EPILOGUE
ELEVEN MONTHS LATER
I can’t believe tonight is finally here.
Tinsley has been touring for over fourteen months, and tonight is her last show on The Freedom Tour. After the last four months in Europe, she had her final four shows in the states, and tonight, she’s closing it out in Orlando.
She sold out every single concert, even those that were added as additional dates to cities that sold out insanely quick and performed one hundred and three times for over seven million people after kicking it off in Nashville a year ago in September.
But what Tinsley would argue is more important is that The Freedom Tour raised enough money for The Skye Network to not only build their headquarters, but also four additional locations and extend their services to a regional effort—something the non-profit was hoping to be able to do in the next five to ten years, Tinsley made it possible in just over a year.
When her album drops from the tour next month, those funds will allow The Skye Network to help so many domestic violence victims find safety, hope, and hopefully break the cycle for the next generation.
I watch most of the concert from our suite—we thought it was poetic to have three suites at her final show for the tour.
I like that for this one we’re closer to the stage too so I can see my girl better and I know that she can see me, and her entire family that’s here to support her.
I pass my snoozing niece off to her mama, thankful that ear protection comes small enough for a four-month-old.
I smile at the thought of the sound protection not being quite small enough for my youngest niece though—Walker and Vivian’s little girl arrived early yesterday morning.
But if her four-week early arrival is any indication, then Margot Cameron Bennett is going to keep them on their toes.
With three kids under two, Davis and Henry will ensure chaos is a constant in that household anyway, and it’s fantastic.
I sent my jet to get Walker’s mama and his brothers’ wives last night, so between them and Savannah, the Bennetts are in good hands.
Vivian insisted Cami come today, which I’m sure Tinsley would’ve understood when Vivi went and named their baby after her, but Vivi knows that Red needs Cami here today too.
Earlier today after soundcheck, Tinsley said she wanted to tell me something after tonight’s show, and I’m selfishly hoping it’s that she’s ready to take a break from touring and we can start our own little family.
When Rick was running her career, she was always booking the next tour before she completed the one she was currently on, but those days are over, as are Rick, Debbie Jo, and Kane’s days of freedom as they are all serving life sentences for their crimes.
Those trials just wrapped earlier this fall, and Rick will soon be facing the charges for Michael Sinclair’s death.
We all know he did it, and the fact is that no matter the outcome of the case in Florida, Rick spending the rest of his life in federal prison is a slight comfort to my girl.
But she doesn’t waste any energy on that cockroach. She’s too busy living her life and being happy—as she damn well should be.
Tinsley dances across the stage, not hesitating in any of her movements, and I feel like the pride in my chest could explode. She worked so hard to fully recover, and every single time I see her share her light and magic, I could explode with pride for my girl.
My wife.
My fucking wife.
I glance at my watch—I calculate the earliest I can be back inside her is ninety minutes.
That’s not going to work for me. We’re going to need a pitstop in her dressing room after her last song.
With a decisive nod, I turn and make my way through our friends and family as I head to the back elevators that will take me backstage and to my wife.
I have her entire concert memorized and I know exactly where she is.
I have seventeen minutes until she takes her final bow.
It will take me that long to get backstage in a stadium this large.
Exactly as I expected, I nod to Thor as I step to the side of the stage to wait for my wife.
Thor is kind of family now since he and Allie got married this summer, but I’m no expert in family trees.
I just know the man does a great job keeping Tinsley safe and I trust him—and so does Tinsley—which is everything.
“You guys have been so sweet, thank you so much, Orlando! Thank you for an epic final stop of The Freedom Tour! I love y’all and I’ll see you soon!” Not too soon if I have anything to say about it.
Tinsley waves to the crowd as she takes a final bow with her band and the crowd goes wild.
She looks up to the suite to wave at us, and I can tell she’s looking for me but hasn’t realized I’m down here yet.
A few moments later after the final confetti has been released over the screaming crowd, Tinsley dances over to the side of the stage, and the moment she sees me, she breaks into a run toward me.
“Slow down, Red! I don’t want you to slip!” I bark at her but she ignores me as she launches into my arms. I pick her up and she wraps her legs around me. “Way to go, baby! You did it! Congratulations!” I squeeze her as I turn and let Thor lead us through the crowd, carrying my wife in my arms.
She leans back and frames my face with her hands. “I was looking for you and worried when I didn’t see you after the last song! Don’t scare me like that, Jack!”
“I wanted to congratulate you the second you came off the stage,” I lean in so only she can hear me for the next part, “and I wanted to celebrate by making both of us come before we celebrate with everyone else.” Her eyes widen and she squeals.
“I need my dressing room before we do the photos, Thor!” Tinsley calls over her shoulder. He shakes his head; there’s no way he heard what I told my wife, but he also knows exactly what we are going to do.
I don’t fucking care.
But I am going to fuck my wife. Ha. I smirk as we make our way to her dressing room.
The second we’re in her room, I set her down and spin, kicking the door shut and locking it with one hand as I strip my wife down. I unbuckle my pants and don’t even bother pulling them all the way off. I don’t have time. I just have the need to be home.
And Tinsley Callahan is home.
Tinsley pulls her booty shorts off that are under the dress she wears for the final set. That’s all I need before I’m back on her and pick her up, pressing her against the wall.
“I can’t believe this was the last show! That crowd was insane tonight, such good energy.”
“I’ll show you good energy—wrap those legs around me, Mrs. Callahan.”
The moment I slam home and Tinsley moans almost as loud as I do, everything is right with the world again. The noise of the world and demands of our lives is silenced. It’s just us and this moment.
“I want you to think about something,” I tell her as I nibble on her ear and start to move.
“I’m already thinking about your cock, Jack. It’s good, I promise.” She bites my neck and I hope she left a mark.
“No, I mean, yes, think about that always, but now that the tour is over, and our house is almost finished, I want you to consider going off the pill so we can start our family.”
“Mmmmm.” Tinsley’s sound isn’t a dissent but it’s not really an agreement either. “There’s just one problem with that suggestion, Mr. Callahan.”
My hips pick up speed. “I’ll fix it. Name the problem. It’ll be handled.”
She starts to laugh but it morphs into a moan as she blazes to her release.
Tinsley runs her hands into my hair and tugs, which sends me barreling toward my own release while she starts to ride out her own.
We finish, still standing with Tinsley pressed up against the wall, both of us breathing hard.
I kiss her softer; the edge now calmed after finding peace from my favorite source.
“What’s the problem?”
“Hmm?” Her eyes are glazed over and she has that goofy post-orgasmic grin I love to see so much.
“The problem with considering stopping the pill.”
“Oh! Yeah, it’s just that it’s too late.”
I freeze.
Time freezes.
My wife leans forward and kisses me, and I barely breathe, because I know what I want her to be telling me, but she hasn’t actually said it yet.
“Tinsley.”
“Yeah, Jack?” She grins.
“Are you pregnant, Red?”
“Yeah. I thought it would take longer for the pill to work out of my system but—” I cut her off, kissing her deeper and harder than I probably should, but fuuuuuck.
Tinsley Callahan is having my baby.
I open my eyes and look at my wife, my gorgeous warrior of a wife that has stood her ground and fought for more than she ever should have had to but still managed to be a light to not only me but so many other people.
“You’re going to be a daddy, Jack.” Her voice waivers as she smiles tenderly at me, reaching up to catch a tear with her thumb that I didn’t even realize had escaped.
“You’re going to be late for those photos, Red,” I growl as I spin us and take her to the couch.
And we were well over thirty minutes late, but neither of us cared. We had some celebrating that couldn’t wait, and life is too short not to seize the moment—especially when that moment is my knockout five-eight wife rocking a skintight dress who just rocked my entire world.
She’s not just my wife—she’s everything.
The End
THANK YOU FOR READING HOLDING ON!