AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Always,” Landon replies.
“You know, you’re one lucky bastard, right?” Joseph asks him.
“I could say the same for you.”
“Yeah.” Joseph pulls my mom into his side and kisses the top of her head. “Lucky bastard indeed.”
Epilogue
Landon
This is my first baby shower, but certainly not my last. Luna and Trent were showered with gifts from family and friends today. Now, Luna, Aubrey, and Emma are sitting on the couch eating cake, talking and laughing. The three-carat diamond ring that Emma and I picked out together sparkles and shines every time she moves her hand. It’s not what I would have picked. I was looking at a six carat, but she shut me down. I get it. It’s not practical when she’s working, but I want nothing but the best for her. It also helps that it’s a beacon of light so all the single guys who think they’re going to make a move get the hint quickly. At least I hope they do.
“This going to be you next?” Trent asks, handing me a bottle of water. We try to limit our alcohol during the season.
“I hope so.”
“Really? That’s not the answer I expected to get.”
“No?”
“Not at all, but I can tell you, it’s a fucking rush, man, to know that my baby is growing inside her. What’s even better is watching her body grow and change, and feeling the baby kick. I’m telling you, it’s next level.” He takes a swig of his own water. “I can still remember the day she told me. I was scared to death. But the minute I heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time, I knew we were going to be fine. How do you love someone you’ve never met? It’s wild as hell, but it’s a ride I can’t wait to take again.”
“Think we’re going to go somewhere tropical when the season’s over and get married. I hope by then I’ve talked her into trying.”
He nods toward the living room. I follow his gaze and Emma has her hand on Luna’s belly, a grin that lights up my life on her face. “Don’t think it’s going to take much convincing.” He walks away and I watch as he bends to kiss Luna’s belly and then places a tender kiss to her lips.
Life is finally starting to settle back down after the media frenzy. As soon as Joseph’s divorce went public, it didn’t take the vultures long to dig up that Emma, my fiancée, was his daughter. Bridgett didn’t have a leg to stand on in the divorce. The terms of the prenup were clear. Should Joseph decide to end their marriage, she walks away with way more cash than she deserves. She played the victim to the media, but they passed over her play for attention. Surprisingly, the majority of them decided to report on the long-lost love of the Hermosa Beach Trojans team owner. Everyone loves a good love story. It helps that Bridgett is not a nice person. She’s shown her bitchiness to too many people over the years, and even the media doesn’t want anything to do with her. I think they call that karma.
There is one good thing that came out of all of the media attention. Well, two things actually. One, Caroline moved to Hermosa Beach. Joseph insisted he get her a place in my building, so we’re neighbors for now. I don’t see that lasting long. In fact, if he had his way, she would have just moved straight into his place—his new place. However, my future mother-in-law is adamant she won’t live with a married man. She’s keeping him at arm’s length in that aspect of their relationship. Other than a slight peck on the lips and some hand holding, he’s in the dark until the ink is on the papers. He has connections, and called in some favors. The divorce should be finalized next week.
And the second thing? Emma moved in with me. It was an easy decision when she came home from work to reporters camped out on her lawn. My building is secure, and she’s safer there. Besides, she stays with me most of the time anyway. We have an appointment next week with a realtor to list her place, and to start looking for a home of our own. We need a bigger place for our growing family. The one that I hope we start sooner rather than later. In the meantime, until I convince her, we’ll have to settle with bringing home one of the dogs from the shelter. Nothing says committed and domesticated more than buying a house and getting a dog together. Well, you know, unless you count the rock on her finger.
If you’d told me that day at training camp when I first met Emma that this is where we would be, I would have laughed my ass off. I never could have imagined we’d be engaged and planning our lives together. I never dreamed I’d be standing at a baby shower, and wondering how long it’s going to take to convince my future wife that this is our next step. Starting a family.
