Epilogue
F ive years later …
“Where are you going? We don’t turn here,” Candice grumbles.
“I know, I’m just making a quick detour.” I wink at her when she eyes me sceptically from the passenger seat.
A few minutes later when I put my indicator on to turn into the parking lot, I hear her growl.
“Really, Jax. You’re going to stop and buy donuts now? We’re already running late.”
I hear Maddie snicker from the back seat.
“Come on, babe, I’ve been craving donuts all day.”
“You’re not the one who’s pregnant, remember?”
“It’s not uncommon for fathers to get cravings too, you know.”
“Is that right?” she says with a laugh. “And I suppose you read that in one of those baby books you always have your head buried in.”
“It’s written in black and white, so that makes it a fact.”
“I call bullshit,” she says. “People make stuff up like that all the time. You’re obsessed with those damn books.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being prepared. Don’t forget, this is the first time for me.”
I look at her when I shut off the ignition.
When her eyes narrow, I know she’s misconstrued what I’ve just said.
Damn baby hormones. I’m not stupid enough to intentionally insult her when her emotions are all over the place.
I like my balls exactly where they are. I read up about this when I first noticed that some crazy woman had possessed my fiancé.
Lately, she’s been normal one minute, angry the next, and more often than not, crying a few seconds later.
“That came out wrong,” I clarify, reaching across the centre console and wrapping her hand in mine.
“I’m sorry. I just want to be the best support I can be, to you—to you both.
” My hand comes to rest on her stomach. “I hate that you went through it without me last time. I just want to be prepared—I want to be your rock.”
Her face relaxes and her lips curve into a smile. “You say the sweetest things sometimes.” Seconds later I notice tears pooling in her eyes, and she sniffles.
I refrain from rolling my eyes. “Come here.” This pregnancy is making her an emotional wreck.
“I love you,” she murmurs into my chest.
“I know you do. And I love you too, even when you’re acting all psycho.” Drawing back, I gently wipe her tears away with my thumb. “Do you forgive me?”
She nods. “Always.”
“That’s my girl.” Leaning forward, I place my lips on hers.
“Gross,” I hear Maddie say from the back seat. “Do you two ever give it a rest? You’re going to scar me for life, you know that right?”
“I can’t help it if I’m head over heels in love with your mother,” I say as I turn towards the back seat. Maddie rolls her eyes, but it’s quickly followed by a smile. This kid still knows how to turn my heart to mush in a blink of an eye. She has me wrapped around her little finger.
My baby girl is growing up way too fast. She’ll be starting high school next year. As much as I love seeing her blossom into the young lady she’s becoming, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare the hell out of me.
“You better hurry up and get those donuts you’re craving,” Candice grumbles. “Carter’s waiting.”
When she reaches across the centre console and grabs a chunk of skin on my stomach, I slap her hand away. I know exactly what she’s implying. “I’m not putting on weight.”
“Nobody said you were. If you keep eating all these donuts though …”
Candice doesn’t finish her sentence, but there’s no need. It will never happen , I reassure myself. I work out every day. In both the bedroom and my home gym.
“You are what you eat, Daddy.”
“Hey, who asked for your opinion?” I mutter.
“Well, if that’s the case, your father must’ve eaten a sexy beast for breakfast,” Candice says, placing her hand on my thigh. In an instant, all is forgiven. Christ, I love this woman.
“Puke,” Maddie mumbles, and Candice and I laugh. “I have the grossest parents ever. Jessica’s parents never smooch like you two.”
“That’s because Jessica’s dad doesn’t have a hot wife like I do.”
“Daddy,” Maddie screeches. “Eww.”
When I wink at Candice, she mouths, “I love you.”
“Mum, can you pass me my earphones? I’m going to listen to my music so I don’t have to hear you two.” Snoopy lets out a bark from beside her. “Do you want me to cover your ears too, boy?”
“You finally made it,” Carter whines when we pull into the driveway of Indiana’s father’s house. “You should’ve been here an hour ago.”
“He had some make-believe cravings on the way,” Candice replies.
Carter chuckles, shaking his head at me. “You’re an idiot.”
“Fuck off, arsehole, they’re legit,” I mumble as I get out of the car. Why doesn’t anyone believe me? I’m not making this shit up.
“Uncle Jax,” Carter’s sons, Jaxson and Levi, scream as they come bolting out of the house, heading straight for me. Indiana is following close behind with their youngest, Eve, in her arms. Carter named his firstborn after me—it was up there with the best moments of my life.
After kissing Indiana, I take Eve from her.
“How’s my second favourite girl?” I ask, planting a kiss on her chubby cheek.
My gaze moves to Maddie, and I wink. She’ll always be my number one.
Eve giggles, squirming in my arms when I bury my face in her neck and blow a raspberry.
Seeing her always makes me wish my own little girl wasn’t growing up so fast. I’m in no way ready for that.
Like Candice and I, Carter and Indi went to hell and back to get to where they are today. But sometimes the fight we go through is worth it in the end. It makes you appreciate everything you have so much more. It’s like winning the ultimate prize—something you’ll cherish forever.
“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” I hear Carter ask Candice, as he gives her a quick hug. Even though my attention appears to be on Indiana and his kids, I’m listening intently for her answer.
“Not at all. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for this.”
Of course, I’m grinning like a fool when she says that.
Carter takes Eve out of my arms and passes her to Indi, before following me around the back of my car so I can collect my suitcase out of the trunk.
“We should hit the road,” Carter says, taking my luggage out of my hands.
“Okay. Just let me say goodbye to my girls.”
Maddie is the closest, so I pull her into my arms first. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Peanut. Have fun at Nan and Pops’ tonight.”
“I will,” she says, wrapping her arms around me tightly. It’s only one night, but I’m missing my girls already.
“Look after your mum for me.”
“I will.” When she looks up at me, I’m surprised to see tears in her eyes.
“Hey,” I say, cupping her face. “What’s with the tears?”
“I’m just happy.”
“Happy to be getting rid of me?” I ask, frowning.
“No, just happy that you and Mum are finally getting your shit together.”
“Watch your mouth,” I say, trying not to laugh. She’s got spunk, just like her mum.
“I’ve wanted this for so long.”
“You have?” That surprises me. Sure, she mentioned it a few times when she was young, but once they moved in with me, it never came up again. I presumed Maddie was content with our situation. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I knew in my heart it would happen one day.”
“Jesus.” I pull her face into my chest. “I’m sorry we made you wait so long.”
I’ve always claimed I never needed a piece of paper to prove my love for her mother, but I would’ve married her years ago if I’d known that’s what my little girl wanted. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
“It’s okay, Dad. Honestly.”
“I love you,” I say, placing a kiss on her hair.
“I love you too.”
Candice steps forward and snakes her arms around my neck. “I’m going to miss you tonight,” I whisper. We haven’t spent a night apart since we started living together.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to sleep without you beside me.” When I hear her sniffle, I know she’s crying again. These next five months are going to be the death of me.
“I know what you mean.” I draw back and cup her face in my hands as my mouth bears down on hers.
It’s only one night , I tell myself. Tomorrow she’ll be my wife and we’ll never have to be apart again.
“Call me if you’re having trouble sleeping.
Maybe we can have phone sex.” I wiggle my eyebrows and she laughs.
“I’d like that.”
“I love you. I’ll be counting down the minutes until I see you tomorrow.”
“Me too.”
I open the driver’s side door and close it once she’s seated inside. “Drive carefully, and call me when you get there,” I say through the open window.
“I will.”
“Tell your parents I said hello.” I reach into the car and run the back of my hand down the side of her face. I’m finding it hard to walk away.
“Come on, you two,” Carter calls out. “There’s plenty of time for that on your honeymoon.”
“Remind me why I’m friends with him again.”
“Because you’re like long-lost twins,” Candice says with a cheeky grin.
She’s right, we are.
“I can’t wait to become Mrs Jaxson Albright tomorrow.”
I love the sound of that.
In my heart, she’s always been mine, but tomorrow it becomes official.
“I know it’s none of my business,” Carter says on the drive to the hotel, “but I’m glad you’re finally doing the right thing. You know … before this kid is born.”
“Things aren’t like they used to be, Carter. I know you had a hard time growing up without your father around, but lots of people have kids out of wedlock these days. The stigma doesn’t really exist anymore.”
“I guess, but I’m still pleased you’re getting married. You’re doing the right thing for Candice, Maddie and the baby. My life was shit because of my circumstances. I’d hate for any child to go through what I did.”
“In my defence though, Maddie was almost three before I even knew she was my daughter.”
“I know, but she’s what … twelve now?”
“You’ve made your point, so you can shut up now,” I grumble.