Epilogue
One Year Later…
Bristol
“I got you something,” I say when we’re finally settled back in our room at the Purgatory Falls Inn.
Hazel decorated the honeymoon suite for us. It’s filled with anything we could possibly want or need on our wedding night. I have to scoot the champagne out of the way to put the box down on the small table in front of Anson as he undoes his cuff links and lays them in their box.
“I thought the honeymoon was our gift to each other.” Anson’s eyes sweep over the lingerie I’ve changed into for him.
He paid for the honeymoon, and I planned every detail down to the letter.
It’s full of things for both of us. Architectural tours for him and antique shops for me, with several spa and sauna adventures along the way to make sure we take it easy.
“It is. But you paid for it, so I at least wanted to get you something small.”
“I would have done the same if I’d known.”
“You’re finishing the house. I think that counts.” I give him a pointed look as I run my fingers up his forearm before rising on my tiptoes to give him a kiss.
Earlier last year, Anson started secretly building a new house for himself on the outskirts of Purgatory Falls.
One with more land and more to his taste than the house we currently live in that my sister picked out when they first got married.
He planned to move into it when Ford went off to college, giving Ford the chance to keep or sell the house that had been his childhood home.
When we got engaged, he told me he wanted me to live in the new house with him if I liked it well enough.
But after we told Ford about our plans, he suggested we all move into it before he graduates.
He claimed he likes the idea of riding his ATV around and maybe getting a horse or two on the new property that wasn’t hemmed in by town hall codes.
But I think he did it for Anson, and maybe a little for me too.
Not that he’d ever admit to what a big heart he has. He’s like his father that way.
“Well, I still feel bad I didn’t get you something, darlin’. I would have, you know,” he explains as he picks the box up. I know for certain he would have, which is exactly why I didn’t let on.
“Don’t feel bad. Besides, this is kind of for both of us. Open it.” I nod at the box.
He unwraps it slowly, methodically. Taking his time to untie the bow and tear as little of the paper as he can. He likes torturing me like this with other things, so it tracks that he’ll make me wait to see his reaction to his wedding present.
When he finally opens the box to reveal the watch inside, his brow hitches northward, and his eyes fall on me as he pulls it out.
“Looks like amazing craftsmanship.” His gaze runs over the leather band and the gold details of the watch face.
“Grant knows a guy.”
“Of course he does.”
“There’s an engraving on the back.”
He flips it over gently in his palm and quietly reads the writing as my eyes trace the letters and our wedding date.
“Forever,” he repeats the word on a whisper as he looks up at me.
“The leather should look familiar.” I smile softly.
His eyes widen, and he tilts his head to the side.
“It’s not.” He grins when he recognizes the patch of leather he tore out of Chris’s car last year.
“It is. I hope you don’t mind. I thought it would be better on your wrist than on the wall.”
“I love it.” He kisses me softly before he picks me up and spins me around. “And I love whatever this is you’re wearing.”
“Well, good, because I want you to wear that watch and nothing else tonight.”
“You should get some sleep,” he warns. “You’ve barely had any this week.”
“We can sleep on the plane.” I pepper kisses down his jaw and neck as he sets me down on the floor. “It’s a long flight.” I’m already working my way down the buttons on his shirt.
“Whatever you want, darlin’.” He sighs and relaxes under my touch as I trail more kisses up his throat and run my nails gently over his skin. He’s stern when he’s worried about me, but I’ve also learned how easily I can distract him.
“I like when you say that,” I whisper.
“Well, get used to it. According to my watch, you’re going to be hearing it forever.”
I giggle softly before I kiss him.
“What?”
“That was one of the cutest dad jokes I’ve ever heard.”
“Again…”
“I know. Get used to it.” I grin, and he continues kissing me, softly at first, then deeper as he leans down to pick me up and carries me to the bed. He gazes down at me, and the look in his eyes melts my heart.
“I love you, Bristol. I can’t believe how damn lucky I am.”
“I love you too. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I meant it when I had them engrave it on the watch. This man is mine. Maybe wasn’t always before but always will be. Forever.