Epilogue
Adira opened a can of food and emptied it into the dog dish for Frank. She placed it on the floor and he raced into the kitchen. Only having three legs didn’t slow him down one bit. The badly broken leg had been amputated, but he’d come far since she and Hugh had rescued him from the road seven months ago.
She gave Frank a scratch behind the ear, the diamond in her wedding ring glistening a colorful rainbow in the sunlight flowing in through the window. She still couldn’t believe she was married.
“Where’s my shirt? I can’t find it,” Hugh said from the bedroom.
“When will he learn that I’m not the shirt police?” she whispered to Frank who was chowing down. Going to stand in the doorway of their bedroom, she found him looking everywhere for his uniform shirt. “You’re not looking very well.”
He lifted his chin and their gazes met. “It’s like my shirt grew legs and it wandered off. I remember placing it right here on the chair.”
She smiled and loosened the belt around her waist and the front of the robe parted, revealing his shirt that she was wearing underneath. His growl bounced off the walls. “Remember that game of hide and seek we played once upon a time? I thought it would be fun to play again.”
He was across the room in the time it took her to exhale. “My God, I’m so lucky to have you.” He snaked an arm around her waist and drew her close, nuzzling his freshly-shaven chin against her neck. “Promise me we can still “play” long after the baby is born.”
“I sure hope you change diapers better than you wash dishes. You said you’d do them last night.” She tried her best to give him a firm expression, but it was impossible. She had the inclination to melt under him when he looked at her the way he did.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. After you laid down, I curled up next to you and fell asleep too. My uniform shirt looks better on you than it does me.” He pushed the robe off her shoulders and it dropped to the floor at their feet. “I could use you at the station. Bad guys would take one look at you and freeze.”
“I forgive you for falling asleep with me. From what I’ve heard from my sisters-in-law, we should sleep as much as we can now because once our baby is born, we can kiss rest goodbye.” She palmed her stomach which was now rounded.
“My brothers have told me that we should catch up on hanky panky because once our precious son is born, we can kiss sex goodbye. I say we take their advice and start catching up now.”
“You don’t know if we’re having a son.” She laughed. “And, they’re only teasing you, darling. Sure, we won’t have as much ‘us’ time, but from what I know, your brothers are very cared for in the way of lovemaking. However, I like your way of thinking. You still haven’t found your surprise.”
He smiled widely, reached between her legs, and rubbed a finger along her panties. “I don’t feel any vibration.” His eyes narrowed.
“And you won’t. I retired the toy, for now, but what you missed is I placed something where your shirt was. For a Sheriff, you’re certainly not very observant.”
“In my defense, once you lost the robe I was a goner.”
“Good excuse, but before we take this a step further, you have to find your gift.”
He kissed her on the cheek, then went to the chair. She watched him open the envelope and stare at the ultrasound picture she’d placed in there. “It was a good day. I remember when we heard the heartbeat and saw the little Jericho for the first time.”
“Turn it over.”
She heard his breath come out in a hiss and then he spun, a look of shock on his face. “Twins?”
Taking the necessary steps that brought her to him, she cupped his cheeks. “Remember I told you that I had a doctor’s visit yesterday but it was nothing?” He nodded. “Well, I didn’t want to scare you, but I was having some cramping and that’s why I saw my obstetrician.”
He blinked. “You didn’t tell me? That’s not right.”
“I agree, it’s not, but you were at Joe Peterson’s trial and that was important too. I didn’t know the doctor would give me another ultrasound just to be sure all is okay.”
“Is it?” He tore a hand through his thick hair.
“Yes, just as you can see, we’re having twins. A boy and a girl.” Tears moistened her eyes.
He lowered his gaze and subtly swiped at his face. She’d never seen him cry, but he had gotten darn close on their wedding day. When he lifted his chin, there was no longer any sign of tears, but he was smiling ear to ear. “You got me, baby. Come here.” He took her into his arms and led her to the bed, helping her to the center of the thick comforter. “If I haven’t told you lately, I love you. You’re an amazing woman and I could never say thank you enough for coming into my life and saving me.”
“I know you can do better than that. Show me, hubby.”
And he did…
Not the end, but only the beginning…