Epilogue
“I’ve spent my whole life keeping her safe the best way I knew how. One day that job won’t be mine anymore.”
— ROBERT MONROE
Maximo
One Year Later…
I never thought I’d see the day when my house was so loud and yet…peaceful.
And yet here I am, standing in the doorway of the nursery, watching my entire future unfold before me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“Give him back. He doesn’t like you,” Constance snaps, her voice loud enough to be heard over the wails coming from the soft bundle cradled in Trenton’s arms.
“Oh, he loves me,” Trenton argues, bouncing my son with all the confidence of a man who has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. “He’s just venting a little...”
“Venting a little?” Melissa laughs from where she’s folding tiny clothes that cost more than most men’s suits. “I swear this is the best birth control method ever.”
Despite her words, there’s a gleam in her eye whenever she looks at my son, like she can’t wait to have her own.
I finally step into the room, the weight of my cane barely noticeable today. I’ve gotten used to it over the past several months. Learned to move with it. To adapt.
Just like everything else.
“Give him to me,” I say as I lean the cane against the wall.
Trenton hands my son over without protest when his screams reach a crescendo.
The second Robbie settles into my arms, something in my chest shifts, like it does every time.
While the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders may be enormous, it’s worth it.
We named him after his grandfather. One day, we’ll take him to the rebuilt restaurant where his mother grew up, where she was raised by a great man who taught her to be strong enough to take on my world.
“He’s perfect, isn’t he?” Constance says for the millionth time.
“He is,” I agree. My thumb brushes over his cheek as he stares up at me with Constance’s green eyes and my temper already simmering beneath the surface.
My bride watches me from across the room, her expression softening in a way that still surprises me. There’s no fear there anymore.
Only love.
Constance comes over beside me so we can admire the life we created together. She stands close enough that her shoulder brushes mine.
Right where she’s always belonged.
As Robbie begins to quiet down like he always does for me, the commotion going on downstairs filters into the room. Faint music drifts up from the backyard.
“We’ll head on down and give you a moment,” Melissa says before grabbing Trenton’s hand and dragging him out of the nursery.
Then, it’s just the three of us.
“Just me and my two greatest weaknesses,” I murmur aloud.
Constance leans her head on my shoulder and takes our son’s tiny hand. “You mean your greatest strengths.”
I turn my face to press a kiss to her temple. “Same thing,” I say.
She nods her agreement.
When Constance stays quiet, I ask her the question I’ve been thinking about all day. “Are you ready?” I ask her.
She exhales slowly, then reaches up to turn my face to hers, placing a kiss on my lips. “I’ve been ready,” she replies with a smile.
I glance down to admire the way her silky, ivory dress clings to her curves then back up to meet her eyes. They burn with that same defiance that’s held me captive since the moment she stormed into my house over a year ago.
Constance Monroe is absolutely fearless, and I wouldn’t want her any other way.
Except as my wife.
The entire family is waiting downstairs, friends and allies, ready to watch me introduce my wife and son as the future of this house.
“Once we step out there, there’s no going back,” I remind her.
Lifting her chin, Constance meets my gaze without any hesitation. “There was never any going back for me.”
A smile spreads across my face.
“That’s my firefly.”