Page 150 of The Moments You Were Mine

He nodded and then smiled shyly. “They actually finished earlier this week. I used that drawing you made—the one with the garden blooming out back and the porch extending all the way around the house.”

Tears streamed down Lauren’s face, and she rose awkwardly, shifting on her mechanical leg and heading straight to him. She pulled his face into her hands and kissed him, sweet and slow and long enough that Fallon and I raised our brows at each other.

“Thank you,” Lauren said softly, “for thinking of me.”

“He didn’t need to,” Rafe said gruffly. “Fallon and I would have handled it if you’d told us what you wanted.”

Lauren twisted around and glared at him. “I don’t want you doing more for me than you already have. I’m not your responsibility. I haven’t been for a long time. I have my ownmoney—more than enough, seeing as you and Fallon ensured I received a cut of the resort’s profits.” She turned back to Teddy. “You didn’t need to take out a loan.”

He flushed. “You were so sad at that rehab center, darling. I just thought, if you had something to come home to, something that was just yours, it would help.”

Lauren patted his cheek. “Why don’t you take me home, Teddy? Show me what you did.”

His face lit up.

Fallon was up and out of her chair before I could stop her. She hugged her mom. “You don’t need to leave because of me, Mom. Not here or the resort. It takes a community to keep this place running, and you are an integral part of it. Iwantyou to be a part of it.”

Lauren brushed her hand over her daughter’s hair, tugging at the braid. “Honestly, Fallon, I’m tired. I’ve been struggling and fighting for this place for too long. All of the Hurlys have. It’s time to let go. It’s your legacy now. You watch over it and see that it continues to flourish.”

It took another round of hugs and quiet words before Teddy was able to draw Lauren’s hand into his, help her down the steps, and take her away in his truck. Fallon watched from the porch while they drove off.

I was grateful when our parents followed their lead, stepping out of the house to say their goodnights. They promised to check in on us in the morning.

“Or you could just leave us to enjoy our honeymoon,” I offered, keeping my tone light but also landing the point I’d wanted to make.

Rafe glowered, but my mother laughed.

“You have a four-year-old in the bedroom across from you, so I’m not sure how much of a honeymoon you’ll actually have.”

“Theo is right where he belongs,” Fallon insisted. And I felt it all the way to the bottom of my soul. She’d claimed him just like I had. Just like I’d claimed the baby as mine.

In the quiet that was left behind as their vehicles drove away, I turned Fallon around and searched her tired face. “You’ve done too much again, Wife.”

She put her arms around my neck and smiled. It was tired but full of that glow that was the essence of her, the light I’d seen most of my life, the one that had flickered briefly and was back with an extra force.

“Maybe you should swoop me into your arms and haul me to our room. You threatened to tie me to the bed, didn’t you?”

I didn’t even bat an eye. I simply did just that, striding down the hall with renewed purpose.

She laughed the whole way, and I promised myself I’d make her laugh every single day for the rest of our lives. I promised there would always be more joy than sorrow, more pleasure than pain, and more love than hate in her life. Inourlives.

When I set her on the bed and tried to step back, she latched on like a monkey. The unexpectedness caught me off guard, and I toppled onto the mattress. I barely had time to brace myself and prevent my full weight from landing on her.

Her mouth found mine. Greedy. Hungry. Full of all the same pent-up longing I’d felt all day.

Clothes disappeared, and skin glided against skin. Mouths and hands caressed and cherished and teased. I watched in awe and fascination as she started to slip over the edge, chanting my new favorite word, before I slid home, planting myself deep inside her with a satisfied groan. Her hips thrust into me, and I settled my hands on them, holding her down.

“No activity from you, Wife,” I growled, mouth brushing against hers.

“It feels too good.”

“Don’t make me stop,” I said, meeting her gaze with mine. It was supposed to be a command, but it came out more like a beg.

Her smile was stunning and beautiful. Her fingers traveled over my lips.

“I waited a lifetime for you to say that, to beg just like that.Neverwasn’t quite as long as either of us expected, was it?” Mischief lit up those amber eyes along with lust and love and relief.

It wasn’t the goddamn tease that did me in but the grateful knowledge thatneverhadn’t been the end of us. I’d finally torn down the boundaries I’d put up and fallen right where I’d always wanted to be. With her. Completely and utterly twined with herin body, heart, and soul.