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I cleared my throat. “Will you marry me?”

“God yes. Nothing would make me happier.”

Epilogue

Zarek

I’d forgotten why Chloe had referred to her family as the Avery Avalanche. Now I remembered why. My God, I’d always thought of my house as somewhat large, but it was no match for the number of people that had filled it today.

Trenda and Zoe had decided that there needed to be a family reunion. They had at least two hundred cupcakes, all saying ‘congratulations.’ According to Zoe, that fit everything they were celebrating. Me out of the hospital, mine and Chloe’s engagement, Chloe’s recovery, and the Magnificent Twin Reunification. The last part being the most important according to Zoe. My parents were beaming as they had their picture taken with me and the six Avery girls.

“Zarek, you’ve given me six daughters. I can’t get any happier until you give me grandchildren,” my mother said.

Evie had somehow managed to make friends with everyone at Station 22, so I had the entire crew there. Everyone from my captain Henry Sykes and his wife, Gus, Rosie and Allen, and of course Luke. I couldn’t help but notice that Luke and Zoe were spending a lot of time out on the back patio together throwing the ball with Slayer.

The only hitch in the party was that Drake couldn’t be there. He was in San Diego with his soon-to-be wife Karen, who was still on bedrest. He called to say hello, and to threaten me to take good care of his baby sister.

I turned to look at Chloe who was picking up red Solo cups. I had a moment of déjà vu. God, hadn’t she come a long way?

“Leave those. We can finish the clean-up in the morning. Your sisters did most of it already anyway.”

“But―”

“Seriously, it’s fine.”

She smiled and nodded. She came over to me in the living room and wrapped her arms around my waist.

“I loved it when your mom and dad were in the middle of all of us. It felt like we had parents. Trenda cried when Bella called your dad Grandpa.”

“It was a great party, but I’m ready for something a little more intimate. I’ve been home a week.”

“The doctor said ten days.”

“The doctor can kiss my happy ass. If I can handle a party like this, I can handle making love to my fiancée.”

Chloe frowned.

“Come upstairs with me,” I coaxed.

I saw the moment she relented, and I tugged at her hand as I moved towards the stairs.

* * *

Chloe

It was so stupid. I was nervous. I wasn’t some naïve virgin. But this would be the first time that Zarek and I made love. I crossed the threshold to the bedroom we had been chastely sharing for the last four nights.

Come on Avery, you can do this.

“Chloe, are you okay?”

Why could he always read me so easily? That needed to stop.

I gave him one of my brightest smiles. “I’m great. How are you?”

“I’d be doing better if you’d tell me what’s bothering you.”

“Nothing. We’re wearing too many clothes.” I reached up and started to unbutton his shirt.