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The galloping thrum surrounds us, and all the worry and anxiety I’ve managed to push down over the last few months loosens its vise around me. The relief flooding me causes my eyes to cloud over as the most overpowering awe fills me.
“How’s that for a strong heartbeat?”
That’s what undoes me, because I can’t stop the sobs that escape me with the way Damon’s looking at me, eyes glassed over and a half-bitten grin cutting his face.
“Wow,” he mouths, wiping away the tears tracking down my temples.
And this is by far the most incredible moment of my life. The happiness is overwhelming, like it might be too much for us to contain. I’m not even sure there’s such a thing as too much happiness, but if there is—this is it. Right here, right now. Me and him, and our baby.
The promise of an eternity together. No matter what the future brings us.
Epilogue
Damon
Two years later
Angels couldn’t be more precious than my girls. The skirts of their pearl embellished dresses flutter in the early evening breeze as they have their mother-daughter dance.
“They’re beautiful,” Mom swoons, looking over at Ava and Eden, twirling across the dancefloor with Fran and her son, Knox.
“Perfect.” The broad smile that cuts my face is impossible to contain.
I’ve never been so damn proud in my life as I am right now. Nothing’s changed but the rings on our fingers and the vows we said earlier at the same church my parents were married, forty-four years ago. However, things feel impossibly better. Right.
The day I laid my eyes on Ava at the club, my life took the most unexpected turn, and every day since has been exceptional. More than that, fulfilling, even more so when Eden was born. That girl has her mother’s sass and wit, and unfortunately for Ava, she has my mischievous streak. That girl is fucking smart for a nineteen-month-old princess.
More like madame. Eden sashays around like she owns every place she steps foot in, and every fucker has no choice but to pander to her. Yeah, she’s spoiled, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Do you think you’ll give me another grandbaby soon?” Mom asks when I spin her back toward me. “This house needs more babies. More noise.”
“Surely Eden and Knox are enough for now?” I kiss her cheek lightly, watching the fondness brightening her face as she watches Ava and Eden laugh and dance with Dad.
“Every child is more than enough, but the more the merrier.”
“The more the merrier,” I echo, swaying with her towards my girls.
“Babies keep us young,” she says when we come to a stop by my wife and daughter.
Wife. Calling Ava my fiancée had a great ring to it. Especially when I introduced her as such, but wife? Wife sounds like life is perfect.
“How many more?” I ask Mom when she takes Eden from Ava.
“I—” Eden calls at me, trying to throw herself into my arms. “Dada? Da!”
“The princess has daddy withdrawal,” Ava jokes, wrapping her arm around my waist when I give in to Eden and take her from Mom.
“Sty,” Eden tells me, grasping my face with both of her hands to make my attention stay on her. “Sty.”
“You wanna touch the sky, baby?” Before she can reply, I throw her in the air, much to Ava’s dismay. This is her least favorite game, and as per usual, she lets out a high-pitched whimper when Eden screams on her way back into my arms. “Oh my God, Damon! You’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“Ub, ub! Ub, Dada!” Eden continues shrieking when I perch her on my hip and take out the card Ava and I prepared for Mom and Dad from my back pocket.
They’ve given us the perfect wedding by hosting our intimate reception in their yard. Ava adores the garden overlooking the ocean. With everything they’ve given us over the last two years, we wanted to give back.
“We have something for you and Dad,” I tell Mom, incapable of containing my grin.
“What is it?” Fran asks, looking over my shoulder on her tiptoes. “What’s in the envelope?”
