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“You’re not going to cry again, are you?” I ask with a grin stretching across my face.
She giggles. “Stop, I can’t help that. You still overwhelm me with your loving.”
And that’s exactly what I plan to do now and always.
***
A few hours later, we are settling into our first-class seats. Dana’s seemingly unable to stop grinning and chattering, her bouncing exuberance at odds with the soothing orchestral music piped over the speakers. My heart is threatening to burst with the knowledge that I was the one to bring her happiness. I don’t know how I got so lucky to call this strong, resilient woman all mine.
Well, hopefully by the time we are on the return flight, she will be.
“Paris! I can’t believe you’re taking me to Paris for our date. I never thought you were a romantic.” She hooks her arm through mine, resting her head on my shoulder. My heart pounds, feeling like it wants to reach out and capture her in its chambers, holding her forever. It’s become a familiar reaction to her touch. I kiss her on the top of her head, drawing her addictive perfume into my lungs.
Smiling down at her, I joke, “I’m offended that you think I can’t be romantic. Just because you’re the first woman to tap into these feelings, doesn’t mean they weren’t there.” If only she knew what I have planned for her in Paris.
She’ll never question my romantic credentials or love for her again.
Epilogue One
Dana
Five Months Later
Buzz, buzz, buzz . The sound merging from my dreams into reality. I sleepily scrabble about in the dark, my fingers clutching at nothing until finally I find my phone. Propping myself higher on my pillow, I glance down beside me to see Jason still sleeping soundly. The man could sleep through a bomb going off so it doesn’t surprise me. Jase only really needs about five hours sleep and luckily for him the moment his head hits the pillow and his eyes close, he is off. Me, I’m someone who needs the full eight hours to function.
It’s only one of the things I’ve learned since I moved in permanently to his apartment after we returned from our silent auction date in Paris. Ah Paris! The memory of those four days will always pull a happy contented sigh from my lips, even in a half-asleep state like I am now. It was the most perfectly romantic date, up to and including his proposal on our last night. I still can’t believe he got down on one knee under one of the soaring arches of the Eiffel Tower, a small crowd gathering around us cheering when I of course I said yes.
Blinking further awake, I glance down at my cell. The missed caller id shows as Allie and like a light switching on, I’m instantly awake. I click to return her call while my stomach clenches with thoughts of Katie and her baby which is due any day now. It’s only one ring and Allie’s voice breaks through the dark silence.
I don’t even get a hello before she says in a breathless voice, “The baby is coming and we are on our way to the hospital.”
This was the plan we’d worked out with Katie over the last couple of weeks. Drew would let Allie and Logan know and they would spread the news to the rest of the family.
“Okay thanks. We’ll be right behind you. See you soon.” We don’t waste a moment on chat, having promised Katie we would be at the hospital for support. Dropping the phone on my bedside table, I lean over Jason, shaking his shoulder. He mumbles something incoherent. There’s really only one effective way to wake Jason and I reach my hand under the covers then stretch my fingers around his semi-hard cock. The guy never seems to go down completely, something I appreciate on a regular basis. He groans out his acknowledgement of my touch, while his arms reach out to pull my body closer. Good he’s awake.
“Sorry, big guy, we don’t have time for that. Katie’s baby is coming.” I place a quick kiss on his lips before reaching across to turn on the lamp.
He blinks up at me. “What did you say?”
“Katie’s baby is coming. I just got the call from Allie, and we need to get to the hospital.” As I speak, I climb out of bed, tugging my pajamas over my head, then begin to gather up a change of clothes.
“Right! Got it.” Jason jumps out of bed, in all his glorious nakedness, momentarily distracting me. Even though I see him naked every morning and night, I still need to stop and appreciate the sight. His solid muscles appear carved into his chest, arms and thighs. It’s like his body was made in the image of Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. Well, all except in one area—my favorite—the impressive length of his penis now fully erect, jutting out from between his firm thighs. I run my tongue over my bottom lip remembering how good it felt filling my mouth with his deliciousness last night.
“D, if we have any chance of making it to the hospital in the next thirty minutes, you really need to keep your eyes above my waist.” He steps closer, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip. “As much as I fucking love that look on your face, for once I’m going to have to ignore it.” His head dips to replace his thumb with his lips. I allow myself to melt into his kiss, knowing he’s right this time.
It’s only a little over thirty minutes later that Jason is steering into the hospital parking area. Allie’s texts have been keeping me up to date with Katie’s progress and we are soon making our way to the maternity floor. I’m not surprised to find the waiting room filled with the Carlson family. Hunter, Blake, and Logan stand together near the window, forming an imposing circle that emanates nervous anxiety. Not something I’d ever have associated with them as individuals, and even less so as a group. I get it though, Katie is their precious little sister. Jason goes to join them while I walk over to Trudy and Bec who are sitting more comfortably in a couple of leather chairs.
I hug them both. “Any news?”
“Nothing yet. Allie will come and get you.”
I nod. “The guys look a little worried.”
Trudy glances at the now circle of four. “Can you believe how the tough Carlson men have crumbled?”
“Imagine what they’ll be like with the birth of their own children,” Bec adds, grinning. She’s right, each one of them likes to put on a tough public face, but we know the truth. They’re all a bunch of softies when it comes to family.
Allie appears at the door to the waiting room and the men spin in her direction. “Katie is doing fine,” she tells them before turning to me. “Come on, Dana.” I follow her along the blindingly bright corridor to a room that instantly feels calmer. Soothing music rises above the beeps of a machine that appears to be hooked up to Katie’s bare belly. She looks radiant lying back against the white pristine sheets, Drew sitting on the edge of the bed holding her hand.
