Epilogue

Hutch

“I can’t believe she’s going to play for my party!” Briar exclaims, her cheeks bright, and her pink ruffled dress swaying as she hops around my kitchen. “Greer. At my birthday party. I’m so lucky!”

Smiling, I say, “Valen is kind of awesome, isn’t she?” It was her idea to have a mini concert in the backyard for Briar’s birthday. Honestly, I hadn’t even considered a birthday party. When I told Valen that, she’d wrinkled her forehead, scrunched up her nose and told me I was fired. She’s taken care of everything since that moment.

Darla got the job transfer, she’s renting the house right next to ours, and Briar is here full time. I thought it would be too much to ask of Valen to care for Briar full time while I’m away, so she and Darla share the responsibilities and my God, Briar has blossomed. She gets to have her daddy more. She has her beloved auntie, and she gets…Valen.

Valen calls her over to help her chose where she wants the candy bar to go and I watch them together with a Tabitha sized lump in my throat. Briar watches Valen so intently, so closely, that I know she’s seeing that same quality, I first saw in her. No one could ever predict the ease in which Valen fell into her new role.

She amazes me at every turn. Today, as even more proof, Briar hugs Valen around the neck and kisses her on the cheek when she’s released. With the candy decisions made, Briar scuttles off, her little dress shoes clicking as she heads outside to admire the large swing set I spent all night building.

“Don’t get dirty, Briar. Greer will be here soon,” Valen shouts out the sliding glass door, to her pink retreating back. Then, she focuses her gaze on me.

“And you. Over here, looking all beefsteak milkshake on me. Everything came out nice, don’t you think? Briar seems so happy.”

Leaning on the counter, I clear my throat. “She’s not happy because of the party, Valen. She’s happy because she’s here. With me, but mostly with you.”

She starts shaking her head the second the words leave my mouth. “You know she’s happy to be living with her Daddy again. I’m trying my best to make her like me still. Darla is so good at all of this, I hope I can be as smooth one day.” She already is smoother. She has something Darla doesn’t. I grab her left hand in mine and let my thumb play over the antique diamond ring I placed there only a month ago.

“It’s still there,” she whispers, leaning in to kiss my lips. I found it in a dusty shop down by the beach. The diamond is set in a v shape, and it reminded me of the Van Halen album cover. It called out to me the second I saw it. I hadn’t considered marriage until I walked into the store. It was like this fucking sign from a higher power; a sign from someone. I bought it right then and there and my decision was made.

I couldn’t live another day without her being mine. I was surfing all morning, and I bought an engagement ring instead of lunch that day. I couldn’t drive home fast enough. I called her father on my way to ask his permission. It was a little sloppy, and I wish I could have spoken to him in person, but the need to ask her was burning a hole through my heart. It felt like this was the only thing that could lock her down and force her to understand how deep my feelings ran.

Valen presses herself against me in a hug and my body responds immediately—the need to take her, bend her to my will, call her my own, rears up so strong, some days I can’t contain it. I’ve fucked her on every surface of this house save for my daughter’s room. On nights Briar spends with Darla we don’t sleep a wink. It’s sex, and blow jobs, and broken sentences from stolen breaths. There’s come dripping from every one of her orifices and I’m still on my knees begging for more of her—demanding she give me every last drop of her love.

The doorbell rings and before anyone can answer it, Greer rushes in with a cascade of people following her. I lose Valen to Greer, but I know it’s only for a brief time. She’ll be back in my arms and my bed before the night is through. She’s safe. I can protect her and the fragile love we built. I have to.

“Where is the birthday girl? Are we ready to party?” Greer chirps. Briar dances in from the back yard and her eyes light when they land on Greer. She’s wearing a bright pink dress that covers more skin than the typical status quo.

“It’s really you,” Briar says, drawing closer, eyes still wide in disbelief. “I thought maybe it would be like the dinosaurs and Mickey Mouse people who go to parties. Someone made up to look like Greer Sinclair.”

Valen hugs Greer, then spins on Briar. “I’m offended, Briar. You think I’d hire a fake for your seventh birthday party? This is a huge deal. A really big, fancy affair.”

Briar runs into Valen’s waiting arms. “Greer, I’d like you to meet the smartest, most awesome, talented, beautiful, seven-year-old in the entire universe, Briar.”

Greer extenders her hand and shakes with Briar, and then says, “You’re more famous than I am. I already know all about you.”

Valen beams as Briar rattles on about her favorite songs and her new friends that will be coming. She fusses over Greer’s dress and comments on how they almost match, another facet Valen planned perfectly. Greer has her people set up to do her makeup and hair in Briar’s bedroom and Valen sits by her side chatting away. Briar watches, perched on her bed, singing along to the songs Greer has playing on the radio.

Baz elbows me out of my spot in the doorway and barrels into the room. “There you are, G-money. I’ve been trying to reach you,” Baz grumbles as he ambles into the room.

“I’ve been indisposed. As you can clearly see,” she waves her hand around the room. “I told you what time I’d be here, don’t act so surprised.” I love that she gives him a run for his money. No one ever does that.

Valen pops up from her seat and asks Briar to help her with something in the kitchen so Baz can be alone with Greer. Once they’re out of ear shot I say, “No funny business in Briar’s room,” and then shut the door against muffled laughter.

The kids are filtering in, and I see Briar’s smile get brighter and brighter with each new face. She’s a social butterfly—practically glowing under all of the attention. Guilt hits me square in the chest when I remember how many of her birthdays I’ve missed. Darla was always good about sending photos of Briar and her birthday cake, but this might be the first official party that she remembers.

I greet parents and direct everyone outside to the seating we spent the morning setting up. One of Greer’s bodyguards is already out there, standing by the makeshift stage we rented for the “performance.” Valen insisted it have the feel of a real concert. When Darla arrives she takes over meeting and greeting all of the excited people and I sneak Valen away to our bedroom.

“Stud, you can’t keep me locked in this room. I have a party that needs to be the most successful party that ever graced southern California. My mommy points are riding on this.” She doesn’t mean to use the word mommy, I can tell by the shocked look on her face. “I mean, step-mommy points,” she amends quickly, a horrified look on her face.

I shake my head, inhaling the scent of her perfume. “I can’t believe it’s real. You’ve made me so happy.” Not many people can say they are satisfied in their career and in their home life. There’s always a hang up somewhere in there. I get to have the best of both worlds and I’m still waiting for this beautiful woman in front of me to call me a sham, and make a beeline for the closest exit.

She pulls back to meet my gaze. “Stop, would you? This is real life. We get this. I get you and her, and I’ve never been happier.” Valen pulls her hand around to look at her ring, and it boils the blood in my cock. She’s mine. In all ways.

I kiss the ring on her finger and she leans in to kiss my neck. I suck in a deep, bothered breath. “Honest War,” Valen quips, after a burst of giggles. She knows how easily she can fire me up.

“Ok. Honest War.” Those two words always scare me a little, but thankfully I no longer have anything to hide. Not my love. Not secrets. I’m an open book for her.

“Tell me what’s on your mind right now,” she says, voice low, gaze fixed on mine. “The whole truth. Nothing but the truth. Right now.”

This will be a truth that hurts me. One that feels dishonorable and shocking. One that I never would have believed in a million years had you told me ten years ago. Because it’s an Honest War and I can’t lie, nor do I want to. Not to her. Never again.

“What’s on my mind?”

She nods, lips pressed to the side in a smirk.

I swallow it down, for the very last time, relieved all my cards will be on the table. Looking up to the ceiling I whisper a silent apology and then I speak the truth. “I’ve never loved a woman more than I love you.”

Tears well in her eyes. “Honestly?”

It’s my turn to nod. “Honest War,” I reply.