Page 36

Epilogue

DANI

“Damn. You look…smoking hot.”

I eyed Jordy incredulously. I was nine months pregnant, in a dress for the Kings’ Spring Gala, barely able to walk let alone fit in a damn dress.

He approached, hands wrapping around my very wide hips. “Before you say anything, you are literally stunning. You could be wearing a garbage bag and I’d still wanna fuck you.”

“Jordy, you are exhausting, but I love you,” I replied, out of breath because fuck putting on a dress when you can’t see your toes because human beings are in the way.

He kissed my forehead before we made our way out of our apartment. We decided to move in with each other, because we were having babies, and we genuinely loved each other. But we made the choice that we were not getting married until after the babies arrived. There was no need for a shotgun wedding when everyone already knew I was pregnant.

“There they are!” Becca slurred at our party table, spilling her white wine as Shyloh held her up.

“We might have accidentally drunk an entire bottle of white wine before coming,” Shyloh groaned. “And by we, I mean Becca and—” He gestured to Lenna on the dance floor, who was busting out some amazing and remarkable dance moves that looked a lot like the sprinkler and a shopping cart combined.

We laughed, knowing that once I got these babies out, I’d be ordering the largest margarita known to man along with endless baskets of chips and salsa.

An announcer started talking from the stage, getting everyone’s attention. We took our seats in our designated spots. Jordy’s hand gripped my thigh, squeezing three times. I watched him, taking in what the announcer was saying. He was so perfect, so perfect for me.

“As you know, each year we select one player from the team who has gone above and beyond for their charities and community outreach. And this year, we are selecting a player that has committed more than three hundred hours of community service, raised over two million dollars for our local homeless shelters, as well as homing one of the families and providing an opportunity for their family to succeed.” I cut my eyes to Jordy. It had to be him. I knew he’d been working so hard for the homeless shelter, and he had bonded with a little boy named Josiah.

“And that player is…Jordy Hughes!”

We cheered as Jordy stood, but before he left to retrieve his award in his fine ass suit, he leaned down to press a kiss to my lips. “I love you,” he whispered.

My heart swelled with pride. He was mine, he was ours. I settled my hand over my bump; the cheers must have woken the girls up, because they were kicking and moving all around. They were just as proud of their dad as I was.

He stood in front of the microphone with his award in hand, holding it by his side. “Thank you, thank you. I know many of you know my sister, Lenna Hughes, and her husband Conrad. But I don’t know if you are aware of our history. I won’t dive too deep into that sad fest, but Lenna and I lost our oldest brother many years ago due to an accident. Lenna and I also grew up without our dad being there, but that wasn’t by choice, as he also passed when we were little. Our mother did all she could to support us and worked multiple jobs to keep a roof over our head.”

He sighed, and I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. “I had missed out on a few things in life, and embarrassingly enough, I didn’t know how to tie my shoes very well. Not until this beautiful woman I’m with tonight showed me. And that’s all it takes—one person to take the time to help you.” He swallowed and he wiped his eyes. “When I met a young man at the homeless shelter, I was able to teach him how to tie his shoes. I got to know him and his family, and all I wanted was for them to have a chance. So, here’s to giving chances. Thank you.”

My heart was beating so fast as I watched him walk back to me with the entire crowd standing and cheering for him.

When he sat down next to me, Jordy handed me the award. “This should actually go to you. You’re the one who inspired me.”

“No. This is a team effort. We inspire each other, don't we?” My eyes welled with tears.

His hands cupped my cheeks and kissed my forehead. “Yes, we do. So, should we get out of here?” he suggested

I nodded as I stood. No one would bat an eye if we left. I was enormous.

Wetness dripped along the inner parts of my thighs, and I froze.

Shit.

“What’s wrong?” he whispered.

I glanced at him with wide eyes. “I think my water broke.”

Jordy banged his hand on the table. “Baby time!” he yelled.

Wrapping his arms around me, he helps me walk to the car. “Alright, mama. Let’s go have some babies.”