“Oh my god!” I exclaimed as he handed over a white-and-tan mastiff puppy.
“We thought you should take a little piece of home with you,” my pop explained as I blinked back tears. “This little girl came from the same line as Chief, so you have a piece of him too.”
At that, the tears I’d been holding back spilled down my cheeks. “Are you okay with this?” I asked Ruston as I struggled to contain the wriggling puppy.
He came to stroke the puppy’s ears, smiling down at me. “Yeah, baby. Your parents and I talked about it. I know how much you loved your dogs growing up. I want you to have that.”
“Thank you.” I beamed at him and then my parents. “She’s so sweet.”
“I also made you some lunch for the road,” my mom announced, handing Ruston a brown paper bag. “And there are supplies for the pup in the garage.”
After we’d loaded the extra supplies and food, Pop turned to me. “You two should hit it,” he grunted, and I knew he didn’t want to prolong the inevitable goodbyes. It was hard enough as it was.
“We’ll be back soon,” I murmured, turning to smile at my mom, “and I’ll call you when we get back. After all, we have a wedding to plan.”
She beamed as she pulled me in for a hug, her familiar smell wrapping around me. “Love you, honey.”
“Love you too,” I replied as she released me and passed me off to my pop, who wrapped an arm around me, kissing the top of my head. “Love you, Gracie girl,” he whispered in my ear. “Will take some getting used to, having you so far away,” he admitted. “But I know you’re in good hands.” His gaze landed on Ruston, and with a chin lift he conveyed more than words could ever say.
“Ready, baby?” Ruston asked gently.
At my nod, he helped me into the passenger side, our new puppy snuggled in my arms.
As we drove away, waving in farewell, I watched as Hawthorne moved into the rearview, and along with it, a part of my life. And while this might be an ending of sorts, it also signaled something far more important.
A new beginning.
Epilogue
THE WEDDING
MAX
“Fuck no, you’re not wearing that,” I growled as I got my first view of my wife looking gorgeous in a formfitting dress showcasing her very pregnant belly.
I moved into her space, placing my hands where our daughter grew safe and snug inside her belly. “Baby, those heels aren’t happening.”
She looked down at her outfit, letting out an adorable grunt of frustration. “I feel good in this—and for me that’s rare these days. And anyway, this is what Grace wants me to wear. I’m a bridesmaid,” she reminded me.
“I’m well aware,” I replied dryly. For the past six months, Grace’s wedding to Ruston had been a large topic of conversation with the women of the Knights MC. Now the day had arrived, and my beautiful, stubborn wife seemed hell-bent on giving me a heart attack. “And you look beautiful, baby. But I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
She pressed her hands to my chest, looking up at me with those gorgeous eyes that never ceased to undo me. “I’ll bring some flats in my purse,” she bargained.
“Why is it that I can never say no to you?” I groaned as she grinned in answer, knowing full well she was getting her way, like always. “Let’s get a move on.” I sighed, swatting at her delicious backside before grabbing our hotel room key. “And baby, make sure you save some energy for me for later.”
I’d always been obsessed with her body, but now, with her breasts full from pregnancy and belly round with my baby, I couldn’t keep my hands off her. Luckily, the feeling was mutual.
Her pregnancy had gone by far more quickly than I wanted. I needed more time to explore every curve and valley of her luscious body.
I’d just have to knock her up again as soon as possible to appreciate it again and again.
MADDOX
“Let’s try to actually get some in your mouth this time.” I chuckled as I spooned more avocado into Chase’s mouth. We’d just started the twins on solid foods with mixed results.
“How about you?” I offered some to Isabelle, who tended to be more eager when it came to food and certainly more proficient. “This is why your mama was smart to suggest we hold off on getting you two dressed.” I nearly swallowed my tongue when Francesca emerged dressed in a figure-hugging dress, her thick hair falling in loose waves around her gorgeous face.
Though my girl had always been beautiful, she had grown into her own in an entirely different way since having the babies. Even with the, at times, overwhelming dynamics of having twins, Frannie had stepped into the challenge with a confidence and grace I was continually floored by. Motherhood seemed effortless for her. I still wondered how I’d gotten so goddamned lucky.
