Epilogue
One year later . . .
Katie stood out on the large patio of the new home she and Connor had recently bought together, watching all their friends and family as they enjoyed the afternoon festivities at Val’s fourth birthday party.
Connor’s mother and father were there, laughing as Val tore through all the gifts everyone had spoiled her with. His business partners and wives were all present, as well, along with the three new babies each of them had had. Katie had already held and cuddled them all, and it was hard not to catch baby fever from all the sweet cuteness overload.
She glanced down at the huge diamond ring on her finger, the one that Connor had put there on Valentine’s Day, which had been the day they’d decided to get married. It had been a small, intimate affair at Connor’s parents’ house—with Val standing in as the flower girl and throwing rose petals everywhere.
So much had changed in one year, but the things that mattered the most had stayed the same, while other things had grown exponentially. Like Connor’s love for her and Val, for one thing. And the fact that she and Val now had a family that they belonged to. There was one other thing that was about to change, as well, but that was a surprise she wanted to share with Connor later, when it was just the three of them.
After a few hours, the party ended, and after everyone was gone and everything cleaned up, Katie went to her office to retrieve the present she’d wrapped earlier, then went back to the kitchen, where Connor was drying the last of the dishes, then handing them to Val to put away.
The two of them were adorable together, and their affection for one another always made Katie smile. Once upon a time, she never would have believed that her heart could feel so full, but Connor had made it possible. She and Val were very lucky girls, and she hoped the gift she was about to give Connor would make him feel just as fortunate.
“Hey, you two,” she said, grabbing their attention as she walked into the kitchen with her hands, and the present, behind her back. “I know it’s your birthday today, Val, but I have a special present for Daddy, too.”
“What is it?” she asked, running over to check out the small wrapped package Katie was now holding in front of her.
Katie grinned at her daughter’s impatience. “We’re going to find out as soon as Daddy opens it.” She handed the long flat box to Connor, who gave her a curious grin.
“Can’t imagine what it is,” he said, examining the box and the nondescript paper it was wrapped in. “I have everything I could ever want right here in this room.”
Katie rolled her eyes at him, though she was smiling. “Trust me, you’re going to want this. And just so you know, it can’t be returned.”
Val jumped up and down beside Connor. “Open it quick, Daddy. I wanna know what it is!”
“Hold your horses, princess,” he said as he tore away the wrapping, then lifted the lid on the box.
He had to fold back the tissue paper to find what Katie had put inside, and she watched as he looked at the long plastic stick in confusion, which quickly morphed into shock as he raised his eyes back to her face.
“Is this what I think it is?” he asked, his voice already husky with emotion.
She shrugged, her own throat getting tight at the reverent look in his eyes. “Depends on what you think it is.”
“You’re pregnant?” His tone was a combination of hope and disbelief. “Already?”
She laughed, because they’d just recently decided to try for a second child now that they were married and settled in a new house. Like, in the past month kind of recent. “What can I say? You have really strong swimmers,” she said, keeping things age appropriate since Val was still in the room with them.
Connor set the box on the counter and pulled her into a hug, his warm, strong body enveloping hers. “Just when I think I can’t get any luckier than I already am, you prove me wrong all over again.”
“What is it?” Val asked enthusiastically. “What did Mommy get you for a present?”
“I am so going to thank you for this present later, when we’re alone in bed and you’re completely naked,” he whispered wickedly in her ear. “I might even thank you a couple of times,” he promised meaningfully before releasing her and turning his attention to his daughter.
He picked Val up so she was sitting on his muscled forearm. “You know that baby brother or sister you keep asking for?”
Val nodded.
“You’re going to have one, very soon,” he told her.
The little girl’s eyes widened. “Yay!” she cheered, clapping her hands happily. “I can’t wait!”
Neither could Katie, but as she’d learned over the years since first meeting Connor that snowy night in Denver, some things were definitely worth waiting for.
Thank you for reading . We hope you enjoyed Connor and Katie’s story! We would appreciate it if you would help others enjoy this book by at your preferred e-tailer. Thank you!
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