Epilogue
One Year Later…
ROWEN LEANED AGAINST
the big cedar elm tree in the backyard yard of his new home staring at his lovely bride conversing with her parents and his. Thankfully, both sets had forgiven them for running off and getting married without telling anyone, but they’d both had the big wedding the first time and honestly, all they wanted to do was get on with their lives.
So, when the big house next to the neighborhood pool club became available, they had realized they were more than meant for each other.
They closed on the house less than a month ago, and had now been blissfully married for twenty-nine days. Not that he was counting or anything, but he did have the best one-month anniversary present for Heather, his wife.
God, how he loved the sound of that.
Boy, was he going to love seeing the look on her face when he walked her around to the front of the house where a shiny, brand new sport SUV was parked with a big pink bow. Not only was he tired of tinkering with her clunker, but he wanted something where the lights would automatically go off if she left them on. He never minded jumping her
, but he got tired of the phone call at four in the afternoon, “honey, the battery is dead again.”
He glanced around the yard at his family and friends who had gathered at the request of both their parents, but mostly his grandmother, for a reception to celebrate their marriage. It was a perfect partnership, even when she did want to stick her fingers in his mouth with some dental floss.
Eyeing his wife, as she strolled across the yard, he didn’t think his life could get any better.
“How are our parents?” he asked.
She laughed that easy throaty laugh that rolled over his ears like butter melting over warm toast.
“I got an earful about us not telling them and including them in the wedding.”
“Right, because they would have loved watching us get married in Vegas.”
“My mother was just grateful it wasn’t by an Elvis impersonator.”
He looped his arm around her waist, bending over and kissing her temple. “Come on. I’ve got a late wedding present or an early one month anniversary present, depending on how you want to look at it.”
“Oh goodie. I’ve got one for you too.”
“Really?”
She rested her hand on his hip as he guided her to the front yard where a couple of his cousins had moved her car, replacing it with the new one.
“Normally, I’d say ladies first, but I’m too excited.”
“I’m not complaining.”
The second they rounded the corner, she paused, covering her mouth, gasping. “Rowen! You didn’t!”
He smiled proudly.
She wrapped her arms around shoulders, hoisting herself up, locking her legs behind his waist. “I love you,” she whispered before brushing her lips over his.
He cupped her ass, holding her steady, enjoying her affection and the fact he’d made her happy.
Again.
Nothing brought him more joy.
“I take it you like the car?”
“I love it,” she said. “I have a present for you. I was going to wait until tonight when we were alone.”
“We can wait if you want.”
“No.” She slid her legs down his, putting her feet on the ground, leaning against his body, staring up at him with tears in her eyes.
He palmed her face. “Why are you crying?”
“This is all happy tears.”
“Over a car?”
She shook her head. “Over what we’re going to put in that car.”
He blinked a few times. “I don’t follow.”
She smiled wide. “In a few months, we’re going to need to buy a car seat.”
“What?” He gripped her hips to hold him steady as his mind processed what his heart already knew.
“We’re going to have a baby,” she said. Her eyes twinkling through the tears.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Suzie. He swallowed. “Shut the front door. A baby? This isn’t some sort of April Fool’s joke is it?”
He tilted her head. “It’s August.”
“A baby?” he questioned as he cupped Heather’s face. “A little person you and I made.”
She nodded.
“Wow. I’m glad I didn’t buy you that convertible.”
“That would have been a cruel joke.”
He leaned in and kissed his beautiful wife with a tender brush of his lips.
“Do you to ever stop kissing!” Suzie skidded to a stop next them, looking up with her little curls bouncing about her plump face.
“It’s what newlyweds do, dear,” his grandmother said. For a woman about to turn ninety, she had a spunk that many fifty-year-olds didn’t have.
“Mrs. Baker says all that kissing should bring babies,” Suzie said, planting her hands on her hips. “So? Are there going to be any babies?”
Rowen let out a hearty laugh.
“You can tell Mrs. Baker that we are having a baby,” Heather said, her smile as wide as Suzie’s squeal was loud.
“Really!? You have a baby in your tummy!”
“I do.”
“Well it’s about time.” Suzie darted off toward the backyard.
“She’s going to tell everyone,” Rowen said, not really care how anyone found out he was about to be a father.
Before Heather could respond, shouts and gasps echoed from the back yard as Suzie, screamed the news to everyone.
“My grandmother is going to smack me upside the head.” Rowen lifted Heather from the ground, gripping her thigh muscles. “Probably harder than when we returned from Vegas.”
“I’m sure I’ll be next in line.” Her legs wrapped tightly around his middle. “Why don’t we go in the house, up to our room, and hide.”
“What would we do there?” Rowen winked as he took long strides toward the front of the house.
“Reenact how this baby was made.”
“Well, that could take a while. I mean we don’t know exactly what position worked.”
“We’re both off for the next forty-eight hours. I’m up for it, but the question is are you?”
“Does it matter?” he asked kicking open the door.
She laughed. “I love you.”
“I love you, even though you stole my fire.”
“I did no such thing. You gave it to me.”