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I don’t know how I got so lucky to deserve a man like Lance. But I’ve never felt such deep, intense contentment. I never want this happiness to end.
“I love you, my beautiful fiancée,” Lance murmurs, nuzzling my neck with his nose. “The incredible mother of my child.”
Hearing him say those things for the first time sends a thrill through my body, and I shiver deliciously as I snuggle closer to him.
“I can’t wait to have a family with you,” he breathes, his arm wrapping around my waist so he can press a palm to my stomach once more.
I cover his hand with mine as tears of joy sting my eyes. All his sweet nothings fill me with such joy because it shows me that this stoic man of few words has opened his heart to me so completely.
And as I lie here in his arms, I know that this is the happiest happily ever after I could have hoped for.
EPILOGUE
QUINN
“You look beautiful,” Natasha says as she helps adjust my pearl studded veil over my curly locks.
“Thanks,” I say, beaming as I look at her in the mirror.
My curls are pinned up in an intricate knot on top of my head with only a few loose strands to frame my face. I like the subtle makeup Natasha helped me perfect. I’d initially thought about going with that airbrushed look—the natural-looking but not natural makeup style. But Lance talked me out of it because he says he loves my freckles. And I loved that so much, I want to keep them on display. For him.
My loose, off-the-shoulder drape sleeves hang nearly to my elbows, their beaded fabric sheer to make it look light and airy. And the heart-shaped neckline of my dress is flattering to my newfound cleavage.
I smooth the flowing fabric of my white skirt over my baby bump. It’s not incredibly noticeable yet—not that I’m trying to hide it. But the tulle frills of my dress and the empire waistline—chosen for comfort—do naturally mask it. I smile, knowing thateven if our little girl won’t be here for another four months, she’s going to be a part of this magical day.
“You nervous?” Natasha asks.
“For the ceremony? Or the baby?” I ask, realizing she could have been watching me.
“Both? Either?”
“Honestly, no. I’m just excited. I’ve wanted to marry Lance since I was ten years old. And I always thought it would be fun to have babies. This seems like a pretty ideal time now that I’m done with school.”
Natasha nods, her high cheekbones plumping slightly as she gives me a genuine smile.
I like my relationship with my sister-in-law. We’ve grown really close over the last six months. And I trust her with everything, from self-defense training to relationship advice. She was an easy pick for my matron of honor—and my only bridesmaid.
“That’s so nice,” she says. “Seeing all your dreams falling into place. You and Lance are so good together. It’s hard to remember there was ever a time before you were a couple.”
I laugh. “You only say that because you didn’t know us very long before we got together. I promise, Killian would sing a different tune if we asked him.”
Natasha laughs too. “I’m glad we got his head screwed back on right.”
“Agreed.”
“And now he’s Lance’s best man.” She shakes her head. “Your brother’s an idiot.”
“Don’t I know it? But he’s an adorable idiot, which is why we keep him around.”
“Agreed,” Natasha echoes, and we both giggle.
I don’t know that I could have put this wedding together without my sister-in-law. I didn’t want a big fancy affair, but Idid want a party that would include all the King men. So we’re having it at Killian’s house, with the ceremony set to happen right on the beach.
Killian paid to have a temporary dance floor built across the heated pool.
And I’m excited because even Jamie, Finn, and Henry are flying in with their wives and children to be a part of it. It’s been a long time since all the King boys were in the same room with each other. And that’s always a hoot.
“The pianist is in place,” Kayla says, peeking her head around the door to let me know. “Aw, you look so beautiful!”