Epilogue
Saint’s van rolls into the driveway, and I meet him in front of the garage. Through the windshield, I can see how exhausted he looks, but he still gives me the happiest smile when he gets out and wraps me in a hug. He’s covered in a dusting of flour, and I’m covered in grease.
“You shouldn’t be working on this in your condition,” he mumbles against my lips.
“My condition? I’m only twelve weeks pregnant. I still have plenty of time before I’m incapable of working.”
“What if the fumes are bad for the baby?”
“I already researched it. I’ll wear a mask if I’m working with chemicals, but this is mostly just replacing random bolts and parts. No chemicals required.”
“Fine. Come inside with me, sweetheart. I need to feel you.”
I roll my eyes but oblige him. Saint’s been extra nurturing since we found out I’m pregnant. We weren’t actively trying, but it was time to have my implant replaced, and I opted not to get another one.
Three months later, I missed my period.
I’m due on Valentine’s Day.
The doctor informed me having the baby on my exact due date is rare, and I thought Saint would be happy not to share a birthday, but he wants our little bean to share a birthday with him.
We’ve already decided, if it’s a boy, we’ll name him Michael in honor of my mom.
If it’s a girl, we’ll name her Love after his.
We won’t find out the sex for another month, and the anticipation is killing him because he wants to start calling them by their name.
He leads me into the house and strips off my coveralls, then his own clothes, before gently laying me on the bed. He’s been a lot gentler when we’re intimate, worried he’ll hurt me or the baby.
He settles himself so he’s lying with his face level with my stomach, pressing gentle kisses to my belly. I’m not showing yet, but he swears he’s noticed a change.
“Hi, my little love,” he whispers against my skin. Ever since he read babies can hear your voice, he talks to my belly daily.
He tells the baby about his day, about how he was distracted worrying about me and turned the mixer on too high, and flour exploded everywhere.
He talks about how their cousin, Stone, came in with Ruby and taste tested a new cookie recipe and how when they’re old enough, they can help taste test, too.
“I hope you’re growing nice and big and strong and not making your mom feel sick. I love you so much.” He places another kiss on my belly before crawling up my body and hovering his face over mine. “And I love you, Mrs. Valentine.”
“I love you, too, Mr. Valentine.”
Saint proposed the day before Valentine’s Day, exactly two years after we first met. It was a small, intimate proposal at our house. Ruby made my favorite soup, and he made my favorite bread. We danced in the kitchen, and he proposed with a simple oval solitaire diamond on a silver band.
It was perfect.
We got married shortly after at the courthouse in Salem.
Merv, Kelly, Slater, Ruby, Stella, Claire, and Stone were our only witnesses.
Kelly cried and told me my parents would be so proud of the woman I am, and they would love Saint.
She visits every so often, and when I told her I was pregnant she sobbed.
She’s already told the hospital she’ll be taking time off to help when the baby comes.
I thought adjusting to life with Saint would be bumpy, but it was the easiest transition.
Working with Slater at Lovestruck Motors has been amazing.
There’s still the grind of oil changes and tire replacements, but there’s more custom work to do.
Slater took some time off when his baby was born and left me in charge.
When he came back, we started talking about becoming partners.
In the next few years, we’ll expand the shop to take on more custom work.
Saint still plays Cupid on Valentine’s Day. He still matches up hopeful people, and we’ve been invited to a few weddings. Dominic and Sienna insisted on flying us out to California for theirs as a thank you, and they’re expecting their second child any day now.
Every day, I wake up grateful I didn’t let my fear of love stop me from giving Saint my heart. With him, I get to experience life to the fullest. I experience more joy than I ever knew possible, and adding a baby to the mix will only increase it.
“Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?” Saint asks, pressing open mouthed kisses on my neck.
“Only a few times a day.” I sigh. I’m suddenly exhausted and ready for a nap.
“I need to tell you more often,” he murmurs, nuzzling into my neck and laying his arm over my belly. “Take a nap, sweetheart. I’ll wake you up when everyone gets here for dinner.”
Kelly, Slater, Ruby, Stone, Stella, and Claire are coming over so we can announce our pregnancy. They think they’re coming over simply for an end-of-summer barbeque, so they’re in for a surprise.
“I should help cook. You’ve been working since like four. You should nap.”
Saint shakes his head. “And you’ve been growing a baby all day. Let me worry about dinner. You need to rest so you’re not falling asleep before we get to dessert. I made your favorite.”
“Chocolate chip cookies?”
Saint nods. “And eclair trifle.”
I groan into the pillow, my mouth watering. I haven’t had any strange cravings, but I could eat an entire tub of eclair trifle in one sitting if I let myself. All I want is sweets, so being married to a talented baker has its perks.
My husband chuckles and places a kiss on my forehead. “Rest, Mikelle. I’ll wake you up with plenty of time to shower.”
I burrow under the blankets and sigh. “Okay, Daddy.”
“I’m leaving before I keep you awake.”
“I wouldn’t complain.”
Saint shakes his head, mumbling something about me being a siren before I hear the bedroom door close softly.
The smell of steaks on the grill permeates the air as I sit on the porch swing with an ice cold lemonade in my hand. Stone is running around with Slater, giggling as he catches him and pretends to nibble on his belly. He’s almost three, and I can’t wait to see how he interacts with our baby.
Ruby sits next to me on the swing, hearts in her eyes for her boys. Kelly is across from me, eyeing me suspiciously, like she knows something is up. It’s not possible for her to know already. I’m not even really showing, just slightly bloated, which I covered with a large T-shirt.
“Mikey, do you want steak or is the smell still bothering you?” Saint calls from the grill. Everyone’s chatter dies down, and then all their eyes are on me. “Oops,” he murmurs, sending me an apologetic smile.
Guess we’re doing this now.
“Yeah, Mikey. Is the smell still bothering you? And if so, why is the smell bothering you?” Ruby asks, tapping her chin.
“The first few weeks I was having a really difficult time with red meat. I’m doing better now that I’m almost in the second trimester.”
Stella squeals, Kelly claps, Ruby holds out her hand, and Slater slaps a twenty-dollar bill in it. Stone claps along with everyone, not wanting to be left out.
“Wait, you two bet on us getting pregnant?” Saint asks Slater.
“Yep. Ruby predicted you’d be pregnant by the end of the year. I thought you’d wait until next year. I should have guessed sooner since you and Mikey can’t keep your hands off of each other.”
“Oh, please, you’re one to talk. I’m surprised Ruby isn’t pregnant with baby number two already. Especially considering how you guys got together,” I tease, but Ruby slinks down in the seat next to me.
“Sweetheart, please. I don’t want to hear about that. Wait, Ruby, why do you look guilty?”
“Surprise.” Ruby holds out her hands and wiggles her fingers. “Looks like we’re having babies close together. I’m due the first week of February.”
Everyone cheers and claps again, and I pull Ruby into a hug. “Congratulations! I’m so excited we’re goingto be pregnant together. Stella, your turn.”
Stella’s face turns red as she shakes her head. “No, thank you. I’m happy to spoil your babies and help you where I can, but pregnancy scares the shit out of me.”
“Valid. Well, we’re lucky to have you. Thank you for being the best Auntie Stell.”
After good food, good conversation, and so much laughter my belly hurts, everyone heads home around nine. Stone fell asleep on the couch two hours before everyone left, exhausted from running around.
Kelly is spending the night in the guest room, so she doesn't have to travel all the way back home. We’re sitting on the back deck, watching the small fire in the fire pit die down as the sun finishes setting.
“Your parents would be so proud of you,” she says as she pats my thigh.
“They would love Saint and the little family you’ve created for yourself.
I know I already told you this on your wedding day, but I’m so, so proud of you for not letting your fear keep you from giving Saint a chance. And now look at you. You’re thriving.”
Tears spring to my eyes. Sometimes I wonder if my parents would think I was crazy for giving the man who was purposely breaking his van to see me a chance. Kelly’s confirmation that they would be proud of me eases my fears. I only wish they could be here to meet their grandchild.
“I miss them all the time. Especially in situations like this. I know Mom would be here for every step, and they would probably move here so they didn’t miss a single moment of their grandchild's life.”
Kelly nods in agreement. “I was thinking… Maybe it’s time for me to go part-time at the hospital. Maybe only on the weekends. I like Cupid’s Cove, and I want to be here for you when you need me.”
“You’re more than welcome to come visit, but you don’t have to move here.”
“I’m getting older. Work can’t be my only joy in life. Plus, your mom would kick my ass if she knew I was purposely missing out on watching your baby grow.”
“We’ll always take some Grandma Kelly time.”
“Ew, no. I’m not going to be called Grandma. I’m too young for that.”
“You know my mom would have been the same age, right?”
Kelly waves me off. “But you’re her child. She would have had your baby calling her something silly like Gigi or Lala. That’s not my vibe. They can call me Auntie Kelly.”
I snort. She’s not wrong.
We chat a little longer about how the pregnancy’s been, how I’m feeling, and what my birth plan is. I tell her I don’t have one, and she rolls her eyes but doesn’t push. When the fire has died and the sun has set, we go back inside where we head to our respective rooms.
Saint is sitting in bed reading the latest L.K.
Bailey book about a sex club owner who agrees to take on a new submissive with self-esteem issues.
He uses their dynamic to help her work through them and slowly falls in love with her.
I finished it last week, but Saint’s been so busy he’s barely had time to read.
Not to mention, every time he reads a spicy scene he has to put the book down so we can recreate it.
He sets the book on the nightstand and follows me into the bathroom. While I shower, we talk about how excited we are that Ruby’s pregnant and our kids will be so close in age.
“I still can’t believe they’re married and expecting a second baby,” Saint grumbles. He’s still a little bitter he never picked up on the fact Ruby and Slater were together well before they went public.
“Slater’s your best friend. You know his kink list, so this shouldn’t be surprising.”
“I still don’t want to talk about it.”
I giggle. “Fair enough. Come on, let’s go to bed.”
We get in bed, and Saint says goodnight to the baby before cuddling me to sleep.
6 months later, Valentine’s Day
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. You did such a good job. She’s perfect,” Saint murmurs, stroking my forehead as our daughter wiggles on my chest. I’m exhausted after almost twelve hours of labor. It’s nearly midnight on my husband’s birthday, and it’s been an eventful day.
I started feeling contractions right after the parade, and before I knew it, they were happening every two minutes. Saint rushed me to the hospital—in his Cupid costume—where we had to wait until Love Michelle Valentine was ready to greet the world, a perfect nine pounds and twenty-one inches long.
Ruby and Slater had their little girl, Opal, two weeks ago, and Stone adores her. He’s so excited to have a baby cousin, too.
“I love her so much already,” I whisper, stroking a finger gently down her chubby little cheek.
“The most important girls in the world, right here. I love you so much, Mikey.”
“I love you, too.”