Epilogue
GEMMA
FOURTEEN MONTHS LATER
Dear Gemma,
You’re too young to be worrying about your wedding day, but I will say the way you described it sounds perfectly you.
Something simple, but elegant. To answer your question, I’ve never thought about getting married.
Since my mom and dad divorced and didn’t even want to be parents, I never had that desire, but never say never.
Maybe if I meet the right woman, I’ll get down on one knee and propose, confessing my love…
Tyler wrote me that letter after I told him about how Everleigh, Katie, and I binge-watched Say Yes to the Dress all weekend long. The girls and I started talking about what dresses we’d wear and what theme we wanted. The next day, I wrote Tyler a detailed letter explaining my dream wedding.
As I look at our vow renewal photos from three months ago, I notice all the similarities that I told him when I was only sixteen years old.
A part of me wonders if he remembers what I told him.
Next to the one of Tyler and me kissing at the altar is a framed picture of our eight-week ultrasound from two weeks ago.
Sharing the news with Tyler over Christmas that I was pregnant was one of the most exciting and emotional days of my life.
We’d only had our one-year wedding anniversary a month before that.
We talked about starting a family soon, and it happened quicker than either of us anticipated, but we’re both over the moon about it.
I have no doubt he’s going to be the best father because he’s already the most amazing husband.
Since we’re adding a bundle of joy to our family, we’ll be looking for a bigger house in the next year or two. I’ll be sad to leave the cottage and all the memories we’ve made, but we’ll need more room once the baby is able to walk. Until then, I’m soaking up every day being here.
The best part of still being in my first trimester is my brother will be here for some of our pregnancy journey.
For the first time in ten years, he’ll be living back in Lawton Ridge, and though I’m nervous for him, I can’t wait to hug him again.
Noah and I were very close growing up, and a part of my heart went with him when he was charged with unintentional manslaughter.
He’s done his time, and now he’ll have to figure out how to be a part of society again.
People in this town haven’t forgotten what happened, and they’ll judge Noah, as well as anyone who’s associated with him.
I can only hope some of them will be forgiving, and I pray one of those people will be Katie.
Though I have a feeling she’s not gonna make it easy.
Tyler comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my stomach, and nuzzles his nose in my neck. “Morning, baby.” He slides one hand up and cups my breast. “Morning, sexy.”
I snort with laughter at the cute way he always tells me and our baby good morning or night.
He’s ecstatic and already running wild with ideas and making a list of things we’ll need.
Telling my dad was another highlight of my life.
I’d only seen him cry a handful of times, one including the moment we gave him a custom mug with the words “Best Grandpa Ever” written on it.
“What’re you doing?” he asks.
“Just looking. I can’t wait to add more photos on this wall. Hopefully some with Noah.”
“I’m glad he’ll be able to meet the baby,” he admits. “It’ll be nice having another man around too.”
“Me too. And I’m happy you two get along so well. That definitely helps.”
After the first time Tyler visited Noah with me, he joined me every month after.
It became our thing, and when we told Noah we got hitched, he had to stop himself from reaching over and hugging us.
He was so ecstatic for us and also because he was getting a brother he liked.
I hate that he wasn’t able to celebrate the wedding with us, but after missing a decade’s worth of important events, I’ll take whatever I can.
“We should eat and get moving if we wanna meet the contractors on time. I’m gonna need extra coffee today,” he warns, slapping my ass. “Especially since my hot wife kept me up half the night.”
I turn around in his arms and scowl. “Hey, you started it! I was almost asleep when I felt your cock pressed against me.”
“And that’s an automatic invitation to jump me?” he taunts, flashing a smoldering grin. “I mean, I’m not complaining, but it definitely wasn’t one-sided.”
Rolling my eyes, I push past him and walk toward the kitchen. “Yeah, yeah. You blame my hormones, but you’re all over me all the time.”
“Is that a bad thing?” He arches a brow when I glance over my shoulder. “You definitely weren’t mad about it last night, or the night before that, or the night before that, or the night…”
“Stop!” I burst out laughing.
He comes around the island, wrapping me up in his arms.
“I get it. Over a year later and we’re still hot for each other.”
“Insatiable,” he adds.
“Do you think that’ll change once the baby’s born?”
“Only for the first six weeks. Then I’ll go back to trying to knock you up again.”
“Oh my God, no you’re not! I’m not taking care of two babies under the age of two.”
“Why not? I bet we make adorable kids. Hell, let’s have ten.”
I groan, pushing back so I can start the coffee maker.
“You’re insane. Let’s get through one pregnancy before you rent out my uterus for nine more months.
” I grab a mug, then the creamer from the fridge.
“Plus, with us remodeling the gym and planning the re-opening, I don’t know that we should be biting off more than we can chew.
I’ll already be juggling a newborn by the time it’s open plus all the paperwork and office stuff. I’ll be lucky if I don’t go crazy.”
“Gemma, I already know you’re gonna be an amazing mom. Stop worrying.” Tyler cups my face and brings our mouths together. His tongue swipes along my bottom lip, and I hum at the sweet gesture.
This past year, he really reminded me why I love him so much.
After moving in together, we got to know each other on a deeper level.
Even after all this time, he still cooks me breakfast every morning.
We spend our lunch breaks together, and soon, we’ll see each other throughout the day even more.
He’s worked so hard to save money and between the two of us, we were able to get a business loan to buy the old gym downtown.
The owner, Sam, was finally ready to sell it, and after Dad started dating Belinda six months ago, he’s ready to retire early.
He claims it’s because he wants more time to spend with Noah once he’s out, but we all know the truth.
It’s his first girlfriend in over twenty years.
I’m happy for him, even if it’s still a little weird for me.
The plan is to gut it from top to bottom and replace all the old equipment and put in a boxing ring.
Tyler’s already told Noah he’d hire him to help rebuild the place and work on whatever we need him to.
Noah’s excited for the project since it’ll keep him busy and give him the opportunity to make money.
My brother’s always been good with fixing things, like our dad, and with the shop closed, he’ll need the work.
Katie got that promotion at the bank she was hoping for and finally bought a fixer-upper. Though Noah could help her remodel, she’s too damn stubborn to ask for help. She thinks she’s going to be able to tear out walls and fix the plumbing by watching YouTube tutorials.
I have faith in my best friend but not that much. I’m hoping to convince her to at least give him a chance, but ever since we got Noah’s official release date, she’s been in a weird mood.
“You really think we’ll get the whole place gutted and ready to open by midsummer?” I ask as Tyler drives us downtown. “That only gives us four to five months.”
He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “It’s my full-time job now, baby. I’ll be there every day doing shit and working with the contractors to make sure it’s finished on time.”
“You have no idea how happy I am that you’re gonna let Noah help. It will ease him back in so much more smoothly.”
“I have no doubt he’ll be a hard worker. After seeing how he’s bulked up, he’ll probably run circles around the other guys.” He chuckles, but it’s true. Noah will be the most eager out of them to prove himself and do a good job.
Tyler parks in front of the gym, and when he looks at me, I can’t stop the smile from forming on my face. “I can’t believe, by this time tomorrow, we’ll be picking him up from prison.”
“Been a long time comin’,” he confirms, and I nod.
“Then let’s get this meeting over with so you can triple-check your dad’s house is ready for his arrival like I know you’re dying to.”
“Hey!” I squeal. “I just want it to be perfect.”
“Babe, he’s been sharing a tiny ass cell for the past decade. He’ll appreciate a nice warm bed and privacy more than you know.”
I frown because he’s right. I can’t even imagine the conditions Tyler and Noah have experienced.
“We should at least grab a few pies for dinner tomorrow night. He’s probably dying for homemade desserts.”
“I’m sure he’d love that.” Tyler places a kiss on my knuckles. “Now, Club Blackwood is waiting for us.”
I snort at the name, shaking my head, but this is his pride and joy, so I let him name it whatever he wanted. He plans to add a juice bar, a boxing arena, and a couple of private studio rooms for training and classes. He has so many great ideas, and I can’t wait to watch him fulfill his dream.