Epilogue
Jasmine – Three Years Later
I groan as I remove my black kitten heels and place my briefcase onto the side table near the front door, then throw my car keys in the bowl before stretching, my back completely aching.
I’ve been working as a paralegal with Uncle Charms for the past two and a half years. I swear, today was probably the longest day I’ve ever had with him.
Some father came in claiming a lot of crap about his ex-wife, not realizing that said ex-wife was already my uncle's client.
He lost it when we refused to work with him, so I spent most of the day doing paperwork to sue for full custody of the children the man shared with his ex when he threatened to run away with them.
I did think about going back to law school, but after having Sage, our now two-year-old daughter, I knew I couldn’t work all the hours and be away from our girls, especially when Aisling, who's now eight, has a lot of ballet recitals.
I’m a mama first and foremost, and my uncle thankfully understands, while Logan, my husband, and yes, I said husband, loves that I’m home most days for our daughters.
One month, that is all it took for Logan to drag me to the courthouse with the brothers, my dad, and brother in tow to marry me. I can admit, there wasn’t much dragging needed.
I don’t know why, but as soon as he slid that ring on my finger, my granny’s ring at that, all the old doubts faded. I finally realized he really was never going to leave me, and my heart felt more secure than it ever had before, it quieted that voice in my head.
While I still think of Granny and the fact I left the way I did, that I wasn’t there for her when she died, I’ve forgiven myself.
Brady is right, I did what I needed to in that moment.
While I should have come home sooner, in my mind, my daughter was at risk, and so was the man I loved.
I’ve forgiven myself, plain and simple. It helps that I know Logan no longer resents me, just like he said he wouldn’t.
He just needed time to come to terms with everything because he understood.
While having Sage was a little difficult at times, instead of shying away, Logan would ask me if certain things she did matched what Aisling did at that age. Most of the time, it was a no.
Sage was a colicky baby, whereas Ais was quite easy and that information alone helped ease Logan, knowing I didn’t struggle in that sense.
I walk into the living area, ready to find my girls, when Logan himself strolls in from outside wearing his usual jeans, shirt, and cut, and I grin widely at the handsome man while Simba and Coby rush over to me to welcome me home.
“How was work, buttercup?” Logan asks as he wraps his arm around my waist, his other hand cupping my five and a half month bump because yes, we’re pregnant again.
“Tiring,” I admit, and he hums and questions, “Our boy kicking continuously?”
“No, thankfully, though he did jolt my bladder a few times,” I admit as I lean into Logan, who chuckles as he rubs his hand over my bump.
This is going to be our last baby, it’s something we both agreed on, and Logan even went and got snipped because it was easier than having my tubes tied.
Sage’s pregnancy wasn’t easy by any means, and the birth was quite traumatic.
I was placed on bed rest due to high blood pressure, no thanks to my constant nightmares seeing my mother's dead, cold eyes – which I still unfortunately see – and we were at a check-up when my water broke inside the elevator, which had conveniently gotten stuck.
Logan had to deliver our daughter, and he vowed we weren’t going to go through that again, only one drunken night out with just the two of us, hot sex against the shower wall, then again in bed, I was pregnant with our boy.
“Maybe you should go on maternity leave now,” Logan frets, and I smile softly at him before I go on my tiptoes and press my lips against his.
“I’m fine, Logan,” I promise but he sighs, not liking my answer so I quickly change the subject and ask, “Where are our daughters?”
He shakes his head, seeing right through me, but answers anyway, “With dad and Tiffany…”
I hum with a smile, not shocked.
Ais and Sage love their grandpa. They also love Tiffany—the clubwhore turned old lady, because yes, Rocky claimed her which has only made the other clubwhores work harder to get a brother.
Turns out Rocky fell in love with Tiffany and didn’t realize until she left the club after he ended their fling when his ex-wife died, and he chased after her.
She’s amazing with the kids who call her Granny which she loves, and she is completely devoted to her old man.
“Oh, does that mean I get you all to myself?” I confirm as I grip my husband's shirt, my clit instantly throbbing with need.
I want him and preferably now.
“Is my girl horny?” he confirms as he holds me tighter, and I nod, lust shooting between us, but it soon dampens when he chuckles, “Your dad and brother are outside, the BBQ is on…”
Dammit!
I groan with disappointment as I drop my forehead against his chest, and he laughs as he kisses my head.
Dad and Brady are around at least three times a week, whether the girls are here or not.
Over the past three years, we’ve slowly found our way back toward each other.
There was a time I resented my dad for being blind and wished Brady had stepped in, even if I understood their reasons but we’ve slowly healed and now, when they come over, it feels like warmth is finally returning—each visit gentle proof that, despite everything, we’re rebuilding what we lost.
Don’t get me wrong—I think of Mama every single day.
I sometimes think they hate me for what I did to save my daughter.
But they soon helped me through it. Just like they, along with the club and my husband, help me get through Granny’s death anniversaries and the anniversaries of the day I killed my mother.
We’ve become a family. I didn’t expect that with them, but I’m grateful. We even joke about naming our son after Brady, even though he has several uncles.
“Okay, steak then sex?” I ask, and Logan's laugh vibrates through me, making me smile as I look up at him, and his eyes sparkle.
“I fucking love you,” he says with a grin.
I hum, “I know,” before replying, “I love you too.”
His grin widens, and his lips land on mine, quickly making me melt but all too soon, he breaks the kiss, guides me toward the back door, and I lean into him, feeling so settled being this close to him.
Things haven’t been easy, and we’ve both had to fight for one another, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Our kids, our family, and he—they are my everything.
Every day, I will be forever grateful that he allowed me back into his life and that he wanted me despite everything.
I’ll never take it for granted because once a brother falls for you, you hold onto them and never let them go, something I never do, even when we’re old and grey and watching our several grandkids.
He’s my home, in every way that matters.