Five Years Later
Nick looked around the dinner table and thanked God the same way he did every night that this was his life. He’d almost lost this before he ever even had it. He’d nearly died, but it took being shot in the line of duty to confirm for him just where he was supposed to be.
Here. In Fate. With Kady.
He watched as his wife dished out food and couldn’t help but smile. She only got prettier every day. She’d cut her long hair recently, saying it was too much of a hassle, but he liked the sharp little bob. It gave her a no-nonsense vibe he loved and knew fit her well as the mother of two stubborn little girls.
Lissa and Andie looked just like their mama. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Those girls had stolen his heart with their first breaths and would break the hearts of a million boys in the future.
He was a father. Daddy. He was outnumbered and he had his work cut out for him, but he wouldn’t give up this life that he’d chosen for anything.
“Okay, that’s enough, girls.” Kady gave their daughters a stern look. “No arguing at the—”
The shrill ring of his phone cut her off and Kady instantly frowned. So did he. They both knew what that sound meant. He was on-call tonight and something needed his attention. He hated to do it, especially when his girls were oohing and whispering about how Daddy was supposed to turn his phone off at the table, but Nick got up and went to answer it.
He put the phone to his ear. “Sloan.”
“Hey, bro. Got an issue and I could use some backup. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
“Connor,” he growled at his brother-in-law when he recognized the voice. “It better be an actual emergency this time or I’m going to hurt you in places that pretty little wife of yours won’t like.”
“Ouch. Damn.” Connor laughed. “Low blow. I’m not pranking you this time, I swear. There’s a party outside town. Just got called in and they say it’s big. I’d like to have some backup in case any of the little punk kids who try to act too cool when I shut it down. Can you meet me or not?”
Nick looked around the dining room and sighed. He wanted to say no. He wanted to stay here, inside, where it was warm and he had everything he’d ever needed. But as Kady liked to remind him, Connor was family too and family took care of one another.
“Yeah. I’ll meet you. Give me a few minutes.”
Connor rattled off an address and Nick hung up. Kady was already chewing her bottom lip apart and he headed for her instead of back to his chair. She turned, letting him pull her into his arms, and buried her face against his neck.
It didn’t matter how many years passed, his job would always worry her. But she was a good wife and a great mother. She always had his back.
“Sorry, baby. I have to go. Connor needs some backup.” He plucked her bottom lip from her teeth. “Don’t worry.”
“I always worry.”
“You always say that.”
“I know.” She smiled when she pulled away from him a little. “And you always say…”
“There’s nothing to worry about. I always come back to you, don’t I?”
“Always,” she confirmed and he kissed her hard.
He still loved the way she sighed into his mouth. Still loved the way her hands found their way into his hair. Would always love the way she fit against him. He only pulled back when girly laughter, punctuated by “ooh” and “ahh” and “gross, cooties” reached his ears.
Kady hid a giggle against his chest. “Girls, tell Daddy you love him. He has to go back to work for a little while.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you!”
“Love my girls.” He gave each of them a quick kiss on top of the head and then turned back to his beautiful wife. “All my girls.”
“Love you too.”
He gave Kady another long hug and didn’t even pretend that he wasn’t copping a feel. She giggled again and he smiled. He nipped at her earlobe playfully.
“The girls will be asleep by the time I get back. Wait up for me.”
“Yeah?” Kady’s eyebrows rose knowingly.
“Yeah, and be wearing that little pink teddy I like so much.”
“Nicholas Sloan, are you thinking about making another baby girl?” Kady whispered conspiratorially and he chuckled because she always knew him so well.
“What can I say? I’m a man in blue who loves a girl in pink.”