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It took him a second, but eventually, a slow, satisfied smirk spread across his face, making those adorable dimples pop that I loved so much. Heck, who was I kidding? I loved everything about the man.
“Forever, huh?”
I smiled back, and it felt good after all the crying I’d done. “At least.”
He dropped his forehead to mine, breathing me in. “Done.”
Epilogue
Olivia
Fourth of July, one year later . . .
Justin was true to his word. He stayed, and that has made me one happy woman. He officially moved out of his place and into mine the month after I asked, and though he’s kept working for Kade at Hollow Point Security, his primary jobs have been small and local so he can focus on his family... his words.
Alonzo was convicted and put in jail, and I have tried to put that chapter of my life behind me as much as possible. Christoph did fly in for the trial, but I avoided him other than when we briefly crossed paths in the hall at the courthouse. The asshole didn’t even ask about Elizabeth, which was just as well because I think Justin would have lost his mind and strangled him, considering what we were there for.
Lizzie had the best third birthday ever. Justin was a good sport, celebrating like a true girl dad, even though he isn’t her biological father—pink princesses, pink frosting, unicorns, and all.
The next day, he took me to meet his family for the first time. Not much to report there. They were basically how he described them to me, though they were cordial. I guess they’d gotten over the divorce thing, and so had Tricia. She quit calling, texting, emailing, and every other form of communication, especially after he moved in with me and made it clear he’d moved on. He also took me to his sister’s grave, where we left her a dozen yellow roses, and before we left, I told her how much I loved her brother.
But all that felt like the warm-up for today. Today, Justin was going to our annual Creed family reunion at my parents’ lake house. Everyone is going to be there, including the family members who haven’t been able to make it to previous get-togethers. My parents, all my siblings, my cousins, their families, aunts, uncles—everyone. The only one missing, of course, will be my cousin Claire, but I’ve held her dream close to my heart, as a special secret between us girls. At least for now. Maybe I’ll share it when the time is right.
But today is about those of us still here, and it will be pandemonium. I am excited.
“Are you ready to go?”
I turn from packing up Elizabeth’s snacks and juice boxes to find her and Justin, thick as thieves, grinning at me. “Almost.”
“Well, hurry up. We’re ready to go. Aren’t we, Juice Monster?” He jiggles her on his hip.
She giggles. “Stop, Daddy!”
He and I freeze, but she seems oblivious.
Slowly, he turns to look at me, his eyes shimmering with emotional tears. That was the first time she’s called him that and I know it means the world to him.
I clear my throat and focus on zipping up the bag of snacks before facing them again. “Okay. Let’s go...” I breeze by. “Daddy.”
I don’t wait around to see his reaction as I gather up the rest of my things to meet them outside at his truck.
Truth be told, I am an emotional wreck. I have been all week ever since I found that black velvet ring box tucked in the back of his sock drawer when I was putting away laundry. I hadn’t been snooping, I swear I hadn’t, but as a decorated military man, you’d think he would know how to be more secretive.
We load up and head out and he grabs my hand, his thumb absently caressing over my empty ring finger, making my heart thump hard against my ribs as I glance over at his profile.
The thing is, I didn’t have the nerve to peek that morning to see if the box was still there, but I hope he asks soon. Maybe even today. Because not only am I all in as far as this man is concerned, but I really want to make it official and to be his wife.
For me. For Elizabeth. For our unborn child that he doesn’t even know about yet.
For all of us.
Forever.
~THE END~