EPILOGUE
DECLAN
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We spent three days with Mom over Thanksgiving, and by the end of the first day, there was no hiding Stella’s condition.
We got a test at the pharmacy, and it was positive.
I’m going to be a father.
Holy shit.
I am the happiest man in the world.
If I could get her father put behind bars, I would, but as it stands, the authorities aren’t willing to press charges for her kidnapping and his involvement because they are working with him to get information on some of the criminal distribution networks.
The asshole is talking and covering his ass.
Josh said to give it time.
I know it's hurting Stella, but being pregnant has reignited the flame in her eyes.
“We’re creating our family, sweetheart. Focus on our baby.”
“I am going to be a mommy.”
“You’re already a mommy,” my mom told her.
She loves Stella. The moment they met, they embraced and fuck me, I nearly cried.
I want to show her what it means to truly be loved.
Every day.
Every damn day until I die.
“I think it’s a boy,” Mom declares after lunch on our final day.
A few of my SEAL buddies stopped by, and Miles and Grayson joined us on the way home from their own Thanksgiving weekend. Our place was always open to my naval friends to visit, and I’m sure it was so she could talk about Dad.
“Could be your father reincarnated.”
Uncle Chad glances at me, and I roll my eyes.
“Don’t mock me. It could be,” Mom says.
“You believe in reincarnation, Mrs. Sloan?” Grayson asks as he bites into a sandwich and balances a beer in the other hand.
“Not me,” Todd, another SEAL friend, says. “I think we would have proof by now if there were.”
“How?” Mom asks, sipping her coffee. “There are lots of documentaries on it.”
Oh dear. Has she been waiting for Dad to come back?
“Wouldn’t you be happier knowing Dad was waiting for you up in heaven for when your time comes?”
She waves me off, puts her coffee down, and picks up some plates. “You don’t know how God works, Declan.”
Stella gives me a smile.
She’s glowing. Her white cashmere sweater and blue jeans make her look so typically all American I want to scoop her up and make love to her all over again.
She barely let me do it at all because we were in my mother's house.
I can’t wait to move to Connecticut.
After we leave here, we are going to look at a couple of homes. They are far bigger than anything I thought I’d ever own. Seven-figure properties with swimming pools and six bedrooms. A garage large enough to house five cars and a fully fenced, vast yard.
My future wife is rich.
It feels strange, I’ll be honest.
But Stella treats her money as if it's ours. Even when I remind her that it's not. To her, it's just a tool to create our future together, and I love her all the more for it.
“Sorry about Mom,” I whisper in her ear. “I was hoping—”
She places a hand on my chest. “Don’t. If I lost you, I’d be the same.”
Her words hit me right in the middle of my heart.
Christ, she’s right. I would have died for Stella, and if someone tried to take my child from us, I’d be a fucking mess.
Perhaps I’ve been hard on Mom.
“I wish Dad were here and could meet you.” I cup her neck. “He’d love you. Just like my friends do.”
“You are the only one that matters, Declan. They are all amazing, and whether we have a boy or girl, I’m so glad we will be a part of this family.”
Stella dips her eyes to her belly.
It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
She’s growing our kid.
“Stay right there.” I kiss her mouth and take off while she’s giggling.
I find Mom in the kitchen packing the dishwasher.
“Leave those. I’ll do it.” I take her arm and see she has tears in her eyes. “Mom.”
“I miss him, Declan.”
I pull her into my arms and give her a big hug. “I’m sorry I snapped. Today and other days. I didn’t know what true love was.”
She lifts her face. “You do now. I can see it.”
I nod.
“Are you going to marry her?”
“Yes.” I smile. “I was wondering if...”
Mom beams. “Yes, son. Let me go get it.”
While she darts off, I head back into the living room and chat to my buddies. Grayson knows Todd, so they are having a good chat.
“Join us at BHS. I know Josh will welcome you with open arms.”
“Pretty sure the big guy has his number blocked. He keeps stealing good guys. Like this one.” Todd nudges me.
I laugh while keeping an eye on Stella.
When Mom returns and slips the small box into my hand, I slide it into my pocket and start making noises about how we have to get going.
The party wraps up.
Uncle Chad offers to help clean up so we can make the house viewing time. We’ve already seen two over the weekend.
“See you back in the city next week.” Grayson shakes my hand. “Got my first client. A French diplomat.”
“Wow.” My eyes flare wide. “That should be interesting.”
“I doubt it. I’m expecting it to be as boring as hell.” He slaps my back and walks out with Miles.
Why do I have a feeling it won’t be?
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STELLA
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We arrive at the mansion twenty minutes away from Declan’s family home, and both of us stare up at the white and gray property.
It’s beautiful.
I don’t want to say it out loud, but it feels like the one.
I’ve never lived in a house before, so each one we’ve seen, I’ve walked around not sure what to make of them. Of course, my parents had a home in the Hamptons, but growing up, my homes were always penthouses.
Declan has taken the lead, asking questions and pointing out things for our kids.
It all feels like a dream.
But this house, this one, it’s...home.
“Man.” Declan leans on the steering wheel, and I turn to him.
“Do you like it?”
“Yeah, I do. Do you?”
I try to hide my smile. “Yeah...”
“You love it.”
I giggle.
“Here’s the agent, let’s go. Don’t act too eager.” He laughs.
Taking my hand, we follow the agent inside, both acting super cool while sharing grins at one another. Going from room to room, the excitement boils up inside me.
“I’ll give you both some time out in the yard if you like. Ask me anything when you’re ready,” the thirty-something guy offers.
“Thanks.” Declan presses his hand into my back as I step out through the glass doors into the yard.
It’s late fall, so the pool is closed, and everything is packed up. Chairs on top of one another, a table pushed into a corner.
“Imagine summer here.” I lean my head on his shoulder and touch my stomach.
Our kids running around, having dinner parties and celebrating the Fourth of July. Me writing in one of the rooms we can turn into an office. I’m going to self-publish from this point and work on my craft, telling stories that make me excited.
Yes... I can see our life unfolding before my very eyes as I stand beside the man I love with all my heart.
“Can we afford it?” he asks, dipping his head.
I nod.
“Sure can. I can pay cash today if you want it.” I move to stand in front of him. “But just because the money came from Dad, it doesn’t mean this is my decision. I want you to be one hundred percent.”
Declan nods, his eyes drifting over me across the yard. He’s deep in thought, his brow creased.
I wonder for a moment if he’s changed his mind.
If this is a step too far and it's not what he wants.
What changed?
He looks incredibly stressed, and my heart starts beating fast.
“I will agree on one condition.” Declan looks directly into my eyes.
“What condition?”
Before I know what is happening, he disappears, dropping to the ground.
“What are you...Dec...oh, OH!”
He lifts the lid on what appears to be an antique box, and I gaze upon the most exquisite diamond ring I’ve ever seen.
It’s gold, and the diamond is square, surrounded by baguettes. Despite being an antique, the design is stunning, and I draw in a breath.
“It was my grandmother's.” His wet eyes blink. “On my dad’s side. He told me one day I would give this to the woman I loved. That when I do, I had to make sure she never took it off.”
A sob escapes me.
“Marry me, Stella. Be my wife. Never take my ring off.”
“Yes.” I cover my mouth. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you. I’ll marry you a dozen times.”
Declan takes my hand and slides the ring on, and stands, towering over me as he always does before pulling me against his powerful chest.
My mouth races to meet his, and our kiss seals our promise to one another.
“I will never let you down,” Declan declares.
“I know. You protected me. You kept your promise. Now I promise to love you forever.”