Wilde Blue (Wilde Brothers Book 4) (13 page)

There were tears in her eyes as she leaned down to kiss him again. “And that’s why I’m staying in here, in Chicago. I can make a life for myself anywhere, but there’s only one place in the world that has you.”

Epilogue

Dave sat at the bar at Leo’s and watched Casey play with his infant niece with a sense of contentment he could never have imagined before meeting Dani and her daughter. The family he’d once dreamed of was his now, long after he’d given up hope. He’d spent the summer turning his house into a home, and while he was transforming his house, his girls had transformed his life.

When the house was ready, he’d formally asked Dani to move in, and she’d happily agreed, pointing out that she’d basically been living there for weeks already. They’d told Casey together, and her happy shrieks had been like music to his ears.

His once-quiet evenings were filled with laughter and noise now, and his immaculate and orderly house was awash in toys and chaos. With Nick’s help he’d turned one of the bedrooms into a little girl’s paradise, the walls covered in detailed paintings of all of Casey’s favorite things. Ben had helped him remodel the kitchen, and somewhere in all the work and mess, he’d reconnected with all his brothers. He hadn’t realized how far he’d pulled away from them as they’d each fallen in love and started down a path he never intended to walk again.

He’d been back at work a week after the shooting, and while he was glad to be back, he’d known from the first time he walked into his office that the job wasn’t the focus of his life anymore. He’d still make captain, and he’d still love going to work every day, but now the two greatest joys in his life were a blue-eyed angel and her beautiful mother.

The angel in question was currently staring down Megan Rose Wilde, the first of the new generation and named after her grandmother in a blatant attempt by Tag to try and become the favorite son. Not that it was going to happen. If he got his way tonight, little Megan wouldn’t be the only granddaughter in the family, at least not for long.

“Penny for your thoughts,” his mother said, resting a hand on his shoulder.

He looked over at her and flashed her his most charming smile. “I was thinking that if you’d be kind enough to take little Megan for a minute, I’ve got something I need to ask Dani and Casey. Trust me, Mom. You’ll be glad you helped me out here.”

She beamed at him and whispered, “Really?”

“Yes, really. I’ve got to reclaim my place as your favorite son somehow, don’t I?”

She rolled her eyes at him. “You will always be my favorite, but this certainly helps cement your position.”

With that she walked over to Casey, pressed a kiss to her curls, then carefully lifted her baby granddaughter into her arms. “Grandma’s turn to hold the baby!”

Dave got to his feet, surprised to find he was actually nervous. He walked over to where Dani was seated without saying a word and dropped to one knee at her feet. Within seconds, all conversation had stopped. He was the focus of everyone’s attention, but the only person he saw was Dani.

“David, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

“Taking the next step in my plan to keep you here forever.” He took her hand and reached out to take Casey’s as well. He’d memorized what he wanted to say, but now that the moment was here, he couldn’t remember a word of it so he simply spoke from his heart. “I want you both in my life, so I have a question for each of you. Daniella Moore, will you be my wife? And Casey Moore, will you let me adopt you so I can be your daddy for always?”

“Yes!” Both mother and daughter spoke at the same time, and Casey threw herself off her stool and into his arms.

“I told you he wanted to be my daddy. I told you the night he drew me the police horse! I was right!” Casey crowed, hugging him so tight he could barely breathe.

Everyone around them laughed, and Dave gave her a hug and a kiss before speaking. “Yes, munchkin, I guess you were. Now hold on a second, I’ve got something for you and your mom.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the diamond-and-sapphire ring he’d been carrying around all day, offering it to Dani. “It’s not official until you put this on.”

She let him slip it on her finger, then grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. “I love you,” she told him before kissing him hotly. He kissed her back and for a glorious minute forgot everything and everyone around them.

“Oi, there are children present! Not to mention bachelors who don’t need to see that kind of mushy crap.”

“Kissing isn’t mushy crap, Uncle Jared, it’s romantic!” Casey declared, then held out her hand to Dave. “You said you had something for me, too.”

“I did.” He set her down so he could reach into his other pocket to retrieve her present. It was a heart-shaped gold locket on a golden chain “This is for you. There’s a picture of your mommy in there, and a picture of me, too.”

Casey beamed at him. “So I can show everyone that I have a mommy and a daddy now?”

“You got it, munchkin.”

There were tears on Dani’s cheeks as she looked down at Casey and back to him. “You sure you’re ready to take us both on?”

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. You’re my world, Dani. With your permission, I’ll adopt Casey and give you both a new name, along with my love, and a promise that I will never let anyone hurt you or our little girl.”

“Permission granted.”

He gathered them both into his arms and hugged them as all around them family and friends started to cheer. “I love you both so much.”

Dani smiled through her tears, looking radiantly happy. “We love you, too.”

The End

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