Without hesitation, Owen picks me up just as I kinda make out the sound of the front door opening and closing.
Owen quickly settles us on the couch, my body draped over his as his huge man paws grab my face and he tips it up to meet his warm gaze.
“I love you, Tessa Cruz. I love you more than anything in this world.”
“More than Wifi?” I whisper. His lips tiwtch as he nods.
“More than anything,” he repeats as the pad of his thumbs wipe away my tears and he brings me closer into his body. Cuddling close, he doesn’t rush me to calm down. He gives me the time I need to process what he’s just said, and when I pull away, his gaze is intense.
Concerned.
“I love you, Owen Woodman. I’ve loved you for so long, and now that this, you and me…” I pause and watch as he swallows hard. “It’s better than I could have imagined, and I don’t want it to end,” I admit. His brows bunch up.
“Is that what you thought? That we would what? Just go back to being friends?”
“I wasn’t sure,” I confess. He exhales roughly.
“Let me tell you something right now, princess. You’re mine. Completely and utterly mine. Today, tomorrow, and forever.”
“Is that right?”
“You bet your sweet ass.” He grins, and I breathe in, resting my forehead against his. “And you being mine, do you knowwhat that means?” His voice drops an octave, and my skin heats up.
“What?” I whisper, feeling like I’m on the edge of my seat.
“That I’m yours. Only yours.” He seals that promise with a kiss. One that doesn’t end until we’re both breathless and pawing at one another.
But time would teach me that’s just what happens when we kiss.
EPILOGUE
OWEN
Iwalk into our bedroom and look at the goddess in our bed shift, reaching for me even in her sleep, and I smile. I do that a lot now. Hell of a lot more than I did before we found our way together. To think of all those wasted years kills me, but like my princess likes to say, everything happens for a reason.
Her eyes open, and just like that moment she stepped foot into my mom’s kitchen all those decades ago, my heart stops and feels like it physically grows to fit everything I feel for her into it. She looks at my spot on the bed, empty and cold, and frowns before looking up to see me standing there.
“Happy anniversary,” I whisper because I know if I talk any louder, one of our four boys will wake up and any plans for a quiet moment with their saint of a mother and my queen will disappear as quickly as they will make a mess.
“Pancakes!” She grins as she sits up in bed. I set the tray of food on her lap before I join her in bed. “This looks so good,” she whispers, her eyes warm with love and affection. “Thank you.” She leans over, and her lips touch mine for only a second because if she kisses me any longer, the pancakes will get cold and end up on the floor.
“It’s snowing,” I point out. She looks out the window and smiles.
“Snow it is.” Her lips twitch, and I shake my head at her punny sense of humor. One I find endearingly adorable even after all these years. There is never a dull moment when I’m with her.
“Punny.” I chuckle and shake my head as I kiss her forehead, and I watch her enjoy her breakfast for a moment. “How are you feeling?” I ask, worried about my wife but happy she finally woke up without running to the bathroom.
“Tired,” she mutters as she starts to dig into the stack of pancakes. I watch as she eats.
Not only feeding herself but our babies in her belly. After four boys, we were positive the idea of a daughter was not in the cards for us. But the ultrasound last week told us a different story.
“How are they?” I ask, rubbing her belly. She is only five months along, but carrying twins, she is getting bigger and more beautiful.
“Happy. They’re letting me eat, so they must be in a good mood.”
“Daddy’s pancakes do that.” I wink, puffing my chest out proudly. She laughs, leaning into me and holding my face with her two hands, her nose bumping mine.
“Snow this is what happily ever after’s are made of, huh?” she says softly, and and I kiss her. Letting my lips linger for a moment longer than I should before I nod against her.
