Epilogue
Within a month, Emily was able to get her daughters to visit at the same time as Cole’s son, Cain. The three and Daisy hit it off right away and were teasing each other like real siblings within the hour of meeting. The very next day, Cole flew her and their kids to Vegas for a quick wedding.
Emily leaned back against Cole's chest and watched their three children romp around in the pool at the hotel where they were staying. Their laughter was contagious, and the splashing and goading made Emily and Cole smile.
Cole tightened his arms. “They act like they’ve been siblings their whole lives.”
She looked over her shoulder at him. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”
He nibbled and bit down on the sensitive spot on her shoulder and laughed when she shivered and, at the same time, whimpered.
“It’s like the five of us were always supposed to be a family.” Emily pressed back against Cole.
“I wish I were young enough to give you another child,” she whispered.
Cole turned her a bit so that he could see her face. “What? Honey, I’m thrilled with the family we have. I don’t need another child.”
“Are you sure, Cole? It’s something that’s been bothering me.”
Cole gripped her shoulders and turned her toward him.
“It wasn’t even on my mind. I love having you all to myself.
But we also get to have the family together whenever we can.
You’ve got books to write, and I have a ranch to run.
Our time is limited anyway. Please don’t ever think that.
You’ve given me everything I could ever ask for, and you have given me two daughters. I couldn’t ask for more than that.”
Emily wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head down on his chest. “I hope so. I want to give you everything you want and make you happy.”
Cole bent, nuzzled the side of her head, and whispered close to her ear. “If you want to make me happy, you’ll take me back to the room and get naked and lie on the bed.”
Emily chuckled. “That’s not what I meant.”
Cole straightened and leaned back so he could see her face. “But that’s the only thing in the world I want at this moment,” he said seriously but with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Emily stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the lips. “Then, by all means, let’s make you happy,” she said and laughed. She turned toward the pool. “Guys,” she yelled to the kids. “We’re going to take a nap. We’ll catch you guys at dinner.”
“Bye, Mom, bye Dad,” the three yelled back.
Emily grabbed onto Cole’s hand and pulled him toward the hotel rooms.
“Hey, this will make you happy, too. Right?” he asked.
Emily laughed over her shoulder. “Oh, yeah. It’s going to make me really happy.”
Cole chuckled as they made it to the elevator. He pulled her into his arms when the doors slid shut. “You can bet I’m going to do my best to make you happy every day, baby.”
A bright, tender smile crossed Emily’s face as she cupped his face between her hands. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”
The End