Epilogue
ALINA
Five Years Later
The ocean opens up in front of me, its salty scent wafting closer.
I look at it, and I see only memories. Memories of happy days and dreams of happier days to come.
A smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I watch Edward kicking at the water, giggling with his childish voice.
Gen holds his hands, helping him around the shallow water.
Arms fold around my waist, and the safety that always comes with his embrace settles over me. I lean back into his chest and look up into my husband’s eyes. He smiles at me, that soft smile I know he reserves for me only.
“Happy to be back?” he asks.
“I am.” We have come here every year since we started dating, but it still holds a dear place in my heart. “I’m happy Edward gets to see it.”
“His first time seeing the ocean, too.”
“Yeah.” And the breeze embraces me, throwing my hair into my eyes. “I’m so glad Gen’s happy with an adopted brother.”
“She would be happy with any brother. She’s always told me she wanted one.” He tightens her hold around me. “And she respects you above everything else. If you don’t want biological kids, it’s fine. If you wanted them, it would be fine too.”
Turning around to hug him better, I prop my chin on his chest. “I was blessed, you know? That you wanted to adopt a child too, that you didn’t mind not having another biological one.”
“He’s going to be loved all the same.”
“I know.” And I smile because I do know. Lance is being a great father already, and Edward’s been with us for only six months. He’s attentive, careful, and loving. I couldn’t have hoped for a better man. “I’m just glad.”
Lance bends his knees and picks me up. Because of our size difference, I had to grow used to this.
He likes carrying me around like a doll.
And I do not mind. He sits on one of the lounge chairs and sets me down on his lap.
“You’re glad because I respect your wishes?
Any man who says he loves his wife would do the same. ”
Lance kisses a spot in the back of my ear, and I squirm in his hold. My ass lands on his hardness, and I can’t help but chuckle. “You look happy to see me.”
“Always,” he grunts into my ear. “It helps that you’re in this dress.” His hand slips up my thigh, underneath the summer dress. “God, it would be so easy,” he whispers, “to slip my fingers into your panties. Play with your little clit. See how well you hide it.”
Heat spreads down my face and neck. I chuckle, then sit up to keep away from his hands. Lance teases me, but he would never do anything to disrespect our son or Gen. We’ve already done it in public, of course, just not to this specific public.
“Don’t tease me, mister”
“I adore teasing you, Mrs. Delaporte.”
Oh, how I love to hear that name. “Mrs. Delaporte looks so nice on my business cards.”
He buries his hand in my hair, massaging my scalp until I hum. “You know what looks good, too? ‘Security Specialist.’ Fancy title. ‘Consultant’ is quite elegant, too.”
I chuckle. “And all because of you. If you hadn’t believed me when I joined your company and let me start the security department, none of this would have happened.” Lance lays kisses down the column of my throat for a moment until I pull back. “You swear you’re not upset I left the company?”
He scoffs. “What? Of course not. You’re growing, my love.
You created the department, you trained them, and you still consult for me.
Now, you’re going places. Bigger companies, specialized ones.
Working for Google is no joke.” And his proud smile grows wider.
“Soon enough, you’ll be working with the FBI, I’m pretty sure. ”
I chuckle because that’s an old dream of mine. A dream that looks very close to reality now. Looking back at the sea, at Gen and Edward playing in the waves, I’m too full of happiness to do anything other than smile. I smile, hugging my husband close, and I shut my eyes and let the sea lull me.
Lance kisses my ear again. “I love you,” he whispers, and the truth of it rings to my very bones. Warms me to my core. It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever felt.
I belong with him, and that’s what matters.
THE END OF BOOK 5