Epilogue - Georgia
EPILOGUE - GEORGIA
Three months later
Aster, the store’s owner, has a huge smile on her face.
“These are incredible, Georgia. I think our customers would go wild for this. Especially the pajamas. Do you think you could do a holiday collection?”
I grin at her. “I certainly could. In fact, I have some red satin that would work perfectly.”
“I want it all . This is just what I’ve been looking for. We’ve wanted to branch out into clothing for a while, and it seems right to give the commission to a local business. You couldn’t have come in at a more perfect time.”
I’m still grinning when I leave the store. The last of the late summer heat is still holding on, but the leaves on the trees are a deep golden brown and the scent of cinnamon is in the warm air. This little town is so cute, especially the way everyone goes wild for the changing seasons. Hot on the heels of the Harvest Festival comes Halloween, and then Declan tells me ‘all that Christmas shit’ starts in earnest.
I walk to the bakery, picking up some of the donuts that Declan likes. My stomach growls at the scent of the powdered sugar. I’ve been so hungry recently, even though I’ve mainly been sewing at home. Maybe it’s all the sex, burning calories.
I press my thighs together, liquid heat pooling between my legs. Declan is insatiable. I just have to look at him a certain way and he pounces on me. And I love it. My big, strong woodsman is my ultimate fantasy. He makes me feel secure in a way I’ve never experienced before. I’m trying to learn not to run away when I feel vulnerable. Declan reassures me every time I worry about my body and I trust him more every day.
I sing along to the radio as I take the winding road up to my cabin. This route is so familiar now. The big patch of maple trees that marks the outskirts of Snowflake Falls, the sign for Bakersville and the road that leads to the ice rink.
Although it’s still September, I’ve already carved some pumpkins, which are arranged on the porch. As much as Declan grumbles about Halloween, he’s taken the time to light the candles inside each one because he knows how much I like it. As I get out of my car, the scent of pine and cedar mixes is carried by the cool breeze, mixing with the rhythmic noise of an axe hitting wood.
Declan is busy chopping wood in my front yard, his huge muscles flexing at every swing of the axe. I take a second to admire his broad shoulders in the flannel shirt I made him and the way his jeans hug his firm butt.
I wave the bag of donuts at him. “Thought you might like a snack!”
He sets the axe down and strides towards me, wiping the sweat from his brow. He reaches me and swings me up into his arms and I have to clutch onto the donuts to keep from dropping them.
“You’re a snack, Peaches.”
I giggle as he sets me down and takes a big bite of one of the donuts. “Are you nearly done?”
“I am for today. I thought we could drive over to my place. Albert has a gift for you.”
“ Albert does? How kind of him. Sure thing.” I shake my head and go inside.
It’s warm and cozy here. The roof is fixed, we’ve repainted the inside and Declan’s made me some new furniture. The weather’s been cool enough to light the fire a few nights this month. At the same time, it doesn’t feel like home. I spend a lot of time at Declan’s place now.
I wash my hands in the bathroom, then reach for the packet I bought last week under the sink. Something is nagging at me, a feeling that I can’t ignore. I slip it into my bag and walk out to the front. Declan’s already blowing out the pumpkins.
“Does that mean I’m having a sleepover at yours tonight? Isn’t that a bit presumptuous, Dec?” I ask.
He laughs. “I don’t even know what that word means, but yeah. You’re in my bed tonight, Peaches. No arguments.”
When we’re in the truck, he loops his arm over the back of my seat as he reverses. He smells of pines and clean sweat, and my core clenches again.
“Shall we watch a movie tonight? I’m in a Cary Grant kind of mood.” I glance over.
“Sure. But let Albert give you his gift first.” Declan is a little distracted, running his hands over his thick hair.
There’s no sign of Albert when we arrive at the house, but Declan makes a low whistling sound. The raccoon scampers down from the roof and perches on his shoulder.
“Albert asks that you go inside and wait on the sofa.”
I laugh. “I wouldn’t dare argue with him.”
I go straight to the bathroom and take the pregnancy test I bought. It takes a few minutes to show, so I put it on the counter and walk out.
Sitting on the sofa, my heart is thumping. Our whole lives could change depending on the result. I’m almost scared to go back to look but I know I have to.
Declan walks in and sets Albert on the floor. He runs up to me and presents me with a small, wooden box.
“What’s this Albert?” I ask. He chirrups a couple of times and then runs over to the window, prising it open and crawling outside.
Declan’s in front of me as I open the box. It’s lined in satin and there’s a big, sparkling ring inside. He kneels down in front of me.
“That was my grandmother’s ring. It would be an honor if you agreed to wear it and marry me. I love you, Georgia. With my heart and soul.”
My eyes are glistening with tears as I pick up the ring, turning it so it sparkles in the light.
“It’s perfect. Yes, Declan. I love you too. And I want to marry you.”
“Will you come live here? Permanently?”
I smile. “Has Albert agreed?”
Declan’s big laugh booms out. “Albert is delighted. I checked with him first, of course.”
I press my lips on his, kissing him as hard as I can. His tongue circles my mouth lazily and then he shocks me by scooping me up.
“I need a shower. And you’re coming with me.”
I start giggling as he takes me to the bathroom and turns on the shower. He strips off his clothes as I wriggle out of my strappy halter and shorts.
“You’re so fucking sexy, Peaches.” His hands are all over me as we step under the spray falling from the big waterfall shower.
I let out a soft moan as his massive hands roam over my skin as the water pours down on us. He pulls me closer, his strong arms holding me tight. Our bodies align perfectly, his hardness pressed against my aching wetness.
Declan leans in, his lips brushing against my earlobe before he whispers, "I want you so much, gorgeous. Been thinking about you all day." His hands slip lower and brush across my stomach, fanning out towards my thighs and then back up again to cup my breasts, gently pinching my nipples.
I run my fingers through his hair. "Declan," I pant, arching into him as he continues to torture me with those light caresses. He nips at my neck playfully, making me shiver in delight.
Placing one of his hands on the small of my back, he pushes me gently against the cool tiles and I gasp a little. His other hand slides between us and finds his way to my clit, stroking me steadily. He’s so hard, cock nudging my entrance as he lifts me onto the tiled shower ledge, thrusting deep inside me.
I hold onto his shoulders, breathing hard, taking him in as he fills me up. He’s solid muscle as he pumps into me harder, thumb working my clit. I arch my back and moan louder as his mouth drops to my breasts. He sucks and nips at each nipple, keeping up the steady pace. All my nerves are electric and I cry out as I come hard around his thick cock, bliss coursing through every part of my body. He finishes with three deep thrusts before his big body shudders and he growls his release.
We stand under the water, breathing hard. His hands stroke my wet skin and I reach up to whisper in his ear.
“Take a look by the sink. I haven’t seen the results yet.”
“Results of what?”
I give him a mysterious grin as he slowly withdraws. He gets out of the shower and picks up the test. I can’t see his face until he opens the shower door.
He bundles me in his arms, laughing.
“We’re having a baby!”