Unbroken (Fighter Erotic Romance #4) (15 page)

EPILOGUE

I think deep down inside I always knew I’d do something with the land beside our home. The two empty lots were now filled with two brand new two story homes I had the contractor build. After Kace and I moved in, it drove both of us crazy living in an upscale neighborhood alone. Now, A-Train lived to our left, and Ripp and Vee to our right. I put a swimming pool in the back of our home, and we shared it as much as we could – barbequing and having gatherings as much as possible. Having a family like this was what I always wanted, and now I had it – brothers, sisters, and children.

Life, to me, was complete.

As I looked out into the area surrounding the pool, I laughed as Jessie walked off the edge of the concrete and into the water. Into Ripp’s waiting arms she fell, laughing the entire time. Seeing her live without much fear was satisfying. She loved the water, and she was becoming a very good swimmer for only being 20 months old. Ripp spent almost every day in the pool, and was a far better father than I would have guessed he would have been. To think at one point in time I was disappointed in Ripp and Vee having a little girl allowed me to understand just how selfish we can be at times. Now, watching her giggle as Ripp tossed her in the air made me want to have a little girl of my own.

Kace and I hadn’t got pregnant again, but it wasn’t from lack of trying. As much as we had sex and didn’t use any form of birth control, it would stand to reason we would be blessed with another, but not yet. I smiled as I looked out over the pool by the barbeque grills.

Austin smiled as he grilled chicken on one, and burgers on the other. Watching him go back and forth between the two grills brought back memories of the finger chicken and Ripp’s frustration when Kace and I later dared to cook a burger on his
chicken
grill. Now, Saturday barbeques at our home were a standard. Sunday’s at Ripp’s parents were also mandatory, and the family was steadily growing.

Austin had won his first three professional fights, and all were by knockout. Seeing him develop into a fighter – and a good fighter at that – gave me tremendous satisfaction. I guess I was beginning to see a little of Kelsey in me, and a little of myself in Austin. I now know what had driven Kelsey to do what he’s done for as long as he’s been doing it. Passing the torch to a new generation is what my life of boxing is all about.

I’d fought twice defending the championship title, once was in Vegas against a challenger from Great Britain. The fight lasted less than a minute, and they paid me 50 million. There weren’t very many people happy about the length of the fight, but I got in a lucky punch I suppose. The second fight, in Atlantic City, lasted four rounds – another knockout and another 55 million. It’s almost disgusting the money a professional sportsman can make, but as long as their willing to pay it, I’ll collect it and do with it what I feel is best.

Staring out over the open space behind the house, I could see the school being constructed in the distance. It should be complete in six more months – a special school for special children. Special children who may be different in the eyes of many, but in the eyes of their parents were simply children. The school would be private, and require application for attendance. Any profits from the school would go toward building another just like it.

Having a special needs child is all I know. To Kace and me, Casey is simply magical. He knows he’s special in our eyes, and we’re special in his. He sees it when we smile, and we see it when he laughs. A-Train believes a baby laughing is therapeutic. I have to say I agree. There’s nothing a baby laughing can do but create joy in those who are fortunate enough to witness it.

As A-Train dunked Casey under the water, I raised my hand to my eyes to shield the afternoon sun.

“Make sure he gets a breath form time to time,” I screamed.

A-Train looked my direction as he raised Casey to just above the surface of the water. Immediately, Casey giggled and flapped his arms. A-Train responded with raised eyebrows. Casey, knowing what was next, closed his mouth and grabbed his nose. As A-Train lowered him into the water I grinned, knowing he was in good hands.

“Just about ready, boss,” Austin hollered from the edge of the deck.

“You might have to keep everything warm for a few, kid. Still waiting on Kace and the old man,” I responded.

Kace didn’t get a flu shot, and had been sick for a few days. This morning, she felt considerably better, and was excited for the barbeque. About the time Austin started grilling she got sick and ran into the house. As sorry as I felt for her, it was too late to change the plans of everyone who had already arrived.

“The best potato salad in the great state of Texas, right here,” Kelsey screamed as he walked around the corner of the house.

“I have my doubts,” Vee laughed from her perfectly positioned lounge chair.

She spent most of her time lounging in the sun and swimming since she added two partners to her firm. Now, she still worked, but acted more as a legal consultant. In the last year, she’d been to trial only once, and she embarrassed the federal government enough she made front page news. Without a doubt, she was a strong presence in the court room and in the Ripton household.

The neighbors aren’t necessarily thrilled with the fact we all ride motorcycles. When the three of us come back late at night from Ripp’s bar, it can be pretty loud. Car alarms typically go off as we enter the neighborhood from the exhaust sound waves alone. In time, I suppose they’ll all become used to it.

As Kelsey slapped me on the shoulder, he placed the potato salad on the table in front of where I was sitting. As he pulled out his chair, he yelled at Austin.

“Good fight last week, kid. When are we eating?”

“It’s ready, waiting on the boss’ wife,” Austin yelled.

Austin no more than spoke, and I heard Kace open the door and step out onto the deck. As I turned to face her, she grinned and jumped into my lap.

“Howdy, Kace,” Kelsey smiled.

“Kelsey,” Kace nodded.

“Feeling better?” I asked.

“Much,” she smiled.

“No headache or upset stomach?” I asked.

“Nope,” she smiled.

“Huh, maybe it was something you ate,” I said as I leaned forward to kiss her.

She shrugged and reached into her pocket. Slowly, she removed her cupped hand and held it in front of her, palm down. As I reached toward her hand in wonder, she dropped something in my hand.

“Is it?” I asked.

She nodded.

I picked up the applicator and looked at the little window.

“We’re pregnant?” I whispered.

She nodded her head and wrapped her arms around my neck. As I kissed her, I slipped the applicator into the pocket of my jeans.

“Can I?” I asked as I leaned away from her face.

She nodded her head eagerly. I stood from my chair and raised my hands to my mouth.

“I’ve got an announcement,” I screamed.

Eventually, everyone turned to face me.

“The food is ready. And…” I turned toward Kace and smiled.

As I turned toward the crowd, I stood proudly knowing our family was the best family life could offer a child, “Kace and I are having another baby.”

The sound from the swimming pool summarized the opinion of the group. A resounding “Ooh-Rah,” from A-Train echoed throughout the rear of our homes.

Today I don’t need to win a fight to feel like a champion. Today I
am
a champion, and I know it.

All I have to do is look around me.

Thank you, Lord.