“He has to. We have some paperwork to go over and sign.”
“How does he feel about being a grandpa?”
I groan. “He’s just as bad as Zane. I swear if he buys one more outfit for Emily, I’ll never have to do laundry. She can wear a new outfit each day until her eighteenth birthday.”
“That’s kind of sweet,” Brie says, chuckling.
“Someone call for me?” Keith grunts, sauntering shirtless into the kitchen.
Brie seems to melt at the sight of him. I’m happy for them, even if they do gross me out a bit sometimes.
“You’re not sweet,” Brie sasses.
He steps behind her, wrapping his muscular arms around her and kissing the top of her head. “Not what you said three hours ago, baby.”
“Anyway,” I say in a shrill tone. “Enough of that.”
Keith barks out a laugh. “I sure missed my prissy sister.”
I flip him off, earning a giggle from Brie.
“You two gonna drop by and see me tonight on my shift? I’m working at Focus. Water for preggo over there and the best wine on Beacon Island for my girl.”
Again, she melts at his words.
I let my gaze drift back to the window that faces the sea. With all the rain and gloom, you can barely see the ocean, but I know it’s there. I feel such a sense of peace here at Brigs Ferry Bay. This will be our home. And after today when we make it official, Felix will join us.
I can hear the smacking and groaning of Keith and Brie making out. As much as I love their blossoming romance, it’ll be nice to get my own place. Felix found the cutest apartment on Main Street that sits above some retail space for Zane and me. When Zane gets out, it’ll be perfect for his shop and there’s room for Felix to office as well. Everything is coming together.
The best part is, Sean is in prison.
It took a lot of work, but we managed to build a case against him. Once we went public with it, many other women stepped forward with stories of their own. With their testimonies and mine, we were able to stack the charges on him. When I told the authorities about him already knowing my apartment number and having a key, coupled with how other women were speaking out, they had enough to get the proper warrants to search his belongings and home. And what they found was damning. This time, Judge Rowe wasn’t at all lenient on the charges. Sean Gentry will be spending the next fifteen years in prison. It would have been longer, but he admitted his guilt and motives in exchange for a lesser sentence. All he wanted was to marry into a wealthy, successful family since his own family’s money had run dry.
A sharp pain lances through me, making me groan. They’d been happening off and on all morning, but I’d thought it was nerves. Emily isn’t due for a couple more weeks. Before I can recover from that one, another one rips down my spine, wrapping a painful claw around my belly.
“Owww,” I hiss. “I think—”
My words are cut off by the gush of warmth that floods out of me, soaking through my cotton pants.
“Keith,” I cry out. “I think the baby is coming.”
“You ready to have this baby?” Dr. Miller asks, a smile on his handsome face.
He’s not my doctor, though. Where is Dr. Hutchens?
“I can wait until my doctor gets here,” I grit through clenched teeth.
Keith barks out a laugh. “Lance has delivered babies before,” my brother assures me. “He’s a hospitalist who does it all. Basically, a jack of all trades. Don’t worry.”
I am worried, though.
This hurts and I wish Zane were here.
My emotions win over me and I burst into tears.
“It’s okay,” Dr. Miller croons. “Don’t cry. Right now I need you to be brave and start pushing. She’s ready to come out.”
“Where’s Felix?” I hiss to my brother. “He should be here!”
“Something important came up,” Keith says, his face splitting into a wide grin.
“More important than the birth of his grandchild?” I shriek. “Tell him to get in here now!”
“Can’t, sis,” Keith replies, a smirk on his face. “Only two family members at a time. I think dads trump grandpas.”
I snap my head up to glower at him. “What?”
“It means, little momma, you’re going to have to settle for having me in here.”
Zane’s voice soothes all the battered parts inside me, mending every painful moment away from him. Slowly, I turn my head to find the man I’ve ached for standing in the room, grinning at me. Somehow, in the course of several months, he’s grown more handsome. Stronger, broader, wiser. Mine.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about her,” I choke out, my hand stretching out for him.
He stalks over to me, cups my cheeks, and kisses me until I’m dizzy. Another jolt of pain hits me, ending the sweet reunion.
“Time to push, Kerry,” Dr. Miller says. “No more stalling.”
Zane grips my hand, grinning at me. “Come on, Miss B, you’ve got this. I’m ready to meet my baby girl.”
The pushing goes on for what feels like hours, but when Dr. Miller finally deposits the beautiful, messy baby on my chest, the world blurs around the three of us.
“You got out early,” I murmur as I admire the gorgeous infant that looks just like her father.
“Good behavior, baby.” He brushes his thumb along her dark hair. “She’s perfect.”
Hot tears stream down my face as I press a kiss to her forehead. Then I turn and accept a kiss from Zane.
“I missed you so much,” I choke out. “I know I told you in our letters, but I need you to hear it. I love you, Zane Mullins.”
“Love you too, beautiful.”
Epilogue
Zane
Late summer
“Mommy is obsessed with that store,” I tell Emily, holding her to my chest and pointing through the window of Granger Home Décor. “She’s trying to make the dining room fancy now.”
Emily smiles and drool runs down her chin. Fuck, this kid is so damn cute. I told Kerry we need to make ten just like her. She wasn’t keen on the idea of having ten, but promised me more one day.
Addison Granger catches my stare from inside and waves me in. Emily and I step inside the shop. Kerry is at the register while Addison’s sister, Adeline, bags her purchases.
“She’s getting so big,” Addison croons. “Pretty soon she’ll be crawling all over the place!” Then she leans in and says, “How’s Felix?”
I smirk at her. They think they’re discreet, but Kerry and I busted them having dinner earlier this week.
“I think you would know more than me,” I tease, enjoying the way her cheeks blush.
“Go away, rascal.” She leans in and kisses Emily’s head. “Take care of my girl.”
I chuckle and leave her be as I make it over to Kerry. She looks fantastic this afternoon in a pair of white shorts and a pale blue halter top. Her legs are tanned and hot as fuck today. Thank God Dad has offered to babysit Emily tonight. I’m dying to have some alone time with my wife.
“Ready, Mrs. M?”