Page 45

EPILOGUE 1

TATUM

1 month later

“Are you ready to head out?” I ask after sticking my head into the bedroom where Miriam is fussing over Gabriel.

Ezra isn’t helping, pacing the room and throwing as many unnecessary things into the diaper bag as possible, only for Miriam to glare at him and take them out.

“Wait! We need that! Willy is the one who convinced me to get those!” He’s got his finger pointing at a large box, and I can’t tell what it is until Miriam holds it up with frustration.

I burst out laughing just as she grits out, “I don’t need to bring fifty fucking nipple pads, Ez!”

He holds his hands out like he’s pleading with her. “ Mi pétalo! Please. We’ve got a two-hour drive there, then the visit, then a stop at Susu’s, then another one at your dad’s place!”

They’re both breathing hard, Miriam ready to strangle him and Ezra’s eyes wide as he fights the good fight.

“Ez, I’m?—”

“ What if you leak everywhere? ”

I stand up straighter and head into the room, stepping in between the two of them. This just went from a hilarious argument to Ezra about to dissolve into panic and Miriam might just kill him.

“How about,” I start, snatching the box from them and opening it up, “We take a dozen just in case .” I stress the end, hoping Miriam will understand. Luckily, I don’t need to worry because her face has already softened.

Taking the package away from me, she shakes her head. “No, he’s right. You never know when these babies will make themselves known. Maybe I should bring a couple extra shirts, just in case.”

“I got them,” Ezra calls out, rushing into her closet.

Reaching out, I draw her against me in a hug. “Thanks, Miri. He was…” I trail off when she nods.

“I know. I can’t believe we’re taking a whole road trip to meet a cashier at a baby store.” She giggles, then sighs as she lifts her head to rest her chin against it as she looks up at me. “Hey, I have to tell you something.”

Brushing her hair behind her ear, I give her a cocky grin. “What’s that, pretty lady?”

She flashes a smile at me and pushes up on her toes to kiss me. I groan against her mouth, enjoying every moment I get her to myself like this. She and our son are my entire world, so I’m not complaining. I just want them with me all the time.

Her kiss turns into a smile as she drops back down to walk her fingers across my shoulder up to my ear. Giving it a light tug, she bites her lip, grinning more. “I think you’re pretty great. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t forget that I love you.”

“Hmm,” I say, pretending to think it over. My arms tighten around her when I say, “I guess you’re not so bad. A little temperamental for my taste, but I’m learning to live with it.”

“ Pendejo ,” she snaps without heat. “I only get riled when you all are wrong and I’m right.”

Chuckling, I kiss her nose, then her forehead. “I guess you’re right.”

She giggles, then wraps her arms around my neck to pull me to her. Kissing me again, she whispers, “Will you tell me you love me?”

“I thought it was obvious,” I murmur back as her lips work over mine teasingly.

“You should tell her. Women are happy when you say it often.” Both Miriam and I turn our heads to find Ezra, watching us closely. When he has Miriam’s attention, he holds up a dress. “Will this do?”

She laughs, then lifts her chin toward the bag on the bed. “It’s perfect. Will you put it in there?” Then, turning to me, she raises a brow as Ezra does as he’s been asked.

Picking her up, I help guide her legs around my waist. “ Te amo ni?a bonita. ”

Her head tilts to the side as she runs her gaze over my face. “Richard or Ezra?”

Laughing, I kiss her hard and set her down. “Rich helped with that one. Pretty good, right?”

“ Perfecto . Although, sometimes things don’t cross over the same way between languages. Now, say it in English because I like it better that way.”

Herding her to the door, I stop her and lean back until her hair brushes the floor. With as much dramatic flair as I can muster, I run my tongue up the center of her chest where her skin is exposed, then lick across her lip until she opens for me.

“I love you, pretty girl. You’re what keeps my heart beating.” I kiss her again, enjoying the way she melts under me. Nipping at her lip, I add, “And what keeps my cock hard at night.”

Her head falls away as her laugh explodes from her belly. “Such a Casanova.”

“You know it,” I tease with a wink. Pulling her back up straight, we head out to the car already running. Ezra is carrying Gabriel, tucked snuggly in his car seat, trailing along behind us.

We make our stop over at Susanna’s place first, since Ezra called ahead to the store and his best friend Willy doesn’t start his shift until early afternoon. We have a nice lunch with them while the girls talk baby stuff, and Ezra and I get to know Susanna’s guys better.

Finally, we’re walking into the store where Ezra loaded up on so many essential items for Miriam. Fuck . I can’t believe how long ago it feels. Thoughts of where we’re at now bring me to a halt.

Miriam gives me a curious look, but I keep it to myself. Instead, I take her hand and we follow behind Ezra while he carries Gabriel through the store, looking down each aisle.

He walks past one, then immediately takes two steps back. “Hey man! Remember me?”

Miriam and I pick up our pace when Ezra disappears between the shelves and we lock eyes as soon as we hear a young kid’s voice. “Oh my God! Dude, I can’t believe you’re actually here. Holy shit… Wait, sorry. Is that your baby? ”

As soon as they come into view, I start laughing. This kid is the epitome of a pimply, high school nerd. And fuck, he’s got a mouth on him. Willy peers over Ezra’s shoulder when he sees us and his eyes widen.

“Isn’t he great, man?” Ezra is asking him, holding Gabriel to the side so his “friend” can get a look at him. “Let me tell you, those teepee things you suggested are life savers. This kid could hit the wall if you let the stream fly.”

Clapping my hand on Ezra’s shoulder, I grin at Willy. “You want to introduce us?”

“Sorry. Will, this is my best friend Tate. He’s also Gabe’s dad. And this gorgeous woman is Miriam.”

Holding out a hand, he takes it slowly, doing his best to not stare at Miriam and failing miserably. When I have a grip on his hand, I tug him closer. “I know she’s probably one of the most beautiful women you’ll ever see, but you should close your mouth.”

He snaps it shut and blushes. Scratching at his head, he looks everywhere except Miriam, who elbows me in the side. “Will, it’s nice to meet you. Thank you for helping Ez out when he went on his shopping trip. You were very helpful.”

“Oh, it was no big deal.” Then he grins widely and smirks at Ezra. “It was probably the most fun I’ve had here. Congrats on the kid, by the way. I’ve seen a lot of ugly babies around here and yours definitely isn’t one of them.”

Ezra shows off Gabriel for another few minutes before asking, “So, got anything new in here we didn’t get the first time?”

Will snaps his fingers, then leads us to the other side of the store and starts pointing out items I’m not sure any of us understand. Because of his enthusiasm, we do find ourselves picking up a few of them.

Once we’ve checked out and loaded up, Ezra slips him another hundred. “I probably won’t see you again, but seriously, thanks so much for your help.”

“Nah, man. It was great. I wasn’t expecting to see you again, so this was pretty badass. Your kid is awesome.”

After getting Gabriel settled back in his car seat, Miriam thanks Will and we finally take off for her dad’s place. She’s in the back with her eyes closed for the drive and I glance over at a beaming Ezra.

“He’s a good kid,” I tell him.

My friend smiles at me. “I know it was silly to go there, but he was the first person outside of us who I was able to tell about Gabriel. It felt good to let him know how everything was going. I imagine most of those people who work there get curious now and then, so I wanted to finish the story for him.”

I consider what he’s said, then add, “You finished his story with the beginning of ours.”

“Exactly. Like a prequel of a book. Nobody likes to be left on a cliffhanger.”