’ll live with it.
“Thank you, Becca,” I reply. “You look like a fairy princess,” I tell her, taking in the poofy gown she’s wearing.
It doesn’t escape my notice that her braids have the same color ribbon as my shirt in them, nor do I miss the bow on the back of her dress that’s almost as big as her. “Mama Marnie says because it’s Valentine’s Day, we have to wear pink!” she exclaims.
Personally, I’d have gone with red myself, but nobody asked me for my opinion.
Then again, ever since last year when Rosa and I broke up the way we did, I’ve been a bit…
surly. Except where this little girl is concerned, that is.
There’s something about her that reminds me of the countless foster kids my grandmother helped raise.
Most of them went on to have extremely successful lives thanks to Granny’s love, including me.
She raised me and my younger brother when our parents died, and I developed my love for all things artistic, as well as working out because of her.
I know I’m a bit of an anomaly to my brothers.
I’m a licensed tattoo artist, but I used to be an MMA—mixed martial arts—champion.
While I’ve been toying with opening up another shop, my position as the club’s Enforcer has me wondering if I’d have the time necessary to devote to slinging ink again.
It’s something to talk about in church and get my brothers’ opinions, I guess, and I make a mental note to add it to the next agenda.
“Well, I think you’re beautiful in pink. Me, not so much because I’m a guy,” I reply.
I hear a voice clearing and turn, startled to find a curvy blonde standing there, a baby in her arms. I don’t recognize her at all, but I’m shocked into silence when she asks, “Are you… are you Eli Benson?”
“I am,” I reluctantly reply. “Who are you?”
“Phoebe Carter,” she says. “Here, she’s yours,” she states as she thrusts the baby into my hands.
“I can’t… no, that’s not right, I won’t continue to keep you in the dark like Rosa wanted.
Since she’s not here anymore, I don’t have to.
Everything you need to know is in the papers that are tucked in the diaper bag.
I’m sorry I interrupted your day since it looks like you’re about to have a party or something. ”
With that, she turns and rushes out the door, leaving me with so many fucking questions and absolutely no answers.
What. The. Fuck. Just. Happened?
Prophet and Phoebe’s story is part of the Love and Lust collaboration and will release on 02/09/26!