"I'd choose you again. A thousand times."
"Me too, darlin'. Me too."
I close my eyes, content and safe and loved in a way I never thought possible.
Tomorrow, we'll wake up and continue building our life together. The ranch. My practice. His club duties. Our future is stretching out before us.
Maybe someday, kids. A family of our own to raise on this land.
But tonight, I just want to lie here in my husband's arms and be grateful.
For survival. For safety. For love.
For Shadow.
My enforcer. My protector. My husband.
Mine.
Forever.
EPILOGUE
Shadow
Two Months Later…
I wake up to the sound of Grace being sick in the bathroom.
Again.
It's been a week since we found out, and the morning sickness hasn't let up.
I swing my legs out of bed, pad barefoot across the hardwood floor, and find her kneeling on the bathroom tile.
"You okay, darlin'?" I ask, crouching beside her.
"Peachy," she mutters, then immediately retches again.
I hold her hair back, rub circles on her back, and wait it out.
This is my life now—enforcer for a motorcycle club, husband to a veterinarian, and soon-to-be father.
Father.
The word still feels surreal even though we've had a week to process it.
When Grace finally sits back, exhausted and pale, I hand her a cool washcloth and help her to her feet.
"Maybe we should call the doctor," I say. "This seems worse than it should be."
"It's normal. The first trimester is rough sometimes." She rinses her mouth, leans against the counter. "It'll pass."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure." She manages a weak smile. "Besides, I'm not canceling lunch with my mom. I've been looking forward to this all week."
Lunch. Right. Jolene's coming over in a few hours.
