She put her hand on my chest. “The next one?”
“Oh yes. I’m going to put as many babies in you as I can, or at least, I’ll keep trying.”
Head tossed back, she laughed. “Nothing wrong with trying.”
“No, ma’am.” I scooted toward the foot of the bed, pulling her panties down, desperate for a taste.
“Gus. We just got here.”
“Yes. And I spent the entire plane ride fantasizing about you sitting on my face.”
She propped herself up on her elbows and frowned down at me. “Stop it.”
“Why do you think I had my hoodie in my lap the whole time? Now be a good girl and let me eat.”
She rolled her eyes but didn’t put up a fight when I peeled her dress off her body.
I lay on my back and waved her over. Obediently, she grabbed the headboard and lowered herself down over my mouth.
Within minutes, she was screaming at the top of her lungs while she rode my face. I felt like a goddamn king.
“I fucking love you so much.”
The weekend had been a blast. Today we’d rented a private cabana at one of the pools, and I’d hung out with Owen, Finn, and Jude for hours. Noah had called, saying an emergency had come up and that he’d try to fly out tomorrow, but we weren’t holding our breath. If he’d been called out for a rescue mission, then there was no telling when he’d return. Jude was quiet, clearly still worried that something was off.
Dinner that night was held in the private wine cellar, with servers in tuxedos catering to our every need. Lila had celiac disease, so Owen had arranged for a special gluten-free menu, and the chef came out between courses to chat with us.
I’d never done anything this fancy in my life.
We’d yet to see Cole today. He’d been out late the night before, gambling with Jude and some of Lila’s friends.
Chloe and I had turned in early, though I can’t say we’d gotten a lot of sleep. We did, however, have a great time in the big shower.
At the other end of the table, my mom was busy chatting with Lila’s mother about potential wedding plans. Lila just rolled her eyes. I wasn’t sure they would ever actually get married, but they were the happiest engaged couple I’d ever met.
I was more settled than ever. Witnessing the way Finn and Owen had changed their lives and grown into the men they were meant to be was one of my life’s greatest experiences.
What they’d overcome and where they were now gave me hope for my own future. A future with Chloe, Clementine, and our baby. In Maine, at least for now. There was plenty of work to be done in Lovewell still. We’d been slowly implementing changes and hiring more staff for the upcoming winter harvest, and I was getting excited about the future of the business. It was different from what I’d always envisioned, but working with Chloe had taught me so much.
We’d hired Parker Gagnon to oversee some internal investigations at work, and so far, she was far better at keeping the FBI in line than we had been. Things had been quiet since the arrest, and I was praying the worst was behind us. But we were prepared for whatever was coming.
Halfway through the tasting menu, the champagne was flowing. A harpist played in the corner, and Chloe was perched on my lap, having an animated conversation with Adele about nursing pillows.
For so long, my family had been splintered, but we were finding our way. Although a private wine cellar at a Vegas mega hotel was not the place I envisioned this bonding to happen, I wasn’t complaining.
As we were waiting for our dessert to arrive, Cole appeared. He was more than fashionably late and looking a little disheveled. And he wasn’t alone. Willa Savard trailed behind him, her pale skin flushed. She’d only recently taken over as the town doctor, but already, she’d garnered a great deal of respect. Last night, she’d had us all in stitches with one wild story after another about her days in the emergency room in Baltimore.
She was funny and smart, and although my next physical would be awkward, I had enjoyed getting to know her. Especially since we’d be seeing her a lot after the baby was born.
“Is everything okay?” my mom asked, standing and approaching Cole. She was so short in comparison to him that she had to wrap her arm around his stomach to embrace him. “Come get something to eat. The chef has been spoiling us.”
She stepped away, grasping his arm like she was going to lead him to the large oak table, but he was rooted to the spot. His eyes darted to Willa, who seemed very focused on her feet.
“Is everything okay?” Owen asked, standing from his seat.
Cole scanned the room and swallowed audibly.
Then he reached out and grabbed Willa’s hand. “So, um. We got married last night.”
EpilogueChloe
Six months later
“Are you sure this is okay?” Gus asked as we crawled along Route 16. “We just take her home? Forever?”
I leaned over the car seat and gazed at our sleeping daughter.
“It’s insane, but yeah, they just let you take your babies home.”
“No certifications, tests, nothing? You need more qualifications to operate heavy machinery.”
I laughed, my heart so fucking full. “I know. But we’re ready. At least you are. You read all the books.”
He smiled at me in the rearview mirror. “Least I could do.”
