Epilogue
Thea hummed to herself as she swayed her hips to the holiday music blaring from the radio. It was almost Christmas, and because it was she and Marko’s first holiday together, she was doing everything to make it perfect. They already had plans to spend New Year’s day with her parents, but Christmas was going to be theirs and theirs alone.
It had been weeks without even the faintest hint of her old panic attacks, and she hadn’t realized how truly life stifling they were until they’d finally left her in peace. Now, she felt like a whole new woman, and she was.
They were back at StoneCrow, and she’d officially moved into Marko’s cabin with him. Dipping her finger into the large bowl of whipping cream she tucked her fingers between her lips and moaned before spooning a large dollop onto the gingerbread she’d just made. The scent of sweet treats mingled with the earthy scent of the tall pine that Marko had erected in the front window. Because they didn’t have any ornaments, the tree was only decorated with strings of popcorn and cranberries, but to Thea, it was perfect.
Grinning, she slathered whipped cream all over the cake with one hand while rubbing the other over her rounded belly. She was getting big now, and it felt almost like her belly was a physical manifestation of her heart. Each day her stomach grew a little more, and it mirrored the love in her heart. She was so damn happy with Marko that it felt surreal. Half the time she expected to wake and find that it was all a dream. Instead though, she woke each morning wrapped in her Walker’s arms. Marko was so loving and attentive. And, he was such a doting mate that she knew their child was going to be spoiled. It made her smile to think of her big bad beast brought to his knees by a tiny little babe. Jenny had asked them if they wanted to know the child’s sex, but they’d decided they wanted to be surprised. Thea didn’t care one way or another, as long as the child was healthy, but she knew Marko was hoping for a little girl.
The sound of booted feet stomping on the porch had Thea rushing to finish frosting the cake.
When the door opened, Marko’s eyes scanned the room until they locked on hers and the second they did, a gargantuan smile claimed his features. She loved that. She loved that every day he came home happy to see her.
From the door where he shrugged out of his coat before bending to unlace his boots, he called, “How are my two loves today?”
“Incandescently happy,” Thea supplied truthfully in a mock English accent as she scooted around the kitchen island and made her way toward the door.
Marko met her in the sitting room and in the warm glow of light from the flickering fire in the hearth, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her soundly.
“Mmmm,” he moaned, pulling back to smile down at her. “You taste sweet.”
Grinning up at him with arms twined around his neck she breathed, “Made you more treats, my beast.”
His chest rumbled with his laugh as he started swaying their bodies to the music. They didn’t speak for long minutes, simply danced slowly to O’Holy Night and stared at each other adoringly. It reminded her of all those times she’d watched her mom and dad, and she swore her contentment was damn near tangible.
Finally, Marko said, “I appreciate all your hard work, honey, but you know there’s only one sweet treat I want to eat.”
Thea felt herself blush. “Marko!”
“What?” he canted his head before scooping her up into his arms. “I hope that oven’s off because I’m taking you to our room and unwrapping my favorite present.”
He’d been calling her that since she’d gone a little crazy decorating for the holiday.
“But,” she protested. “I need to put the whipped cream in the fridge so it won’t melt.”
A wicked gleam lit his eyes, and he stalled halfway down the hall and turned around, carrying her back to the kitchen where he snatched the whipped cream off the counter and settled the bowl on her chest where she grabbed it.
“Marko?”
He waggled his brows as he headed to their room. “Cream and honey, my new favorite. Mmmmm!”
Thea groaned and followed it with a laugh that was drowned out by a mental nudge. Marko permitted the contact.
“Marko, you dick!”
He instantly recognized James’ voice. “Problem, little buddy?” There was a smile in his voice though because he suspected that he knew the reason for James’ contact.
“You volunteered me and Recker for new staff vetting?”
The attack on the estate had left them undermanned. Jenny had brought up in Thea’s last doctor’s visit how she was pulling double duty with the infirmary and new staff hiring. She’d commented that help would be nice and Marko knew just the two men for the job.
“What in the actual fuck, bro!” James continued. “Why would you do something like that?”
Marko shrugged even though James couldn’t see him. “Just felt like it was time you two boys did something else besides get on everyone’s nerves.”
“You know me and Recker ain’t cut out for that shit!”
Marko just laughed.
“Marko!” James snarled.
Marko grinned and responded, “Polo” before severing the connection.
Blinking a few times, Marko realized Thea was staring up at him in concern. He’d stopped walking and had been staring straight ahead all through the transmission.
“Everything alright,” Thea asked tentatively.
Marko growled a wicked sound and lifted her from the cradle of his arms to settle her body over his shoulder where he drummed on her ass as he walked. “Hell no, everything ain’t alright. For some strange reason you’ve still got clothes on. But, don’t worry, honey, I’ll remedy that.”
He knew she was excited, he could scent it so damn strongly that it humbled him how finding Thea had brought back all his Walker abilities. It was like it was the Grandfathers’ way of saying he chose right.
The tinkling sound of Thea’s laughter mingled with the music, and as the snow fell gently in fat flakes outside the window, two broken people accepted each other’s jagged pieces and together they became whole.