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Epilogue
Three years later.
“Are you sure those two little buggers haven’t had chocolate for breakfast? They’re running around the living room like rats on speed,” Sonny grouses, a twinkle in his eye as he enters the kitchen. “Pretty sure they’ll be climbing up the walls next!”
I laugh, pouring myself another cup of coffee. I need at least two in the morning to keep me going. Having four boyfriends with needs means this woman doesn’t get much sleep. That and the fact George has taken to sleepwalking every night, doesn’t help either. He might be seven now, but that hasn’t stopped his imagination any.
“Nope, just marmite on toast,” I reply, peering down the hallway of our tiny house just as George sprints out of the living room, Eastern hot on his tail. Seeing them laughing and playing together warms my heart.
“Hey, watch your step!” I call, as George slides across the wooden floor in his socks almost banging head first into the wall opposite. Fortunately, Camden steps out into the hall from the small study and captures George in his arms.
“Whoa tiger, take it easy,” he laughs, swinging him up into his arms and over his shoulder as though he weighs nothing. I suppose he doesn’t to Camden, who’s grown broader and more muscular than the boy I remember at Oceanside.
Striding down the hall, Camden deposits George on the kitchen stool, messing up his hair with his large hand. “You, Georgie, need to calm your socks. Take a seat whilst I whip us up some pancakes.”
“Yum!” George fist-pumps the air and grins.
“He’s just had three slices of toast. I’m pretty sure he’s full,” I say, shaking my head.
Camden flashes me a grin that melts my knickers. “Bae-by,George is a growing boy and needs to develop those muscles, don’t you, Georgie?”
“Yep! Ford said that when I grow up I’m gonna be the best fighter the world has ever seen. He said I’m even better than Sebastian, thatI’mhis favourite.”
“Hey, buddy, I do not have a favourite. You’re both my little fighters.” Ford protests, stepping into the kitchen, his hair all messed up from sleep.
Behind him Sebastian saunters in, copying Ford’s every move. He’s nine now and grown so tall. I can already see the young man he’s going to become in the lazy smile he wears and the twinkle in his deep green eyes that are currently staring at Ford in adoration.
My little brothers love all my men, but Ford is their favourite. His endless patience and devotion to them is beautiful to witness. They each take it in turns to spend time with them both, but Ford actively seeks Sebastian and George out even when it’s not his turn. He dotes on them and in turn they worship him.
Eastern steps into the room, clapping his hand onto Ford’s shoulder. “Late night?” he asks, looking between us both with a smirk.
He knows as well as the rest of us that Sunday nights are set aside for Ford and me. My cheeks flush at the ache between my legs. Last night was most definitely a late one. Pretty sure we both only got a few hours of sleep. Ordinarily I wouldn’t complain, but today I start my new job as a physiotherapist to an ex-ballet dancer up at the beautiful Browlace Manor. I don’t want to mess up.
“So who’s watching the kids today?” I ask, looking between them all over the rim of my coffee cup.
Eastern glances at Sonny and they grin. “We’ve got a job at the harbour. We’ll be out all day.”
“You do? That’s great,” I reply, accepting a kiss on the cheek from Eastern as he leans over and grabs one of the pancakes Camden has tossed onto a plate.
“But what about the sea sickness?” I ask, knowing that the ocean isn’t Eastern or Sonny’s favourite place to be.
“We’re working on the docks, not out on the ocean, thankfully,” Eastern explains.
Ford huffs, plonking himself on another stool. His gaze meets Camden and they both frown.
“What is it?” I ask.
“It just shows what a pretty face can do. No one wants to hire two blokes covered in tats who look like they spend more time causing trouble than earning an honest living.”
“I love your tats, and your faces,” I respond, rounding the table and wrapping my arms around Ford’s naked chest which is now covered in a huge tattoo of four warriors surrounding their queen. You can guess who’s the queen. My fingers trail over his skin as I speak. “People who pass judgement so quickly are usually the ones you want to avoid anyway. Something will come up. I have a good feeling.”
“Yeah, Asia’s right. Fuck ‘em,” Camden adds, then grimaces when I glare at him. “Sorry… pancake?” He smiles sweetly, and I instantly forgive him for breaking my ‘no swearing around the kids’ rule. We have a jar filled with coins from all the bloopers.
“Can’t, need to go. Wish me luck,” I say, checking my watch and groaning at the time.
“Good luck, Bae-by,” Camden says, drawing me in for a lingering kiss. When he releases me, I press a quick kiss on the top of George and Sebastian’s heads. Then kiss each of my men in turn before waving goodbye.
When I reach the front door, I stop for a moment, smiling as I listen to their loving banter and my little brothers’ laughter. We’ve come such a long way, the five of us, and now that my brothers are mine to keep forever thanks to the Freeds’ help, our family is complete.
Opening the front door to our tiny home, I step towards my car, excited for my first day at my new job, knowing somehow that from this moment onwards no matter what troubles might come our way, we have each other to weather the storm.
And that’s a gift I never thought I’d have; love, happiness, and a family to call my own.
The End
