Epilogue #2
“Why are you even putting yourself through that kind of heartache during the holidays?” Kerry asked.
“My nana isn’t doing very well,” Dom said softly. “You know how much I love her.”
“I thought she’d outlive us all,” Kerry said.
“I wish that was true, but Mom thinks this will be her last Christmas. She wants everyone to suspend their animosity for two weeks so she can have the most amazing holiday ever. My aunt and uncle rented a huge chateau in Vail, and Mom expects me to go. I can’t let Nana down, but I don’t want to be the only single loser getting pitiful looks every time my ex-husband and his new lover go up to bed for the night. ”
“Man, that’s rough,” Kerry said.
“Take Sven!” Keegan blurted.
Kerry’s eyes glittered with glee. “That’s a great idea.”
Dom looked over at Sven, who made lounging on a couch look sexy. “I don’t know.” Dom turned back around and sipped his beer. “Some of my family members are pretty uptight. Sven’s outfits wouldn’t go over very well.”
“I’m sure he’d wear something more conservative if you approached the subject in the right way,” Keegan suggested.
“Hell no,” Kerry said. “Sic Sven in his full glory on the pretentious assholes. No one who has been hurt as badly as you were would ask you to shack up with your ex and his lover for two weeks. That is selfish and inconceivable. Sven would love to help you teach them a lesson.”
Kerry took out his phone and typed a quick message. Sven looked at his phone, quirked a brow, and headed toward them.
He raked an ardent gaze over Dom. “Kerry said you need me.”
Dom’s cheeks turned pink as he fidgeted with the label on his beer bottle. “I could use your help with a situation.”
“Ohhh,” Sven simpered. “Undercover for another case?”
Dom swallowed hard but held Sven’s gaze. “This is personal.”
“You’d get a two-week trip to Vail at Christmastime,” Kerry said. “Dom, lead with the selling points first.”
“Color me curious,” Sven said. “Tell me more.”
Kerry’s teasing seemed to loosen Dom up because he didn’t have any difficulty explaining the situation. Sven’s interest was piqued with each new twist and turn.
“Sounds fa la la la fabulous, baby. I’m in.” Sven hooked his elbow through Dom’s and pulled him away. “Let’s work out the details someplace quieter.”
Keegan and Kerry watched them until they disappeared from sight. “Did we make a mistake?” Keegan asked.
“Hell no,” Kerry said. “They both deserve this.” Usually people uttered that phrase in a snide tone, but Kerry sounded blissfully happy. “What? You don’t agree?”
“I’m trying to figure out what’s behind your joy. Is it the chance for Dom and Sven to find genuine love, or are you anticipating the fireworks this will cause?”
“Both.”
Kerry set the plate of food down and pulled Keegan into his arm. “Enough about other couples. I want to talk about us.”
Keegan kissed his lips. “My favorite topic.”
“When do you want to get married?” Kerry asked. “Lucinda will kill us if we try to pull a stunt like Seth and Rueben did with their wedding.”
“I definitely want our friends and family with us, but I don’t want something fancy.”
“What if we decorate the Feisty Bull and get married there?”
“That sounds perfect,” Keegan said. “But when?”
“Either before Sven and Dom leave for Vale or as soon as they get back.”
Keegan’s eyes widened. “That soon?”
“Why wait?” Kerry asked. “We pick out suits, string up some pretty decorations, and invite our friends and family. That won’t take much planning.”
“Surely, it’s harder than that.”
Kerry quirked a brow. “I’ll take that challenge.” He looked over at the living room. “Hey, Ma. Got a minute?”
“Oh, sure,” she said. “I’m not trying to feed over thirty people.”
Kerry snorted. “I might’ve fallen for that if I didn’t know Keegan, Sven, and several others were all over here helping yesterday. But I understand if you don’t want to help us plan a wedding.”
Lucinda was nearly on them before Kerry finished his sentence. “You’re not too big for a spanking.”
“Yeah, but someone else doles them out now,” Kerry said.
Lucinda clutched her chest and cackled. “Do you seriously want my help with the wedding?”
“Yes, but I want to get married before Sven leaves for Vail,” Kerry said.
“Vail? What are you talking about?” Lucinda asked.
Kerry waved that off. “I’ll let Sven tell you all about it.” He looked at Keegan and smiled. “I want to marry the love of my life in two weeks.” He told her the few things they worked out so far.
She patted both of their cheeks. “Consider it done.” Lucinda left them alone to return to the kitchen, where a joyous whoop rang out.
Kerry kissed him until his toes curled. “Now I understand why the newlyweds skipped all the family gatherings for months to stay home.”
Maybe they would’ve slipped away if one of Kerry’s cousins hadn’t called him over to watch a replay of a touchdown. Keegan followed too, though he didn’t have the first clue about the sport. Instead, he sat beside Kerry and observed the amazing family he would soon call his own.
This is thriving.
The End!