Epilogue
Two Months Later
“I’m turning four tomorrow,” Becca said, hopping on one foot and then the other.
“I know,” Alana said. “And we are having a little beach party.”
“I’m so excited,” Becca said. “Daddy said we get to set it up tonight.”
They were at her house where they’d just walked in the door with the decorations for tomorrow’s party.
Five little girls from pre-K for a beach-themed party.
Early summer and they were spending more time here. Becca enjoyed the beach, and Alana loved sharing her family home with the man she hoped to have a future with.
The past few months things couldn’t have gone any smoother.
She’d found out that Jonathan was moving with the company to Alabama.
Her father gave her that bit of information and said that he’d told her ex there was no shot in hell he’d get hired at any Bond business.
Not that he was blacklisted, but that by Jonathan running his mouth and bragging about marrying into the family, then cheating on Alana, he’d sealed his own fate with no one else having to say a word.
She believed it.
Even if she didn’t, it hadn’t mattered enough.
Her ex was in her past as much as Brennan’s was in his.
They’d both moved on and learned to open up and trust again.
“We’ll set it up in the morning when you and Daddy come back. I’ll get most of it done before then.”
Her parents were in town for the party too. In the past few months they’d taken Becca in as the grandchild that they’d been waiting to get themselves.
Her parents loved Brennan, her father even joking that he approved of her boyfriend, but he was damn well being asked to give his blessing to any engagement in the future.
She’d told her father to cut it out. Not everyone did those things anymore, and not to consider putting any pressure on Brennan.
Her father was still sour that Jonathan never told them about the engagement prior to it happening.
“I hope I get what I want for my birthday,” Becca said, dancing around the room.
“If you’ve been a good girl, I’m sure it could happen,” she said. Between her and Brennan they’d gotten the few things that Becca had asked for.
“Dinner will be ready soon,” her mother said. “Your father put the burgers and hot dogs on the grill.”
“Are you hungry?” She picked Becca up so that Brennan could bring the other bags in and put them to the side so that Becca wouldn’t go through them.
Her ribs had healed fully, and she was glad to have that behind her too.
Just another reminder to speak her mind and not hope something will go away on its own.
“I’m starving,” Becca said. “I want a hot dog.”
“You can get the first hot dog,” Cindy said.
Alana set Becca down and they all went to the patio where the salads were out on the table in the shade. Her father was flipping burgers and getting cheese out.
“What did you want for your birthday?” her father asked Becca.
“I want Alana to be my mommy,” Becca shouted. It was not the first time Becca had made comments about having her in the house. Or asking if Alana would live with them.
But it was the first time she’d been referred to as Mommy.
Her jaw dropped. Her parents were smirking, Becca was jumping up and down and Brennan dropped on one knee in front of her.
“Oh wow,” she said.
“I waited, Daddy. Did I do it right?”
“Was it planned for her to say that?” she asked.
“Yes. I can’t believe I could wait this long,” Brennan said. “Or that Becca hadn’t said it earlier. Alana, I know you love me as much as I love you. As much as you love my daughter. I’m asking you to be my wife, and a mother to my child. To give me more children in the future.”
“I want a brother,” Becca said. “Say yes!”
“Yes!” she shouted and laughed at the same time. “I want all those things too!”
Alana launched herself into Brennan’s arms, Becca joining the hug.
The three of them were finally getting the family they’d always dreamed of.
The End!