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Epilogue
Pepper
10 years later…
“Cannon!” the crowd shouts, and I beam up at my husband with pride.
It’s been a long time since he’s been in the ring, and I have to admit seeing him on the mat gives me all kinds of dirty ideas. He’s here tonight to honor his former coach. He passed away last year, and Teddy’s opened a new wing of the gym in his honor.
Coach was close to all of us, and our kids called him Grandpa. He moved in with us when he got sick, and we were with him when he passed. He told me once that teaching Bear was his greatest achievement in life, but being a part of our family was even better. I wipe a tear when Bear unveils the sign and the crowd cheers. It’s a beautiful way to honor him and to continue his legacy.
A few years ago, Bear and I started a foundation dedicated to helping our city thrive. The two of us bring our five kids here after school and on weekends to volunteer or play with their friends.
We had three boys then twin girls, and after that Bear said we were done. I think the thought of another set of girls terrified him into getting a vasectomy. I like to tease him, but I think it scared me, too. The boys are wild, but the drama and tears with our daughters far exceeds broken bones and stitches from the boys.
“Hey, Pep, are you guys going to Patty Cakes after this?” Tasha asks as she brings her stroller next to where I’m standing.
“I think Rico said you guys were taking the kids and we’d meet you after.” I wink at her and she rolls her eyes.
She and Rico had two boys and said they were done. Tasha said no more, but then they had a little surprise last spring.
“You keep sneaking off like you’re teenagers and you’re going to end up with a surprise of your own.” She points down at her sleeping baby boy. “I tried to stay off him, and you see what happened.”
“That’s because Rico refuses to get the snip,” I say, making a cutting motion with my fingers.
She pulls back and makes a disgusted face. “Don’t talk about my favorite body part like that,” she says, shaking her head. “I just can’t take the risk of something happening to it.” She shakes her head. “It’s too good, Pep. He locked me down, put a ring on it, and gave me three babies before I ever realized what happened.”
I laugh at her as I look to the stage and let my eyes wander over Bear. He’s in a suit, which is unusual for him. Normally he’s in sweats and T-shirts. Something about him being dressed up with a little stubble is doing something crazy to my hormones. He’s still just as handsome as the day we met, only now he’s got a little gray in his hair and smile lines around his eyes. He’s getting better with age, and I’m finding it harder to keep my hands off of him.
“Yep. There it is. I’ve seen that look.” I glance at Tasha and she shakes her head.
“There’s no way I can get pregnant. He’s been fixed.”
Tasha leans in with a wild look in her eyes and whispers to me. “Life finds a way.”
“Isn’t that line from Jurassic Park?”
“Yep. That’s the movie Rico got me pregnant to the first time. I should have known.”
I bust out laughing and eventually she joins me.
“What’s so funny?” Rico says, coming over and kissing Tasha.
“Nothing,” Tasha and I say in unison and he narrows his eyes.
“So we’re going to take the kids and meet you at Patty’s,” Rico says, and I nod.
He grabs Tasha’s ass and then gives it a smack before he takes the stroller and calls for the kids to follow him if they want cookies. I give my kids a quick lecture about being good and listening to Uncle Rico, and then tell the boys to look out for the twins.
“Don’t worry. You two kids have fun,” Tasha says. “Just wrap that beast up. I’ve seen the way he’s looking at you.”
When she walks away I look at the stage and see Bear’s eyes on me. Someone is talking to him as people crowd around for a moment of his time. He shakes hands and nods at what they’re saying, but even I can see his hunger from across the room.
I smile sweetly at him just before someone else calls his name and he has to turn and look at them.
I say hello to a few people and thank them for coming as I walk down the long hall to the other side of the gym. This place is empty today because of the ceremony, but at the end of the hallway I can see the trophy case with the picture of my mom and dad. Now there’s a picture of Bear and me on the day he won his final title. And an old black and white one of Coach in the ring reading a newspaper.
