Page 178 of Peaks and Promises

Holding each other tight, our mouths met in a passionate kiss. And right there, beneath the stars, my deepest longing came true.

A winding path had led us to each other, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. He loved me for who I was, and I loved every piece of him—tattoos, scars, and all. I wasn’t worried about his past. I just wanted his future.

I had his promise, and he had mine. We belonged to each other, forever.

Epilogue

Reese

Lying on my back on the living room floor, I braced for impact. My one-year-old daughter Cecilia toddled toward me at full speed and threw herself onto my chest. I grunted dramatically, and she exploded in a flurry of baby giggles. I had no idea why she found that so funny, but “jump on Daddy” was a game that made her laugh every time.

“Ceci, you got me,” I said, and she giggled again.

She pushed herself off me and wobbled for a moment before returning to the edge of the carpet, ready to run at me again.

“Uh-oh,” I said. “Here comes Ceci.”

Her wispy blond ponytail bounced, and her big blue eyes—just like her mommy’s—sparkled with delight as she ran and fell on my chest again.

Grabbing her, I picked her up and held her over me while she laughed and squirmed. Then I brought her down onto my chest and kissed her head.

I loved her so much.

Summer and I had wasted no time tying the knot. Our wedding had been in the fall, just a few months after I proposed. My family knew the truth—that it was the only wedding we’d ever had. As for the rest of our guests—and Tilikum in general—they thought it was an unofficial formality, held so our family and close friends could celebrate with us.

The important part? Summer was my wife.

And nine months later, our honeymoon baby arrived.

Adding a baby to our family had been incredible. Exhausting sometimes, but worth it. As her due date had approached, I’d worried I wouldn’t have what it took. Relating to Nate had been one thing. I’d met him when he was ten. But beyond holding my youngest nieces at family gatherings, I didn’t have much experience with babies. I’d never even changed a diaper.

But as soon as Ceci was born, all my doubts flew out the window. Maybe I didn’t know what I was doing, but it didn’t matter. I loved her so much I hardly knew what to do with myself. I’d figure out the rest.

And Summer is an amazing mom. She makes up for everything I lack.

Ceci slid off me and moved to the coffee table. I sat up and grabbed Summer’s psych textbook before our tiny terror could start ripping out pages.

“This isn’t for you.” I stood and took the book to the dining table.

Summer was juggling motherhood and school like the rock star she was. It kept her busy, but between my flexible schedule and a big family who was always around to help, we made it work.

“Dad?” Nate called from another room.

I couldn’t help but smile. He’d been calling me Dad since before I’d married his mom, but hearing it still spread warmth through my chest. “Yeah, chief?”

“Do you know where my shoes are?”

“Where did you take them off?”

“I don’t know.”

I chuckled as Ceci fell onto her backside with a bump. “Your big brother and his shoes. Can’t seem to keep track of them.”

She clapped her hands.

“Let’s see if we can find them.” I picked her up. “Are they by the door?”

Ceci pointed to the door. She liked to point to things.