Epilogue
Cole
“Are you sure we aren’t terrible parents?” She worries her bottom lip, and I grab her hand and hold it up to my mouth, gently kissing her.
“For the millionth time, no, we are not terrible parents for taking one night for ourselves.”
She nods and looks out of the cab window, scrunching her nose. She turns back to me. “But she isn’t even six months old yet. What if something happens? What if she gets scared and doesn’t settle? What if…”
“What if she doesn’t notice we’re gone and has the best time with her grandparents, aunts and uncles?”
She sighs. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologise, baby, you’re a new mum. Do you want to know a secret?” She eyes me and nods. “I cried, handing her over to Mum tonight, so you’re not on your own.”
We kiss in the back of the cab and don’t stop till we feel the car jolt. We break apart, and Lacey gasps when she sees the castle we’ve arrived at. It’s dark outside, and the whole castle is lit up by facade lighting on the floor, casting an eerie but romantic gothic glow around it.
“What are we doing here? This place is beautiful, Cole!” She turns in circles, taking it all in, while I dip and dodge rocks, making sure she doesn’t trip.
“It’s a hotel and spa. They also do weddings.”
She stops what she’s doing and jumps into my arms.
“I love it. Now take me to our room, please, so I can show you how much I love it.”
I smile against her lips. “Gladly.” I pull back ever so slightly and hand her the gift bag I’ve been hiding. “Open it.”
She takes it from me, a slight smile on her face and a curious look in her eyes. She peels back the tissue paper and pulls out her gift. Tears spring to her eyes. “I love it so much.”
She dances on the spot as she hugs the dancing aubergine, wearing sunglasses and a sombrero, to her chest.