Epilogue

Addie

“Happy anniversary!” It’s Zac’s voice, and I let him in with a grin. “Pregnancy looks good on you,” he says, and I blush as Cliff walks out.

“Thanks,” I say, and the men gruffly hug. My parents are about to leave with little Mona. It’s strange to think that after three years and a daughter later, Cliff and I are still in a place of joy and love.

Mona is only three and looking forward to her little brother. But this anniversary, we’re planning to be alone for the night and just enjoy ourselves once all our friends are done coming by to offer love and gifts.

And judging by the look Cliff’s giving me, he’s got some dirty ideas of what he wants to do tonight. I can’t wait. Having a two-year-old around the house means we get a lot less private time.

While I wouldn’t trade it for anything, I do miss the intimate moments with Cliff.

“You’re next,” I tell Zac, and he shakes his head at me.

“I’m never getting married,” he says, and Cliff gives him that look. You know the one, the look that says yeah, I said that too, and now look at me.

I shrug. “Just the prediction from the pregnant lady who’s called several big events over the last year.” Like his promotion to lieutenant. He makes a cross with his fingers and hisses at me, and I can’t help but laugh at his antics.

I’ve come to love all Cliff’s friends over the years. Camille and I have been exchanging baby tips and advice, and the kids get together for regular playdates.

Our lives are happy and full, and I can’t imagine things being any better. All the terrible events of the past seem like nothing now, just like his father had predicted all those years ago when we’d fished off the dock.

The whole thing had indeed blown over. Arlo had moved on and publically apologized for the harm he’d caused me. I’m not sure to what extent Cliff had a hand in that apology, and to this day he won’t tell me his involvement. But things started to get better.

Now, it feels more like the world sees me as a victim. All the ugly things people said had been replaced by hatred of Arlo, and lawyers had reminded the social media guardians that sharing pictures of people without their permission is not just morally wrong, but not exactly legal.

And while I hated that whole issue, I had seen a lot of people up in arms and going to bat for me and my privacy. It was like the world had come together to protect me, and while it was late coming, it was heartwarming.

And now, nobody bats an eyelash at me. I’m back to being a nobody. My fifteen minutes of fame are over, and good riddance. I see Dakin pull in and sigh. It feels like we’re never going to get rid of everyone so we can enjoy ourselves. I promise to get even with all my friends when it’s their turn.

Camille is quick to come give me a hug, and I hug her back. “You look so good!” she says, and I grin at her.

“Thanks,” I say. “I feel like a whale.”

She shakes her head. “You’re adorable.” The guys hug, and I sense Cliff’s at his breaking point. I feel bad for him. He’s had something planned, I know it, but he hasn’t had a chance. Everybody is cock blocking him today—it would be funny if I wasn’t so tired.

The baby isn’t due for another five months, but I’m just so tired.

“I’ll drag him off,” Camille says. “Happy anniversary!” I see her go grab Dakin and lead him back toward the car. I wave with a smile, and Zac finally decides to take off.

Cliff comes over with a smile on his face. “I made you something to eat,” he says, his hand capturing mine as he leads me up the stairs toward the bedroom.

“No need to eat at the table like civilized folks,” I joke, and he throws a look at me over his shoulder.

“Civilized?” he asks. “What’s that?”

“Oh, ha ha, you’re funny,” I say, rolling my eyes. In the bedroom I see the nightstand is covered in snacks. Feeling utterly exhausted, I climb in bed and lie down. And almost instantly, I feel sleepiness overcoming me.

“I love you,” Cliff says, handing me a little box. I take it and open it, smiling at him.

“I didn’t get you anything,” I say, feeling terrible that he’d done something for me and I hadn’t done anything for him. But he places a hand on my belly and says, “Trust me, you’re doing more than enough.”

I open the box and find a necklace that matches the ring he’d given me. I sigh. Leave it to him to do something so heartfelt, so beautiful. We’d decided to name our daughter after his great-grandmother.

It’s amazing how many things I didn’t know about him when we’d gotten married. I’d only learned how wealthy he was at the wedding. Turns out, he’s beyond wealthy; we and our children will never want for anything.

Not that any of that matters.

I’d also learned that apparently he’s sentimental, even though I’d never have guessed that about him in a million years. I love it.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, and he fastens the necklace around my neck. I touch the pendant before leaning over to kiss him. “What do you want to do with our free time?” I whisper against his lips.

“Let you rest,” he says, kissing me again. “I’m a romantic like that,” he teases, and I moan.

“So romantic. You know how to turn me on, baby.” I smile, and he kisses me again.

“Keep that up and I’ll take it back,” he growls, his teeth nipping at my lips.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I murmur, kissing him.

“You should be,” he growls.

And he proceeds to not let me sleep as he envelops me in love and joy, protection and sweet satisfaction. It’s the perfect end to the perfect day. The perfect exclamation point on our love story.