Gia’s Epilogue
Gia's Epilogue
A Year Later in Soltero Beach, California
“Ithink maybe the house is too big,” Chloe announces, dumping an entire box of her gear onto the floor. “Are all the houses in California like this? I mean, who needs this much space?”
“I do,” Allie says, sauntering in with Hayden as they survey the property from their phones, trying to sync up all the external cameras for coverage.
Nothing makes those two happier than nerding out on all the security equipment.
“You have any idea how hard it is to keep secrets in this town? We might be a few hours out of the big city, but there are still plenty of nosy people here in Soltero Beach, hungry to get a glimpse of a Golding.”
Chloe makes a pssh noise and waves a hand in the air. “You and Dad basically build whole fortresses for a living. I’m not worried about that. But I admit, the view is spectacular.”
I smile and ruffle Chloe’s newly shorn hair and turn her head in the direction of the backyard. Across the expanse of an enormous lawn and an infinity pool that looks like it drops off the bluff, the deep blue of the Pacific stretches out before us.
Hayden comes over to wrap his arms around me and leans down to drop a kiss on top of Chloe’s head.
“Think about it this way, kid. In this house, you’ve got a guest house where you can entertain all your friends when they visit.
There’s space enough for Gia to create and for me to have a home office once we open up Sunbreak Security’s West Coast branch, and when the baby comes, you get your own space to escape. ”
I smile and slide a hand over my gently rounded belly.
Chloe and the close, no-lies-ever, open-door relationship she has with her dad was a big reason I changed my mind about having a baby, even if it might mean that I, too, might have a primal screaming birth.
Allie assures me that part might be hell, but once I’m past it and have a baby in my arms, I’ll forget all about how hard it was to bring that bundle of joy into the world.
I’ll be honest, though, I didn’t need much convincing.
Hayden’s the one who was a little hesitant, wanting to be sure this was a step I felt comfortable taking and worrying about how Chloe might feel. Once we had her blessing, Hayden and I got to work making it happen.
But for now, this baby is our family’s little secret. I know it won’t be able to stay hidden from the public for long, but until it becomes absolutely impossible for my stylists to find ways to hide my baby bump, I like that Hayden and I can keep this under wraps for as long as we can.
Chloe looks between at me and Young-sook. “Why would I need to escape? Babies are cute.”
“Not only cute. Babies are lots of work, too. They need feed, they cry, they poop, they make lots of laundry,” Young-sook answers matter-of-factly, then gives her a sly smile. “Hey, maybe not so different to you now, huh?”
We all laugh while Chloe splutters out, “Everyone poops!”
Then Thalia walks in, leading Isabella around by her fingers.
We all watch as she toddles unsteadily on her two chubby little feet, cooing and stomping in her excitement.
Suddenly, she releases Thalia’s hand to reach for Allie, and plops right back on her butt.
She startles for a second, blinking in surprise, then lets out a wail that echoes off the tiles and the empty walls.
Allie scoops Isabella into her arms and jostles her around, shushing her until she’s cooing all over again.
“Oh, okay. So, they’re loud and a little temperamental,” Chloe says, nodding at us all. “I see what you mean. Yeah, probably better to have my own space on the other side of the house, then. At least I’ll run less of a risk of catching you two making out.”
“Hey, that goes both ways, kid,” Hayden quips. “Don’t think I don’t know Everett Parsons was over two weeks ago, and you did not just watch a movie for some bogus summer English assignment.”
“Gi-aaa!” Chloe whines. “You said you weren’t going to tell!”
“I didn’t say a word.” My hands go up, affecting an air of innocence. “But you know your dad. Eyes everywhere.”
“Okay, seriously, how did you know? Were you spying on us?” Chloe crosses her arms and narrows her eyes in a way that looks so much like Hayden, I wish I had a camera to capture the moment.
“No, I just happened to be in the wrong place and the wrong time. Unlucky, I guess, because there are some things a parent shouldn’t have to see. Or hear. And loud lip-smacking is probably among them.”
A bright pink blush creeps into Chloe’s cheeks.
“It was only a goodbye kiss. It wasn’t, like, serious.”
“Uh-huh. Right. You tell that boy I know where he lives, okay? And I know what kinds of things he looks up on the internet!”
She blanches. “Oh my god, Dad, you didn’t.”
Hayden slips an arm around my shoulders and plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. “What? It’s mostly video game tutorials. What’d you think I meant?”
Then we all crack up.
Later, with everyone else off to explore the shops along Main Street and with strict instructions not to return without a box of donuts from A-Glazing Grace’s, Hayden finds me hanging off the ledge of the pool, basking in the sunset.
I hear him enter the water and feel his big hands wrap around my middle. His teeth clamp onto my earlobe, and a shiver of desire zips down my spine.
Don’t get me wrong. I adore Hayden and can’t get enough of his body, but these days? At this stage of my pregnancy, all the man has to do is breathe on me and I’m ready to go.
“We’re alone. Finally,” he says, reaching between my legs to stroke me there. “Think anyone suspects anything?”
I shake my head and lean back against him, widening my legs to give him better access.
He undoes the strings on my bikini top and it floats off to the side. “What about your family? Do they suspect?”
“No way,” I breathe, arching into his hand as he palms my breast. “I only just reached out to them all a few months ago, and everyone’s just getting used to chatting again. They all think they’re coming for a baby shower.”
He presses a kiss along the curve of my neck and slips his fingers into my swim bottoms. I’m already slick, already ready for him when he thrusts his fingers deep into me.
“No one knows you’re going to be my wife in just six weeks’ time.”
“Not yet,” I say, reaching back to free him and stroke his hard length. “But if you keep this up, the neighbors are going to hear exactly what my orgasms sound like.”
“Fuck it,” he says, a wolfish grin spreading across his face as he fits his cock into my slit. “Let ’em. It’s my favorite Gia Golding soundtrack. I can listen to it again and again, on repeat. I love you, sweetheart.”
“I love you, too.” I laugh, lace my fingers through his and take him all the way in.
All the way home.