Page 136 of Nails

EPILOGUE

The front door was open to let in the warm spring breeze, carrying the scent of the blooming gardenias from the front flower bed.The sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting golden beams that seemed to breathe life into every corner of their new home, filling the space with warmth, hope, and the promise of new beginnings.

Nails stood in the living room, watching the woman he loved put the finishing touches on the Easter baskets she made for the kids.

Riley Aiken, or soon to be Riley Torres was glowing as she stood barefoot at the island, her long hair cascading down her back in waves.She was absolutely breathtaking.He was one lucky bastard, that was for sure.

“Enjoying the view?”She asked him, sounding amused.

He met her eyes and smirked.“It is a view that I’ll never get tired of.”

The last month and a half had passed in a whirlwind.Riley’s father had been formally charged with her mother’s murder, and her step-mom, Linda, was charged with accessory after the fact, not to mention the many lesser charges they both had racked up over the years.There had been court dates, interviews, mountains of paperwork, and long nights where the trauma of it all hit her hard.

The evidence was airtight thanks to the documents her dad had held in a safe at the house.The trial was scheduled for the summer.Riley wouldn’t have to face him again until then.And even then, she’d face him with a team at her back.

But that part of their lives was closing, and today was about new beginnings.

They had decided to wait on the wedding until after the baby arrived.Not because they were uncertain, but because they wanted to be present for every part of it.And as Riley had put it, she wanted to dance without a bowling ball in her belly.Still, she wore her ring like armor, and he hadn’t gone a day without calling her his fiancée at least ten times.Sometimes, just to see her roll her eyes.

When it came to Riley’s career, she was excelling with the Virginia Beach Police Department.She was the department’s new lead spokesperson.Her skills, her composure, her fire, all made her the perfect bridge between the community and law enforcement.Nails knew that she would do great.

He wandered into the kitchen and slipped his arms around her from behind with his hands resting on her stomach.It was something he found himself doing often, as if he wanted a constant connection with their baby growing in her belly.He rested his chin on her shoulder.

“You know,” he murmured, “we’ve been living here for a little over a week and I still don’t believe this is real.”

Riley leaned back into him.“Same, though you did put in a lot of work the last two weeks in getting the rooms painted and new wood floors down.”

He kissed the side of her neck.“Yeah, but you gave this home life.”

She chuckled softly and reached up to tangle her fingers in his hair.“You’re getting sentimental on me.”

“Only because I’m stupid in love with you.”

That earned him a cookie.She offered him the sugar cookie that was shaped like a bunny, and he took a bite before she could snatch it away.

As he chewed on the cookie, he took a moment to look around at the space they had made their own.Looking at pictures of their family and friends sitting around, and little knick-knacks that gave the house character, he realized that it wasn’t just a house.It was a home that he and she created.

He’d never imagined settling down.He never thought he’d find someone who fit his world so perfectly, who challenged him, comforted him, and made him feel more alive than any mission ever had.But Riley did all those things, and he was thankful for meeting her.

The chime of the doorbell pulled him out of his thoughts.

“Showtime,” Riley said with a grin.

Nails kissed her cheek before moving to the front door.When he got there, he found Jocelyn juggling a tray of deviled eggs and two Easter baskets.Max, Amira’s brother, was trying to balance three gifts that were stacked on top of one another.And Amira was front and center, wearing sparkly bunny ears that were tilted to one side and a tutu with so much tulle it could double as insulation.

“HAPPY EASTER!”she yelled, hopping into the entryway like a caffeinated kangaroo.

Behind her stood Bear with a grin already twitching at the corners of his mouth.He was holding a large, covered platter that Nails assumed was the ham that Jocelyn cooked.

“Sorry, man.She’s been on a sugar high since six this morning,” Bear said, clearly amused by Amira’s antics.

“I can see that,” Nails said laughingly as he stepped aside to let them in.

Riley joined Nails, said hi to everyone, and then helped Jocelyn lessen the load in her arms.

As they walked into the kitchen, Nails looked at Amira.

“Did the Easter Bunny bring you anything good?”