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Maybe she isn’t pregnant and I’m going to smile myself into a damn happiness coma and then be disappointed, and then …
Wait a goddamn second, I’m pretty sure she just said it, she just fucking said it.
“I’m pregnant, Markus,” she says again. Maybe she can see how lost in thought I’ve become. “I did four tests, just to be sure. I’m one hundred percent pregnant.”
I let out a cheer and wrap my arms around her, ignoring the slight tinge in my arm. I lift her up and spin her around and around, and then find her lips in the mayhem of our embrace.
“I love you,” I gasp between kisses. I break it off and lean down, kissing her belly over her coat. “And I love you, little bump.”
I straighten and kiss away the tears from Millie’s cheeks, and then hug her to my chest, resting my chin on her head and breathing in the scent of her.
“Home,” I whisper.
“Hmm?”
“You smell like home,” I say.
“That’s because I am your home,” she murmurs sweetly. “And you’re mine, right?”
“Forever.”Extended EpilogueOne Year LaterMillieI stand in the kitchen, letting out a long relieved breath when I look around at the shining metal surfaces and realize everything is as it should be.
Tomorrow night we open, and when I think about the place being full, a wonderful mixture of excitement and nervousness whispers over me.
I run my finger along the shininess of the counter as I walk out the side door and into the bracing winter air, gazing at the ocean that crashes and sings below. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful view, the sea an icy and vibrant blue, a lighthouse blinking out a few miles to the north, it’s light barely visible.
“I’m so proud of you,” Markus says from behind me.
I turn with a smile already causing my cheeks to ache, the same way I always do when Markus sneaks up on me.
“Hmm,” I say, teasing as my gaze moves over him.
He stands there in a sea-colored suit, a solid firm dependable handsome maelstrom of a man. Every time I lay my eyes on my husband, I have to tell myself all over again that he’s mine. He says the same about me, constantly, cradling me to his chest at night with his hands running through my hair.
Rocket walks at his feet, our Retriever-Dalmatian cross grinning widely as we approach each other.
And the sweetest piece of it all cooing softly in Markus’s arms. We named her Jackie after the friend that brought us together, and raising her is already becoming the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.
I’ll never abandon my career – being a chef still means the world to me – but little Jackie is my world.
We meet as the snow falls lightly. I lean over Jackie and brush my lips against Markus’s, savoring their rough realness. Then I lean down and tickle Rocket under the chin, in the special place he likes.
I stand back up and lean over our sleeping daughter, my heartstrings tugging and plucking and singing a song I never want to end—that never will end as long as we have each other.
“I mean it,” he says. “You worked your ass off getting this place ready. Sure, maybe you couldn’t go as quickly as you wanted. But that’s pregnancy for you. And now it’s going to be a massive success. I just know it.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I whisper. “I don’t just mean the money. I mean … everything.”
He wraps his free arm around my shoulder, cradling our daughter in one giant hand, holding her close to his chest as he pulls me in closer. Rocket snuggles between our legs and it’s like the four of us are fused, warm against the winter cold, a pocket of safety amidst the uncertainty of the world.
“Meeting you was the best thing I’ve ever done,” he whispers, lips pressed against my forehead so that his breath bathes me warmly. “I love you so much it hurts. I only have one regret, though.”
“What’s that?” I murmur.
“That Rocket and Jackie are here. You look damn fine in that chef’s outfit.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You’re insatiable, you know that?”
“As if you’re complaining.”
A tingle dances over me, the truth of his words dancing in my chest, make my heart feel light and airy. All through the pregnancy, he was never been able to keep his hands off me, a carnal look creeping into his eyes right up to the very end.
Even now, with me all sweaty from work and still with a little baby weight clinging to me – or maybe more than a little – I can feel his burn lust for me.
“I love you,” I whisper. “I love our family. I love our life. As crazy as it sounds, I’m so glad Lava went wandering that night.”
