Epilogue
Aurora
One Year Later
I stand at the kitchen sink, looking out the window at the rolling backyard of the house Nick I moved into two months ago.
When he made the decision to step back from travel, he immediately hired someone who did similar work for a large hotel chain and began the training process.
Nick traveled along with his new employee, introducing him to the managers and assistant managers of the hotels, and teaching him the way he likes to handle things under the Meridian umbrella of hotels.
Then he moved in with Leah and me.
Leah has taken to Nick’s new living arrangements with ease, acting as if she’s always had her father around.
And as for me, determined to put my issues in the past, I decided to talk to a therapist about my abandonment issues.
Digging up my past is painful, but when I contrast it with my present, I’m finding it easier to trust the happy times will last .
We agreed together to buy a new house, one that is a home for our family.
Nick loved my house, but as the weather grew warmer, he decided we needed a larger backyard and a pool.
He also needs a home office, without taking over mine.
My old place had a master and three bedrooms. Leah had one, one was a guestroom, and Nick refused to take over the third one, which I used on occasion for work.
After seeing the state of the dining room where he worked before we found this house, I knew he has to have his own office.
I would have trouble sharing one with Mr. Messy.
And this new house? I adore it. It’s a modern, newly built 10,000 square foot structure at the end of a cul-de-sac, on two acres, with the pool Nick wanted and way too many bedrooms to fill. Excessive? Of course. But once I said I loved it, that was it. Nick wouldn’t consider anything else.
Life is so good, I have to pinch myself to believe it’s real. I place my hand on my flat belly and smile.
“Are you ready for the savages to arrive?” Nick asks, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Is that any way to talk about our families?”
He chuckles. “Maybe not yours, but it definitely fits mine.”
I laugh. “It’s fine. I’m looking forward to it. Besides, the help you hired to serve and clean have been setting things up in the dining room.”
The servers have been coming in and out of the kitchen for the last hour, heating and arranging food and drinks, and setting the tables.
Again, it’s excessive, but I’ve discovered that Nick likes his luxuries.
And if he can find a way for me to avoid doing housework, or anything beyond working at the charity I love, or spending time with him and Leah, he arranges for things to be done for us.
I’m still not used to being pampered, but there are worse things in life, I think, wryly.
Today is the first time we are having company at the new house—both families. All of the Kingstons and all of the Dares. Jade arrived early and is helping Leah pick out something to wear.
Just as I hoped, Jade and I have become close.
I learned the details about Jade’s broken engagements.
Two men hurt her badly. One proposed but had been using her for her family money, and the most recent one had cheated on her…
with his own brother’s fiancée. Jade deserves happiness, and I hope she finds someone she can trust. Right now, though, her man-fast continues, and she refuses to let anyone set her up on a blind date.
She isn’t interested in going out with anyone.
Nick clears his throat. “Hey. Where did you disappear to?” He rests his chin on my shoulder.
“Sorry. I was lost in thought. I’m fine.” I turn to him and smile. God, he’s sexy. He hasn’t shaved because I love his scruff—on his face…and between my thighs. I squirm at the memory of last night. Actually, it’s every night, after Leah goes to sleep.
“Before everyone gets here, would you take a walk with me?” he asks.
Taking his hand, I let him lead. He takes me around the gated pool, past the playhouse he transferred here from our old house, beyond the swing set, and walks into the gazebo we put up for shade and relaxation.
He gestures for me to sit, and I lower myself onto the rectangular seat and look up at him. “Why are we out here?” I ask. And why isn’t he sitting beside me?
He drops to one knee, and I gasp, realizing he is holding a suede ring box in his hand.
“Aurora, I fell in love with you one special night, and in the years after that, I think I was subconsciously waiting for our second chance. I never imagined it would come with a five-year-old sassy girl.” He grins, and I want to dive into his arms, but I let him continue.
“I think we’ve had enough time together as a family for you to be sure. So…” He opens the box revealing an excessively large diamond ring. “Aurora Kingston, will you marry me? ”
I blink back tears, managing to nod. “Yes! Yes.”
He grins and slides the ring onto my finger. “Thank God. Because this entire day has been planned around you saying yes. From Jade watching our little cockblocker, to all of our families coming soon…”
I glance at the twinkling diamond, afraid to ask how many carats it is. Definitely three or four. The man doesn’t know the meaning of the word small.
“Nick,” I say, sniffing. “You’re too good to me. But there’s one more thing you ought to know.”
He rises and sits beside me, pulling me into his arms. “Hurry up so I can kiss you senseless.”
I meet his gaze. “I’m pregnant.”
His eyes open wide, and he presses a hand to my belly. “Jesus. How far along?”
“Not very. We haven’t exactly been careful,” I remind him.
His grin grows larger. “I haven’t exactly minded. Have you been to a doctor?”
I shake my head. “I wanted you to be able to experience every single moment this time.”
He presses our lips together, gradually deepening the kiss until we are practically joined and remain that way, devouring each other for a good long while.
When he finally breaks the kiss, he grasps my hands and looks into my eyes. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. You and our family. ”
I blink back tears. “You’re everything I was too afraid to dream about.”
He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. “Want to go tell Leah she’s going to be a big sister?” he asks, obviously excited.
“You do know she’ll tell everyone who walks in the door before we can, right?”
He nods and winks. “That’s the point.”
Laughing we walk back to the house we call home. It’s something I thought I’d never have—a home, a family, and a fiancé I can’t live without.
Melly is right. Facing my fears has been difficult, but it’s allowed for good things to come. And when things get rough? We’ll weather that, too. Together.
Thanks for reading!