Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER…
G arth paced in Amber’s kitchen, gripping a set of papers between his fingers, waiting for Amber to finish the shower she had to take after work. He shouldn’t be surprised. She always did that.
But tonight needed to be different.
He hoped it would be unique in a way his fiercely independent girlfriend would appreciate.
“My, my. What has you all jittery?” she asked as she brushed her hand against his chest before reaching for the glass of wine he’d poured just before she’d gone upstairs. She leaned against the counter, running her fingers through her thick wet hair. The mixture of coconut and the rich sent of a dark blackberry and bell peppers filled his nostrils, exciting not just to his taste buds.
“You know I love you, right?”
She folded one arm over her middle while she arched a brow, sipping her wine. “And why are we asking such a silly question?”
“Because I have to make a decision that impacts you.”
“What decision is that?”
“My lease. It’s up next month. I spend more than half my time here. I’d be a dick if I thought I could move in. But I don’t know how to ask you if I should sign my lease or not.”
“I think you just did.” She set her glass on the counter and took the papers from his hands.
“And?”
“Are you asking to move in here with me?”
“I’m asking for more than that.”
She dropped the papers. They floated to the floor like feathers, landing on the tile with a soft little bump. “What?”
“I want more than to be your roommate and share in the bills.”
She cocked her head. “You mean you’re willing to pay half my mortgage? Car payment? Credit card bills?”
“Why are you making this so hard?” He rubbed his hands over his thighs before digging into his right pocket, the ring tickling his index finger.
Amber wasn’t a traditional woman. She didn’t bend to tradition. Over the last six months, he'd come to understand her need for independence. She needed to remain an individual. That while being someone’s… No… being someone’s wife was fine, that being someone’s mother would be special and amazing, but she refused to give up her own self. She wouldn’t get lost in someone else’s world.
And he didn’t expect that of her.
But he sure as shit wanted to be married to her.
Have a family with her.
“Because I want to ask you to marry me, but I know if I dropped to one knee and pulled out this ring, you’d?—”
She took the engagement ring from his hand and placed it on her finger. “I’d say yes.”
“Are you saying yes?” He let out a puff of air while she bent over and picked up his lease papers from the floor and tore them up, tossing them in the air.
“I love you, you big goof. I want to have the world with you.” She took her forefinger and wiggled her nose. “I wished for you to come to your senses and realize that while I like my independence, I love being with you. I love you.”
“Thank God.” He pulled her tight to her chest. “So, I have to be out next week.”
“Well, we’ll just have to have a garage sale and sell most of your furniture, except for the dining room table and bedroom set. I’m tired of you complaining about the size of my mattress.”
“Arthur says that the key to a happy marriage is just say, yes, dear .”
“I knew I liked that man.” She looped her arms around his shoulders, clasping her fingers behind his neck. “I love you, Garth. You’re all I’ll ever want.”
“I love you, too.” He pressed his lips against hers in a promise that meant more than any ring. Together, they could conquer anything. “Not to put any pressure on, but can we toss the birth control out the window?”
“About that.” She nibbled on her finger. “Not to freak you out or anything, but I think our birth control might have failed.”
“It might have what now?” He jerked his head.
“Actually, I know it failed. I just took a pregnancy test before I got in the shower.”
His mouth suddenly went dry. He tried to swallow but couldn’t. He blinked. “I think I need to sit down.” He leaned against the counter. “Are you sure?”
“I’ll need to call the doctor and have him confirm, but yeah, I’m two weeks late.”
“Holy shit. Of all the things I expected for you to say, that was not one of them.” He cupped her face and kissed her sweetly. He couldn’t love her more if he tried. He was getting married. He was going to be a father.
He shuddered.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m wonderful and aren’t I supposed to be asking you that?”
She giggled. “I wasn’t sure how you were going to react. I mean, it’s not like we haven’t talked about our future; we just hadn’t planned on it happening so fast.”
“Everything with us seems to be happening at the speed of light and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He smoothed her hair over her shoulder. “But it begs the question, when do you want to get married? I don’t care about a big wedding, but I would like to have my family and the team there.”
“I’ve always dreamed of getting married barefoot on the beach, so I’m sure we can plan that in a month, as long as your parents and siblings can get here.”
“Oh, they’ll drop everything to see me finally tie the knot and you know how my mom feels about having grandkids.”
Amber rolled her eyes. “Yes. I’m aware. She brought it up the last time she came to visit. Like ten times. I kind of blame her for this because I forgot to take my pills that entire weekend.”
“That’s funny.” He kissed her nose. “We might want to consider selling this place and getting a bigger house. Maybe over by the marina.”
“Interesting that you should mention that. I have a listing four houses down from Kent.”
“I can get on board with that.” He heaved in a breath. “Us parents. We’re going to have some pretty tall kids.”
She smiled. “I love you, Garth. With everything that I am.”
“Right back at you.” And he would spend his days doing all that he could to honor her and his growing family.
Thank you for taking the time to read GARTH’S HONOR. Please feel free to leave an honest review. Next up in the series is Hawke’s Honor!