Secret Love (Love Stings Series Book 2) (19 page)

Epilogue

Carrington

Three Years Later

“Bed two is waiting for a room upstairs. I checked her IV bag, and it’s about halfway done. Bed four is waiting for CT, but they’re backed up. Other than that, it’s all good,” I tell my relief, Jessica. It was a long shift today, and I just want to get home and off of my feet.

“Thanks, Cari. See you Friday,” Jessica says as I wave goodbye and head to the locker room. I’ve been working here at Lutheran Hospital as an ER nurse for the past two and a half years, and I love it. Emergency medicine was definitely the right choice for me. It’s fast paced and challenging. Coincidentally, I work with Abby’s mother in law, who’s a nurse practitioner, and she’s phenomenal. I’ve learned so much from Jackie.

It’s hot out today as I change into my tank top maxi dress, one that Taylor bought for me, and flip-flops. I turn on my phone and send a quick text to Damien’s mom, Carol, to let her know that I’m on my way. The first time I met her and Damien’s dad, Roger, I was nervous and scared, but I immediately fell in love with both of them. Victoria, Damien’s baby sister, and I have gotten very close over the past couple of years as well.

As I make my way toward Carol and Roger’s place, I can’t help but think about the past few years. Shortly after my twelfth week of pregnancy, I ended up having a miscarriage. Damien and I both struggled with our grief, but luckily my parents were there as a huge support system for us. Yes, the circumstances were different, but it still wasn’t any less painful. We both wanted our baby but knew it was just nature’s way of telling us that something wasn’t right. As time went on, the grief was less and less. Oh, it was still there, but it wasn’t nearly as overwhelming.

Six months later, I became pregnant again. We weren’t trying, but I swear he has super sperm, and surprise, surprise I was pregnant with twins. So, almost two years ago, I gave birth to my sweet baby girl and boy, Shay and Ryder. Having one of each was perfect, and they’re the best kids a girl could ask for. They love each other so much and often entertain each other.

They keep us on our toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. After pulling in to the driveway, I get out and make my way toward the front door. I knock and head inside.

“Hello!” I call out.

“Hey, honey, we’re back here.” I step down the hall and find Carol and Victoria sitting on the floor with the kids.

“Hi, guys. Hi, my beautiful babies.”

Shay gets up and gives me a big smile. I scoop her up in my arms and listen as she tells me a story in her baby talk and then points at her brother. “Oh yeah. Tell Mommy all about it.” Ryder comes over to me, and I put Shay down and pick up my boy. “Hi, handsome. Did you miss Mommy?” He grabs my cheeks and pulls me toward him for a wet, slobbery kiss.

Carol tells me about their day and how the kids behaved. Between her and my mom, we haven’t had to pay for day care. They usually alternate weeks. That way, one doesn’t get more time than the other.

“Sweetheart, how are you feeling?”

“Good, tired. This little one is sucking the life out of me, and we double-checked. There’s only one this time.”

If Damien doesn’t go get a vasectomy after this baby is born, I’m going to do it myself because three children under three years of age is going to keep us very busy.

We visit for a little longer, and then they help me load the kids into my minivan. I hug and kiss both women and make my way home.

We bought our home about three months before the twins came, which was crazy, but our families all helped us get it ready. We live between his parents’ house and mine in a cute little three-bedroom ranch. It has a huge porch that I love to sit in when it’s nice out.

I pull into the driveway and find my man working on his motorcycle. He looks up and gives me that smile that can still make my panties wet and moves toward the other side of the van to get Ryder out.

We meet at the front, and he bends down to kiss me. “How was your day, babe?”

“Good, busy. I could really use a soak in the tub.”

“Let me finish out here and I’ll be in shortly so you can do that.” He kisses me one more time and then helps me get the kids inside before heading back out.

Bathing both kids is a feat, but it’s easier to do both at once than one at a time. They love their bath time, and I swear more soapy water gets on me and the floor than them, but I honestly don’t care. I just love watching them squeal and splash. After pulling the little prunes out, I get them dried off, lotioned up, diapered, and dressed.

They’re both having their bedtime bottles when Damien comes in. He sits next to us on the sofa and pulls Ryder onto his lap, kissing his dark brown locks. They both have Damien’s dark hair, but Shay has a hint of red in hers. They both have my blue eyes and my dimples. I can’t wait to see who the next one looks like.

After the twins go down for the night, I run my bath, and while the tub fills up I look at myself in the mirror. I’m only four months along, but I’m already showing, which they said would happen. I’ve kept in pretty good shape, but my breasts aren’t as perky as they were and my nipples are huge. I did breastfeed two babies for almost a year, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

The door opens, and I find my husband staring at me. “You look so fucking gorgeous.” He moves toward me and bends down, kissing my lips. “How about company in the bath.”

Damien strips out of his clothes and then helps me into the tub. Once we’re settled in, I have a feeling it’s going to be a while before I actually get clean.

***

Damien

Five Years Later

I flip the burgers and hot dogs on the grill when my father-in-law, Luke, stands next to me. We had a rocky relationship in the beginning, but after Cari and I lost our baby, things shifted between us. He’s become a great friend and someone I always feel like I can talk to.

“Everything looks great. The kids seem to be having a blast.”

We rented a house on the beach with her parents and mine. Everyone’s been having fun. I look toward the water, where my beautiful wife is dancing around with our daughters, Shay and Kara, dancing behind her. Ryder’s not too far from his mom and sisters, but he’s playing with our boxer, Chief.

I continued to work for the DEA until right after Kara was born. It was a decision that I didn’t make lightly, but I needed something with a little more stability. I became a detective with the Beaufort PD four years ago and couldn’t be happier.

“Yeah, they are. I think this is going to become an annual thing. I hope you’re okay with that.”

“Absolutely. Bellamy loves any chance she gets to be with the kids.” He places a hand on my shoulder, getting my full attention. “You two are amazing parents. I just want you to know that I think you’re doing a fantastic job with those kids. They’re loving, funny, but they listen and behave and have manners. Not a lot of kids are like that these days.”

“You can thank your daughter for that. She’s been very big on the kids always saying please and thank you for everything.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter, because you guys are a team. I know I’ve said it before, but I couldn’t be more proud of the man my daughter ended up with.”

I don’t even know what to say after that. I just give him a chin lift.

***

The sound of the surf comes through the window as I lie in bed with Carrington in my arms. With a houseful, I’ve had to get real creative about fucking my wife. Tonight it was in the inside of our closet with my hand over her mouth. She came so hard that she squeezed my come right out of me.

Her soft breathing tickles my chest. I let my fingers drift up and down her body and smile as I watch goose bumps pop up all over her body. I never in my life imagined my life would be so full, but dammit it is. Those babies of mine have turned me in to a sentimental asshole, but really, who cares? I’m happy, she’s happy, and our kids are happy. That’s all that matters to me.

***Sneak Peek***

Forbidden Love

Book 3 in the Love Stings Series

Chapter One

Violet

The apartment that my parents are helping me rent looms in front of me, and a sense of excitement runs through me. Last year I stayed in the dorms, and it wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t good either. My roommate was a party girl, and I was not. My dad just about had a nervous breakdown when he found out I was moving into coed dorms.

My dad is a little on the overprotective side. Okay, little is putting it mildly. My dad would keep me and my sisters locked away if he could. I’m okay with it. I’m a total daddy’s girl. He and I have always had a special bond. I’m even going to Tulane to major in architecture and minor in business. My hope is to work alongside my dad and uncles. They run the construction and restoration company that my grandpa and his best friend started a long time ago.

When I was little, I used to go to work with my dad when I could and I soaked up all of the knowledge I got from watching him work. It was a natural next step to go to my dad’s alma mater.

My mom and I climb out of my car, and my dad and uncle climb out of the moving truck.

“I don’t like it. That’s it, we’re moving you home,” my dad says from behind me.

“Daddy, you don’t mean that. This is a safe building. You have to buzz to get in.”

When I first approached my parents about living off campus, my mom was all for it, but my dad took a little convincing. He only agreed when I let him help me search. We found the perfect spot. I’m five minutes from campus and close to the campus library, where I work. It’s a one-bedroom apartment with a tiny eat-in kitchen and a cute little deck that I’ll be able to sit out on.

We all work together to get my stuff unloaded. My mom and I found the cutest used furniture at a flea market that gives my place a kitschy look, which is just my style. My dad calls me his little gypsy, but I call it bohemian. My dark hair hangs down to my lower back in wild waves, and I wear a lot of maxi skirts or dresses with bangles on my wrists and ears full of earrings.

Once the last box is brought in, my dad and uncle go to get us pizza. I sit on my love seat with my mom. “I love this place, Mom. Thank you for all of your help.” She kisses my forehead.

“You bet, baby. I hope you have such a good time, but not too good,” she says with a goofy smile on her face.

“Please, I’ll be too busy studying to have any fun at all. I have Mr. Torres for studio work in architectural design. I guess he’s really tough and kind of an asshole, but I can handle him. I hope.”

Playlist for Secret Love

You and I–Lady Gaga

Cool for the Summer–Demi Lovato

F**k Around (All Night)–Pepper

I’m on Fire–Slightly Stoopid

Down Down Down–The Expendables

Stroke Me–Mickey Avalon

Sirens (Feat. Dirty Heads)–Sublime with Rome

The Hills–The Weeknd

Problem–Natalia Kills

Here–Alessia Cara

Revolution–Diplo

Everywhere I Go–Hollywood Undead

Come Around–Slightly Stoopid

Boombastic–Shaggy

Skyscraper–Demi Lovato

Dangerous Woman–Ariana Grande

Me, Myself and I–G-Eazy, Bebe Rexha

The Sound of Silence–Disturbed

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