AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Oh, the madness! I can’t fathom I’d ever do that again. “I think he wanted to be found out.” I defend Blake, keeping my attention on him. “He looks so sad.”
Clayton nudges a finger against the side of my jaw, softly asking me to stop glancing at Blake. “He’s a melancholic guy.”
“He never intends to remarry?”
“He’s a one-woman man. It will take the universe to shake to change that.”
I really hope the universe does shake for him one day. If anyone deserves a second chance at love, my vote will go to him.
Without warning the heavens open.
“Come on, guys, inside!” Rob announces, getting the guests to line up as he’s waiting for me and Clayton to make our move.
We grin at each other.
It’s a perfect day. Rain or shine, this place will always be beautiful.
My husband warns me with his eyes of what he’s about to do. I’m not wearing high heels, but I welcome his sturdy arms as he carries me all the way to the top.
To the warmth of the cottage.
38
EPILOGUE: CLAYTON
I’m glad to find my Baby Belle asleep when I get home. She’s lying sideways, cuddling her special pillow.
Occasionally I do get jealous of that pillow. But I’ll have my cuddle time back after the baby is born—or that’s what I’m hoping. Rob has given me a lot of tips about fatherhood, including the infamous sleep deprivation. But I’m up for anything!
“Clayton…” Isabelle murmurs, her arm flailing to find me.
I sit on the edge of the bed next to where her ass is. I softly peck the side of her neck. “I’m just going to check on the boys and then join you. Okay?”
She hums and then adjusts her position. Literally a second later, I hear her purring away.
It’s past ten o’clock. The meeting with General Adler and his team went overtime, as we’re preparing for the next phase of testing—real combat scenarios over a longer period and distances.
I have a quick peek at Raffi’s bedroom and then Matty’s. Both boys are fast asleep.
Thomas is still awake, though. He’s Hartley Marine’s Enterprise Digital Security Manager, but once he’s swiped out of the office, he is Raffi’s and Matty’s official babysitter—our own Care Bear. Just for a few days. Isabelle is due anytime now, so he’s only too happy to hang around our Beverly Hills home until D-day.
“Nothing to report on?” I query as I land downstairs.
“No. The boys played hard during the day, so by the time they finished dinner, they didn’t have much energy left to create trouble,” he says. “You had dinner?”
“I did. I’m gonna turn in now.”
“Played too hard?”
“Way too hard. Good night, Thomas.”
“Night, Clay.”
I keep my steps light as I return to our bedroom, staying as stealthy as possible even when I have my shower. Isabelle moans when I join her in bed, but she’s still out.
As I lay awake, something is nagging me from the inside. I might wake her up and undo my effort to keep her asleep, but I need to get close. It’s not because my wife is hugging her pillow like it was her new man. I just have to feel her.
I nudge myself to spoon her. Luckily, she doesn’t stir even though the mattress jolts.
