Epilogue

Three months later

The lacy white fringe of Andi’s dress fluttered in the unexpectedly warm mid-November breeze. Her pulse beat rapidly at the two little words that were about to change her life.

She looked into the eyes of the man she loved. “I do.”

“Then I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The state police chaplain gave Nick a brief nod. “You may now kiss your wife.”

Nick slipped his arms around her, pulling her close. Looking as handsome as he did in a classic black tuxedo, he took her breath away. But it was the unabashed expression of love in his eyes that had her heart melting.

“I love you,” he whispered, then kissed her. His lips were warm, lingering on hers before pulling away. “I’ll finish that later.”

“I’ll hold you to it.” Her belly tingled, though she didn’t know if it was from the promise of yet another night filled with his lovemaking, or from the baby. What she did know was that her hormones were flying in every direction, and she craved making love with him now more than ever.

No sooner did they turn to face the crowd than the entire line of groomsmen—all of Nick’s friends—whooped and hollered like a bunch of rowdy teenagers. The rest of the guests cramming the DPC’s rear deck and grassy yard below clapped and cheered. Even Saxon and Stray, who sat obediently in a corner of the deck, began howling their congratulations.

Saxon was decked out with a big, shiny white bowtie, while Stray twisted her head first in one direction, then the next, trying to nip at the small bunch of pink flowers Tess had tied to her collar.

The reception passed in a blur, and over the next two hours, they greeted family and friends. Business had picked up over the last few months, and the guest list had included some of their regular patrons, old and new.

After waking from his coma, Nick had spent another week in the hospital, then jumped right into rehab to regain his strength. Last week, he’d returned to work on light duty only, which was driving him crazy. His house was for sale, and he’d filled his time by moving his things into her house. Correction, their house. His latest project was to turn the spare bedroom into the baby’s room.

Now they sat in a corner of the deck, waiting for a second wind. Nick leaned over and rested his hand on her mounded belly, splaying his long fingers across the lacy fabric.

“Think it’s a boy or a girl?” He shot her a grin that was both cute and devastatingly handsome.

“My mom says it’s a girl.” She nodded to another table, where Nick’s parents and hers were deep in conversation. “Yours says it’s a boy. Which do you want?”

Nick shook his head. “I don’t care. But if it’s a girl, we’re never letting her bring a boy near that telescope.”

She leaned over and punched his bicep. As she did, she caught sight of Nick’s friends knocking back beers. Raucous laughter came to her ears. Everyone was having a good time except Eric, who stood off to the side watching Tess fill Saxon’s and Stray’s water bowls. The look on his face was decidedly somber.

“What’s wrong with Eric?” She’d come to know him well enough over the past few months to recognize something was bothering him.

“He’s transferring to New Jersey.”

“New Jersey?” She couldn’t contain the shock from her voice. “Intentionally? I thought he was happy here.”

He shrugged. “Said it was time for a change.”

“Change my ass.” Narrowing her eyes first at Eric then Tess, she took a long slug of sparkling cider from her champagne flute.

“Such language,” he chided. “You’re going to be a mother soon.”

“Congratulations.”

They both turned at Joe’s voice behind them. He leaned down to give her a quick hug and a chaste kiss on the cheek.

Knowing Nick still hadn’t forgiven her ex for putting her in danger, she glanced at her husband to see his eyes narrowed to gray slits.

“Congratulations.” Joe extended his hand to Nick.

She watched the interplay, still wondering if Nick would launch from his chair and tackle Joe to the ground the way he said he’d dreamed about every night since waking from the coma.

“Felon,” he said, after making Joe sweat a few seconds longer before taking his hand.

For a convicted felon, Joe had gotten off easy. A federal judge had sentenced him to only six months home confinement and a thousand hours of community service. The unexpectedly light sentence had been partly the result of his cooperation being taken into consideration, plus the fact that he’d been shot. A stipulation of the home confinement was that Joe’s location was closely monitored, and the only things he could leave his house for were work, doctor’s appointments, the wedding, and his community service.

A little bird had leaked information to the judge regarding Joe’s distaste for dogs. As a result, the judge had assigned one hundred percent of his service to a local rescue shelter. Now Joe was doing something he hated: being around canines and picking up their poop.

“How’s the community service coming along?” Nick grinned slyly, and she understood why.

“It sucks.” Joe gave a disgusted snort.

“Good.” Nick snorted back. “It’s not supposed to be fun.”

“You’re never going to forgive me, are you?”

“No.”

Anyone else watching Nick would think he was composed and relaxed, with a champagne flute in one hand, and the fingers of his other hand idly tapping the tabletop. Andi knew otherwise. Her husband was itching for an excuse to lay Joe out on the ground. For now, he was getting a kick out of toying with her ex.

“Thank you, Joe.” She reached out to squeeze his hand. “Nick and I were just having a moment alone.”

Joe took his cue and wisely left.

Nick downed the rest of his champagne. “You just saved his life.”

“I realize that.” She gave her husband a knowing smile.

Two hours later, Nick carried her over the threshold, somehow managing to hold her and activate the brand-new security system. A short time later, they were completely alone in their bedroom, and the house was blissfully quiet. Even Saxon and Stray were exhausted from all the noise and attention and promptly fell asleep in their side-by-side beds in the living room.

Wordlessly, Nick and Andi peeled off each other’s clothes until they were naked and lying on top of the bedcovers. It had taken Nick nearly a full month of recuperation before he’d regained sufficient strength to make love to her, and when he had, it had been slower and sweeter than ever before. Tonight was no exception.

He pushed inside her, kissing her and cupping one of her swollen breasts. When he flicked his thumb over the rosy, distended nub, she arched off the bed. He leaned down to suck on her nipple. Given how ubersensitive they were now, she let loose with a throaty cry, holding his head to her breast with one hand and cupping his muscled backside with the other. His glute flexed and bunched as he pushed languorously in and out of her body.

Their breaths came quicker. As she neared orgasm, her heart pounded against her rib cage.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured against her ear.

She cried out, her body clenching as heavenly waves crashed over her. A moment later, Nick groaned, coming hard inside her.

He lifted his head and pushed up from the mattress so that he could look down at her. His gaze lowered, and he rested his hand on her belly, rubbing her rounded abdomen in slow circles.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Feeling our baby.”

As she reached up to cup his cheek, a lone tear trickled from the corner of her eye—one born of infinite joy, love, and the beautiful family that was finally theirs.

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