EPILOGUE
PENELOPE
Thanksgiving
WARD TAKES MAX FROM my arms and hands him to my mother. I glance at them, both confused. I have just fed him and was about to put him down to sleep.
He’s only six weeks old and the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
Yes, another cheeky Montgomery boy in the world. I couldn’t be happier.
Hosting Thanksgiving didn’t seem like something I could do after recently giving birth, but Ward had it all catered.
“Oh, look at those blue eyes,” Mom gushes. “Just like your daddy and brothers.”
My father leans over her shoulder and the look of love in his eyes almost has me in tears.
Again.
I had no idea a child could make me so happy. I’ll never be sorry that Ward knocked me up. As Atlas likes to say.
The boys have all accepted me into their father’s world without issue. One thing I admire about the Montgomery’s is that they’re such a loving and open family. They talk about things. Emotions.
Sure, sometimes the passion is over the top, but they respect their father and challenge one another on things. Robust conversation over the dinner table is a common thing.
Bella was a little more challenging.
She misses her mom and found it hard to see Ward with another woman. He explained that she’s always felt slightly insecure because he’s not her birth father. To which he emphatically said was irrelevant.
I took Bella out for a coffee several weeks after being formally introduced and we talked. I told her I wished I’d met her mother, that Tina sounded like she was a brave and loving woman.
“Thank you. I miss her so damn much.” Bella shared, then told me some of her life journey.
I asked if we could be friends and told her I didn’t want to and could never replace her mom.
A few tears later, I rubbed my belly and said, “Actually, I could do with advice on becoming a mother.”
“The hardest bit of being pregnant for me was having lost mom. Blake and Dad were great, but I was surrounded by men until Payton and Molly met my brothers.”
I chuckled.
“Thanks for doing this. It must be hard stepping into our family. We are all so close.”
I nodded, not telling her about some of the tears I’d shared with Ward.
“Hang in there,” he’d said, solid as a rock.
We both knew we couldn’t force Bella to accept me. In the end, I had to put my big girl panties on and speak to her one-on-one.
“I didn’t like Dad being alone but then seeing him with you instead of Mom made me sad. Which is selfish.”
“It’s not,” I said. “It’s natural.”
“Well, I’m glad it’s you,” Bella said and as she hugged me, I cried.
“Sorry. Pregnant.” I pointed at my belly.
Ward walked in, having planned to pick me up, and stood watching us—not that Bella could see—and the emotion on his face stole my heart.
Like he hadn’t already.
Many months on, now both our families sit full of turkey and laughter while the fire roars in the vast living room. I reach for Max, needing to put him down so I can put my feet up.
Mom smiles at Ward and steps away.
What is going on?
“Um, can I have my baby, please.” I laugh awkwardly, staring between the two of them, confused.
Then Ward disappears.
I glance down and find him kneeling on the white rug in front of the fireplace.
I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth.
Everyone goes silent. Well, except Molly, who does a little squeal.
My eyes, however, are locked on my big, powerful, and loving man.
“Penelope, my sweetheart. My greatest surprise in life. Where did you come from?” Ward begins.
“I think you know,” my father says, and everyone laughs.
Ward smirks but doesn’t look away.
Oh my god, is this happening?
I wipe my hands down the front of my red woolen dress and feel them get clammy all over again.
I moved in with Ward almost immediately after we learned I was pregnant. He was such a fusspot making sure I took my vitamins and watching what I ate. It ended up being easier and felt like the most natural thing to do.
We hated being apart.
After telling me he was going to marry me, we never spoke about it again. Bringing Max into the world was our focus.
Now he’s here. This amazing man has surprised me again.
“You’ve given me another son and extended our already growing family.” This time he does glance at my parents and around the room. “In the words of a wise man”—he smiles at Knox—“if I get so lucky to love twice in this life, do not mess it up.”
“That’s not quite what I said,” Knox mutters.
“Close enough.” Ward smirks.
“Penelope Goldsmith, will you do me the honor of being my wife, raising our son together, and spending the rest of your life with me?”
I pretend to think about it for a second while a couple of people chuckle.
Who am I kidding?
There has never been a second since I met this man that I didn’t want him.
“Yes, yes! I will marry you.” I cry.
Ward leaps to his feet and slides a ring on my finger, then pulls me into his arms and kisses me.
“I love you,” I whisper into his ear.
WARD
THE ROOM AROUND US explodes into cheers, and Max starts crying. I know my fiancé will forgive me. I’ll probably have to put him down tonight to make up for it.
Totally worth it.
I grin as I release Penelope’s mouth.
“You even got a ring?” She holds her hand up and gasps at the ten-carat yellow diamond. “Ward, it’s stunning.”
“Like my bride,” I whisper against her mouth.
Her dirty smile makes my cock twitch inappropriately in my pants as our family surrounds us.
Champagne pops and Levi starts pouring.
“Congratulations you two.” Molly claps. “I’m so bad at keeping secrets.”
“Did everyone know?” Penelope asks.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, nods.
“Even Max,” I tell her.
“Traitorous child.” She mocks taking the baby from her mom.
“Photo!” Payton shouts, using her hands to guide us into her shot.
Click.
For the next ten minutes, we take about seven hundred photos with everyone in them, and I can’t help but feel my chest swell with pride.
Knox slaps me on the back. “Good to see you happy, Dad.”
I smile and pull him into a hug. He’s not the cuddliest of my children but today is a special day.
“Thanks for calling me on my bullshit. I may have lost her if it wasn’t for you.”
“Not true. As Atlas says, you knocked her up.”
I chuckle, even though I do not approve of them saying it.
“Penelope loves you,” Knox states.
“She does. It doesn’t take anything from your mother and me, and in fact I feel at peace about it now.”
“Mom would have liked Penelope.”
I glance at my eldest son and smile. He’s matured so much in the past year.
“Daxton Phillips, our CEO, has accepted another position in London. One he couldn’t refuse,” I tell Knox, and he twists his head around in surprise.
I found out a few weeks ago but wanted to mull over my decision before saying anything to anyone. Daxton has given me three months’ notice—the norm in any senior position—so I had time to sit and think.
As the majority shareholder in Montgomery Enterprises, I still have the voting power over who leads my company.
“And resigned,” I clarify. “Talk it over with Payton. If you’re ready, the job is yours.” I slap my son on the shoulder.
“Fuck.” Knox runs a hand over his mouth.
He’s waited for this all his life. Correction, he’s worked his whole life for this. If he wants to wait and spend more time with his family, that’s his call. He’s proven himself to be an amazing husband and father.
And businessman.
The decision isn’t mine.
It’s his.
“She’ll support my decision. I’m ready,” Knox says, emotion rich in his eyes.
“Then, congratulations Knox. You are the new CEO of Montgomery Enterprises.”
“Dad. Thank you.”
For the second time today, we hug and pride roars through me.
Penelope turns back to me after kissing everyone in the room and showing off her ring to the girls. I tuck her under my arm.
“Looks like we’re having another family wedding in the spring,” I say, kissing her forehead. “What do you say, sweetheart? April wedding?”
“In the Hamptons?” Penelope asks hopefully.
“I’m ringing Jacob right now.” Blake waves up his arm, meaning his brother, who owns a stunning beachfront mansion.
“Whatever you want.” I turn her into my arms as everyone breaks away.
“I love you,” she whispers softly.
“Forever.” I kiss her.
This one, I know, will be for the rest of my life. Both of my wives have a place in my heart, and I truly do feel blessed to have loved once and now love again.
“Now let’s get our little boy to sleep and the rest of our family out of here so I can make sweet love to you.” I growl in Penelope’s ear.
“There is nothing sweet about your lovemaking, Ward Montgomery.” She pokes me in the ribs.
“You enjoy every minute of it.”
“I do.” Her dirty smile has me thinking very naughty thoughts.
“Drink up!” I say to everyone after kissing my fiancé firmly on the mouth. “My bride and I have wedding plans to make.”
“Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” Atlas asks.
“You want me to go into better detail?” I quirk a brow as Penelope loops her hands around one of my biceps, and all my offspring and their better halves block their ears with their hands and start packing up.
“No. Please don’t.” Penelope’s father moans. But he laughs and reaches out his hand. “Welcome to the family, Ward.”
I shake it.
“Thank you, sir.”
When the door closes behind everyone, I follow Penelope into Max’s room. Miraculously, he’s become drowsy in her arms as she rocked him.
She lays him down in his crib, covering him with his cream blanket and tucking a toy giraffe beside him. Then leans in and kisses him.
“Goodnight, my beautiful boy.”
My hand rests on her hip as we both watch him drift deeply into sleep. The soft shadows in the room wash over me and I’m filled with an enormous amount of peace.
I know I’m a lucky man.
From my success, to my children, and to the two women I love. I count my blessings every day and take none of it for granted.
Perhaps that’s the secret to success.
Penelope turns, places her hands on my chest, and I lean down, kissing her gently.
“Let’s go make another one. Or at least practice.” I smile slowly.
“How about a girl this time?” she asks cheekily.
“I doubt it.” I wink.