THIRD EPILOGUE
Carly - ten years later
“Daddy!” Savannah, my three year old screamed at the top of her lungs. “Caeden stole my hot dog!” She ran full tilt to Thorn and wrapped her arms around his powerful thighs.
He bent down to her level, whispered something in her ear before her smile shot wide and she zipped across the beach and stopped in front of the makeshift ice cream truck.
I shook my head, walking closer to my husband. “Nice bribe, daddy.”
“Got to choose your battles, besides she already had two hot dogs.” He shrugged, taking Jason from my arms.
“Hey, little man.” He crooned at our seven month old. “You ready to hit the water yet?”
His toothless little grin grew wide.
“Where's my godson?” Selma breezed up to both of us, swiping my son into her arms and covering him in kisses. “Auntie Selma is on babysitting duty tonight. You’d better save the dirty diapers for when your daddy gets home in the morning, right, little guy?”
“Good luck with that.” Thorn huffed and pulled me into his arms.
“Thank you for taking them tonight, Selma.”
“Girl, you and the old man haven’t had a night to yourselves in a year, I’m happy to do it.”
Thorn shook his head at her dig. They were always fucking with each other, and I swear some days if it wasn’t for me they’d tear their eyes out.
“I’m kind of digging the salt and pepper in the beard though.” Selma winked at me. “Bet that beard feels amazing downtown, huh?”
“Selma!” I covered my son’s ears.
“Don’t be a prude, he’s too little.”
“Momma,” Courtney appeared at my hip. “Why would daddy’s beard feel amazing downtown?”
“Oh, for god’s sake. Ask Aunt Selma.”
Selma’s eyes widened before she broke into a hardy laugh. “I’ll tell you all about it when we get home, Courtney. Can you help me round up the kids?”
“I can’t believe you trust that woman with our kids,” Thorn grumbled, in ear shot of Selma.
“Hey, if it weren’t for me you wouldn’t have any of this buddy, don’t forget that.”
“What the hell is she talking about?” Thorn pulled me a little closer.
“Carly wouldn’t get off her ass to even go on a date.If it wasn’t for me putting her picture up on that dating app—”
“Wait a fucking minute, Selma put up your picture?” Thorn turned to me.
My cheeks flamed and I nailed Selma with a glare. “I was busy studying.”
“And drying up while you were at it.” Selma shot over her shoulder before draping an arm around the shoulder of my daughter. “Y’all should be thanking me for making this happen.”
“She’s ridiculous.” Thorn rolled his eyes.
“She’s hilarious.” I laughed. “And right.”
“I don’t know anything about Selma being right, but I know I’m goddamn glad you swiped right on me. Changed my life.”
“See, told ya!” Selma blew us both a kiss.
“She’s insane. If that’s the only woman we could find to watch our holy terrors—“
“Selma begged me for auntie time, I was just waiting until Cole was old enough.”
“Well, I’m damn glad to have you to myself.” Thorn hummed at my ear.
He snagged my hand in his and we took off down the beach, towards the little cottage that Thorn had rented for us for the weekend.
We weren’t far from home, and the kids would be over first thing in the morning for pancakes, but at least tonight Thorn and I would have the place to ourselves.
It was a blessing, and just in time, because I had a little surprise in store.
“Looks like there’s a storm coming in off the lake.” Thorn mused as we reached our dock, turning me in his arms and cradling my face as he placed soft kisses on my face.
The wind picked up, sand dusting over our toes as we stood together.
“I’m proud of you. Chief of Staff is such an accomplishment, Doctor.”
A soft smile turned his lips. “Being your husband is my favorite accomplishment. And being a dad.”
I nodded, tears plucking at my eyelids as his warm embrace shielded me from the chilly air.
“Good, I’m glad.” I murmured, the next words teasing on the tip of my tongue. “Because…”
Thorn heard the tone in my voice, holding me a few inches away from his face so he could nail my eyes. “Carly…?”
“Because pretty soon we’re going to be a family of six.”
Thorn’s eyes grew the size of dinner plates. “Well, no shit.”
He swiped away happy tears, his lips covering my mouth in a salty kiss.
“Loving you has been the honor of my life, Carly.”
I pushed my hands under his shirt, connecting with the hard slab of muscle, drawing my strength from him. “Love you, Thorn.”
“I love you too, baby. I can’t wait for the next adventure.” He hoisted me in his arms, the time for talk over as he carried me up the dock, kicking the door of the cottage in and laying me over the couch. He took his time, hands caressing my skin like I was the altar he prayed at, lips murmuring sweet words as he buried his face between my thighs. His tongue worked against my soaked pussy, that beard driving me to the edge of reason and back again, before his teeth nipped at my clit and stars split behind my eyes.
“Love you a little more every day.” His words burned a trail to my heart as he slid inside me, my body stretching to take him in. “I'm so glad Selma made you swipe right.”
“Thorn!” I half-chastised, half-moaned.
A cocky grin tipped his lips as he stroked deeper. “Love you too, Nurse Cartwright.”
THE END
Turn the page for a preview of His Girl, a second-chance romance with a sweet surprise ending! ;) Aria