Epilogue #2
“I agreed to your request—occasional weekends when he’s older, alternating holidays, two weeks in the summer. I want to be part of his life, even if I’m no longer a part of yours.”
“As long as we share a child, you’ll always be part of my life, Justin.”
“I suppose you’ll want to marry the surfer dude once you’re free of me.”
She smiled at the way he described Owen. If only he knew how much substance the “surfer dude” brought to their relationship. “We haven’t gotten that far.” As long as she was still married to Justin, there hadn’t been much point in discussing their future.
“I’d like to come see the baby in the next week or so. Whenever you’re up for it.”
“Of course. I’ll call you when we’re home and settled.”
“Thank you for giving me a son, Laura. I’m sorry for what happened between us. I regret that I hurt you—and I felt that way before my mother laid into me.”
“Things work out the way they’re meant to.”
Owen stuck his head in the door, and Laura waved him in.
“I really believe that,” she added to Justin.
“Don’t forget to send pictures.”
“I won’t.”
He paused for a moment before he said, “You may not believe this, Laura, but I did love you, and I married you for the right reasons. Afterward, I don’t know what happened . . . I freaked out, I guess. I couldn’t believe you actually left me.”
Astounded, she said, “What did you think I’d do when I found out what you were up to?”
“I never expected you to find out. It was stupid. In hindsight, I wasn’t ready to be married, but I was so afraid of losing you. And then when I did . . . I behaved badly, and I’m sorry about that. I really am.”
“It’s in the past now,” Laura said, filled with relief that they were finally moving past the ugliness. “All that matters now is this beautiful baby who needs both his parents in his life.”
“He’ll have us both,” Justin said. “Take care of yourself. And the baby.”
“I will.” Laura ended the call and realized she had tears streaming down her cheeks.
Owen’s sunny disposition immediately darkened. “Did he say something to upset you?”
“Quite the opposite. Apparently, he signed the divorce papers. My dad has them with him.”
Owen’s mouth fell open, and his gray eyes went wide. “Are you kidding me?”
“Nope.”
“He really signed the papers.”
Laura laughed at his reaction. “That’s what he said.”
“And the custody agreement?”
“That, too.”
Owen’s whoop startled the baby, who’d been dozing in his mother’s arms. He let out a lusty wail of dismay.
“Sorry,” Owen said sheepishly.
“That’s okay. He’s probably hungry anyway.” She shifted on the bed, and her entire body protested the movement. “God, everything hurts.”
“Let me help you.” He took the baby until she was able to find a more comfortable position.
Laura wiggled her way out of the hospital gown, freeing breasts that had become embarrassingly large in the final weeks of her pregnancy. When she was ready, she reached for the baby. “Let’s give this a whirl, shall we?” It took several attempts, but the baby finally latched on.
“Would you look at that?” Owen seemed awestruck by the sight of the baby’s tiny mouth tugging on her nipple. “Does it hurt?”
“No, but it feels kind of weird.”
“I suppose it will until you get used to it.” He brushed her hair back from her face and leaned in to kiss her softly. “You’ve never been more beautiful than you are right now.”
Laura released an unsteady laugh. “You might need to invest in some glasses, Mr. Lawry.”
Shaking his head, he stole another kiss and ran a finger over her breast, tracing a vein that stood out vividly against her pale skin. “Gorgeous.” He turned his attention to the baby, letting his finger glide over the dampness on his little cheek. “What’s his name?”
“Holden Francis.”
“Holden. I like it. It suits him.”
“I think so, too.” The baby chose that moment to release her nipple.
Laura lifted him, so Owen could kiss the baby’s forehead.
“Holden, say hello to your second daddy.” Knowing the role Owen planned to play in her child’s life, the title of stepfather didn’t seem appropriate, so Laura had long ago decided that her child would have two daddies, and that would be that.
“Very nice to finally meet you, Holden,” Owen said, shaking his little hand gently. “So what brought on Justin’s change of heart?”
“Apparently, his mother laid into him and told him to do what was best for the baby.”
“Thank goodness someone finally got through to him.”
“He was very nice just now.” She glanced at Owen. “He told me he did love me but wasn’t ready to be married. It was nice to hear that he married me for the right reasons.”
“Of course he did, Princess. That’s why he was such an ass when you left. I’d go batshit crazy if you ever left me, so I get that.”
“No worries about me going anywhere. I’m afraid you’re stuck with us.”
Owen leaned in to steal a kiss. “Thank God for that.”
Laura transferred the baby to her other breast. When he latched on like an old pro, she smiled up at Owen. “Check him out. He’s clearly gifted.”
“Clearly,” Owen said, amused by her delight. “So when will this divorce of yours be final?”
“Six months.”
He counted on his fingers. “August.”
She nodded.
“That’d be a fine time for a wedding on our new deck at the Surf, wouldn’t you agree?”
Laura could almost feel the soft summer breeze on her face and pictured the sun setting over the ocean. “I’d say that sounds just about perfect.”
“Consider it a plan.”
“You don’t like to make plans,” she teased.
“That was the old me. The new me is all about making plans, as long as they include you and the little guy.” Somehow Owen managed to get on the bed with them and arrange her so he was supporting her and the baby, surrounding them with his love.
“This, right here, is just about perfect.” As he spoke, his lips brushed against her forehead in a soft kiss.
She leaned her head on his chest, happier than she’d ever been in her life. “Yes, it is.”
Turn the page to keep reading to attend Luke and Sydney’s wedding.