Epilogue
WADE
The spring winds lifted Quinn’s auburn hair playfully, her locks dancing over her shoulder as she walked over to me with a flute of champagne in her hand.
I pulled her onto my lap and enjoyed the moment.
Our friends and family were sitting on our back deck, enjoying a much more low-key celebration for our thirty-first birthdays compared to Quinn’s thirtieth.
Max was shooting hoops in the twilight with his friend, Mariah, her dad chatting with my friend, Owen. I’d reconnected with old friends and formed new friendships since I’d moved home. Without a doubt, the best rekindled relationship was my one with Quinn, although I’d count that as an upgrade.
Our mums were sitting in the corner, probably conspiring about ways to get Quinn and I to change our minds about kids.
When Quinn and Max had moved in with me, she confessed that she wasn’t keen to have more kids and was afraid that it was a deal breaker for me.
Although I was shocked initially, I understood her reasoning.
She’d become a mum at a very young age. I loved Max as if he were my own.
I always had. Dean was his father. I never got in the way of their relationship, as tentative as it was, but now more than ever, I felt like Max was my son, too.
Having Quinn and Max in my life every day was more than I ever imagined.
I just needed to make it permanent, and I needed to do it the right way this time.
As the sun finally slipped behind the horizon, I whispered in Quinn’s ear, and she slipped off my lap as we discreetly snuck away into the small courtyard to the side of the house.
She slammed me against the wall as soon as we were hidden from view behind the hedge, kissing me deep.
A year later, and the physical side of our relationship had not slowed down.
I wanted her as much as ever. I usually wouldn’t hesitate to satisfy my woman, but I had a feeling this courtyard was not as private as it normally was.
“Let’s save this for later,” I murmured as I dragged my lips away from hers. “I need to show you something.”
Quinn pulled away and let me position her in the middle of the courtyard.
I asked her to close her eyes, and I quickly flicked the switch to the fairy lights that Owen, Max, and I had set up that morning.
I’d talked my surprise over with Max this time, and he was more than happy to help me set it up.
“Open your eyes, sweetheart,” I said, emotion clogging my voice. I was down on one knee, when her eyes opened. Quinn’s hands were on her mouth, and she was already nodding. I needed to get the words out, though. You only get one second chance at proposing to the love of your life.
“Quinn McCarthy, I’ve loved you my whole life, would you do the honour of being my wife?” Tears streaked down her face as she continued to nod, kneeling down next to me.
“Yes!” she answered as she planted her lips on mine and then breathed. “I’m yours, forever and always.”
“Forever and always,” I repeated.
“She said yes!” I heard Max shout, and an immediate cheer erupted from our gathered loved ones. Quinn laughed into my shoulder, and we made our way to our feet. I kissed her again, finding it hard to resist her lips now that I was able to claim them whenever I wanted to.